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Previous Jurisdictions to Land in Arizona: Difference between revisions
Previous Jurisdictions to Land in Arizona (view source)
Revision as of 13:34, 2 January 2013
, 2 January 2013→Previous Jurisdictions and Record Repositories: revised wording
(→Previous Jurisdictions and Record Repositories: revised wording) |
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Locating records of your ancestors | Locating records of your ancestors | ||
*Find where your ancestor lived and when he | *Find where your ancestor lived and when he lived there | ||
*Identify the jurisdiction covering the land when and where your ancestor lived | *Identify the jurisdiction covering the land when and where your ancestor lived | ||
*Determine the record repositories for that jurisdiction in the present day | *Determine the record repositories for that jurisdiction in the present day | ||
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For example, suppose you were told your ancestor lived in Tucson, Arizona Territory in 1861. | For example, suppose you were told your ancestor lived in Tucson, Arizona Territory in 1861. | ||
*In the present day, Tucson is indeed located in Arizona. But Arizona Territory didn't exist in 1861, it wasn't created until 1863. Before that, the land belonged to New Mexico Territory, which was created in 1850. So your ancestor lived in New Mexico Territory. This jurisdiction still exists today as the State of New Mexico. | *In the present day, Tucson is indeed located in Arizona. But Arizona Territory didn't exist in 1861, it wasn't created until 1863. Before that, the land belonged to New Mexico Territory, which was created in 1850. So your ancestor lived in New Mexico Territory. This jurisdiction still exists today as the State of New Mexico. | ||
*In 1853, the US bought the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico, which contained land south of the Gila River. This is the land where Tucson is located. In 1854, this land was given to New Mexico Territory and in 1855 this land was added to Dona Ana county. Then in 1860, New Mexico created Arizona county from the land in Dona Ana county. Arizona County existed totally within the present day State of Arizona. So your ancestor lived in Arizona County in | *In 1853, the US bought the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico, which contained land south of the Gila River. This is the land where Tucson is located. In 1854, this land was given to New Mexico Territory and in 1855 this land was added to Dona Ana county. Then in 1860, New Mexico created Arizona county from the land in Dona Ana county. Arizona County existed totally within the present day State of Arizona. So your ancestor lived in Arizona County in New Mexico Territory. | ||
*But Arizona county was discontinued in 1862, then recreated in 1863 and finally discontinued again when Arizona Territory was created in 1863. The records from this extinct county reverted to Dona Ana County, which still exists in the State of New Mexico. | *But Arizona county was discontinued in 1862, then recreated in 1863 and finally discontinued again when Arizona Territory was created in 1863. The records from this extinct county reverted to Dona Ana County, which still exists in the State of New Mexico. | ||
Putting this all together, your ancestor actually lived in Tucson, Arizona County, New Mexico Territory in 1861. Therefore look for records at the archives in Tucson, Dona Ana County, and the State of New Mexico. | Putting this all together, your ancestor actually lived in Tucson, Arizona County, New Mexico Territory in 1861. Therefore look for records at the archives in Tucson, Dona Ana County, and the State of New Mexico. | ||
Sometimes, records were recorded in a county or jurisdiction where your ancestor did not live. Maybe there was confusion as to where the borders lay. Or maybe it was a shorter distance to the neighboring county seat. There could be several reasons | Sometimes, records were recorded in a county or jurisdiction where your ancestor did not live. Maybe there was confusion as to where the borders lay. Or maybe it was a shorter distance to the neighboring county seat. There could be several good reasons. But treat this as the exception to the rule and check the most obvious place first. | ||
=== From the 1600s to 1846 - Spanish and Mexican land that would later become Arizona === | === From the 1600s to 1846 - Spanish and Mexican land that would later become Arizona === | ||