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Three federal circuits were established to cover the whole country in 1789. The number gradually expanded to nine by 1866. Federal circuit courts had jurisdiction over all matters (especially criminal) covered by federal law. They also had some appellate functions from the district courts. In 1891, U.S. circuit courts of appeal were created to hear appeals from the district courts. They had the same boundaries (or circuits) as the circuit courts. The original circuit courts retained limited powers that often overlapped those of the district courts. In 1911 the original circuit courts were abolished. | Three federal circuits were established to cover the whole country in 1789. The number gradually expanded to nine by 1866. Federal circuit courts had jurisdiction over all matters (especially criminal) covered by federal law. They also had some appellate functions from the district courts. In 1891, U.S. circuit courts of appeal were created to hear appeals from the district courts. They had the same boundaries (or circuits) as the circuit courts. The original circuit courts retained limited powers that often overlapped those of the district courts. In 1911 the original circuit courts were abolished. | ||
To learn more about federal courts and their records of genealogical value, see ''The Archives: A Guide to National Archives Field Branches'' (described in [[Nebraska Archives and Libraries | Archives and Libraries]]). | To learn more about federal courts and their records of genealogical value, see ''The Archives: A Guide to National Archives Field Branches'' (described in [[Nebraska Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]). | ||
=== State and Local Courts === | === State and Local Courts === | ||
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Each state has the equivalent of a state supreme court and its own system of local courts, usually organized within counties or districts. Each court has jurisdiction over designated geographical areas and specific types of legal matters. The names and responsibilities of the courts in each state have changed and evolved throughout the years. | Each state has the equivalent of a state supreme court and its own system of local courts, usually organized within counties or districts. Each court has jurisdiction over designated geographical areas and specific types of legal matters. The names and responsibilities of the courts in each state have changed and evolved throughout the years. | ||
To learn about the courts where your ancestor lived, consult the "Court Records" articles of the appropriate state research outlines. You may need to contact a local courthouse to learn about the courts that have served in that area. | To learn about the courts where your ancestor lived, consult the "Court Records" articles of the appropriate state research outlines. You may need to contact a local courthouse to learn about the courts that have served in that area. | ||
=== Major Types of Court Records === | === Major Types of Court Records === | ||
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The records of most pre-1950 federal district and circuit federal courts are collected by the National Archives regional branch that serves the area. Records of the Supreme Court are indexed in the Supreme Court Digest. Records of the U.S. circuit courts of appeal are indexed in the Federal Digest. These publications are available at most law libraries and federal repository libraries. The Family History Library has copies of a few federal court records. For details about federal court records see: | The records of most pre-1950 federal district and circuit federal courts are collected by the National Archives regional branch that serves the area. Records of the Supreme Court are indexed in the Supreme Court Digest. Records of the U.S. circuit courts of appeal are indexed in the Federal Digest. These publications are available at most law libraries and federal repository libraries. The Family History Library has copies of a few federal court records. For details about federal court records see: | ||
''Sourcebook of Federal Courts: U.S. District and Bankruptcy.'' Public Record Research Library. Tempe, Arizona: BRB Publications, 1993. (Family History Library book 973 P2fc.) Explains court structure, record keeping, record searching, state-by-state districts, counties covered, addresses, telephone numbers, indexing information, and search fees. | ''Sourcebook of Federal Courts: U.S. District and Bankruptcy.'' Public Record Research Library. Tempe, Arizona: BRB Publications, 1993. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=693434&disp=The+Sourcebook+of+federal+courts%2C+U.%20%20&columns=*,0,0 book 973 P2fc].) Explains court structure, record keeping, record searching, state-by-state districts, counties covered, addresses, telephone numbers, indexing information, and search fees. | ||
Szucs, Loretto Dennis, and Sandra Luebking. ''The Archives: A Guide to the National Archives Field Branches.'' Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry Publishing, 1988. (Family History Library book 973 A3sz.) Pages 94-122 give federal court history and structure, record content and types, arrangement, finding aids, state-by-state location of records, and microfilm collections of court records at regional branches. | Szucs, Loretto Dennis, and Sandra Luebking. ''The Archives: A Guide to the National Archives Field Branches.'' Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry Publishing, 1988. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=630522&disp=The+Archives+%3A+a+guide+to+the+National%20%20&columns=*,0,0 book 973 A3sz].) Pages 94-122 give federal court history and structure, record content and types, arrangement, finding aids, state-by-state location of records, and microfilm collections of court records at regional branches. | ||
=== Court Records of Adoption === | === Court Records of Adoption === | ||
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Many adoptees desire to identify their birth parents. This information is found in adoption records kept by a court, but these records are usually sealed and can be obtained only for good reason by getting a court order. These modern court records are not available at the Family History Library. You will need legal assistance to request a court order. You can also contact one of the many organizations that have been established in most states to assist adoptees. Further suggestions and addresses, including suggestions for locating missing persons, are in: | Many adoptees desire to identify their birth parents. This information is found in adoption records kept by a court, but these records are usually sealed and can be obtained only for good reason by getting a court order. These modern court records are not available at the Family History Library. You will need legal assistance to request a court order. You can also contact one of the many organizations that have been established in most states to assist adoptees. Further suggestions and addresses, including suggestions for locating missing persons, are in: | ||
Askin, Jayne. ''Search: A Handbook for Adoptees and Birthparents''. 2nd ed. Phoenix, Arizona: Oryx Press, 1992. (Family History Library book 973 D27aj | Askin, Jayne. ''Search: A Handbook for Adoptees and Birthparents''. 2nd ed. Phoenix, Arizona: Oryx Press, 1992. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=740523&disp=Search+%3A+a+handbook+for+adoptees+and+b%20%20&columns=*,0,0 book 973 D27aj 1998].) | ||
Klunder, Virgil L. ''Lifeline: The Action Guide to Adoption Search.'' Cape Coral, Florida: Caradium Publishing, 1991. (Family History Library book 973 D27kL.) | Klunder, Virgil L. ''Lifeline: The Action Guide to Adoption Search.'' Cape Coral, Florida: Caradium Publishing, 1991. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=425952&disp=Lifeline+%3A+the+action+guide+to+adoptio%20%20&columns=*,0,0 book 973 D27kL].) | ||
For the most up-to-date information about people who can search this kind of court record contact: | For the most up-to-date information about people who can search this kind of court record contact: | ||