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Previous Jurisdictions to Land in Arizona: Difference between revisions
Previous Jurisdictions to Land in Arizona (view source)
Revision as of 12:16, 16 June 2017
, 16 June 2017→Locating Previous Jurisdictions and Record Repositories: added and revised wording
(→Locating Previous Jurisdictions and Record Repositories: wording revised) |
(→Locating Previous Jurisdictions and Record Repositories: added and revised wording) |
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*Determine where your ancestors lived and when they lived there | *Determine where your ancestors lived and when they lived there | ||
*Determine the jurisdiction | *Determine the jurisdiction your ancestors lived in and where its records were stored | ||
*Determine if that jurisdiction exists today and where its | *Determine if that jurisdiction exists today and where its records are now located | ||
*Determine if any records were moved to a different record | *Determine if any records were moved to a different record location | ||
For example, suppose you were told your ancestor lived in Tucson, Arizona Territory in 1861. Research the actual jurisdiction and record repository. | |||
*In the present day, Tucson is indeed located in Arizona. But the US didn't create the Arizona Territory until 1863. Before, that land officially belonged to New Mexico Territory, which was created in 1850. Therefore your ancestor lived in New Mexico Territory. This jurisdiction exists today as the State of New Mexico. | |||
*In the present day, Tucson is indeed located in Arizona. But the US didn't create Arizona Territory until 1863. Before, that land officially belonged to New Mexico Territory, which was created in 1850. Therefore your ancestor lived in New Mexico Territory. This jurisdiction exists today as the State of New Mexico. | |||
*In February 1860, New Mexico created Arizona county from the land in Dona Ana county. Arizona County existed totally within the present day State of Arizona and contained Tucson. Therefore your ancestor lived in Arizona County in New Mexico Territory. But Arizona county was discontinued in 1862. The records from this extinct county reverted to Dona Ana County, which still exists in the State of New Mexico. | *In February 1860, New Mexico created Arizona county from the land in Dona Ana county. Arizona County existed totally within the present day State of Arizona and contained Tucson. Therefore your ancestor lived in Arizona County in New Mexico Territory. But Arizona county was discontinued in 1862. The records from this extinct county reverted to Dona Ana County, which still exists in the State of New Mexico. | ||
*Putting this altogether - your ancestor lived in Tucson, Arizona County, New Mexico Territory, USA in 1861. So look for records at the archives in Tucson, Dona Ana County, and the State of New Mexico. There may also be records held by the United States. | *Putting this altogether - your ancestor lived in Tucson, Arizona County, New Mexico Territory, USA in 1861. So look for records at the archives in Tucson, Dona Ana County, and the State of New Mexico. There may also be records held by the United States. | ||
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But in Tucson in 1861, the picture was far from clear as to what jurisdiction your ancestor was a part. | But in Tucson in 1861, the picture was far from clear as to what jurisdiction your ancestor was a part. | ||
*In April 1860, an unofficial convention held in Tucson declared the southern portion of New Mexico Territory as a new Arizona Territory and set up a territorial government. Four counties were created and one of them was the county of Ewell where Tucson was located. Then in 1861, this territory declared itself a confederate territory and petitioned the Confederate States of America. But by June 1862, any Confederate government would have been shut down as the US Army gained control of this | *In April 1860, an unofficial convention held in Tucson declared the southern portion of New Mexico Territory as a new Arizona Territory and set up a territorial government. Four counties were created and one of them was the county of Ewell where Tucson was located. Then in 1861, this territory declared itself a confederate territory and petitioned the Confederate States of America. But by June 1862, any Confederate government would have been shut down as the US Army gained control of this Arizona Territory. | ||
*Putting this altogether - your ancestor lived in Tucson, Ewell county, Arizona Territory, CSA. So look for records at the archives in Tucson. It is unknown where the records are located for this Confederate Arizona Territory or for Ewell county. More research needs to be done. | *Putting this altogether - your ancestor lived in Tucson, Ewell county, Arizona Territory, CSA. So look for records at the archives in Tucson. It is unknown where the records are located for this Confederate Arizona Territory or for Ewell county. More research needs to be done. There may also be Confederate records. | ||
Also remember, records of your ancestor were sometimes recorded in a county or jurisdiction next-door to where your ancestor lived. Maybe there was confusion as to where the borders lay. Or maybe it was a shorter distance to the neighboring county seat. 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 part of Arizona === | === From the 1600s to 1846 - Spanish and Mexican land that would later become part of Arizona === | ||