Previous Jurisdictions to Land in Arizona: Difference between revisions

But in 1861, the picture is not quite this clear cut as to what jurisdiction your ancestor was a part.

*In April 1860, a convention held in Tucson declared the southern portion of New Mexico Territory as a new Arizona Territory and set up a government. The county of Ewell was created where Tucson was located. Then in 1861, this territory declared itself a confederate territory and petitioned the Confederate States of America. The US Army dismantled this territory long before the US Arizona Territory was created in 1863.

*Therefore your ancestor lived in Tucson, Ewell county, Arizona Territory. So look for records at the archives in Tucson. It is unknown where any records were kept in this Arizona Territory or in Ewell county. More research needs to be done.

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.