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Unfortunately, court records tend to be difficult to use. The records are usually not well-indexed, there are many records, court names and jurisdictions changed, and they use many legal terms and abbreviations. To interpret court records you may need to consult a dictionary, such as: | Unfortunately, court records tend to be difficult to use. The records are usually not well-indexed, there are many records, court names and jurisdictions changed, and they use many legal terms and abbreviations. To interpret court records you may need to consult a dictionary, such as: | ||
Black, Henry Campbell. ''Black's Law Dictionary''. 6th ed. St. Paul, Minnesota: West Publishing, 1990. (Family History Library | Black, Henry Campbell. ''Black's Law Dictionary''. 6th ed. St. Paul, Minnesota: West Publishing, 1990. (Family History Library {{FHL|736552|title-id|disp=book 340.03 B564L 1990}}.) | ||
Evans, Barbara Jean. ''The New A to Zax: A Comprehensive Genealogical Dictionary for Genealogists and Historians''. 2nd ed. Champaign, Illinois: B.J. Evans, 1990. (Family History Library | Evans, Barbara Jean. ''The New A to Zax: A Comprehensive Genealogical Dictionary for Genealogists and Historians''. 2nd ed. Champaign, Illinois: B.J. Evans, 1990. (Family History Library {{FHL|530737|title-id|disp=book 973 D26e}}.) Gives archaic, occupational, and legal definitions. Includes a list of nicknames. | ||
There are three main types of legal cases you may find in court records. | There are three main types of legal cases you may find in 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 | ''Sourcebook of Federal Courts: U.S. District and Bankruptcy.'' Public Record Research Library. Tempe, Arizona: BRB Publications, 1993. (Family History Library {{FHL|693434|title-id|disp=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 | 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 {{FHL|630522|title-id|disp=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 | Askin, Jayne. ''Search: A Handbook for Adoptees and Birthparents''. 2nd ed. Phoenix, Arizona: Oryx Press, 1992. (Family History Library {{FHL|740523|title-id|disp=book 973 D27aj 1998}}.) | ||
Klunder, Virgil L. ''Lifeline: The Action Guide to Adoption Search.'' Cape Coral, Florida: Caradium Publishing, 1991. (Family History Library | Klunder, Virgil L. ''Lifeline: The Action Guide to Adoption Search.'' Cape Coral, Florida: Caradium Publishing, 1991. (Family History Library {{FHL|425952|title-id|disp=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: | ||