Previous Jurisdictions to Land in Arizona: Difference between revisions

Previous Jurisdictions to Land in Arizona (view source)

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 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, The US didn't create it 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 the US didn't create Arizona Territory until 1863. Before that, the land belonged to New Mexico Territory, which was created in 1850. Your ancestor lived in New Mexico Territory. This jurisdiction still 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. 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.
+*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. 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.
-*But in April 1860, a convention in Tucson declared the southern portion of New Mexico Territory as the new Arizona Territory. The county of Ewell was created where Tucson was located. Then in 1861, this self declared territory petitioned to become a territory under the Confederate States of America. And in 1862 it became one of two such territories.
-The picture is not clear as to what jurisdiction your ancestor considered himself a part. He may have thought he 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. Or he may have thought he lived in Tucson, Ewell county, Arizona Territory, therefore look for records in archives in Tucson. While a government was created, it is unknown if records were kept in this Arizona Territory and Ewell county or where they might be located.
+Therefore your ancestor lived in Tucson, Arizona County, New Mexico Territory in 1861. So look for records at the archives in Tucson, Dona Ana County, and the State of New Mexico.
+But in 1861, the picture is not quite this clear as to what jurisdiction your ancestor was a part.
+*Because in April 1860, a convention held in Tucson declared the southern portion of New Mexico Territory as the new Arizona Territory. The county of Ewell was created where Tucson was located. And in 1861, this self declared territory petitioned to become a territory under the Confederate States of America.
+Therefore your ancestor lived in Tucson, Ewell county, Arizona Territory. So look for records at the archives in Tucson. While a government was created, 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.