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Records of the United States Territorial and New Mexico District Courts for Taos County,

 Collection
Identifier: 1976-014

Scope and Content

The collection consists of the Territorial and New Mexico District Court records for Taos County, New Mexico (1847-1943). The bulk of the material covers the years 1847-1934. Included are record books (1847-1943), case files (1853-1937), and other court material. Record books consist of various dockets (1854-1913), court proceedings record books (1847-1911), jury list book (1920-1934), an indictment and information book (1934-1943), and a document receipts book (1895-1899). Dockets include criminal (1854-1859, 1883-1909), civil (1854-1859, 1882-1910), judge's (1887-1891), and judgement (1884-1913) volumes. Case files consist of criminal case files 14-1357, 3482 (1855-1905, 1937) and civil case files 28-1011 (1853-1913). Large gaps may exist between case files. Many of the cases after 1913 are not part of this collection. Other court material consists of miscellaneous jury records, allowances, bond and appointments for court clerks, and an affidavit regarding sheriffs.

Some material in Spanish

Dates

  • 1847-1943 (Bulk 1847-1934)

Language of Materials

English, and Spanish.

Access Restrictions

None

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Historical Note

With the occupation of New Mexico in 1846 by the United States, seven political sub-divisions established by Mexico in 1844 were recognized as counties under the Kearny Code of Laws. Taos was one of these original seven counties. New Mexico remained under a military form of government until September 9, 1850, when an Act of Congress established the Territory of New Mexico. On January 9, 1852, the boundaries of the counties were fixed by an Act of the Territorial Legislative Assembly. Taos County, New Mexico was placed in the 2nd Judicial District of the United States Territorial Courts in New Mexico in 1846. In subsequent years, Taos County was transferred from the 2nd to the 1st Judicial District (1863) and from the 1st to the 8th Judicial District (1912). Upon statehood in 1912, the Territorial Courts became the New Mexico District Courts.

Extent

17.5 linear feet + 17 v.

Organization

The collection is organized into seven series:
  1. I. Docket Books
  2. II. Record Books (Journals)
  3. III. Miscellaneous Record Books
  4. IV. Jury Lists and Allowances
  5. V. Miscellaneous Records
  6. VI. Criminal Case Files
  7. VII. Civil Case Files

Related Material

Naturalization records are located in the "Naturalization Records by New Mexico Courts" Accession Number 1959-281 Addition court material is located in the "Records of the United States Territorial and New Mexico District Court Clerk" Accession Number 1974-033 Most statehood material remains with the Judicial District Court Clerk.

Other records from this district court are available at the National Archives Field Branch in Denver, Colorado.

General

Contact Information

  1. New Mexico State Records Center and Archives
  2. Archives and Historical Services Division
  3. 1205 Camino Carlos Rey
  4. Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
  5. Phone: 505-476-7908
  6. Fax: 505-476-7909
  7. Email: archives@rain.state.nm.us
  8. URL: http://www.state.nm.us/cpr/ahsd_top.htm
Title
Inventory of the Records of the United States Territorial and New Mexico District Courts for Taos County, 1847-1943 (Bulk 1847-1934)
Status
Edited Full Draft
Date
©2000
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//New Mexico State Records Center and Archives//TEXT (US::Nm-Ar::1976-014::Records of the United States Territorial and New Mexico District Courts for Taos County)//EN" "nmar1976-014.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives Repository

Contact:
1209 Camino Carlos Rey
Santa Fe NM 87507
(505) 476-7948