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

 Collection
Identifier: 1976-031

Scope and Content

The collection consists of the Territorial and New Mexico District Court records for Socorro County, New Mexico (1851-1933). The bulk of material covers the years 1851-1919. Included are record books (1851-1919), case files (1852-1933), some naturalization records, and other court material. Record books consist of various dockets (1851-1911), court proceedings record books (1851-1912), an assignment record book (1895-1898), a roll of attorneys book (1883-1900), a remittance register (1917-1919), fee cost books (1853-1854, 1861-1862, 1875-1878), and a clerk's cash book (1909-1917). Dockets include criminal (1867-1898), civil (1882-1912), judges' (1888-1911), and minutes and motions (1851-1854) volumes. Judges' dockets cover criminal (1888-1889, 1905-1909) and Chancery Court (1896-1897) hearings. Also included are indices for civil dockets (1889-1894, 1907-1910). Case files consist of criminal cases 1-3606, 5803 (1852-1911) and civil cases 39-9679 (1855-1933). Large gaps may exist between case files. Many criminal and civil case are unnumbered. Many of the civil cases after 1915 are not part of this collection. Other court material consists of jury records, bonds, and summons. Additional material for Socorro County can be found in the Bernalillo County District Court records.

Some materials in Spanish

Dates

  • 1851-1933 (Bulk 1851-1919)

Language of Materials

English, and Spanish.

Access Restrictions

Outsized record books are extremely fragile. Use microfilm only.

Copy Restrictions

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

Historical Note

Socorro County, New Mexico was established in 1850 and formed part of the 3rd Judicial District of the United States Territorial Courts in New Mexico. In subsequent years Socorro County was transferred from the 3rd to the 2nd Judicial District (1868), from the 2nd to the 5th Judicial District (1889), and from the 5th to the 7th Judicial District (1909). Upon statehood in 1912, the Territorial Courts became the New Mexico District Courts.

Extent

77.5 linear feet + 60 v. + 14 rolls

Organization

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

Alternate Format

Microfilm available

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 for 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 Socorro County, 1851-1933 (Bulk 1851-1919)
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::1976-031::Records of the United States Territorial and New Mexico District Courts for Socorro County )//EN" "nmar1976-031.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