Research Territorial Court Records
The legislature of the proposed State of Deseret approved on January 9, 1850 county courts and justices of the peace. County Probate Courts were established by the legislature in January 1851 in each county to conduct matters relating to estates; guardianships of minors, idiots, and insane persons; and divorces. They could also hear appeals from justice of the peace courts. The territorial legislature in 1852 granted probate courts jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases and over chancery matters and the drawing of jury lists (Utah Laws 1851: 43, § 30). In 1855, the territorial legislature passed an "Act in Relation to the Judiciary" which gave local probate courts the same original jurisdiction as the district courts.
Related: Utah Territory Project
Contents
Probate Courts
| Beaver County (Utah). Probate Court. | ||
| Probate case files, 1876-1894 | Series 26592 | |
| Record Books, 1856-1897 | Series 14893 | |
| Divorce case files, 1876, 1886 | Series 24298 | |
| Box Elder County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Civil and criminal case files, 1856; 1873 | Series 9642 | |
| Adoption record book, 1888 | Series 772 | |
| Divorce records, 1868-1887 | Series 26104 | |
| Wills, 1872-1890 | Series 25835 | |
| Record Books, 1856-1877 | Series 82970 | |
| Certificates of citizenship record, 1868-1869 | Series 85171 | |
| Cache County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Civil case files, 1860-1887 | Index Online |
Series 23726 |
| Probate record books, 1876-1906 | Series 767 | |
| Carson County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Records, 1855-1862 | Series 19802 | |
| Cedar County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Minutes, 1859-1862. | Series 17493 | |
| Davis County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Divorce case files, 1875-1886 | Index | Series 4700 |
| Divorce register of actions, 1877; 1880 | Index | Series 4731 |
| Land claim records, 1870-1894 | Series 4735 | |
| Divorce minute book, 1877 | Series 23694 | |
| Minute books, 1854-1872 | Series 25012 | |
| Estate Register of Actions, 1883-1896 | Series 25013 | |
| Probate bonds and letters record book, 1877-1895. | Series 25014 | |
| Record Books, 1853-1896 | Series 25004 | |
| Garfield County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Divorce case record book, 1883-1889 | Series 20937 | |
| Probate record book, 1885-1892. | Series 26258 | |
| Iron County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Minutes, 1853-1868 | Series 17477 | |
| Land certificates (Parowan), 1872-1879 | Series 23642 | |
| Probate record book, 1868-1870. | Series 27438 | |
| Juab County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Minutes, 1859-1866. | Series 13096 | |
| Kane County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Record Books, 1864-1896 | Series 24249 | |
| Millard County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Land deeds and transfers record book, 1854-1866 | Series 21874 | |
| Minutes, 1854-1862. | Series 26151 | |
| Rich County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Land ownership decisions, 1873, 1889 | Series 9561 | |
| Land certificates, 1871-1873 | Series 9562 | |
| Record books, 1865-1888 | Series 25834 | |
| Docket book, 1886-1887 | Series 25840 | |
| Salt Lake County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Miscellaneous case files, 1852-1871 | Series 27372 | |
| Debtor/creditor judgment book, 1872-1874 | Series 3946 | |
| Civil and criminal case docket book, 1852-1887 | Series 3944 | |
| Civil and criminal case minute book, 1860-1887 | Series 3939 | |
| Land claim record books, 1871-1894 | Series 3934 | |
| Civil and criminal case files, 1852-1887 | Series 373 | |
| Declarations of intention and certificates of citizenship, 1852-1872 | Series 85109 | |
| Sanpete County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Criminal dockets and cases, 1859-1873 | Series 13469 | |
| Divorces, 1873-1887 | Series 14697 | |
| Land adjudication record book, 1870-1873 | Series 26604 | |
| Record of bonds, 1876-1894 | Series 26606 | |
| Minutes, 1852-1896 | Series 17693 | |
| Probate docket book, 1889 – 1896 | Series 26607 | |
| Land applications, 1892 | Series 26608 | |
| Probate record books, 1885 - 1897 | Series 26601 | |
| Record books, 1855 - 1896 | Series 26609 | |
| Declaratory statements, 1869-1890 | Series 26746 | |
| Sevier County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Record book, 1865-1874 | Series 23908 | |
| Elsinore townsite book, 1888-1889 | Series 26343 | |
| Record book, 1865-1886 | Series 27477 | |
| Summit County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Administrators' record book, 1883-1890. | Series 27441 | |
| Guardians and executors record, 1884-1888. | Series 27440 | |
| Record books, 1882-1913. | Series 27442 | |
| Tooele County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Minute books, 1859-1888 | Series 14650 | |
| Record books, 1859-1892 | Series 1422 | |
| Administrative records, 1876-1885 | Series 26157 | |
| Utah County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Land title claims registers, 1869-1870 | Series 5040 | |
| Cost books, 1861-1896. | Series 25989 | |
| Divorce case files, 1863-1888. [may contain some probate] | Series 20941 | |
| Minute books, 1861-1876, 1885-1896. | Series 25951 | |
| Wasatch County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Administrator’s Record Book, 1883-1898 | Series 84148 | |
| Guardians and executors record book, 1885-1894. | Series 84147 | |
| Inventory appraisement and sale record book, 1885-1897. | Series 84152 | |
| Probate record, 1891-1901. | Series 84161 | |
| Washington County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Civil and Criminal Record Books, 1856-1886 | Series 3168 | |
| United Order incorporation records, 1874-1878 | Series 3190 | |
| Religious property trustee appointment Book, 1895 | Series 23776 | |
| Claims abstracts, 1871-1882 | Series 23578 | |
| Estate accounts registers, 1876-1895. | Series 23734 | |
| Estate claims register, 1882-1889. | Series 23740 | |
| Land claims adjudication record books, 1873-1886 | Series 22875 | |
| Criminal case files, 1865-1894 | Series 26248 | |
| Probate record books, 1877-1897 | Series 26590 | |
| Civil and probate case files, 1864-1895 | Series 26638 | |
| Weber County (Utah). Probate Court | ||
| Fee book, 1890-1893 | Series 5134 | |
| Guardians record, 1884-1895. | Series 83900 | |
| Probate Minute Books, 1883-1896 | Series 5142 | |
| Civil and criminal case files, 1852-1887 | Series 1593 | |
| Declarations of intention record book, 1860-1866 | Series 20786 | |
| Civil and criminal registers of action, 1868-1887 | Series 83901 | |
Territorial District Courts
More information on the federal intervention.
First District
| Articles of incorporation record books, 1888-1890. | Series 17798 |
| Case files, 1851-1885. | Series 25011 |
| Civil case indexes [Weber County], 1878-1916 | Series 21933 |
| Grand jury dockets, i 1883-1886. | Series 1526 |
| Grand jury minutes, i 1886-1893. | Series 1525 |
| Grand jury reports, i 1895-1896. | Series 1527 |
| Judgment record book, 1878-1890. | Series 24807 |
| Minute books, 1851-1896. | Series 10035 |
| Northern division civil and criminal case files, i 1878-1891. | Series 1529 |
| Plaintiff index, 1878-1890. | Series 21018 |
| Southern Division civil case files, 1873-1896. | Series 25941 |
| Southern Division civil registers of actions, 1873-1880, 1885-1896. | Series 25949 |
| Southern division criminal case files, i 1875-1895. | Series 1521 |
| Southern Division criminal registers of actions, 1874-1896. | Series 25950 |
| Southern Division index to civil register of actions, 1873-1880. | Series 25953 |
| Southern Division index to plaintiffs and defendants, 1885-1896. | Series 25952 |
| Southern Division minute books, 1873-1896. | Series 25965 |
| U.S. Commissioner docket books, 1891-1894. | Series 5037 |
| U.S. Commissioner Will G. Farrell Cache County criminal docket, 1894-1904. | Series 26266 |
| Unlawful cohabitation register of action book, 1890-1891. | Series 28377 |
Second District
| Certificate of naturalization record books, 1878-1896. | Series 26729 |
| Certificates of citizenship record books, i 1878-1895. | Series 85175 |
| Civil case index, 1892-1896. | Series 24552 |
| Civil registers of actions, 1880-1897. | Series 24550 |
| Criminal case files, 1855-1895. | Series 24291 |
| Criminal case index, 1889-1892. | Series 24553 |
| Criminal docket, 1874-1895. | Series 27472 |
| Criminal registers of actions, 1888-1897. | Series 24346 |
| Declarations of intention record book, i 1874-1895. | Series 85174 |
| Final case records, 1888-1889. | Series 24071 |
| General indexes, 1852-1896. | Series 24247 |
| Grand jury minute book, 1893-1895. | Series 26728 |
| Judgment docket, 1889-1897. | Series 26727 |
| Judgment index, 1890-1896. | Series 24554 |
| Judgment record, 1888-1895. | Series 24129 |
| Minute books, 1852-1896. | Series 5319 |
Third District
| Articles of incorporation record books, 1887-1896 | Series 19481 |
| Case file index, 1871-1896. | Series 3243 |
| Case files, 1851-1896. | Series 9802 |
| Certificates of citizenship record books, i 1880-1895. | Series 85110 |
| Civil and criminal registers of action, 1870-1871. | Series 20011 |
| Civil case minutes, 1874-1875. | Series 1625 |
| Civil case indexes [Weber County], 1878-1916 | Series 21933 |
| Civil judgment dockets, 1871-1896. | Series 24319 |
| Civil registers of actions, 1871-1896. | Series 22610 |
| Criminal case docket book, s 1890. | Series 3834 |
| Criminal registers of actions, 1882-1896. | Series 22664 |
| Declarations of intention, 1870-1887. | Series 1656 |
| Declarations of intention record books, i 1869-1895. | Series 85111 |
| Grand jury minute books, 1878-1896. | Series 1635 |
| Incorporation case files, 1887-1896 | Series 3845 |
| Judgment docket indexes, 1871-1896. | Series 24337 |
| Judgment record book indexes, 1891-1895. | Series 24809 |
| Judgment record books, 1870-1896. | Series 24336 |
| Salt Lake County docket book, 1889-1908. | Series 4576 |
| Summit County declarations of intention, i 1871-1878. | Series 1428 |
| Territorial criminal case files, 1882-1896. | Series 6836 |
| Territorial minute books, i 1858-1896. | Series 1649 |
| Tobin case correspondence, 1871-1877. | Series 17148 |
| U.S. Commissioner's docket books, 1885-1896 | Series 26571 |
| U.S. Commissioner civil and criminal case files, 1889-1895. | Series 82995 |
| U.S. Commissioner criminal case docket book, 1889-1895. | Series 4662 |
| U.S. Commissioner criminal case record book, 1890-1895. | Series 3928 |
| U.S. Commissioner Harmel Pratt's civil case docket books, 1889-1894. | Series 4887 |
| U.S. Commissioner Harmel Pratt's criminal docket book, 1889-1892. | Series 4879 |
| U.S. Commissioner John W. Greenman's civil case docket book, 1889-1890. | Series 4891 |
| U.S. Commissioner Salt Lake County warrants, 1886-1896. | Series 5154 |
| U.S. Commissioner W.C. Jennings civil and criminal docket book, 1894-1895. | Series 4878 |
Fourth District
| Cache county minute book, 1894-1895. | Series 3588 |
| Certificates of citizenship record books, i 1894-1896. | Series 85170 |
| Civil and criminal registers of actions, 1878-1896. | Series 17825 |
| Civil case indexes [Weber County], 1878-1916 | Series 21933 |
| Criminal case files, 1889-1895. | Series 1629 |
| Criminal registers of actions, 1889-1895. | Series 17462 |
| Declarations of intention record books, i 1878-1895. | Series 85169 |
| Findings of fact and conclusions of law record books, 1892-1896. | Series 1583 |
| Grand jury financial statements, 1893 | Series 1632 |
| Grand jury list, 1894 | Series 1631 |
| Grand jury report book, 1893 | Series 4201 |
| Grand jury reports, 1892-1894. | Series 1630 |
| Judgment dockets, 1878-1896. | Series 24335 |
| Judgment index, ca. 1878-1892. | Series 24808 |
| Judgment record books, 1892-1896. | Series 84165 |
| Loyalty oaths, 1893-1895. | Series 5289 |
| Minute books, 1878-1896. | Series 5062 |
| Plaintiff's index, 1880-ca. 1895. | Series 1666 |
| U.S. Commissioner A.C. Bishop's Weber county criminal docket book, 1891-1893. | Series 5069 |
| U.S. Commissioner Achilles Perrin's Weber county docket books, 1891-1898. | Series 5103 |
| U.S. Commissioner B. Ternes' Weber county docket book, 1892-1895. | Series 24059 |
| U.S. Commissioner Cache County civil docket books, 1890-1896. | Series 3686 |
| U.S. Commissioner Cache County docket books, 1887-1898. | Series 3671 |
| U.S. Commissioner E.T. Hulaniski's Weber county docket books, 1891-1895. | Series 24056 |
| U.S. Commissioner M.A. Breeden's Weber county docket book, 1892 | Series 24058 |
| U.S. Commissioner Valentine Gideon's Weber county docket books, 1893-1895. | Series 24057 |
| Weber County civil case transcripts, 1898 | Series 5086 |
| Weber County oaths of allegiance, 1893-1895. | Series 83727 |
Written by Jim Kichas
Originally published in
February 2014
Related Records
Territorial Case Files Transferred to the U.S. District Court, 1870 - 1896, Records of District Courts of the United States, 1685 - 2009 (National Archives Microfilm Publication M1401), National Archives at Denver [Archives Research Catalog ARC Identifier 1116809]
This series consists of case files created in the four judicial districts of the Utah Territorial Courts. Most of the cases concern crimes of unlawful cohabitation, usually polygamy.
Also available from:
Page Last Updated October 9, 2020.