Series 24572
Ophir Mining District (Utah). Recorder Deeds
Dates: 1870-1873.
2 microfilm reels
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Historical Note
An agency history is available.
Scope and Content
The earliest Ophir Mining District (Tooele County, Utah) recorders registered deeds transferring mining claims or mining property from one party to another. Prospectors in the early Ophir District were highly involved in trading mining property because the original Ophir by-laws limited the amount each individual could claim to 200 feet per person, an amount significantly less than later allowed by federal law. (Federal mining law passed in 1872 allowed 1500 feet, see Statutes at Large, Treaties, and Proclamations, of the United States of America, 1872, vol. 17, chap. 152). Mining deeds, sometimes called indentures, include the name and residence of involved parties, the amount of consideration money, the date, and the name and description of the claim being sold. Deeds were validated by the signatures of seller, notary public, district recorder, and witnesses. In addition to deeds, Book B contains file entries recorded between March and August 1871. The deed book also includes a few other miscellaneous documents, such as a power of attorney and a location notice amendment.
Arrangement
Roughly chronological by date recorded within each book.
Related Records
Mining records from Ophir Mining District (Utah). Recorder, Series 24165, contain the bulk of mining records for the Ophir District including notices of location for mining claims, and a few additional deeds in Book A.
Miscellaneous records from Ophir Mining District (Utah). Recorder, Series 24508, contain documents affecting the validity of early Ophir District mining claims.
File books from Ophir Mining District (Utah). Recorder, Series 24971, provide reference to early Ophir mining notices of location. File entries for March to August 1871 were recorded in a deed book.
Access Restrictions
This series is classified as Public.
Preferred Citation
Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.
Processing Note
The records of the Ophir Mining District were processed by Rosemary Cundiff in December 2002. Utah State Archives refilmed these records and updated the inventory in April 2003.
Indexing Terms
- Deeds—Utah—Tooele County.
- Mines and mineral resources—Property—Utah—Tooele County.
- Utah—Tooele County—Mines and mineral resources.
- Ophir (Utah)—History.
Page Last Updated October 18, 2012.