AGENCY: District Court (Third District)
SERIES: 3814
TITLE: Bankruptcy case minute book
DATES: i 1874-1888.
ARRANGEMENT: Chronological by date.
DESCRIPTION: This volume contains the minutes for bankruptcy cases involving bankrupts who resided in the numerous counties of the third district. Hearings were conducted under federal laws enacted in 1867 and amended in 1874. Either an individual (including a business) or his creditors could apply for bankruptcy.
Each day's activities are summarized. A typical case will span multiple dates, and several cases may be heard on the same day. The bankrupt's name and the date is included for each entry. Standard entries in a case include the adjudication of bankruptcy; orders to publish notice to creditors; orders to sell property which may specify the type of real or personal property being sold; election of an assignee, by creditors with judicial approval, to coordinate collection and distribution of property or the money from its sale; schedules of distribution showing amounts agreed to by each of the named creditors; etc. Allowances to be paid to the bankrupt by the assignee or exemptions of property may also be noted. If the case was heard by a judicially appointed Register in Bankruptcy, entries may be more brief, with little more than the judge's order to appear before the Register being noted. Final discharge of the case is also included.
The book also includes some "Abstracts of Proceedings," which, like a docket, documents the dates of various activities (e.g., filing of petition, judged bankrupt, creditors meeting, claims approved, distribution filed, etc.) in individual cases.
In 1878 the bankruptcy law was repealed. Although cases could be completed under the old law, no new petitions could be filed after 1 September. Most cases in this book were completed by 1881, although a rare notation occurs as late as 1888.
RETENTION
DISPOSITION
RETENTION AND DISPOSITION AUTHORIZATION
These records are in Archives' permanent custody.
FORMAT MANAGEMENT
Paper: Retain in State Records Center until microfilmed and then destroy provided microfilm has passed inspection.
Microfilm master: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.
Microfilm duplicate: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.
APPRAISAL
Historical
This series documents the court's proceedings plus provides extensive information on individual (and thereby community) fiscal health. It is in a useable format which provides information not available elsewhere.
PRIMARY DESIGNATION
Public