AGENCY: Salt Lake County (Utah). Probate Court
SERIES: 3939
TITLE: Civil and criminal case minute books
DATES: i 1860-1887.
ARRANGEMENT: The volumes and their entries are recorded chronologically. The volumes are labeled alphabetically from B through E.
DESCRIPTION: These minutes record the daily proceedings of the probate court in civil and criminal matters, but are not transcripts of court cases. Cases include naturalizations; divorces; and civil disputes, most frequently over debts. Criminal cases include larceny, burglary, murder, perjury, assault, riot, embezzlement, forgery, pornography, assisting prisoners to escape, and operating without a license. Outside of probate cases (kept separate from the beginning), the probate court's jurisdiction was limited to only some divorce cases after 1874, so after that date, only divorce proceedings are recorded in these minutes. In 1887, a federal act revoked the jurisdiction of the probate court in all but probate matters, thereby bringing this series of minute books to a close. Cases may span multiple dates. The names of plaintiff, defendant, jurors, witnesses, councilors, and judge are noted. The charge or complaint; a statement that councilors presented their cases, including names of witnesses testifying, but not including the testimony; and details of the judgment are recorded as well.
RETENTION
DISPOSITION
RETENTION AND DISPOSITION AUTHORIZATION
These records are in Archives' permanent custody.
FORMAT MANAGEMENT
Paper: Retain in State Records Center permanently or until processed and then microfilm and transfer to Agency Record Center. Retain in Agency Record Center permanently.
Microfilm master: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.
Microfilm duplicate: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.
Microfilm duplicate: Retain in Agency Record Center permanently.
APPRAISAL
Historical
These records document the actions of the territorial county probate court which became obsolete at statehood. Any information about the probate court and its functions is historically significant.
PRIMARY DESIGNATION
Public