AGENCY: Davis County (Utah). Probate Court

SERIES: 4700
TITLE: Divorce case files
DATES: 1875-1886.
ARRANGEMENT: Numerical by case number.

DESCRIPTION: In 1852, the Utah Territorial Legislature provided that the Probate Court should have jurisdiction not only in estate and guardianship matters, but original jurisdiction in civil, criminal, and chancery cases. In 1874, the federal Poland Act revoked the jurisdiction of the Probate Court over all but divorce and probate cases. This series includes those cases handled by the Probate Court which are divorce cases. In 1887, the federal Edmunds-Tucker act revoked Probate Court jurisdiction in divorce cases.

Generally, case files include a number of discrete documents. These documents may include an initiating petition, summons and subpoenas issued to the parties in the case and to witnesses, bonds, exhibits, statements of fees, and other documents created and filed with the Court during the process of the trial action. Civil cases may include affidavits of publication of summons in those cases where the defendant was not served personally, as well as decrees detailing the disposition of the case.

RETENTION

DISPOSITION

RETENTION AND DISPOSITION AUTHORIZATION

These records are in Archives' permanent custody.

FORMAT MANAGEMENT

Paper: Retain in State Archives permanently and then microfilm.

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 disposition is based on the value of these records in documenting divorces occurring in Davis County.

PRIMARY DESIGNATION

Public

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