Series 1139
United States. Board of Registration and Election in the Territory of Utah Letterbooks
Dates: i 1883-1895.
4 microfilm reels
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Historical Note
An agency history is available.
Scope and Content
These reels contain letterbook copies of the outgoing correspondence of the Utah Commission. The Utah Commission was established under the federal anti-polygamy act known as the Edmunds Act in 1882. The same act vacated all offices and prevented polygamists from registering to vote, voting, or holding office; the Utah Commission was given oversight of all election related activities to ensure compliance with the act.
These letterbooks include cover letters to accompany election notices and pay vouchers. Most of the correspondence relates to registration instructions and determinations, appointments of election officers, resignations, the canvas of returns, polygamy convictions, and the Women's Christian Industrial Home. The industrial home was created to provide refuge and job training for polygamous wives and children; the Utah Commission served as part of its board.
Access Restrictions
This series is designated as Public.
Reproduction and Use
These records are available for reproduction and use.
Finding Aids
Indexes: Each letterbook has an index to addressees at the beginning. Entries are alphabetical by the first letter of the surname. The last two indices are incomplete, covering from November 23, 1883 thru 1895.
Related Records
Account ledgers from the United States. Board of Registration and Election in the Territory of Utah, Series 1125, may contain voucher forms which are related to correspondence in this series.
Minute books from the United States. Board of Registration and Election in the Territory of Utah, Series 1126, detail the activities of the Utah Commission which are touched on in the this series.
Reports to the Secretary of the Interior from the United States. Board of Registration and Election in the Territory of Utah, Series 85194, also contains some correspondence.
Indexing Terms
Polygamy--Utah--Records and correspondence.
Elections--Utah--Records and correspondence.
Voter registration--Utah--Records and correspondence.
Industrial Christian Home Association
| REEL | DESCRIPTION |
| 1 | Index, Letterbook; May 23, 1883-Jan. 13, 1885 |
| 1 | Index, Letterbook; Aug. 22, 1888-July 6, 1889 |
| 2 | Letterbook (cont.); July 14, 1889- July [?], 1889; Nov. 17, 1888-June 13, 1889 |
| 3 | Index, Letterbook; July 19, 1889-Nov. 29, 1892 |
| 4 | Letterbook (cont.); Nov. 29, 1892-Jan. 15, 1893 |
| 4 | Index, Letterbook; Jan. 25, 1893-Nov. 22, 1895 |