Series 23995

San Francisco Mining District (Utah). Recorder Mining records

Dates: 1871-1896.

3 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 San Francisco Mining District was organized in the San Francisco Mountains of Beaver County on 12 August 1871. The following year Congress passed a general mining law validating the already established precedent that mineral deposits in the public domain were free and open to exploration, and locators have exclusive right of possession (Statutes at Large, Treaties, and Proclamations, of the United States of America, vol. 17, 1872, chap. 152). In local areas groups of miners organized districts to manage mining activity and keep records of claims. San Francisco Mining District Record Book A begins with a copy of the by-laws and an index (chronological list of claims recorded in the book). These are followed by notices of location for mining claims. Since early claims were limited to 200 feet along a lode, several locators were generally listed on each claim. Location notices generally identified a claim by a unique name and provided a description of its location and dimensions. Eachlocation notice was dated and signed by a San Francisco Mining District recorder or deputy. Early location notices also included, on the same page, validation that assessment labor has been completed. San Francisco Mining District Book H includes a variety of additional mining related documents. These include affidavits offering proof of the completion of annual assessment labor, and 'exemptions' filed in 1893-1894 when Congress temporarily suspended the requirement for annual assessment work.

Access Restrictions

This series is designated as Public.

Reproduction and Use

These records are available for reproduction and use.

Finding Aids

Indexes: The San Francisco recorder created an index which provides reference to claims recorded in books A-H. Book A also has a chronological list of the claims recorded in that book.

Related Records

Mining district by-laws from United States. General Land Office, Series 3651, contain a copy of San Francisco District by-laws as filed with the General Land Office.

Notices of location books from Beaver County (Utah). County Recorder, Series 23992, include additional location notices for claims in the San Francisco District.

Indexing Terms

San Francisco Mining District (Utah)--By-laws.

Mining claims--Utah--Beaver County.

Mines and mineral resources--Property--Beaver County--Utah.

Utah--Beaver County--Mines and mineral resources.

REEL	DESCRIPTION
1	1871, Aug-1872, Apr ( Book A)
2	1872, Apr - Jun, 1872 (Book A cont.)
2	1872, Jun - 1874, Dec (Book B)
2	1875, Jan - 1879, Feb (Book C)
2	1879, Feb - 1882, Jan (Book D)
2	1882, Jan - 1886, Jan (Book E)
2	1886, Jan - 1888, Aug (Book F)
2	1888, Aug - 1893, Jan (Book G)
3	1890, Jan-1897, May (Book H)
3	Index to books A-H