Series 24332
Clifton Mining District (Utah). Recorder Proof of labor record books
Dates: 1874-1939.
1 microfilm reel
These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.
Historical Note
An agency history is available.
Scope and Content
The original by-laws of the Clifton Mining District required that miners do one day's work on a claim within sixty days of discovery and two more day's work within the first year in order to hold the claim free from forfeiture. When Congress passed a general mining law in 1872, it imposed a federal requirement of $100 worth of work annually (Statutes at Large, Treaties, and Proclamations, of the United States of America, 1872, vol. 17, chap. 152). When work had been completed in the Clifton District, the district recorder visited the claim to confirm that work had been done satisfactorily and to certify the same in his record. Book P contains statements signed by Clifton District recorders certifying that they had inspected various claims.
In 1897 the Utah State Legislature defined the manner in which work done on mining claims should be recorded (Laws of Utah, 1897, chapter 36). Utah law required the filing of affidavits sworn by claim owners. These affidavits were to describe indetail the work completed, including the amount of earth moved, who actually did the work, and the actual cost. Most proof of labor documents filed in Clifton Mining District after statehood were affidavits complying with these guidelines.
Gaps in Series
There are no documents in these books showing proof of labor for 1897-1907. Proof of labor documents for 1899 were recorded with miners' meeting minutes (see series 24163). For 1902-1905 proof of labor documents were mixed with notices of location (see series 24331). According to the index, affidavits for 1906 were recorded in Book A, which is missing from this series.
Research Note
Proof of Labor Book P microfilmed here is not the original book recorded by the Clifton District recorder, but is a transcription of it. The first section of Book B contains notices of location.
Research Note
Proof of Labor Book P microfilmed here is not the original book recorded by the Clifton District recorder, but is a transcription of it. The first section of Book B contains notices of location.
Images Available
This series is available on microfilm.
Access Restrictions
This series is designated as Public.
Reproduction and Use
These records are available for reproduction and use.
Finding Aids
Indexes: An index at the beginning of Book P identifies page numbers where documents showing proof of labor were recorded. A separate index provides reference to books (A), B and C.
Related Records
Miners meeting minutes from Clifton Mining District (Utah). Recorder, Series 24163, contain affidavits showing proof of labor for 1899, as well as by-laws which specified labor requirements.
Location notices from Clifton Mining District (Utah). Recorder, Series 24331, contain the record of claims filed in the Clifton District on which annual assessment work was required. These books also contain a few affidavits showing proof of labor (1902-1905).
File books from Clifton Mining District (Utah). Recorder, Series 24333, contain information about assessment work done on claims before 1874.
Intent to hold claim notices from Clifton Mining District (Utah). Recorder, Series 24334, contain notices of intention to hold claims for 1893-1894 when Congress resolved to allow exception to annual assessment work.
Proof of labor index from Clifton Mining District (Utah). Recorder, Series 24463, provides reference to entries in Books (A), B and C of this series.
Indexing Terms
Mining claims--Utah--Tooele County.
Mines and mineral resources--Property--Utah--Tooele County.
Utah--Tooele County--Mines and mineral resources.
| REEL | DESCRIPTION |
| 1 | 1876 May - 1900 May: Index, Book P |
| 1 | 1894 Jan - 1894 May: Location notices- Book B |
| 1 | 1907 Nov - 1914 Jan: Proof of labor- Book B, cont. |
| 1 | 1914 Jan - 1917 Dec: Book C |
| 1 | 1917 Dec - 1927 Jun: Book D |
| 1 | 1927 Jun - 1939 Jan: Book E |