Series 4731

Davis County (Utah). Probate Court Divorce register of actions, 1877; 1880.

0.20 cubic foot and 1 microfilm reel

These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.

Historical Note

See history of the records' creator.

Summary of Records

This series consists of a register of actions created by the Davis County Probate Court. In 1852 the territorial legislature gave county probate courts jurisdiction over divorce cases. In 1887, the federal Edmunds-Tucker act revoked Probate Court jurisdiction in divorce cases.

Scope and Content

This series consists of a register of actions, labeled "Docket A," for divorce cases handled by the Davis County Probate Court. The register of actions documents the case number, the names of the parties, the names of attorneys representing the parties, and the dates on which individual documents in the case were filed with the court. In 1852 the territorial legislature gave county probate courts jurisdiction over divorce cases. In 1887, the federal Edmunds-Tucker act revoked Probate Court jurisdiction in divorce cases.

Research Note

This series contains no entries for case files filed with the court prior to February 1877 even though case files, record book entries, and minute entries predating that have survived. This docket also reflects only two cases filed after early December 1877 although other case files handled by the courts after that have survived as well.
The book contains no entries between December of 1877 and September of 1880. While there are a few cases in series 4700, DIVORCE CASE FILES, that were filed during this time frame, apparently these cases were not docketed. More information is available in the series inventory for series 4700.

Arrangement

Numerical by case number.

Case numbers are generally assigned in chronological order by the date on which the complaint was filed.

Additional Forms

This series is available on microfilm.
Copies of these records are located at Familysearch.org View Online.

Access Restrictions

This series is classified as Public.

Use Restrictions

These records are available for reproduction and use.

Preferred Citation

Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.

Custody History

Transferred to the Archives from Second District Court in Farmington in the summer of 1990.

Acquisition Information

These records were acquired from the creating agency through established retention schedules.

Processing Information

This series was processed by Arlene Schmuland in May 2001. An index was located in 2003 and added to the series, although it was not microfilmed given the presence of an electronic index.

Other Finding Aids

Indexes: An index is available to the names of the parties, case number, and filing date of the complaint, covering from 1877 thru 1880. View index. Indexes: A contemporary index also exists as a separate volume with entries arranged alphabetically by initial letter of plaintiff surname, covering from 1877 thru 1877.

Related Material

Divorce case files from Davis County (Utah). Probate Court, Series 4700, contains the divorce cases referenced in these records.
Divorce minute book from Davis County (Utah). Probate Court, Series 23694, contains the minute book which documents the day to day court actions on the same cases.
Record books from Davis County (Utah). Probate Court, Series 25004, also contain information on divorces.
Minute books from Davis County (Utah). Probate Court, Series 25012, also contain information on divorces.

Container List

ReelBoxDescription
111877; 1880