Colorado
Colorado has been, at some time in history, a part of all
the surrounding states except Wyoming.
Colorado became a territory in 1861 and the 38th states in
1876. The first settlers came to the
San Luis Valley in 1851. A fort was
constructed on Ute Creek to protect people traveling on the Santa Fe
Trail. At that time people were not
settling in Colorado but just passing through.
In 1858 gold was reported which brought new comers and
Denver became the first extensive settlement.
Two censuses, taken one year apart, indicated the population beginning
to shift from speculators to settlers.
The 1860 Colorado Census counted 32,654 white males and 1,577 white
females but by 1861 the count was 20,798 males and 4,484 females.
Early native tribes were the Ute, the Apache and the
“wandering tribes” of Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Sioux.
The first railroad came in 1870. Because travel was easier the population doubled between 1870 and
1875. During this time agriculture and
mining remained the two important industries.
In 1860 the largest number of immigrants came from Ohio into Colorado,
followed by Illinois, New York, Missouri, and Indiana.
The foreign born immigrants consisted of Czechs, Slovaks,
Irish, Germans, Russians, Canadians, Swedish, Scots, Italians and Chinese. By 1890 the Germans were the predominant
ethnic group in eastern Colorado.
Vital Records
A law enacted in 1875 provided for registration of births
and deaths, but compliance was sporadic.
The locations of these early records are also sporadic—some in counties
and genealogical societies. Statewide
registration of births began in 1910 and deaths in 1900. The State Board of Health holds the records. A statewide marriage index covering 1900 to
1939 is at the State Archives.
Census
The federal census started in 1860. A state census was taken in 1861, also in
1866 and 1885.
Land
The Homestead Act of 1862 provided for the disposal of most
of the Colorado lands. Original land
grants are in tract books but you need to know the land description. Any transfers of land after the original
land grant will be found in the county.
Probate Records
The county courts held jurisdiction over the probate
process. So records will be in the
county.
Church Records
Church records are held by each individual church
denomination. The Family History
Library has microfilmed some.
Websites
http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/colorado-vital-records.htm
http://www.rootsweb.com/~cogenweb/comain.htm
http://www.genealogybranches.com/colorado.html
http://www.sctc.state.co.us/marriages/default.aspx
http://resources.rootsweb.com/USA/CO/
http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/newsearch.htm
Utah
Utah’s history dates back before the 1700’s. When the Spaniards arrived they were greeted
by the Gosiute, Southern Paiute, Ute, Shoshone and Navajo tribes.
Utah’s first Anglo settlers were trappers looking for
beaver. The Mormons arrived in 1847 and
have been a dominant factor in Utah history.
In the latter half of the nineteenth century Brigham Young sent out
small groups of settlers in colonize all over the state. In 1850 Utah petitioned to become the “State
of Deseret”. The federal government
consented to make Utah a territory at that time. Fillmore was the capital of the state but in 1857 the capital was
moved to Salt Lake City.
Because of the Mormon missionary program Utah has a very
diverse ethnic culture. All
nationalities are represented in Utah with all different kinds of trades and
occupations.
The Mormon’s practice of plural marriage caused friction
between the federal government and the territory. The practice had to be abolished before statehood was granted in
1896.
Vital Records
The civil registration of births, deaths, and marriages
developed slowly, culminating with the statewide system in 1905. Marriage licenses were not required until
1887. These records are kept in the
counties.
Census
The 1850 census for Utah Territory was taken in 1851. Census was taken every 10 years starting in
1860. Fragments of territorial censuses
for 1852, 1856, 1872, and 1896 survived.
The Mormon Church conducted census in 1914, 1920, 1925, 1930, 1940,
1950, 1955, and 1960. These are on
microfilm at the Family History Library.
Land Records
The Homestead Act did not affect Utah until 1869 and the
first land office was opened in 1869.
Before the Homestead Act the elders of the Mormon Church distributed
lots to each family. In 1869, legal
titles were issued for land previously held.
Consult county records for land transactions after 1874.
Probate Records
The District Territorial Counts and the County Probate
Courts shared the responsibility for probate between 1852 and 1896. After 1896, jurisdiction for probate matters
became the sole responsibility of the district court that operated in each
county.
Church Records
In the first years of settlement, an LDS Bishop’s Count
System operated taking care criminal and civil cases. County courts were established in 1849 to oversee larger civil
and criminal cases. With statehood in
1896 a uniform district court was established.
Tax Records
Some early tax records have been published as part of the
state census.
Church Records
The Mormon Church is predominant in Utah, but other
denominations are present. Their
records have been microfilmed and are at the Family History Library. The Catholic Church established a diocesan
seat in 1890 and keeps all records at the Church of the Madeleine. The Episcopal Diocese of Utah has housed
their records at the University of Utah.
Naturalization
Records began, in general, at the establishment of each
county. In 1896 the jurisdiction
changed to the district court. Many of
these records are found in the State Archives.
Native American Records
Each tribe in museums and record offices keeps these
records.
Websites
http://abish.byui.edu/specialcollections/
http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/newsearch.htm
Nevada
The first settlers to Nevada were at the Mormon Station,
which is now Genoa in the Carson Valley in 1848. Nevada was then part of the Utah Territory. Gold and silver mining became the main draw
for colonists. The Comstock Mine in
Virginia City opened in 1859. In 1861,
Nevada became a territory and just 3 years later became the 36th
state.
Nevada suffered a severe economical depression when the
Comstock Lode petered out and until minerals were discovered at Tonopah in
1900. During this depression sheep
farming became very popular. This
produced major conflicts between cattlemen and sheep men. In 1934 the Taylor Grazing Act was
established which divided the open range and settled the conflict. The sheep industry brought English, Scots,
Mexicans, Irish, Chinese and Basques.
In 1931, Reno and Las Vegas became the gambling centers of
the United States.
Vital Records
Birth and death records are available from 1911 to the
present from the state. Prior to 1969
marriage records are located in the county recorders office. Divorce records are in the district court.
Census
The 1850 and 1960 census was part of the Utah
Territory. The first Nevada state
census was conducted in 1870.
Land Records
On January 1, 1863 the Homestead Act was passed by
congress, which granted federal land grants.
The BLM has records involving transactions through Nevada’s land
offices.
Mining documents are housed at the Nevada State Library
filed by county.
Probate Records
Probate records are in the county clerk’s office.
Tax Records
The county clerk keeps tax records.
Church Records
Mormon, Catholic, Methodists, Episcopalian,
Congregationalist and Jewish congregations all have a historical part in the establishment of religion in
Nevada. Each denomination holds its own
records.
Websites
http://resources.rootsweb.com/USA/NV/
http://dmla.clan.lib.nv.us/docs/shpo/NVCensus/FindPeople/year.asp
http://www.obitcentral.com/cemsearch/nv-cem.htm
http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/newsearch.htm