Then What? Part Five Searching the Utah Territorial Case Files of the U.S. District Courts, 1870-1896

 When researching an ancestor is it usually best to search all the records available for the time period you are looking for whether you think they are in them or not. Court Records are a valuable source. There are many jurisdictions of courts, such as, federal, state, regional, county, town, Territorial, Ecclesiastical, etc. This post is particularly about the Utah Territorial Case Files from the U.S. District Courts, 1870-1896.

Utah is fortunate to have this index online. The district court original records are at the National Archives Branch that hold the records for a particular state. The National Archives Rocky Mountain Region located in Denver Colorado hold the records for the following states: Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. To research a state other than Utah one must go in person or hire a researcher.

For more information on Utah history, polygamy, etc. visit FamilySearch wiki and type in the subject.

Case Study Researching the Utah, Territorial Case Files of the U.S. District Courts, 1870-1896

From Then What? Part Five it was discovered in a biography that Joseph Howell Evans was arrested in Utah for polygamy. It is important to always find the original records. To get to an index to this particular collection of court cases there five steps:

Step 1)  go the the FamilySearch website.
Step 2) Click on the "Search" option.
Step 3) Scroll down the page and click on "United States"
Step 4) Choose "Utah" for the place.
Step 5) Scroll down the page to the "Utah, Territorial Case Files of the U.S. District Courts, 1870-1896".

Or skip all steps and just click on the link in Step 5.

The following screen will appear and the name Joseph Howell Evans is entered.
 
 

The results page shows 47 results for a Joseph H. Evans. It is important to know that this is really just one case. Each page is listed separately. However, a 47 page court document is going to be rich with details.

By picking any one of the entries the following screen will display. On the side near the bottom is shown that the original image is viewable at fold3.com by clicking the Visit Partner Site button. Don't have a fold.3.com
subscription? The below thought box tells you how to get the case file for free.

 Knowing when a court case like this happened leads to other records. Newspapers, for example, carried court information. Reporters published articles giving details about the case. Finding newspaper articles for Utah will be covered in Then What? Part Six.

William Johnson Strong, Sr. Family Photo

(Back Row) David J., Clara S. Bateman, Don C., Emma S. Jensen, Samuel O. 

(Front Row) Stella P. Hyde, William J., Julia Maria Dyer Strong, Frank D.

Julia (engaged to William) came to America a year before he did.  They were married in St. Louis, MO. William had a twin brother, Enoch and their father died when they were six years old. By trade William was a tin plate manufacturer then later in Alpine he farmed. They crossed the plains, walking most of the way, arriving in Salt Lake in September 1852; went to Provo, and came on to Alpine in 1854.

In religious duties for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he was 2nd Counselor to Bishop McCullough for 17 years; organized the first choir and was its leader for 21 years. In civic matters he was president of the Alpine Co-op and also served on the city Council for many years. 

Julia was noted for being a peace-maker.  She knitted stockings for all her family before cold weather arrived, with a long string always behind her stove. All her children's stockings were initialed from oldest to youngest. She lived 77 years.  

His parents: John Strong and Sarah Johnson     Her parents: Gideon Dyer and Eliza Brown

Children:

William Frederick (1853 - 1869)

Enoch Henry (Dec 1885 - June 1856) ?

Don Carlos 1857 Marr: Eliza Alice Carlisle

Julia Clara 1859 Marr: Joseph Thomas Bateman

Davis Johnson 1862 Marr: Martha Healey

Samuel Oscar 1864 Marr: Fannie Ann Devey
Orlando (1866 - Died same day born)

Eliza Emeline 1867 Marr: James Marinus Jensen

Estella 1869 Marr: Oscar Walterman Hyde 

Frank Dyer 1871 Marr: Annie Elizabeth Titcomb

Box Elder Peak Camp

Box Elder Summit photo is by j_red at Flickr

"Box Elder is a large, steep canyon northeast of Alpine. At the top is Box Elder Peak where an old land mark is clearly visible through out the year. Running down the south slope and curving toward the north at the bottom of the peak is a deep wash known as the old Sleigh Runner. Tradition says if you can see snow is this was up until the middle of July there will be plenty of water for the rest of the year." Source: Box Elder Peak Camp records.

All the camps in this gorgeous mountainous area in Alpine began with just one camp, the Mountainville Camp started in 1922. There were so many members than in 1985 two new camps were split off from the main group: Temple View and Box Elder Peak Camps.

Box Elder Peak Camp has many members that are descendants of the Alpine Pioneers and have done much to preserve and remember historical areas of the town. A luncheon is served after each camp meeting September - May. This delightful group of women enjoy lessons, histories, and artifacts together.

Utah North Company Announces 2 new Patches

 These two patches are now available to earn for anyone of any age. Check out our website for specific details on how these can be earned. [click here]