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Maine Research Outline |
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Table of Contents
Records Of The Family History Library
Family History Library Catalog
Archives And Libraries
Bible Records
Biography
Cemeteries
Census
Church Records
Court Records
Directories
Emigration And Immigration
Gazetteers
Genealogy
History
Land And Property
Maps
Military Records
Naturalization And Citizenship
Newspapers
Periodicals
Probate Records
Societies
Taxation
Town Records
Vital Records
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions
COURT RECORDS Major Maine courts that kept records of genealogical value were established as follows:
Inferior courts of common pleas District courts were districtwide courts with jurisdiction over minor civil and criminal Supreme judicial court Court of general sessions 1699-1782,
Superior courts 1821-1961
Justices of the peace Other courts in Maine include the town, municipal, and police courts.
Many of Maine's early court records from 1636 to 1727 are published in:
Libby, Charles T., Robert E. Moody, and Neal W. Allen, eds. Province and Court Records of Maine. 6 vols. Portland, Me.: Maine Historical Society, 1928-1975. (FHL book 974.1 P2p; vols. 1-5; film 982043; on 31 fiche 6046855; computer number 173988.)
The Family History Library has few Maine court records. Most are available at the Maine State Archives, which is gathering all pre-1930 county and state court records and microfilming some of these records.
Because Maine was under Massachusetts' jurisdiction until 1819, some additional court records for York, Cumberland, Lincoln, Hancock, and Washington counties are found with Suffolk County, Massachusetts, court files. The court files from 1734 to 1797 are listed in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under MASSACHUSETTS, SUFFOLK - COURT RECORDS. An index to the court files for the Maine counties of York, Cumberland, Lincoln, Hancock, and Washington for the years 1734 through 1797 is included in:
Massachusetts, County Court (Suffolk County). County Court Files, 1629-1797. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1972. (FHL film 909878; computer number 260045.)
An unpublished guide to the historical development of Maine's courts is David Q. Wittier, Esq., History of the Court System of the State of Maine, available at the Maine State Archives (see “Archives and Libraries” section of this outline).
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1699-1839
had jurisdiction over civil matters. These were replaced by the district courts.
1839-1852
actions. These were replaced by the supreme judicial court.
1782-pres.
is the highest court of appeal. In 1852 the supreme judicial court assumed the powers and duties of the district courts, but the state remained divided into three judicial districts: western, eastern, and middle.
1699-1831
had jurisdiction over minor civil and criminal cases. This became the county commissioners' courts in 1831. These courts were replaced by district courts in 1961.
1868-pres.
were established by individual counties in various years. By 1929 a superior court had been established in each county. They have jurisdiction over felonies and civil cases.
handled minor civil matters. When justices moved or died, their records were usually transferred to the clerk of courts.
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