Many of your ancestors may be found in court records. They may be listed as defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses, or jurors. They may have participated in cases involving probate, adoption, guardianship, divorce, debt, licenses, civil and criminal law suits, crimes, property disputes, appointment to public offices, or other matters

brought before a court. Court records can establish family relationships and places of residence. They often provide occupations, descriptions of individuals, and other family history information.

New Hampshire courts have kept records of genealogical value that include the following:

1682–present	Justices of the peace have jurisdiction over minor civil and criminal matters in each town.
1769–1824	Courts of general quarter sessions handled civil and criminal matters (1769–1794 and 1820–1824).
1769–1859	Justices of the courts of common pleas had jurisdiction over civil matters (1769–1820 and 1824–1859).
1769–present	Superior courts are countywide courts with jurisdiction over divorce and alimony, marriages, equity matters, and some appeals (1769–1813, 1816–1855, and 1901–present).
1874–1876	Circuit Courts held appellate jurisdiction during this period.
1813–present	The Supreme Court is the statewide appellate court (1813–1816, 1855–1874, 1876–present).