Guide to the Sacramento County (Calif.) County Court records

Kim Hayden

Center for Sacramento History

551 Sequoia Pacific Blvd.

Sacramento, California 95811-0229

Phone: (916) 808-7072

Fax: (916) 264-7582

Email: csh@cityofsacramento.org

URL: http://www.centerforsacramentohistory.org/

Guide to the Sacramento County (Calif.) County Court records

Collection number: CNTY0011

Center for Sacramento History

Sacramento, CA

Processed by:: Kim Hayden
Date Completed:: July 2019
Encoded by:: Kim Hayden

Descriptive Summary

Title: Sacramento County (Calif.) County Court records

Dates: 1850-1879

Collection number: CNTY0011

Creator: Sacramento County (Calif.). County Court

Collection Size: 34.61 linear feet (72 boxes, 36 volumes)

Repository: Center for Sacramento History

Sacramento, California 95811-0229

Abstract: The collection documents cases and other activities of the Sacramento County Court from its establishment in 1850 to its abolishment in 1879 when the Superior Court system was created. The largest portion of the collection is made up of case files for civil and criminal trials. In addition, the collection contains court minutes; criminal and civil judgments; criminal records, registers of actions, and calendars; juror registers; fee books; and other documents.

Physical location: 15:E:4, 15:L:1-2, 21:F:6-11, 21:G:1-4.

Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Access

Collection is open for research use.

Publication Rights

All requests to publish or quote from private manuscripts held by the Center for Sacramento History (CSH) must be submitted in writing to the csh@cityofsacramento.org. Permission for publication is given on behalf of CSH as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the patron. No permission is necessary to publish or quote from public records.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item and/or item number], [box and folder number], CNTY0011, Center for Sacramento History.

Acquisition Information

Acquired from the California State Archives in 1980 (accession #1980/132).

Biography / Administrative History

The County Court of Sacramento County was established by state legislature in 1850. The court was under the supervision of the county judge, and the county clerk served as its clerk. County Court held four regular sessions per year, hearing lower-level civil cases, probate cases, trials of appeals from justices of the peace, and other pending special cases. In 1851, the state's court system was changed, and jurisdiction of probate cases was transferred to the county Probate Court. In 1863, the County Court took over jurisdiction of criminal cases after the Court of Sessions was abolished. In 1879, the County Court was abolished by the state and its functions were transferred to the newly created Superior Court.

Scope and Content of Collection

The collection documents cases and other activities of the Sacramento County Court from its establishment in 1850 to its abolishment in 1879 when the Superior Court system was created. The largest portion of the collection is made up of case files for civil and criminal trials. In addition, the collection contains court minutes; criminal and civil judgments; criminal records, registers of actions, and calendars; juror registers; fee books; and other documents.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into 3 series:

Series 1. Civil case files, 1850-1879

Series 2. Criminal case files, 1863-1879

Series 3. Other court records, 1850-1879

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Sacramento County (Calif.). County Court

Courts--Sacramento County (Calif.)--Cases

Sacramento County (Calif.)--Trials, litigation, etc.

Series 1. Civil case files, 1850-1879

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains case files for individual civil suits brought before the County Court from 1850 to 1879. The types of documents found in each case vary, but common records include complaint, summons, affidavit or proof of service, judgment, and orders relating to change of parties. A searchable index is available, courtesy of Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society; see first item in container list.

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically by case number.

Shelf RR Library

Index to civil case files 1863-1879

view online item

Box 1

Case numbers 1-115 1850-1851

Box 2

Case numbers 116-191 1851-1853

Box 3

Case numbers 192-240 1853

Box 4

Case numbers 241-296 1853

Box 5

Case numbers 297-364 1853-1854

Box 6

Case numbers 365-433 1854-1855

Box 7

Case numbers 434-499 1855-1856

Box 8

Case numbers 500-520 1856

Box 9

Case numbers 521-275 1856-1857

Box 10

Case numbers 576-635 1857

Box 11

Case numbers 635-708 1857-1858

Box 12

Case numbers 709-782 1858

Box 13

Case numbers 783-826 1858-1859

Box 14

Case numbers 827-884 1859

Box 15

Case numbers 885-923 1860

Box 16

Case numbers 924-946 1860

Box 17

Case numbers 947-1000 1860-1861

Box 18

Case numbers 1001-1055 1860-1862

Box 19

Case numbers 1056-1105 1861-1862

Box 20

Case numbers 1106-1160 1862

Box 21

Case numbers 1161-1200 1862-1863

Box 22

Case numbers 1200-1241 1863

Box 23

Case numbers 1242-1280 1863-1864

Box 24

Case numbers 1281-1305 1864

Box 25

Case numbers 1306-1358 1864-1865

Box 26

Case numbers 1359-1409 1865

Box 27

Case numbers 1410-1453 1865

Box 28

Case numbers 1454-1504 1865-1866

Box 29

Case numbers 1505-1593 1866-1867

Box 30

Case numbers 1594-1642 1867

Box 31

Case numbers 1643-1690 1867-1868

Box 32

Case numbers 1691-1714 1868

Box 33

Case numbers 1715-1763 1868-1869

Box 34

Case numbers 1764-1824 1869-1870

Box 35

Case numbers 1833-1870 1870

Box 36

Case numbers 1871-1913 1870-1871

Box 37

Case numbers 1914-1951 1870-1871

Box 38

Case numbers 1952-1998 1871-1872

Box 39

Case numbers 1999-2026 1872-1873

Box 40

Case numbers 2027-2042 1872-1873

Box 41

Case numbers 2043-2074 1873

Box 42

Case numbers 2075-3011 1873

Box 43

Case numbers 3012-3041 1873

Box 44

Case numbers 3042-3058 1873-1874

Box 45

Case numbers 3059-3096 1874

Box 46

Case numbers 3097-3148 1874-1875

Box 47

Case numbers 3149-3196 1875

Box 48

Case numbers 3197-3239 1875-1876

Box 49

Case numbers 3240-3294 1876

Box 50

Case numbers 3295-3343 1875-1877

Box 51

Case numbers 3344-3370 1877

Box 52

Case numbers 3371-3428 1877

Box 53

Case numbers 3429-3482 1877-1878

Box 54

Case numbers 3483-3528 1878

Box 55

Case numbers 3529-3594 1878-1879

Box 56

Case numbers 3595-3666 1879

Series 2. Criminal case files, 1863-1879

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series consists of case files for individual criminal suits brought before the County Court from 1863 to 1879. The types of documents found in each case vary, but common records include indictment, challenges by the defendant to the Grand Jury, minutes of the plea or demurrer, minutes of challenges to the jury, minutes of the trial, bill of exceptions, charges, instructions to the jury, and judgment. A searchable index is available; see first item in container list.

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically by case number.

Shelf RR Library

Index to criminal case files 1863-1879

view online item

Box 57

Case numbers 1-130 1863-1865

Box 58

Case numbers 131-266 1865-1866

Box 59

Case numbers 267-385 1866-1868

Box 60

Case numbers 386-561 1868-1869

Box 61

Case numbers 532-703 1869-1871

Box 62

Case numbers 704-808 1871-1872

Box 63

Case numbers 809-830 1872

Box 64

Case numbers 831-882 1872-1873

Box 65

Case numbers 883-920 1873

Box 66

Case numbers 921-1008 1873-1874

Box 67

Case numbers 1009-1119 1874-1875

Box 68

Case numbers 1120-1248 1875-1876

Box 69

Case numbers 1249-1393 1877

Box 70

Case numbers 1394-1553 1877-1878

Box 71

Case numbers 1554-1650 1878

Box 72

Case numbers 1621-1814 1878-1879

Series 3. Other court records, 1850-1879

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series is made up of various documents and records created by the County Court during its existence from 1850 to 1879. Included are court minutes; criminal and civil judgments; criminal records, registers of actions, and calendars; juror registers; fee books; 1860 and 1861 indenture documents for two Native American boys; an 1858 deed signed over to Leland Stanford for property in Sacramento; insane commitments; and other administrative records.

Arrangement

This series is arranged alphabetically.

Shelf SP SV 15:L:2, Volume A

Civil judgment docket 1856-1862

General

This is one of two civil judgment volumes labeled "A," from two different date ranges.

Shelf SP SV 15:L:2, Volume B

Civil judgment docket ca. 1862-1878

Shelf SP SV 15:L:2, Volume A

Civil judgment docket 1874-1879

General

This is one of two civil judgment volumes labeled "A," from two different date ranges.

Shelf SP SV 15:L:1, Volume 1865-1878

Criminal calendar 1865-1878

General

Spine says "Court of Sessions," but volume includes both Court of Sessions and County Court calendars.

Shelf SP SV 15:L:1, Volume A

Criminal calendar 1878-1879

Shelf SP SV 15:L:2, Volume A

Criminal judgments 1878-1879

Shelf SP SV 15:L:2, Volume A

Criminal record 1874-1877

Shelf SP SV 15:L:2, Volume B

Criminal record 1877-1879

Shelf SP SV 15:L:2, Volume B index

Criminal record, index 1877-1879

Shelf SP SV 15:L:1, Volume 1851-1859

Criminal register of actions 1851-1859

Box 56

Deed between Shelton Fogus and Leland Stanford 1858

General

The deed is for land in the City of Sacramento from Shelton Fogus to Leland Stanford, encompassing lots 1 and 2 in the square between N and O, and 8th and 9th streets.

Shelf SP SV 15:L:1, Volume 1862-1863

Fee book 1862-1863

General

This volume also includes fees logged for Probate Court and Court of Sessions.

Shelf SP SV 15:L:1, Volume 1864-1866

Fee book 1864-1866

General

Volume includes both Probate Court and County Court.

Shelf SP SV 15:L:1, Volume A

Fee book, civil 1850-1855

General

Spine says dates range from 1850-1858.

Shelf SP SV 15:L:1, Volume B

Fee book, civil 1855-1859

General

This is one of two civil fee book volumes labeled "B," from two different date ranges.

Shelf SP SV 15:L:1, Volume B

Fee book, civil 1860-1867

General

This is one of two civil fee book volumes labeled "B," from two different date ranges.

Shelf SP SV 15:L:1, Volume C

Fee book, civil 1867-1876

Shelf SP SV 15:L:1, Volume D

Fee book, civil 1876-1879

Shelf SP SV 15:L:1, Volume D index

Fee book index, civil 1876-1879

Shelf SP SV 15:L:1, Volume D index

Fee book "D" index, civil and criminal undated

Shelf SP SV 15:L:1, Volume B index

Index to County Court docket, fee book B undated

General

This index does not appear to correspond to any of the other books in the collection.

Box 56

Indian indentures 1861-1862

General

Documents are related to the indenture of two 15-year-old Native American boys.

Box 56

Insane persons commitments 1858

General

Contains insane commitment records for Austina Levy and Horace Hyler.

Shelf SP SV 15:L:1, Volume 1860-1870

Jury book 1860-1870

Shelf SP SV 15:L:1, Volume 1870-1879

Jury book 1870-1879

General

Volume also includes entries for Court of Sessions.

Shelf SP SV 15:L:2, Volume 1867-1870

Minutes 1867-1870

Shelf SP SV 15:E:4, Volume 1870-1872

Minutes 1870-1872

Shelf SP SV 15:E:4, Volume 1872-1875

Minutes 1872-1875

Shelf SP SV 15:E:4, Volume 1875-1877

Minutes 1875-1877

Shelf SP SV 15:E:4, Volume 1877-1878

Minutes 1877-1878

Shelf SP SV 15:L:1, Volume 1878-1879

Minutes 1878-1879

Shelf SP SV 15:L:2, Volume A

Minutes, civil and criminal 1850-1852

Shelf SP SV 15:L:2, Volume B

Minutes, civil and criminal 1853-1857

Shelf SP SV 15:L:2, Volume B index

Minutes, civil and criminal, index 1853-1857

Shelf SP SV 15:L:2, Volume C

Minutes, civil and criminal 1857-1864

Shelf SP SV 15:L:2, Volume D

Minutes, civil and criminal 1864-1866

Shelf SP SV 15:L:2, Volume E

Minutes, civil and criminal 1866-1871

Shelf SP SV 15:L:2, Volume F

Minutes, civil and criminal 1871-1874

Shelf SP SV 15:L:2, Volume G

Minutes, civil and criminal 1874-1879

Box 56

Unidentified court documents 1854-1874

General

Documents include a statement about the county sheriff finding a suitable room for the County Court to conduct its business (1854); a letter from a judge in Utah asking the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office to locate and question trial witnesses residing in the county, and the sheriff's office response that said witness could not be found (1860); and an arrest warrant for a defaulting juror, with a statement that he was arrested and is now in court (1874).