Category Archives: Law

Are We There Yet? Introducing Historic West Virginia Law

No ancestor on my pedigree chart hailed from West Virginia. I don’t have a state-related ancestral tale to tell, but there is always a story.

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“Pikers,” “Dead Heads,” and a Second as the First: Introducing the Historic Law Collection of Hawaii

As a second child, James Cairn McBride’s parents might not have expected him to grow into a man of firsts.[1] Under his alter-ego, J. C. “Bud” Mars, James threw Hawaii’s first flight-related tantrum.[2]  

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“He lays his trouble to a cigar,”: Introducing Historic California Law

Captain Thomas D. McBride was first believed dead in 1883.[1] Final reports of his demise, 17 years later, were accurate.[2]

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South Dakota Revises Law on Original Birth Certificate Access

South Dakota’s governor signed HB 1231 into law on 23 March 2023.[1] The law allows an adult adopted person (age 18) to obtain their original birth certificate upon written request and proof of identification.[2]

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Small Bits: Introducing Historic Arizona Law

William Crittenden moved with wife Ella and son Ray to Arizona Territory from Illinois in 1907.[1] William was dead in two years,[2] but Ella saw statehood.[3]

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One Dead Horse Thief: Introducing Historic Arkansas Law

William Sawyers’ widow said he was a horse thief who died in an Arkansas prison in August 1874.

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Introducing Historic New York City Ordinances, Codes, Resolutions, and Extras!

Mary Jane Anderson did not die twice. Tell that to the doctor who completed two New York City death certificates for her in 1881. The story of her death (or deaths) is for another day. The records prompted a research … Continue reading

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