In a message TIM [email protected] writes: > First of all, when researching mining claims your practically need to do >it in person. I would strongly suggest, that you also call in advance to >the County Recorder to inquire exactly what records they have available. > > There are six different volumes of records which mining claims are >recorded. The following is an outline of the same. > >1. NOTICE OF LOCATION/MINING CLAIMS > If you can locate these books, then you have literally struck it rich! >But this is also a big if. Some counties have retained, others have >discarded them and then again some have them donated to institutions. If >you cannot find it, ask the Recorder where it might be, and also if they >have storage, which many Recorders do have. It could be in storage >somewhere collecting dust, and most Recorders would not even be aware of >that record. > What this book contains is: > a. Notice of Location of Claims > b. Bill of Sales of Mining Claims > c. Consolidation of Mining Claims > d. Laws of the Mining District > e. Minutes of the Miners Meeting of the District > >2. MINING CLAIMS. This is the standard recorded volume of mining claims, >still in use today, also includes proof of labor notices. > >3. WATER RIGHTS. You just know that your ancestor had a mining claim, but >you could not find the same in the conventential mining claim book, cited >above. Then, you need to check water rights. In a number of cases, a >water right & mining claim were recorded as one, as water rights were being >claimed to be used in the mining operation. > >4. BILL OF SALES & AGREEMENTS. Numerous mining claims were sold, prior to >having obtained a patent to the property, and is this were you will find >that document. > >5. PATENTS. If you were lucky enough that your relation, did quite well >with a mining claim, in due to course of time, then that person would have >done the necessary work to obtain title to the property from the >government. Each County has a set of their own patent books, as well as in >Sacramento. (for California that is). > >6. GRANTOR/GRANTEE (DEEDS) If your miner, has successfully made it >through the patent process, then all subsequent transactions are recorded >in the Deed books for title purposes. > > If you are still having problems, in locating the same. Check the old >County Assessment Records, to see if the person actually owned a mining >claim, and if they did it should appear on the tax roll. > > There are other records you may want to examine at a later date. Such as >Court records, because there was a lot of litigation that occurred over >boundary claims and water rights. Also, Articles of Incorporation, are >also a good source, as the early miners, found it necessary to corporate, >to sale stock to develop the mines. > > I hope this helps and good luck! > >Tim Purdy >Susanville, CA >[email protected] Tim - THANKS so much for the above posting - excellent. I can only guess how much work it took. And for one, I really appreciate your efforts and expertise.. Yur a good man:-)))) Best, Bob Norris