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]