Category Archives: Constitutions

State Constitutions: Idaho

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Judy G. Russell

The Gem State It became a territory 150 years ago today — but it took another 27 years to win admission to the Union as the 43rd state. It is the Gem State, the “14th most expansive, the 39th most … Continue reading →

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The Recorder Judge

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Judy G. Russell

The language of the law. Part Latin, part Anglo-Saxon, all confusing. Reader Joanne Shackford Parkes has a somewhat unsavory black sheep in her family who was involved in a court case in New York City in 1854. Allegations of abduction … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutions, Legal definitions, Statutes | 6 Comments

The excluded elector

Posted on February 8, 2013 by Judy G. Russell

Territorial voting rights Michael John Neill on RootDig.com passes along a great question from his reader Liz, who posted on the Genealogy Tip of the Day Facebook page: “Could an 1864 Nebraska resident vote in federal elections?” Nebraska was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutions, Primary Law | 13 Comments

State Constitutions: Utah

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Judy G. Russell

The Beehive State One hundred and seventeen years ago today, a 45th star was added to the United States flag when President Grover Cleveland signed the legislation that admitted Utah to the Union as the 45th state.1 It wasn’t the … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutions, Primary Law | 6 Comments

A Prince of a sheriff

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Judy G. Russell

Prince William County, Virginia, 1904-1911 Reader Allissa Smith was particularly interested in The Legal Genealogist‘s webinar earlier this week on criminal court records because of one ancestor: her second great grandfather Francis C. “Frank” Rorabaugh was the sheriff of Prince … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutions, General, Legal definitions, Methodology, Statutes | 6 Comments

Raising a glass

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Judy G. Russell

Thank you, Utah The last night of class each year in The Legal Genealogist‘s appellate advocacy class is a tough one. The students spend the semester working on one mock appeal to the New Jersey Supreme Court from a criminal … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutions, General | 10 Comments

Oh, to be in Tennessee

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Judy G. Russell

History on display Okay, dagnabit, this working-for-a-living-bit can be really annoying. Because there is absolutely nothing in this world The Legal Genealogist would like more than to be in Tennessee tomorrow. Or Friday. Or Saturday. Or Monday. Because on any … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutions, General, Primary Law | 17 Comments

State Constitutions: Hawaii

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Judy G. Russell

The newest state Many U.S. states have mottos in a classical or European language; many were once part of another country. Only one has a motto in its own language and only one can say that it was once its … Continue reading →

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State Constitutions: Oregon

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Judy G. Russell

The Beaver State It was 164 years ago today when it became a territory; nearly nine more years passed before it became the 33rd state admitted to the union.1 It gave up its original motto — “She Flies With Her … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutions, Primary Law | 4 Comments

State Constitutions: Colorado

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Judy G. Russell

The Centennial State It was part of Spain, France — no, Spain — no, France — both Spain and France, the United States and Mexico and Texas, and then just the United States. At least some part of its land … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutions, Primary Law | 2 Comments