by Judy G. Russell | Oct 17, 2019 | Methodology, Primary Law, Resources |
A lesson from Arkansas law It is one of the most basic elements of the law. You can’t do something about an issue if you don’t know about it. And so the law makes people who want you to have to do something — or who want to do something to you... by Judy G. Russell | Sep 26, 2019 | Primary Law, Resources, Statutes |
Colorado statutes from 1861 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 at one time or another had been in the Louisiana,... by Judy G. Russell | Nov 8, 2018 | Constitutions, Primary Law, Resources |
Legal research in the Bay State Researching the way Massachusetts was created as a matter of law through its chartering documents is really easy, isn’t it? After all, The Legal Genealogist is quite sure that Massachusetts has only ever had one Constitution,... by Judy G. Russell | Oct 17, 2017 | Primary Law, Resources, Statutes |
The laws of the Hawkeye State It’s the mantra of The Legal Genealogist. Repeated over and over until long-time readers and conference goers can chant it along with me. To understand the records, we have to understand the law. And not just the law in general, but... by Judy G. Russell | Oct 13, 2017 | Constitutions, Primary Law |
That first state charter The Legal Genealogist is on the road again. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, to be precise, for tomorrow’s Got Ancestors?! 2017 seminar of the Western Michigan Genealogical Society. We’re going to have a lot of fun tomorrow at the Grand... by Judy G. Russell | Oct 12, 2017 | Primary Law, Statutes |
Primary School Lands: reprise In anticipation of this weekend’s seminar of the Western Michigan Genealogical Society in Grand Rapids, The Legal Genealogist was looking back on research done on Michigan issues in the past. (You are coming to the seminar, right?... by Judy G. Russell | Apr 13, 2017 | Primary Law, Resources, Statutes |
Sources for federal laws Since this appears to be Resource Week here at The Legal Genealogist, it’s time to review one particular type of resource that comes up time and again: How do we find federal statutes? This came up just recently in a reader question... by Judy G. Russell | Sep 9, 2016 | Primary Law, Resources |
Great online resource Our ancestors certainly were concerned about weights and measures. They used them in their daily lives, and cared deeply if the millers and merchants weighed things properly. So… Did you ever wonder how it came to be that everyone around... by Judy G. Russell | Jan 27, 2016 | General, Primary Law, Resources, Statutes |
Nope, it’s NOT all online There’s a really interesting statute that was passed by the Mississippi legislature in 1819, dealing with the licensing of physicians and surgeons. None of us, The Legal Genealogist included, tend to think of medical licensing... by Judy G. Russell | Dec 16, 2015 | Legal definitions, Primary Law, Statutes |
Locking up the witness It’s a natural human phenomenon: we all tend to root for the underdog. That was driven home this week after Monday’s blog post about a rather gruesome murder in Arkansas Territory that came to The Legal Genealogist’s attention...