Records of the US District Courts for the Southern District of Texas
Records Available at the National Archives at Fort Worth
INTRODUCTION
The Judiciary Act of September 24, 1789 created the United States district and circuit courts. These courts operated concurrently but with jurisdiction over different types of cases. District courts generally had original jurisdiction in admiralty and bankruptcy cases, in suits for penalties and seizures under federal laws, and jurisdiction in non-capital criminal proceedings and in law suits exceeding $100 in value in which the United States was the plaintiff. Circuit courts heard appeals from the district courts and had original jurisdiction over action involving aliens or citizens of different states and law and equity suits where the matter in dispute exceeded $500 (later $2,000). Congress added to the work of the circuit courts by conferring on the courts original jurisdiction in suits relating to infringement of patents and copy rights, violations of civil rights and elective franchise, registration of trademarks, unlawful restraints of trade and monopolies, and controversies between bankruptcy trustees and claimants to property held by the trustees.
In 1812 circuit courts were authorized to appoint U.S. commissioners to assist in the taking of bail and affidavits. Their functions were expanded by subsequent legislation and court rules, and their powers have included authority to issue arrest warrants, examine persons charged with offenses against federal laws, initiate actions in admiralty matters, and institute proceedings for violation of civil rights. In 1896 authority to appoint commissioners was transferred to the district courts. The Federal Magistrates Act of 1968 replaced U.S. commissioners with U.S. magistrates who exercise basically the same powers.
Separate circuit courts did not appear in Texas until after 1866. In 1891 the appellate jurisdiction of the circuit courts was transferred to the newly created courts of appeals (see Record Group 276). Since 1891, appeals from the United States district courts in Texas have gone to the United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, in New Orleans. The Judiciary Act of 1911 abolished the circuit courts as of January 1, 1912, and provided for the transfer of their records and remaining jurisdiction to the district courts.
Most states have initially had one district and one circuit court with additional districts created as the business of the courts increased. Many of the districts were divided into divisions with the court holding session in various cities within the district. When Texas was admitted to the Union in 1846, it was organized as one federal judicial district with court sessions held at Galveston. In 1857 Texas was divided into Eastern and Western Districts and Congress created a Northern District in 1879. A Southern District was established in 1902.
Each of Texas' four judicial districts has been divided into a number of divisions. There are twenty seven United States district court divisions currently operating in Texas and two courts (Graham and Jefferson) were established and subsequently abolished. Appendix A contains a list of the four districts and the courts within each district.
The district and circuit courts were involved with the following types of proceedings:
Admiralty
Article III, section 2, of the Constitution provides that the judicial power of the United States shall extend "to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction." The U. S. Supreme Court has interpreted this grant of authority as extending not only over the high seas but over all public navigable waters as well. The Judiciary Act of 1789 conferred original jurisdiction in admiralty and maritime cases exclusively on the district courts of the U. S. with provision for admiralty appeals to the circuit courts. This provision was abolished in 1891 when the newly created circuit courts of appeals became the final courts of appeal in admiralty.
American admiralty law deals with such matters as prizes, ransom, and military salvage; suits to try title to a ship; actions to recover ships to which a party is entitled by right; and a variety of maritime contracts and torts. Suits and proceedings in admiralty may be "in rem," against a thing, usually a ship, or "in personam," against an individual.
Civil
Section 2 of an act of Congress, approved June 19, 1934, gave the U. S. Supreme Court authority to unite the general rules for equity and law proceedings into one form of civil procedures. On September 16, 1938, proposed Federal Rules of Civil Procedures became effective, and thereafter, law and equity actions were filed together as civil proceedings. Admiralty cases, civil lawsuits relating to violations of federal maritime laws, were filed separately from other civil proceedings until 1967. Beginning in that year, proceedings relating to maritime laws are identified as civil cases.
Law
As courts of common law jurisdiction, the U. S. district courts have possessed exclusive original jurisdiction over all seizures on land made under Federal laws (libel in rem proceedings); exclusive original jurisdiction over suits for penalties and forfeitures incurred under Federal laws (scire facias proceedings); concurrent jurisdiction with State courts and U. S. circuit courts over cases where an alien sued for a legal remedy when a law of nations or a treaty of the U. S. had been violated; concurrent jurisdiction with U. S. circuit courts in suits at common law where the U. S. sued under the authority of an act of Congress; and exclusive original jurisdiction over suits against foreign consuls and vice consuls. Most law cases relate to scire facias or libel in rem proceedings. The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, effective in 1938 after their adoption by the U. S. Supreme Court, prescribed a uniform procedure for law and equity cases, with one form of action to be known as "civil action."
Equity
The basis of equity jurisdiction in the federal courts is laid in the provisions of the Constitution and the laws of the U. S. This jurisdiction, as provided in section 16 of the Judiciary Act of 1789, is not exercised in any case where a "plain, adequate, and complete remedy may be had at law." This jurisdiction was in large part regulated by rules first prescribed in 1822 by the Supreme Court. The rules were replaced by additional sets of rules adopted in 1842 and again in 1913. The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, effective in 1938 after their adoption by the Supreme Court, prescribed a uniform procedure for law and equity cases, with one form of action to be known as "civil action."
Criminal
The Judiciary Act of 1789 conferred very limited criminal jurisdiction upon the U. S. district courts. On August 23, 1842, Congress amended the Judiciary Act by extending the criminal jurisdiction of the district courts to all non capital crimes and offenses against the United States
Naturalization
From 1790 to 1906 federal, state, and local courts were the sole administrators of naturalization laws. A major change in the naturalization laws occurred when Congress passed an act on June 29, 1906, establishing a Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization which was charged with examining all petitions for naturalization and issuing recommendations to the courts that would make final determinations of citizenship. Petitioners for citizenship were required to furnish more personal information than previously had been required.
This preliminary inventory describes approximately 14,000 cubic feet of records of the U. S. district and circuit courts for the Southern District of Texas that have been accessioned by the National Archives at Fort Worth. They cover the period from 1846 1981. Related records in the custody of the National Archives at Fort Worth include Records of U. S. Circuit Courts of Appeals (Record Group 276), Fifth Circuit, and Records of United States Attorneys and Marshals (Record Group 118).
U.S. District Court for Southern District of Texas
U.S. Circuit Court for Southern District of Texas
Confederate Court for Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for Southern District of Texas
Brownsville Division
General Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Index to Minutes, ca. 1852 - ca. 1916 | 2658163 | 21-STX-001 |
| Minutes, 1852 - 1953 | 2658164 | 21-STX-001A |
| Admiralty, Criminal, Civil, Equity, and Law Dockets, 1918 - 1942 | 2658165 | 21-STX-002 |
| Subpoena Dockets, 1908 - 1939 | 2658166 | 21-STX-002A |
| Final Record Books, 1877 - 1914 | 2658167 | 21-STX-002B |
| Dockets of Motions Entered in Admiralty, Criminal, Equity, and Law Cases, 1887 - 1915 | 2658168 | 21-STX-003 |
| Record Book of Motions Entered in Criminal and Equity Proceedings, 1853 - 1859 | 2658169 | 21-STX-004 |
| Writ Execution Dockets, 1902 - 1945 | 2658170 | 21-STX-005 |
| Subpoena Dockets, 1902 - 1926 | 2658171 | 21-STX-006 |
| Stub Receipts from Subpoena and Attachment Documents, 1892 - 1903 | 2658172 | 21-STX-007 |
| Records of Bonds Issued in Civil, Law, and Equity Cases, 1903 - 1944 | 2658174 | 21-STX-007A |
| Orders to Pay Witnesses, 1920 - 1942 | 2658175 | 21-STX-007B |
| Records of Tax Liens, 1922 - 1954 | 2658176 | 21-STX-007C |
Admiralty Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Term Docket of Orders Issued in Admiralty Case 2, E. T. Barden v. Schooner Margaret, 1912 - 1912 | 2658178 | 21-STX-008 |
| Admiralty Dockets, 1912 - 1966 | 570412 | 21-STX-008A |
| Admiralty Case Files, 1912 - 1966 | 570413 | 21-STX-008B |
Civil Records
Please see the series “Circuit Court Equity Case Files, 1880-1911” (21-STX-088A); Equity Case Files, 1912-1938 (21-STX-011B); and “Law Case Files, 1910-1938 (21-STX-016B) for records before 1938. Before 1938, civil proceedings were identified as law and equity cases.
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Dockets, 1938 - 1954 | 595648 | 21-STX-009C |
| Civil Case Files, 1938 - 1993 | 567707 | 21-STX-009D |
Law and Equity Records
Please see the series “Circuit Court Equity Case Files, 1880-1911” (21-STX-088A); Equity Case Files, 1912-1938 (21-STX-011B); and “Law Case Files, 1910-1938 (21-STX-016B) for records before 1938. Before 1938, civil proceedings were identified as law and equity cases.
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Minutes, 1913 - 1929 | 2658184 | 21-STX-009E |
| Term Docket of Orders Issued in Equity Proceedings, 1912 - 1918 | 2658185 | 21-STX-010 |
| Equity Orders Book, 1913 - 1934 | 2658186 | 21-STX-011 |
| Equity Dockets, 1912 - 1938 | 570414 | 21-STX-011A |
| Equity Case Files, 1912 - 1938 | 567727 | 21-STX-011B |
| Term Dockets of Orders Issued in Law Proceedings, 1852 - 1918 | 2658187 | 21-STX-012 |
| Scire Facias Writ Docket to Recover Bond Money, 1882 - 1895 | 2658188 | 21-STX-013 |
| Record Books of Judgments in Law Proceedings that Relate to Forfeited Bonds, 1905 - 1939 | 2658189 | 21-STX-014 |
| Records of Goods Seized for Internal Revenue Violations, 1868 - 1868 | 2658190 | 21-STX-015 |
| Records of Sales of Seized Goods, 1868 - 1868 | 2658191 | 21-STX-016 |
| Law Dockets, 1907 - 1938 | 5658193 | 21-STX-016A |
| Law Case Files, 1910 - 1938 | 595632 | 21-STX-016B |
Criminal Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Minutes, 1925 - 1952 | 2658194 | 21-STX-016C |
| Term Dockets of Orders Issued in Criminal Cases, 1882 - 1918 | 2658195 | 21-STX-017 |
| Criminal Writ Execution Dockets, 1869 - 1872 | 2658196 | 21-STX-017A |
| Copies of Appearance Bonds Issued in Criminal Cases, 1905 - 1918 | 2658198 | 21-STX-017B |
| Dockets of Terminated Criminal Cases, 1909 - 1911 | 2658200 | 21-STX-018 |
| Index to Criminal Dockets, 1907 - 1939 | 2658201 | 21-STX-018A |
| Criminal Dockets, 1868 - 1954 | 2658202 | 21-STX-019 |
| Criminal Case Files, 1905 - 1979 | 567788 | 21-STX-019A |
Naturalization Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Declarations of Intention for Citizenship, 1874 - 1884 | 570415 | 21-STX-019B |
| Orders Admitting Aliens to Citizenship, 1875 - 1895 | 2658203 | 21-STX-019C |
| Declarations of Intention for Citizenship, 1907 - 1929 | 570416 | 21-STX-019D |
| Petitions for Naturalization, 1909 - 1928 | 570417 | 21-STX-019E |
| Index to Naturalization Petitions for Soldiers, 1918 - 1926 | 2658205 | 21-STX-019F |
| Naturalization Petitions for Soldiers, 1918 - 1926 | 2658206 | 21-STX-019G |
Records of the United States Commissioner
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Dockets, 1896 - 1955 | 2658207 | 21-STX-020 |
| Records of Proceedings, 1898 - 1968 | 2658208 | 21-STX-020A |
Corpus Christi Division
General Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Court Minutes, 1912 - 1938 | 2658242 | 21-STX-021 |
| Admiralty, Criminal, Equity, and Law Dockets, 1923 - 1938 | 2658243 | 21-STX-021A |
| Records of Orders Issued in Admiralty, Criminal, Equity, and Law Proceedings, 1913 - 1930 | 2658244 | 21-STX-022 |
| Copies of Appeal Bonds in Admiralty, Civil, Equity, and Law Proceedings, 1913 - 1930 | 2658247 | 21-STX-023 |
| Writ Execution Docket, 1915 - 1953 | 2658248 | 21-STX-024 |
| Final Record Book, 1913 - 1915 | 2658249 | 21-STX-024A |
| Index to Plaintiffs and Defendants in Admiralty and Civil Proceedings, 1914 - 1966 | 2658250 | 21-STX-024B |
| Index to Persons Against Whom Tax Liens were Filed, 1933 - 1945 | 2658251 | 21-STX-024C |
Admiralty Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Admiralty Dockets, 1914 - 1954 | 570418 | 21-STX-024D |
| Admiralty Case Files, 1914 - 1966 | 570419 | 21-STX-024E |
Civil Records
Please see the series “Equity Case Files, 1913-1938” (21-STX-025G) and “Law Case Files, 1910-1938 (21-STX-025I) for records before 1938. Law and equity proceedings were combined in 1938 as civil cases.
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Orders, 1938 - 1957 | 2658254 | 21-STX-025B |
| Civil Dockets, 1938 - 1954 | 595652 | 21-STX-025C |
| Civil Case Files, 1938 - 1995 | 567854 | 21-STX-025D |
Law and Equity Records
Please see the series “Civil Case Files, 1938-1978” (21-STX-025D) for cases after 1938. In 1938 law and equity proceedings were combined as civil cases.
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Minutes, 1913 - 1938 | 2658255 | 21-STX-025E |
| Equity Dockets, 1912 - 1938 | 570783 | 21-STX-025F |
| Equity Case Files, 1913 - 1938 | 567867 | 21-STX-025G |
| Law Dockets, 1913 - 1938 | 2658256 | 21-STX-025H |
| Law Case Files, 1913 - 1938 | 595635 | 21-STX-025I |
Criminal Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Minutes, 1931 - 1954 | 2658257 | 21-STX-025J |
| Criminal Dockets, 1913 - 1954 | 2658258 | 21-STX-025K |
| Criminal Case Files, 1913 - 1988 | 567870 | 21-STX-025L |
| Records of Judgments in Criminal Cases, 1915 - 1931 | 2658259 | 21-STX-025M |
| Records of Sentences in Criminal Cases, 1915 - 1931 | 2658260 | 21-STX-025N |
Naturalization Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Declarations of Intention for Citizenship, 1913 - 1955 | 560966 | 21-STX-025P |
| Petitions for Naturalization, 1913 - 1965 | 570968 | 21-STX-025Q |
| Petitions for Naturalization Transferred from Other Courts, 1953 - 1971 | 570976 | 21-STX-025R |
| Stubs of Naturalization Certificates, 1913 - 1927 | 2658261 | 21-STX-025S |
| Naturalization Petitions by Military Servicemen, 1918 - 1945 | 2658262 | 21-STX-025T |
| Lists of Granted, Denied, and Continued Naturalization Petitions, 1953 - 1977 | 2658263 | 21-STX-025U |
| Repatriation Oaths of Allegiance, 1940 - 1971 | 570974 | 21-STX-025V |
| Index to Persons Filing Declarations of Intention and Naturalization Petitions, 1913 - 1955 | 2658264 | 21-STX-025W |
Records of the United States Commissioner
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Dockets, 1927 - 1953 | 2658265 | 21-STX-026 |
| Records of Proceedings, 1931 - 1971 | 2658266 | 21-STX-026A |
Galveston Division
General Records
Admiralty Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Admiralty Minutes, 1846 - 1851 | 2658331 | 21-STX-030 |
| Records of Bonds Posted by Libellants, 1921 - 1944 | 2658332 | 21-STX-030A |
| Records of Bonds Posted by Claimants, 1928 - 1945 | 2658333 | 21-STX-030B |
| Bonds Posted to Release Seized Goods to Ships' Owners, 1921 - 1945 | 2658334 | 21-STX-030C |
| Admiralty Dockets, 1866 - 1962 | 570985 | 21-STX-031 |
| Admiralty Case Files, 1866 - 1966 | 571041 | 21-STX-031A |
| Exhibits in Admiralty Proceedings, 1868 - 1907 | 2658335 | 21-STX-031B |
| Indexes to Plaintiffs and Defendants in Admiralty Proceedings, 1866 - 1907 | 2658336 | 21-STX-032 |
Civil Records
Please see the series “District Equity Case Files, 1916-1938” (21-STX-041A); “Circuit Equity Case Files, 1867-1911 (21-STX-095A); “District Law Case Files, 1867-1938 (21-STX-043A); and “Circuit Law Case Files, 1867-1911 (21-STX-097A) for cases before 1938. In 1938 law and equity proceedings were combined as civil cases.
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Order Books, 1938 - 1955 | 2658343 | 21-STX-037B |
| Docket of Consolidated Texas City Disaster Civil Cases, 1947 - 1950 | 2658344 | 21-STX-037C |
| Index to Plaintiffs in Texas City Disaster Cases, 1947 - 1949 | 2658345 | 21-STX-037D |
| Civil Dockets, 1938 - 1955 | 595662 | 21-STX-037E |
| Civil Case Files, 1938 - 1995 | 568092 | 21-STX-037F |
Law and Equity Records
Please see the series “Circuit Equity Case Files, 1867-1911 (21-STX-095A); “Circuit Law Case Files, 1867-1911 (21-STX-097A); Civil Case Files, 1938-1979 (21-STX-037F). In 1938 law and equity proceedings were combined as civil cases.
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Minutes, 1913 - 1938 | 2658346 | 21-STX-038 |
| Term Docket of Orders Issued in Equity Proceedings, 1853 - 1861 | 2658347 | 21-STX-039 |
| Equity Orders Books, 1892 - 1936 | 2658348 | 21-STX-040 |
| Equity Dockets, 1909 - 1938 | 571204 | 21-STX-041 |
| Equity Case Files, 1916 - 1938 | 568094 | 21-STX-041A |
| Law Term Dockets, 1848 - 1865 | 2658349 | 21-STX-042 |
| Record of Orders Issued in Bond Forfeitures, 1879 - 1879 | 2658350 | 48S042A |
| Law Dockets, 1867 - 1938 | 2658351 | 21-STX-043 |
| Law Case Files, 1867 - 1938 | 595637 | 21-STX-043A |
| Index to Plaintiffs in Law Proceedings, 1867 - 1938 | 2658352 | 21-STX-043B |
Criminal Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Minutes, 1927 - 1955 | 2658353 | 21-STX-043C |
| Records of Bonds Issued for Witnesses in Criminal Cases, 1879 - 1888 | 2658354 | 21-STX-043D |
| Records of Recognizance Bonds Issued for Criminal Defendants, 1879-1920 | 2658355 | 21-STX-043E |
| Criminal Dockets, 1866 - 1955 | 2658356 | 21-STX-044 |
| Criminal Case Files, 1866 - 1969 | 568095 | 21-STX-044A |
| Index to Judgments Issued in Criminal Proceedings, 1903 - 1925 | 2658357 | 21-STX-045 |
| Records of Judgements in Criminal Cases, 1903-1925 | 2658358 | 21-STX-046 |
| Records of Judgments on Forfeited Bonds in Criminal Cases, 1879 - 1938 | 2658359 | 21-STX-046A |
| Index to Sentences Issued in Criminal Proceedings, 1903 - 1926 | 2658360 | 21-STX-047 |
| Records of Sentences in Criminal Cases, 1903 - 1926 | 2658361 | 21-STX-048 |
| Indexes to Defendants in Criminal Proceedings, 1866 - 1906 | 2658362 | 21-STX-049 |
| Index to Final Record Books, 1867 - 1911 | 2658363 | 21-STX-050 |
| Final Record Books, 1867 - 1911 | 2658365 | 21-STX-050A |
Naturalization Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Index to Aliens Who Filed Declarations of Intention, 1871 - 1905 | 2658366 | 21-STX-050B |
| Declarations of Intention for Citizenship, 1871 - 1905 | 571206 | 21-STX-050C |
| Index to Aliens Granted Citizenship, 1871 - 1905 | 2658367 | 21-STX-050D |
| Orders Granting Citizenship to Aliens Who Immigrated as Adults, 1871 - 1905 | 2658368 | 21-STX-050E |
| Orders Granting Citizenship to Aliens Who Immigrated as Minors, 1872 - 1903 | 2658369 | 21-STX-050F |
| Declarations of Intention for Citizenship, 1906 - 1927 | 571379 | 21-STX-050G |
| Petitions for Naturalization, 1907 - 1920 | 571380 | 21-STX-050H |
| Stubs of Naturalization Certificates, 1908 - 1921 | 2658370 | 21-STX-050I |
| Naturalization Petitions for Soldiers, 1918 - 1945 | 2773663 | 21-STX-051 |
Records of the United States Commissioner
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Dockets, 1925 - 1953 | 2658372 | 21-STX-052 |
| Records of Proceedings, 1896 - 1937 | 2658373 | 21-STX-052A |
| Records of Proceedings Against Deserting Foreign Seamen, 1891 - 1915 | 2658374 | 21-STX-052B |
Houston Division
The court at Houston was authorized by an act of Congress of March11, 1902. A fire in 1907 destroyed the early records of the Houston district and circuit courts.
General Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Court Minutes, 1907 - 1938 | 2546033 | 21-STX-053 |
| Judge's Minutes, 1953 - 1982 | 2546034 | 21-STX-053A |
| Records of Posted Bonds, 1909 - 1931 | 2547468 | 21-STX-053B |
| Witness Subpoena Dockets, 1908 - 1939 | 2547472 | 21-STX-054 |
| Motion Dockets, 1926 - 1938 | 2547475 | 21-STX-055 |
| Motion Dockets, 1926 - 1938 | 2547476 | 21-STX-055A |
| Final Record Books, 1908 - 1913 | 2547479 | 21-STX-056 |
| Indexes to Plaintiffs, 1911 - 1955 | 2547480 | 21-STX-056A |
| Indexes to Defendants, 1911 - 1955 | 2547481 | 21-STX-056B |
| Index to Plaintiffs and Defendants, 1936 - 1952 | 2547482 | 21-STX-056C |
| Attorney Admission Rolls, 1907 - 1938 | 2547483 | 21-STX-057 |
Admiralty Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Admiralty Minutes, 1908 - 1912 | 2546035 | 21-STX-058 |
| Admiralty Bonds Posted by Libellants, 1908 - 1944 | 2564208 | 21-STX-058A |
| Admiralty Bonds Posted by Claimants, 1908 - 1944 | 2564209 | 21-STX-058B |
| Admiralty Bonds Posted to Release Seized Goods to Ships' Owners, 1908 - 1944 | 2564210 | 21-STX-058C |
| Admiralty Dockets, 1907 - 1966 | 571381 | 21-STX-059 |
| Admiralty Case Files, 1907 - 1966 | 571485 | 21-STX-059A |
Civil Records
Please see the series "District and Circuit Equity Case Files", 1908-1938 (21-STX-063) and "Law Case Files, 1908-1938" (21-STX-066A). In 1938 law and equity proceedings were combined as civil cases.
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Orders, 1938 - 1954 | 2564212 | 21-STX-60A |
| Civil Dockets, 1938 - 1979 | 595665 | 21-STX-060B |
| Civil Case Files, 1938 - 1996 | 563136 | 21-STX-060C |
| Select Non-Trial Civil Case Files, 1975 - 1991 | 6785480 | 21-STX-060C1 |
| Miscellaneous Civil Docket Sheets, 1963 - 1993 | 2565510 | 21-STX-060D |
| Multi-district Litigation (MDL) Civil Case Files, 1977 - 1989 | 40022214 | 21-STX-060E |
Law and Equity Records
Please see the series “Circuit Law Case Files, 1909-1911 (21-STX-110A); “District and Circuit Equity Case Files, 1908-1938 (21-STX-063A); and Civil Case Files, 1938-1976 (21-STX-060C). In 1938, law and equity proceedings were combined as civil cases.
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Law and Equity Final Record Books, 1908 - 1916 | 2565513 | 21-STX-061 |
| Equity Minutes, 1913 - 1938 | 2565514 | 21-STX-062 |
| Equity Dockets, 1908 - 1938 | 571487 | 21-STX-063 |
| Equity Case Files, 1908 - 1938 | 571492 | 21-STX-063A |
| Equity Intervention Dockets, 1904 - 1927 | 2565515 | 21-STX-064 |
| Equity Intervention Order Books, 1914 - 1937 | 2565516 | 21-STX-065 |
| Index to Interventions in Equity Case 49, 1922 - 1922 | 2565518 | 21-STX-065A |
| Law Dockets, 1908 - 1938 | 2565519 | 21-STX-066 |
| Law Case Files, 1908 - 1938 | 595640 | 21-STX-066A |
| Index to Judgments in Tax Lien Cases, 1925 - 1931 | 2565520 | 21-STX-067 |
Criminal Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Minutes, 1926 - 1954 | 2546036 | 21-STX-068 |
| Indexes to Criminal Dockets, 1908 - 1954 | 2565521 | 21-STX-068A |
| Criminal Dockets, 1908 - 1954 | 2565522 | 21-STX-069 |
| Criminal Case Files, 1908 - 1982 | 563137 | 21-STX-069A |
| Copies of Appearance Bonds in Criminal Cases, 1924 - 1933 | 2565523 | 21-STX-070 |
| Records of Verdicts in Criminal Cases, 1909 - 1923 | 2565525 | 21-STX-070A |
| Records of Sentences in Criminal Cases, 1909 - 1927 | 2565526 | 21-STX-070B |
Naturalization Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Naturalization Dockets, 1927 - 1945 | 2565527 | 21-STX-070D |
| Declarations of Intention for Citizenship, 1906 - 1980 | 571496 | 21-STX-071 |
| Petitions for Naturalization, 1907 - 9/30/1991 | 571499 | 21-STX-071A |
| Petitions for Naturalization Transferred from Other Courts, 1953 - 1983 | 571503 | 21-STX-071B |
| Naturalization Petitions for Soldiers, 1918 - 1928 | 2573314 | 21-STX-071C |
| Repatriation Oaths of Allegiance, 1936 - 1968 | 571504 | 21-STX-071E |
| Card Index to Declarations of Intention for Citizenship and Petitions for Naturalization, 1906 - 1991 | 2573331 | 21-STX-071F |
| Index to Declarations of Intentions for Citizenship and Petitions for Naturalization, 1906 - 1955 | 2660751 | 21-STX-071H |
Records of the United States Commissioner
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Records of Proceedings , 1916 - 1991 | 1812807 | 21-STX-071I |
Laredo Division
General Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Index to Minutes, 1899 - 1938 | 2660694 | 21-STX-072 |
| Court Minutes, 1899 - 1938 | 2660695 | 21-STX-072A |
| Civil, Criminal, Equity, and Law Dockets, 1918 - 1945 | 2660696 | 21-STX-073 |
| Docket of Motions and Orders Entered in Criminal and Law Proceedings, 1901 - 1917 | 2660697 | 21-STX-074 |
| Writ Execution Docket, 1899 - 1946 | 2660698 | 21-STX-075 |
| Index to Final Record Books, 1899 - 1916 | 2660699 | 21-STX-75A |
| Final Record Books, 1899 - 1916 | 2660700 | 21-STX-075B |
| Final Record Books, 1899 - 1916 | 2660701 | 21-STX-075C |
Civil Records
Please see the series “District Equity Case Files, 1912-1938" (21-STX-076H); “Circuit Equity Case Files, 1904-1909" (21-STX-114A); “District Law Case Files", (21-STX-076K) and “Circuit Law Case Files, 1900-1911" (21-STX-115B). In 1938, law and equity proceedings were combined as civil cases. See Appendix B for a listing of boxes on CA 529, Falcon Dam from the series "Civil Case Files, 1938-1997" (21-STX-076E).
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Orders, 1938 - 1954 | 2660707 | 21-STX-076C |
| Civil Dockets, 1938 - 1987 | 595667 | 21-STX-076D |
| Civil Case Files, 1938 - 1997 | 568016 | 21-STX-076E |
Law and Equity Records
Please see the series “Circuit Equity Case Files, 1904-1909 (21-STX-114A); “Circuit Law Case Files, 1900-1911 (21-STX-115B); and “Civil Cases, 1938-1974 (21-STX-076E). In 1938, law and equity proceedings were combined as civil cases.
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Minutes, 1913 - 1938 | 2660708 | 21-STX-076F |
| Equity Dockets, 1912 - 1938 | 571489 | 21-STX-076G |
| Equity Case Files, 1912 - 1938 | 568060 | 21-STX-076H |
| Term Dockets of Orders Issued in Law Proceedings, 1899 - 1914 | 2660709 | 21-STX-076I |
| Law Dockets, 1907 - 1938 | 2660710 | 21-STX-076J |
| Law Case Files, 1899 - 1938 | 595641 | 21-STX-076K |
Criminal Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Minutes, 1926 - 1954 | 2660711 | 21-STX-076L |
| Term Dockets of Orders Issued in Criminal Proceedings, 1899 - 1918 | 2660712 | 21-STX-077 |
| Docket of Dismissed Criminal Cases, 1912 - 1912 | 2660713 | 21-STX-077A |
| Index to Criminal Dockets, 1907 - 1942 | 2660714 | 21-STX-078 |
| Criminal Dockets, 1899 - 1984 | 2660715 | 21-STX-078A |
| Criminal Case Files, 1899 - 1999 | 568061 | 21-STX-078B |
| Records of Jury Verdicts in Criminal Proceedings, 1902 - 1926 | 2660716 | 21-STX-078C |
| Records of Sentences in Criminal Cases, 1902 - 1926 | 2660717 | 21-STX-078D |
| Criminal Final Record Book, 1916 - 1917 | 2660718 | 21-STX-079 |
| Index to Criminal Cases, 1899 - 1912 | 2660719 | 21-STX-079A |
Naturalization Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Declarations of Intention for Citizenship, 1908 - 1985 | 571505 | 21-STX-079B |
| Petitions for Naturalization, 1907 - 1988 | 571506 | 21-STX-079C |
| Dockets Relating to Status of Naturalization Petitions, 1918 - 1950 | 2660720 | 21-STX-079D |
| Stubs of Naturalization Certificates, 1908 - 1928 | 2660721 | 21-STX-079E |
| Naturalization Petitions by Military Servicemen, 1918 - 1956 | 2660722 | 21-STX-079F |
| Stubs of Naturalization Certificates Issued to Military Servicemen, 1918 - 1918 | 2660723 | 21-STX-079G |
| Petitions for Naturalization Transferred from Other Courts, 1955 - 1990 | 571507 | 21-STX-079H |
| Repatriation Oaths of Allegiance, 1931 - 1982 | 571508 | 21-STX-079I |
Records of the United States Commissioner/Magistrate
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Dockets, 1899 - 1954 | 2660724 | 21-STX-080 |
| Records of Proceedings, 1946 - 1991 | 2660725 | 21-STX-080A |
| Records of Proceedings Relating to Illegal Transportation of Aliens, 1972 - 1988 | 2660726 | 21-STX-080B |
Victoria Division
General Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Court Minutes, 1906 - 1938 | 2660727 | 21-STX-080C |
| Admiralty, Criminal, Civil, Equity, and Law Dockets, 1918 - 1941 | 2660728 | 21-STX-081 |
| Term Docket of Orders Issued in Bankruptcy, Criminal, Equity, and Law Proceedings, 1907 - 1918 | 2660729 | 21-STX-082 |
| Bankruptcy, Criminal, and Law Subpoena Dockets, 1907 - 1945 | 2660730 | 21-STX-082A |
| Writ Execution Docket, 1917 - 1951 | 2660731 | 21-STX-082B |
| Orders to Pay Witnesses, 1906 - 1942 | 2660732 | 21-STX-082C |
| Lists of Jurors Who Were Compensated for Service, 1908 - 1925 | 2660733 | 21-STX-082D |
| Records of Tax Liens, 1921 - 1945 | 2660734 | 21-STX-082E |
Admiralty Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Admiralty Dockets, 1937 - 1966 | 571588 | 21-STX-082F |
| Admiralty Case Files, 1937 - 1966 | 571592 | 21-STX-082G |
Civil Records
Please see the series “District Equity Case Files, 1916-1938 (21-STX-084B); “Circuit Equity Case Files, 1907-1911 (21-STX-119A); “District Law Case Files, 1911-1938 (21-STX-084E) and “Circuit Law Case Files, 1907-1911 (21-STX-119C). In 1938, law and equity proceedings were combined as civil cases.
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Orders, 1938 - 1957 | 2660737 | 21-STX-083A |
| Civil Dockets, 1938 - 1955 | 595670 | 21-STX-083B |
| Civil Case Files, 1938 - 1962 | 568062 | 21-STX-083C |
Law and Equity Records
Please see the series “District Equity Case Files, 1907-1911 (21-STX-119A); “Circuit Law Case Files, 1907-1911 (21-STX-119C); and “Civil Case Files, 1938-1962 (21-STX-084E) and “Circuit Law Case Files, 1907-1911 (21-STX-083C). In 1938, law and equity proceedings were combined as civil cases.
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Minutes, 1916 - 1938 | 2660738 | 21-STX-083D |
| Equity Orders, 1916 - 1917 | 2660739 | 21-STX-084 |
| Equity Dockets, 1916 - 1938 | 572639 | 21-STX-084A |
| Equity Case Files, 1916 - 1938 | 568063 | 21-STX-084B |
| Equity Final Record Book, 1916 - 1917 | 2660740 | 21-STX-084C |
| Law Docket, 1910 - 1938 | 2660741 | 21-STX-084D |
| Law Case Files, 1911 - 1938 | 595644 | 21-STX-084E |
| Records of Judgments on Forfeited Bonds, 1920 - 1933 | 2660742 | 21-STX-084F |
| Records of Final Judgments on Forfeited Bonds, 1922 - 1932 | 2660743 | 21-STX-084G |
Criminal Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Minutes, 1935 - 1954 | 2660744 | 21-STX-084H |
| Criminal Dockets, 1907 - 1955 | 2660745 | 21-STX-084I |
| Criminal Case Files, 1908 - 1976 | 568064 | 21-STX-084J |
| Records of Judgments in Criminal Cases, 1909 - 1933 | 2660746 | 21-STX-084K |
| Records of Sentences in Criminal Cases, 1907 - 1926 | 2660747 | 21-STX-084L |
| Records of Appearance Bonds Posted in Criminal Proceedings, 1908 - 1925 | 2660748 | 21-STX-084M |
Naturalization Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Declarations of Intention for Citizenship, 1907 - 1979 | 571612 | 21-STX-084N |
| Petitions for Naturalization, 1907 - 9/30/1991 | 571614 | 21-STX-084P |
| Petitions for Naturalization Transferred from Other Courts, 1953 - 1987 | 571615 | 21-STX-084Q |
| Stubs of Naturalization Certificates, 1911 - 1923 | 2660749 | 21-STX-084R |
| Lists of Granted, Denied, and Continued Petitions for Naturalization, 1929 - 1992 | 2660750 | 21-STX-084S |
| Repatriation Oaths of Allegiance, 1939 - 1968 | 571617 | 21-STX-084T |
| Index to Declarations of Intention for Citizenship and Petitions for Naturalization, 1907 - 1991 | 2660752 | 21-STX-084T1 |
Records of the United States Commissioner/Magistrate
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Dockets, 1915 - 1950 | 2660753 | 21-STX-084U |
| Records of Proceedings, 1936 - 1975 | 2660754 | 21-STX-084W |
U.S. Circuit Court for Southern District of Texas
Brownsville Division
General Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Index to Minutes, 1868 - 1911 | 2675046 | 21-STX-084X |
| Minutes, 1868 - 1911 | 2675047 | 21-STX-085 |
| Motion Dockets, 1875 - 1911 | 2675048 | 21-STX-086 |
Law and Equity Records
Please see the series “District Equity Case Files, 1912-1938 (21-STX-011B) and “District Law Case Files, 1910-1938 (21-STX-016B).
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Dockets of Orders Issued in Law and Equity Proceedings, 1868 - 1911 | 2675049 | 21-STX-087 |
| Law and Equity Dockets, 1904 - 1911 | 2675050 | 21-STX-088 |
| Equity Case Files, 1880 - 1911 | 2675051 | 21-STX-088A |
| Equity Final Record Book, 1910 - 1911 | 2675053 | 21-STX-088B |
| Equity Order Book, 1879 - 19112 | 2675054 | 21-STX-088C |
Galveston Division
General Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Index to Minutes, 1866 - 1912 | 2675055 | 21-STX-088D |
| Minutes, 1866 - 1912 | 2675057 | 21-STX-089 |
| Term Dockets of Orders Issued in Criminal, Equity, and Law Proceedings, 1872 - 1887 | 2675059 | 21-STX-090 |
| Final Record Books, 1868 - 1915 | 2675060 | 21-STX-090A |
| List of Jurors Who Were Compensated, 1873 - 1874 | 2675062 | 21-STX-090C |
Law and Equity Records
Please see the series “Equity Case Files, 1916-1938 (21-STX-041A) and “Law Case Files, 1867-1938” (21-STX-043A).
Criminal Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Docket, 1872 - 1889 | 2679137 | 21-STX-098 |
| Criminal Case Files, 1872 - 1890 | 2679138 | 21-STX-098A |
| Index to Defendants in Criminal Proceedings, 1872 - 1890 | 2679139 | 21-STX-099 |
Naturalization Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Index to Declarations of Intention, 1872 - 1874 | 2679140 | 21-STX-099A |
| Declarations of Intention, 1867 - 1874 | 2679141 | 21-STX-099B |
| Index to Aliens Who Were Granted Citizenship, 1872 - 1876 | 2679142 | 21-STX-099C |
| Orders Granting Citizenship to Adult Aliens, 1872 - 1876 | 2679143 | 21-STX-099D |
| Orders Granting Citizenship to Minor Aliens, 1872 - 1872 | 2679145 | 21-STX-099E |
| Oaths of Petitioners for Citizenship and Witnesses, 1872 - 1896 | 4521038 | 21-STX-099F |
Records of the Chief Supervisor of Elections
An act of Congress, approved May 31, 1870 (16 Stat. 140) provided for the enforcement of the rights of citizens to vote in federal elections. The congressional act, which was directed at voting irregularities in southern states, provided for concurrent jurisdiction of U.S. district and circuit courts in civil and criminal causes arising from enforcement of the act. Court supervision of elections in southern states was further extended by an act of Congress, approved June 10, 1872 (17 Stat. 348). This act provided for federal supervision of registration of voters or elections if ten citizens of the county petitioned to the judge of the U.S. circuit court for supervision. A chief U.S. supervisor of elections was appointed in each judicial district. The chief supervisor received lists of names submitted by the political parties and committees and recommended that certain individuals be appointed by the circuit court judge as U.S. supervisors of elections in each precinct of the counties. Special U.S. deputy marshals were appointed to protect election officials and prevent violence during elections.
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes Relating to Appointments of Election Supervisors, 1886 - 1888 | 4521067 | 21-STX-100A |
| Copies of Letters Sent by Chief Supervisor, 1872 - 1886 | 4521071 | 21-STX-101 |
| Records of Appointment of Election Supervisors, 1880 - 1886 | 4521209 | 21-STX-102 |
| Petitions and Lists of Appointments of Election Supervisors, 1876 - 1886 | 4521211 | 21-STX-102A |
| Index to Appointments of Election Supervisors, 1872 - 1886 | 4521212 | 21-STX-103 |
Records of the United States Commissioner
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Orders of Appointments of United States Commissioners, 1879 - 1901 | 4521213 | 21-STX-104 |
Houston Division
General Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes, 1907 - 1911 | 4526613 | 21-STX-105 |
Law and Equity Records
Please see the series “District and Circuit Equity Case Files, 1908-1938 (21-STX-063A) and “District Law Case Files, 1908-1938” (21-STX-066A).
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Law and Equity Motion Docket, 1908 - 1911 | 4526614 | 21-STX-106 |
| Law and Equity Writ Execution Docket, 1908 - 1912 | 4526615 | 21-STX-107 |
| Equity Minutes, 1907 - 1911 | 4526616 | 21-STX-108 |
| Equity Docket, 1907 - 1911 | 4526617 | 21-STX-109 |
| Law Docket, 1909 - 1911 | 4526619 | 21-STX-110 |
| Law Case Files, 1909 - 1911 | 4526622 | 21-STX-110A |
Laredo Division
General Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Index to Minutes, 1899 - 1911 | 4526689 | 21-STX-111 |
| Minutes, 1899 - 1911 | 4526690 | 21-STX-111A |
Law and Equity Records
Please see the series “District Equity Case Files, 1912-1938 (21-STX-076H) and “District Law Case Files, 1889-1938” (21-STX-076K).
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Law and Equity Motion Docket, 1906 - 1907 | 4526693 | 21-STX-112 |
| Law and Equity Final Record Books, 1900 - 1910 | 4526694 | 21-STX-112A |
| Equity Term Docket, 1905 - 1911 | 4526695 | 21-STX-113 |
| Equity Order Books, 1904 - 1909 | 4526696 | 21-STX-114 |
| Equity Case Files, 1904 - 1909 | 4526697 | 21-STX-114A |
| Law Term Docket, 1900 - 1911 | 4526698 | 21-STX-115 |
| Law Docket, 1907 - 1911 | 4526699 | 21-STX-115A |
| Law Case Files, 1900 - 1911 | 4526700 | 21-STX-115B |
Victoria Division
General Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes, 1906 - 1907 | 4545897 | 21-STX-115D |
Law and Equity Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Docket of Orders Issued in Law and Equity Proceedings, 1907 - 1911 | 4545898 | 21-STX-116 |
| Docket of Writs Executed in Law and Equity Proceedings, 1909 - 1917 | 4545900 | 21-STX-117 |
| Equity Minutes, 1907 - 1911 | 4545901 | 21-STX-117A |
| Equity Order Book, 1907 - 1908 | 4545902 | 21-STX-118 |
| Equity Dockets, 1907 - 1910 | 4545904 | 21-STX-119 |
| Equity Case Files, 1907 - 1911 | 4545905 | 21-STX-119A |
| Law Docket, 1907 - 1911 | 4545906 | 21-STX-119B |
| Law Case Files, 1907 - 1911 | 4545907 | 21-STX-119C |
| Law Final Record Book, 1909 - 1909 | 4545909 | 21-STX-119D |
Criminal Records
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Docket, 1908 - 1908 | 4545910 | 21-STX-119E |
| Criminal Case File, 1907 - 1908 | 4545911 | 21-STX-119F |
Records of the Confederate Court for the Southern District of Texas
Brownsville Division
On February 23, 1861, Texas voters approved an ordinance of secession and Texas joined other southern states in leaving the Union. Sessions of the U. S. district courts at Galveston, Brownsville, Austin, and Tyler ceased and the district courts of the Confederate States of America began operations, often with the same personnel. Some records of the Confederate courts for Brownsville, Galveston, and Austin have been located, but a fire in the late 1870s apparently destroyed any Confederate court records from Tyler. For information about the Austin Confederate court see the Western District of Texas.
Court sessions for the Confederate District Court at Brownsville began in the fall of 1861. When Brownsville fell to Union troops in November 1863, the court was moved to Gonzales where it remained until the end of the Civil War. None of the case papers from the Brownsville Confederate Court have been located and the records that have been located consist of less than three inches of minutes and dockets.
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes, 1861 - 1865 | 4546019 | 21-STX-119G |
| Equity Docket, 1862 - 1862 | 4546020 | 21-STX-119H |
| Docket of Orders Issued in Law Proceedings, 1861 - 1863 | 4546021 | 21-STX-119I |
Galveston Division
A Confederate district court began operating in Galveston in the spring of 1861 and ceased functioning in the spring of 1865. Few records from the Confederate Court have been located. Most of the Confederate Court's proceedings relate to sequestration cases authorized by a Confederate law of August 30, 1861, which allowed debtor residents of Confederate states to rid themselves of debts owed to alien enemies, or northern lenders.
| Series Title | NARA ID | Local Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Admiralty Docket, 1861 - 1865 | 4546022 | 21-STX-120 |
| Admiralty Case Files, 1861 - 1865 | 4546023 | 21-STX-120A |
| Docket of Writs Executed in Law Proceedings, 1863 - 1864 | 4546024 | 21-STX-120C |
| Index to Sequestration Minutes, 1861 - 1863 | 4546025 | 21-STX-120D |
| Sequestration Minutes, 1861 - 1863 | 4546026 | 21-STX-120E |
| Sequestration Case Files, 1861 - 1865 | 4546027 | 21-STX-120F |
| Divestiture Case Files, 1862 - 1865 | 4546028 | 21-STX-120G |
| Record of Sales of Seized Property, 1861 - 1864 | 4546029 | 21-STX-120H |
| Index to Unidentified Volume, 1862 - 1865 | 5069800 | 21-STX-120I |
| Criminal and Habeas Corpus Term Docket, 1862 - 1865 | 4546032 | 21-STX-120J |
| Criminal and Habeas Corpus Case Files, 1862 - 1865 | 4546030 | 21-STX-120K |
| Oaths of Office and Bonds Filed by Officeholders, 1861 - 1865 | 4546031 | 21-STX-120L |
Appendix A
Judicial Districts of Texas
Northern District
Southern District
Western District
Eastern Division
* Headquarters for the district.
Appendix B
Listing of boxes on CA 529, Falcon Dam, Laredo Division
61 Boxes