Records of the US District Courts for the Southern District of Texas

The 威尼斯人娱乐场 at Fort Worth

Records of the US District Courts for the Southern District of Texas

Records Available at the 威尼斯人娱乐场 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
Civil
Law
Equity
Criminal
Naturalization

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 威尼斯人娱乐场 at Fort Worth. They cover the period from 1846 1981. Related records in the custody of the 威尼斯人娱乐场 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

Brownsville Division

General Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2658163	21-STX-001
	2658164	21-STX-001A
	2658165	21-STX-002
	2658166	21-STX-002A
	2658167	21-STX-002B
	2658168	21-STX-003
	2658169	21-STX-004
	2658170	21-STX-005
	2658171	21-STX-006
	2658172	21-STX-007
	2658174	21-STX-007A
	2658175	21-STX-007B
	2658176	21-STX-007C

Admiralty Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2658178	21-STX-008
	570412	21-STX-008A
	570413	21-STX-008B

Civil Records

Please see the series 鈥淐ircuit Court Equity Case Files, 1880-1911鈥� (21-STX-088A); Equity Case Files, 1912-1938 (21-STX-011B); and 鈥淟aw 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
	595648	21-STX-009C
	567707	21-STX-009D

Law and Equity Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2658184	21-STX-009E
	2658185	21-STX-010
	2658186	21-STX-011
	570414	21-STX-011A
	567727	21-STX-011B
	2658187	21-STX-012
	2658188	21-STX-013
	2658189	21-STX-014
	2658190	21-STX-015
	2658191	21-STX-016
	5658193	21-STX-016A
	595632	21-STX-016B

Criminal Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2658194	21-STX-016C
	2658195	21-STX-017
	2658196	21-STX-017A
	2658198	21-STX-017B
	2658200	21-STX-018
	2658201	21-STX-018A
	2658202	21-STX-019
	567788	21-STX-019A

Naturalization Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	570415	21-STX-019B
	2658203	21-STX-019C
	570416	21-STX-019D
	570417	21-STX-019E
	2658205	21-STX-019F
	2658206	21-STX-019G

Records of the United States Commissioner

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2658207	21-STX-020
	2658208	21-STX-020A

Corpus Christi Division

General Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2658242	21-STX-021
	2658243	21-STX-021A
	2658244	21-STX-022
	2658247	21-STX-023
	2658248	21-STX-024
	2658249	21-STX-024A
	2658250	21-STX-024B
	2658251	21-STX-024C

Admiralty Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	570418	21-STX-024D
	570419	21-STX-024E

Civil Records

Please see the series 鈥淓quity Case Files, 1913-1938鈥� (21-STX-025G) and 鈥淟aw 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
	2658254	21-STX-025B
	595652	21-STX-025C
	567854	21-STX-025D

Law and Equity Records

Please see the series 鈥淐ivil Case Files, 1938-1978鈥� (21-STX-025D) for cases after 1938. In 1938 law and equity proceedings were combined as civil cases.

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2658255	21-STX-025E
	570783	21-STX-025F
	567867	21-STX-025G
	2658256	21-STX-025H
	595635	21-STX-025I

Criminal Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2658257	21-STX-025J
	2658258	21-STX-025K
	567870	21-STX-025L
	2658259	21-STX-025M
	2658260	21-STX-025N

Naturalization Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	560966	21-STX-025P
	570968	21-STX-025Q
	570976	21-STX-025R
	2658261	21-STX-025S
	2658262	21-STX-025T
	2658263	21-STX-025U
	570974	21-STX-025V
	2658264	21-STX-025W

Records of the United States Commissioner

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2658265	21-STX-026
	2658266	21-STX-026A

Galveston Division

General Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2658311	21-STX-026B
	2658312	21-STX-027
	2658313	21-STX-028
	2658314	21-STX-028A
	2658316	21-STX-026B
	2658317	21-STX-028C
	2658319	21-STX-028D
	2658320	21-STX-028E
	2658321	21-STX-028F
	2658322	21-STX-028G
	2658323	21-STX-028H
	2658325	21-STX-028I
	2658326	21-STX-028J
	2658328	21-STX-029
	2658329	21-STX-029A
	2658330	21-STX-029B
	4504786	21-STX-029C

Admiralty Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2658331	21-STX-030
	2658332	21-STX-030A
	2658333	21-STX-030B
	2658334	21-STX-030C
	570985	21-STX-031
	571041	21-STX-031A
	2658335	21-STX-031B
	2658336	21-STX-032

Civil Records

Please see the series 鈥淒istrict Equity Case Files, 1916-1938鈥� (21-STX-041A); 鈥淐ircuit Equity Case Files, 1867-1911 (21-STX-095A); 鈥淒istrict Law Case Files, 1867-1938 (21-STX-043A); and 鈥淐ircuit 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
	2658343	21-STX-037B
	2658344	21-STX-037C
	2658345	21-STX-037D
	595662	21-STX-037E
	568092	21-STX-037F

Law and Equity Records

Please see the series 鈥淐ircuit Equity Case Files, 1867-1911 (21-STX-095A); 鈥淐ircuit 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
	2658346	21-STX-038
	2658347	21-STX-039
	2658348	21-STX-040
	571204	21-STX-041
	568094	21-STX-041A
	2658349	21-STX-042
	2658350	48S042A
	2658351	21-STX-043
	595637	21-STX-043A
	2658352	21-STX-043B

Criminal Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2658353	21-STX-043C
	2658354	21-STX-043D
	2658355	21-STX-043E
	2658356	21-STX-044
	568095	21-STX-044A
	2658357	21-STX-045
	2658358	21-STX-046
	2658359	21-STX-046A
	2658360	21-STX-047
	2658361	21-STX-048
	2658362	21-STX-049
	2658363	21-STX-050
	2658365	21-STX-050A

Naturalization Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2658366	21-STX-050B
	571206	21-STX-050C
	2658367	21-STX-050D
	2658368	21-STX-050E
	2658369	21-STX-050F
	571379	21-STX-050G
	571380	21-STX-050H
	2658370	21-STX-050I
	2773663	21-STX-051

Records of the United States Commissioner

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2658372	21-STX-052
	2658373	21-STX-052A
	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
	2546033	21-STX-053
	2546034	21-STX-053A
	2547468	21-STX-053B
	2547472	21-STX-054
	2547475	21-STX-055
	2547476	21-STX-055A
	2547479	21-STX-056
	2547480	21-STX-056A
	2547481	21-STX-056B
	2547482	21-STX-056C
	2547483	21-STX-057

Admiralty Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2546035	21-STX-058
	2564208	21-STX-058A
	2564209	21-STX-058B
	2564210	21-STX-058C
	571381	21-STX-059
	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
	2564212	21-STX-60A
	595665	21-STX-060B
	563136	21-STX-060C
	6785480	21-STX-060C1
	2565510	21-STX-060D
	40022214	21-STX-060E

Law and Equity Records

Please see the series 鈥淐ircuit Law Case Files, 1909-1911 (21-STX-110A); 鈥淒istrict 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
	2565513	21-STX-061
	2565514	21-STX-062
	571487	21-STX-063
	571492	21-STX-063A
	2565515	21-STX-064
	2565516	21-STX-065
	2565518	21-STX-065A
	2565519	21-STX-066
	595640	21-STX-066A
	2565520	21-STX-067

Criminal Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2546036	21-STX-068
	2565521	21-STX-068A
	2565522	21-STX-069
	563137	21-STX-069A
	2565523	21-STX-070
	2565525	21-STX-070A
	2565526	21-STX-070B

Naturalization Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2565527	21-STX-070D
	571496	21-STX-071
	571499	21-STX-071A
	571503	21-STX-071B
	2573314	21-STX-071C
	571504	21-STX-071E
	2573331	21-STX-071F
	2660751	21-STX-071H

Records of the United States Commissioner

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	1812807	21-STX-071I

Laredo Division

General Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2660694	21-STX-072
	2660695	21-STX-072A
	2660696	21-STX-073
	2660697	21-STX-074
	2660698	21-STX-075
	2660699	21-STX-75A
	2660700	21-STX-075B
	2660701	21-STX-075C

Civil Records

Please see the series 鈥淒istrict Equity Case Files, 1912-1938" (21-STX-076H); 鈥淐ircuit Equity Case Files, 1904-1909" (21-STX-114A); 鈥淒istrict Law Case Files", (21-STX-076K) and 鈥淐ircuit 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
	2660707	21-STX-076C
	595667	21-STX-076D
	568016	21-STX-076E

Law and Equity Records

Please see the series 鈥淐ircuit Equity Case Files, 1904-1909 (21-STX-114A); 鈥淐ircuit Law Case Files, 1900-1911 (21-STX-115B); and 鈥淐ivil Cases, 1938-1974 (21-STX-076E). In 1938, law and equity proceedings were combined as civil cases.

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2660708	21-STX-076F
	571489	21-STX-076G
	568060	21-STX-076H
	2660709	21-STX-076I
	2660710	21-STX-076J
	595641	21-STX-076K

Criminal Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2660711	21-STX-076L
	2660712	21-STX-077
	2660713	21-STX-077A
	2660714	21-STX-078
	2660715	21-STX-078A
	568061	21-STX-078B
	2660716	21-STX-078C
	2660717	21-STX-078D
	2660718	21-STX-079
	2660719	21-STX-079A

Naturalization Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	571505	21-STX-079B
	571506	21-STX-079C
	2660720	21-STX-079D
	2660721	21-STX-079E
	2660722	21-STX-079F
	2660723	21-STX-079G
	571507	21-STX-079H
	571508	21-STX-079I

Records of the United States Commissioner/Magistrate

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2660724	21-STX-080
	2660725	21-STX-080A
	2660726	21-STX-080B

Victoria Division

General Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2660727	21-STX-080C
	2660728	21-STX-081
	2660729	21-STX-082
	2660730	21-STX-082A
	2660731	21-STX-082B
	2660732	21-STX-082C
	2660733	21-STX-082D
	2660734	21-STX-082E

Admiralty Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	571588	21-STX-082F
	571592	21-STX-082G

Civil Records

Please see the series 鈥淒istrict Equity Case Files, 1916-1938 (21-STX-084B); 鈥淐ircuit Equity Case Files, 1907-1911 (21-STX-119A); 鈥淒istrict Law Case Files, 1911-1938 (21-STX-084E) and 鈥淐ircuit 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
	2660737	21-STX-083A
	595670	21-STX-083B
	568062	21-STX-083C

Law and Equity Records

Please see the series 鈥淒istrict Equity Case Files, 1907-1911 (21-STX-119A); 鈥淐ircuit Law Case Files, 1907-1911 (21-STX-119C); and 鈥淐ivil Case Files, 1938-1962 (21-STX-084E) and 鈥淐ircuit 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
	2660738	21-STX-083D
	2660739	21-STX-084
	572639	21-STX-084A
	568063	21-STX-084B
	2660740	21-STX-084C
	2660741	21-STX-084D
	595644	21-STX-084E
	2660742	21-STX-084F
	2660743	21-STX-084G

Criminal Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2660744	21-STX-084H
	2660745	21-STX-084I
	568064	21-STX-084J
	2660746	21-STX-084K
	2660747	21-STX-084L
	2660748	21-STX-084M

Naturalization Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	571612	21-STX-084N
	571614	21-STX-084P
	571615	21-STX-084Q
	2660749	21-STX-084R
	2660750	21-STX-084S
	571617	21-STX-084T
	2660752	21-STX-084T1

Records of the United States Commissioner/Magistrate

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2660753	21-STX-084U
	2660754	21-STX-084W

U.S. Circuit Court for Southern District of Texas

Brownsville Division

General Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2675046	21-STX-084X
	2675047	21-STX-085
	2675048	21-STX-086

Law and Equity Records

Please see the series 鈥淒istrict Equity Case Files, 1912-1938 (21-STX-011B) and 鈥淒istrict Law Case Files, 1910-1938 (21-STX-016B).

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2675049	21-STX-087
	2675050	21-STX-088
	2675051	21-STX-088A
	2675053	21-STX-088B
2	2675054	21-STX-088C

Galveston Division

General Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2675055	21-STX-088D
	2675057	21-STX-089
	2675059	21-STX-090
	2675060	21-STX-090A
	2675062	21-STX-090C

Law and Equity Records

Please see the series 鈥淓quity Case Files, 1916-1938 (21-STX-041A) and 鈥淟aw Case Files, 1867-1938鈥� (21-STX-043A).

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2675063	21-STX-090D
	2675064	21-STX-091
	2675065	21-STX-091A
	2675066	21-STX-091B
	2675067	21-STX-091C
	2675068	21-STX-092
	2675069	21-STX-093
	2675070	21-STX-094
	2675072	21-STX-095
	2675073	21-STX-095A
	2675074	21-STX-095B
	2679133	21-STX-096
	2679134	21-STX-097
	2679135	21-STX-097A
	2679136	21-STX-097B

Criminal Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2679137	21-STX-098
	2679138	21-STX-098A
	2679139	21-STX-099

Naturalization Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	2679140	21-STX-099A
	2679141	21-STX-099B
	2679142	21-STX-099C
	2679143	21-STX-099D
	2679145	21-STX-099E
	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
	4521067	21-STX-100A
	4521071	21-STX-101
	4521209	21-STX-102
	4521211	21-STX-102A
	4521212	21-STX-103

Records of the United States Commissioner

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	4521213	21-STX-104

Houston Division

General Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	4526613	21-STX-105

Law and Equity Records

Please see the series 鈥淒istrict and Circuit Equity Case Files, 1908-1938 (21-STX-063A) and 鈥淒istrict Law Case Files, 1908-1938鈥� (21-STX-066A).

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	4526614	21-STX-106
	4526615	21-STX-107
	4526616	21-STX-108
	4526617	21-STX-109
	4526619	21-STX-110
	4526622	21-STX-110A

Laredo Division

General Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	4526689	21-STX-111
	4526690	21-STX-111A

Law and Equity Records

Please see the series 鈥淒istrict Equity Case Files, 1912-1938 (21-STX-076H) and 鈥淒istrict Law Case Files, 1889-1938鈥� (21-STX-076K).

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	4526693	21-STX-112
	4526694	21-STX-112A
	4526695	21-STX-113
	4526696	21-STX-114
	4526697	21-STX-114A
	4526698	21-STX-115
	4526699	21-STX-115A
	4526700	21-STX-115B

Victoria Division

General Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	4545897	21-STX-115D

Law and Equity Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	4545898	21-STX-116
	4545900	21-STX-117
	4545901	21-STX-117A
	4545902	21-STX-118
	4545904	21-STX-119
	4545905	21-STX-119A
	4545906	21-STX-119B
	4545907	21-STX-119C
	4545909	21-STX-119D

Criminal Records

Series Title	NARA ID	Local Identifier
	4545910	21-STX-119E
	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
	4546019	21-STX-119G
	4546020	21-STX-119H
	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
	4546022	21-STX-120
	4546023	21-STX-120A
	4546024	21-STX-120C
	4546025	21-STX-120D
	4546026	21-STX-120E
	4546027	21-STX-120F
	4546028	21-STX-120G
	4546029	21-STX-120H
	5069800	21-STX-120I
	4546032	21-STX-120J
	4546030	21-STX-120K
	4546031	21-STX-120L

Appendix A

Judicial Districts of Texas

Northern District

Court Division	Creating Date
Abilene	Acts of June 11, 1896 (29 Stat. 456)
Amarillo	Act of February 14, 1908 (35 Stat. 8)
*Dallas	Act of February 24, 1879 (20 Stat. 318)
Fort Worth	Act of June 11, 1896 (29 Stat. 456)
Graham	Act of February 24, 1879 (20 Stat. 318)
Graham	Transferred to Abilene by act of June 11, 1896 (29 Stat. 456)
Lubbock	Act of May 26, 1928 (45 Stat. 747)
San Angelo	Act of June 11, 1896 (29 Stat. 456)
Wichita Falls	Act of February 26, 1917 (39 Stat. 939)

Southern District

Court Division	Creating Date
Brownsville	Act of March 3, 1851 (9 Stat. 618)
Brownsville	Transferred to the Eastern District by act of February 21, 1857 (11 Stat. 164)
Brownsville	Transferred to the Southern District by act of March 11, 1902 (32 Stat. 120)
Corpus Christi	Act of May 29, 1912 (37 Stat. 68)
Galveston	Act of December 29, 1845 (9 Stat. 1)
Galveston	Transferred to the Eastern District by act of February 21, 1857 (11 Stat. 164)
Galveston	Transferred to the Southern District by act of March 11, 1902 (32 Stat. 120)
*Houston	Act of March 11, 1902 (32 Stat. 68)
Laredo	Act of March 2, 1899 (30 Stat. 1002)
Laredo	Transferred from the Western District by act of March 11, 1902 (32 Stat. 68)
Victoria	Act of April 18, 1906 (34 Stat. 122)

Western District

Court Division	Creating Date
Austin	Act of March 3, 1851 (9 Stat. 618)
Austin	Transferred to the Western District by act of February 21, 1857 (11 Stat. 164)
Del Rio	Act of June 9, 1906 (34 Stat. 226)
El Paso	Act of June 3, 1884 (23 Stat. 35)
Midland	Act of December 18, 1967 (81 Stat. 661)
Pecos	Act of February 5, 1913 (37 Stat. 663)
*San Antonio	Act of February 24, 1879 (20 Stat. 318)
Waco	Act of February 24, 1879 (20 Stat. 318)
Waco	Transferred to the Western District by act of March 11, 1902 (32 Stat. 6l8)

Eastern Division

Court Division	Creating Date
Beaumont	Act of February 8, 1897 (29 Stat. 516)
Jefferson	Act of February 24, 1879 (20 Stat. 318)
Jefferson	Transferred to Marshall by act of July 27, 1962 (76 Stat. 247)
Lufkin	Act of October 15, 1980 (94 Stat. 2053)
Marshall	Act of July 27, 1962 (76 Stat. 247)
Paris	Act of March 6, 1889 (25 Stat. 798)
Sherman	Act of February 19, 1901 (32 Stat. 798)
Texarkana	Act of March 2, 1903 (32 Stat. 927)
*Tyler	Act of March 3, 1851 (9 Stat. 61)
Tyler	Transferred to the Western District by act of February 21, 1857 (11 Stat. 164)
Tyler	Transferred to the Eastern District by act of February 24, 1879 (20 Stat. 318)

* Headquarters for the district.

Appendix B

Listing of boxes on CA 529, Falcon Dam, Laredo Division

61 Boxes

Box	Filing Date of Document
36	1949 - 1950
37	1951 - February 1952
38	March 1952 - September 1952
39	September 22, 1952
40	September 25, 1952 - February 1953
41	March 1953 - May 1953
42	June 1953 - August 1953
43	September 1953 - October 5, 1953
44	October 10, 1953 - November 1953 (part)
45	November 9, 1953 (part) - December 1, 1953 (part)
46	December 1, 1953 (part) - December 17, 1953
47	December 18, 1953 - January 6, 1954
48	January 11, 1954 - February 4, 1954 (part)
49	February 4, 1954 (part) - February 25, 1954
50	March 1, 1954 - March 31, 1954
51	April 2, 1954 - April 12, 1954
52	April 15, 1954 - May 24, 1954
53	June 3, 1954 - June 21, 1954
54	June 23, 1954 - August 9, 1954
55	August 11, 1954 - September 23, 1954
56	September 28, 1954 - November 22, 1954
57	November 23, 1954 - December 7, 1954
58	December 13, 1954 - December 21, 1954
59	December 23, 1954 - February 24, 1955
60	February 25, 1955 - May 3, 1955
61	May 5, 1955 - June 10, 1955
62	June 11, 1955 - August 10, 1955
63	August 12, 1955 - October 15, 1955
64	October 17, 1955 - December 21, 1955
65	December 22, 1955 - January 31, 1956
66	February 2, 1956 - February 16, 1956 (part)
67	February 16, 1956 only
68	February 16, 1956 only
69	February 16, 1956 (part) - February 29, 1956
70	March 1, 1956 - March 22, 1956
71	March 23, 1956 - April 24, 1956
72	April 25 1956 - May 16, 1956 (part)
73	May 16, 1956 (part) - June 4, 1956
74	June 5, 1956 - July 9, 1956
75	July 10, 1956 - August 6, 1956 (part)
76	August 6, 1956 only
77	August 6, 1956 (part) - September 27, 1956
78	September 28, 1956 - October 31, 1956
79	November 1, 1956 - November 26, 1956
80	November 27, 1956 - December 27, 1956
81	January 2, 1957 - March 25, 1957
82	March 28, 1957 - June 12, 1957
83	June 13, 1957 - September 5, 1957
84	September 6, 1957 - October 23, 1957
85	October 24, 1957 - December 3, 1957
86	December 5, 1957 - January 15, 1958 (part)
87	January 15, 1958 (part) - January 22, 1958
88	January 24, 1958 - August 29, 1958
89	September 24, 1958 - March 4, 1959
90	March 15, 1959 - July 13, 1960
91	July 18, 1960 - July 13, 1961
92	August 22, 1961 - January 8, 1963
93	February 8, 1963 - October 11, 1963
94	November 1, 1963 - December 2, 1964
95	October 4, 1965 - September 17, 1971
96	Correspondence and Exhibits
97-99	Exhibits

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