New York Sources
Historical Court System of New York State – Part 3: Courts of Limited Jurisdiction
Nov 4th
Heirlines Professional Genealogy Resources:
Historical Court System of New York State – Part 3: Courts of Limited Jurisdiction
1. Court of General Sessions
a. Court of General Sessions Established 1664
1. Jurisdiction: petty criminal causes, civil causes over 40 S, equity, administration of estates.
2. Jurisdiction Abolished: 1691
3. Appeals From: Justice Courts
4. Appeals To: Court of Assize over £20
2. Justice of the Peace
a. Justice of the Peace Established 1664
1. Jurisdiction:
2. Jurisdiction Abolished:
3. Appeals From:
4. Appeals To:
3. Town Courts/renamed Justice Courts
a. Town Courts Established 1683
1. Jurisdiction: Small causes under 40 S
2. Jurisdiction Abolished: 1691
3. Appeals From:
4. Appeals To: Mayor’s Courts
b. Justice Courts Established 1691
1. Jurisdiction: Small causes under 40 S
2. Jurisdiction Abolished:
3. Appeals From:
4. Appeals To: County Courts
2. Assistant Justice Courts/renamed New York District Courts
a. Assistant Justices Courts Established 1781
1. Jurisdiction: /after 1807 under $25
2. Jurisdiction Abolished:
3. Appeals From:
4. Appeals To:
b. New York District Courts Established 1807
1. Jurisdiction: 12 Districts, NYC has 5 with one in each ward
2. Jurisdiction Abolished:
3. Appeals From:
4. Appeals To:
Submitted by Mary E. Petty, BA (History), BA (Genealogy)
Ancestors are the People of History.● Do you know who yours are? ● Let the Professionals at HEIRLINES FAMILY HISTORY & GENEALOGY find your ancestry! ●1-800-570-4049 ● www.heirlines.com ● PO Box 893 ● Salt Lake City, UT 84110
© 2008, Heirlines Family History & Genealogy, Inc. All rights reserved.
Historical Court System of New York State – Part 2: Courts of General Jurisdiction
Oct 31st
Heirlines Professional Genealogy Resources:
Historical Court System of New York State – Part 2: Courts of General Jurisdiction
1. Court of Burgomaster & Schepen/renamed Mayor’s Courts/renamed County Courts of Common Pleas, General Session
a. Court of Burgomasters Established 1653
1. Jurisdiction: General Jurisdiction at law, civil cases over 50 guilders, non-capital crimes, Bastardy, Probate, Divorce, Admiralty
2. Jurisdiction Abolished: 1664
3. Appeals From: Justice Courts
4. Appeals To: Director General
b. Mayor’s Courts Established 1664
1. Jurisdiction: General Jurisdiction at law, civil cases, non-capital crimes, Bastardy, Probate, Divorce, Admiralty
2. Jurisdiction Abolished:
3. Appeals From: Justice Court
4. Appeals To: Director General
c. County Courts of Common Pleas/General Session Established 1691
1. Jurisdiction: General Jurisdiction at law, civil cases, non-capital crimes, Bastardy, Probate cases under 50 pounds, Divorce, Admiralty
2. Jurisdiction Abolished:
3. Appeals From: Justice Court
4. Appeals To: Supreme Court of Judicature, Prerogative
Submitted by Mary E. Petty, BA (History), BA (Genealogy)
Ancestors are the People of History.● Do you know who yours are? ● Let the Professionals at HEIRLINES FAMILY HISTORY & GENEALOGY find your ancestry! ●1-800-570-4049 ● www.heirlines.com ● PO Box 893 ● Salt Lake City, UT 84110
© 2008, Heirlines Family History & Genealogy, Inc. All rights reserved.