District of Columbia Court Records

United States U.S. Court Records  District of Columbia  Court Records

Major courts that kept records of genealogical value for the District of Columbia were established as follows:


 * 1801-1863:  Circuit court kept records of civil and criminal cases.
 * 1863-1928:  Supreme court replaced the circuit court.
 * 1928-present: Superior court replaced the supreme court.
 * 1801-1871:  Levy court governed Washington County outside the City of Washington and assessed taxes.
 * 1800s-present: District court for the District of Columbia is the federal court that serves the general area, with jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases.

The Family History Library has copies of a few District of Columbia court records, but most are at the National Records Center in Suitland, Maryland. That collection includes Washington County District Court docket books (1801-40), minute books (1801-42), case papers (1802-40), and indentures of apprenticeship (1801-74).

The Virginia State Library has circuit court order books (1801-27) and minute books (1825-46), and U.S. district court minute books (1801-25).