Silver Seekers, Homesteaders, More

Nevada is known as the Silver State for its lure of mineral riches that first drew our ancestors to the mostly hot, dry and barren state.

Before the Civil War, thousands of overland travelers trekked through Nevada Territory on their way to California. But in 1859, many stopped and stayed a while when silver was discovered in Virginia City.

By 1862, enough people lived in Nevada to begin talking statehood.

Was your ancestor one of the riches-seeking thousands?

There are partial territorial censuses for 1862 and 1863, and a complete, published and indexed census for 1875, listing all household members. Both the 1862 and 1875 census microfilms can be ordered at any Family History Center.

While some counties have birth and death records dating back to 1887, mandatory state reporting didn’t begin until 1911. Prior to 1969, marriages were recorded in the county.

By Nevada state law, only abbreviated birth or death certificates may be provided by the county - and the applicant must have a real and tangible interest in the matter. The state vital records office can issue certified record copies.

The best bet for birth records before 1887 are the newspapers.

From early times, Nevada law required county coroners to issue burial certificates based on either death certificates or circumstances of death. It was the coroner’s duty to maintain these files, which can date back to 1879. A master compilation of these names is available at the Nevada State Library (Capitol Complex, 401 N. Carson Ave., Carson City, NV 89710).

Nevada was among the states to receive federal land grants, and after 1863, miners often became homesteaders. Nevada has large holdings of land records, what with mining claims and homestead records. “The Red Book,” available at any genealogical library, has a good section explaining Nevada land records.

Beginning in 1858, newspapers were published in the state, and can be ordered on microfilm through inter-library loan from the Nevada State Library to your library. Check “The Red Book” for the list of available newspapers.

Because of its mining history, Nevada had a large foreign-born population. Yugoslavians and the Basques were two important ethnic groups in Nevada’s history.

If you have Nevada ancestors, there are many background books to provide you with a better understanding of his life and times. Check with your local public library to locate these books.

A Research Outline for Nevada can be copied at any Family History Center, purchased from Ancestors Plus in Shadle Shopping Center, or, for $1, ordered from the Family History Library, 35 N. West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150.

By 1880, the town of Austin in Lander County, dead-center in the middle of Nevada, had a population of more than 10,000. It was a super-rich silver mine that drew the folks who stayed to develop a substantial town. Now, a near ghost town, it would be a fascinating place to visit, especially if you have Nevada ancestors.

TODAY’S LAUGH: Carl Sandburg said people are what they are because they have come out of what was. , DataTimes MEMO: Donna Potter Phillips welcomes letters from readers. Write to her at The Spokesman-Review, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. For a response, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Donna Potter Phillips The Spokesman-Review