Court Records May Contain Residential Clues

Clues as to residence are one of the many reasons to look at court records. Subpoenas, notices to appear, and other references may provide clues to where a person lived if not state the location specifically.

An 1825 reference in a chancery court case in Lynchburg, Virginia, involving the the Tinsley family indicated that Reuben Tinsley lived “near the Court house” in the direction of “Wood’s.” Other court records may at least mention the county in which the person was living at the time of the legal action.