A writ of habeas corpus is a procedure for obtaining a judicial determination of the legality of an individual's custody. This collection includes petitions for writs of habeas corpus and the writs themselves, showing the names of petitioners, persons to be brought to court, nature of dispute or alleged crime, dates of writs and accompanying documents, names of judges, and names of persons that the writs are filed against. Petitioners include indentured servants, Freedom Seekers, free persons of color, convicted prisoners, those awaiting trial, relatives of prisoners, parties in child custody disputes, and relatives of army recruits and draftees.
Stenographic notes taken in naturalization proceedings, showing court term; petition number; names of petitioner, judge, and attorneys; nature of testimony; place of birth; official signatures; and date filed.
Rights
May not be photocopied.
Notes
Finding aid in the repository: Local government records.
This set of government records was transferred back to the Lancaster County Archives. Please contact the Lancaster County Archives for this collection.
Finding aid in the repository: Local government records.
Summary
Petitions filed for admission to citizenship. Documents may contain petition number, date, name, nationality, declaration of intention, oath of allegiance, affidavits of witnesses, date admitted in court, and official signatures. Twentieth century petitions may include notes of testimony.
Rules of the Court of Common Pleas, Court of Oyer and Terminer, and Court of Quarter Sessions of Lancaster County, Pa.; together with the equity rules and the rules of the Supreme and Superior Courts of Pennsylvania, also rules relating to requisitions and rules of the Board of Pardons
From cover letter: "official transcripts of the Lancater County Court's special sessions om September 17 and 18, 1987 [sic] to commemorate the bicentennial of the signing of the United States Constitution."
Present: D. Richard Eckman, President Judge, Ronald L. Buckwalter, Michael J. Perezous, Wayne G Hummer, Jr., Michael A Georgelis, Louis J. Farina, Louise G Herr, Wilson Bucher, and Paul A. Mueller, Jr.
