Selected Genealogical Abstracts from the California Statutes - 1880

A copy of this publication can be found HERE.

Make sure to read all the way through - at the end is a listing of salaries of some public officials in the year 1880.

I also find, under Law category, Chapter 84 to be very weird.

LAWS

Chapter 20, pg 15
An Act to promote emigration from the State of California.  This Act made it illegal for any person or company engaged in the business of transportation of passengers to withhold or refuse anyone the right to purchase passage to a foreign country.

Chapter 29, pg 22
An Act to provide for the removal of Chinese, whose presence is dangerous to the well being of communities, outside the limits of cities and towns in the state of California.  This Act gave cities and towns the authority to remove the Chinese to a set-off specific area in which they could live.

In the City of Stockton, it was unlawful for the Chinese to live north of Harding Avenue up until the 1930's.

Chapter 32, pg 23
An Act relating to the appointment of aliens to positions under state, county, city or town officials.  The Act states that no person shall be employed as a deputy or clerk in any public office who is not a citizen of the United States.

Chapter 41, pg 28
An Act relating to apprentices and masters

Chapter 75, pg 77
An Act relating to the intoxication of officers.  Any officer of a town, village, city county or State who is found to be intoxicated shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall forfeit his office.

Chapter 83, pg 80
An Act to prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors in the state Capitol building.  If found guilty it is a misdemeanor and a fine of not less than $1000.

Chapter 84, pg 80
An Act making it unlawful for any person engaged in the business of baking to engage or permit others in his employ to engage in the labor of baking between the hours of 6:00pm on Saturday and 6:00pm on Sunday, PROVIDED HOWEVER, that restaurants, hotels and boarding houses are able to do their own baking during that time.  Any person violating the provisions of this Act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, imprisonment in the County Jail for not less than 1 month nor more than 6 months and fined not less than $25 nor more than $200.

Chapter 87, pg 82
The Insolvent Act of 1880 is created

Chapter 94, pg 102
An Act requiring the labeling of substances dangerous to human life

Chapter 126, pg 231
An Act to establish free public libraries and reading rooms



PAYMENTS MADE BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Chapter 46, pg 37
$1654.13 payment to California Artificial Stone Company for laying stone walks and avenues about the State Capitol

Chapter 89, pg 100
$1346.06 payment to W. S. Safford to repay him costs actually and necessarily incurred by him in the defense of a civil action brought him by the Attorney General in the name of the people of the State of California

Chapter 106, pg 117
Authorizing payment to C. G. Hidden, Charles V. Brockway, Moses Sprague, A. Morton, R. J. Merkley, Philip Herzog, George Peters, Samuel Poorman, Daniel Flint and Howell Clark for repairs made to the break in the levee in District One of Sacramento County

Chapter 113, pg 121
$1100 payment to the Society of California Pioneers for rent of rooms for the use of the Hastings College of Law for the 11 months ending July 1879


SALARIES OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS

Chapter 124, pg 137

All salaries are per year unless otherwise indicated.

Alderman - $1200 
Secretary to Alderman - $200 per month
House Delegate - $1200 
Clerk to House of Delegates - $200 per month
Keeper of a City Cemetery - $100 per month
Superintendent for House of Corrections - $250 per month
Mayor - $3000 
Clerk to the Mayor - $1800 
Sheriff - $6000 
Under Sheriff - $2400 
Bookkeeper to Sheriff - $2400 
Deputy - $1500 to $1600 
One Counsel/Attorney of Supreme Court - $1800 
Matron - $900 
Driver of Prison Wagon - $900 
City Auditor - $3000 
Deputy Auditor - $2400 
Clerk to Auditor - $1600 
City Treasurer - $3000 
Chief Deputy Treasurer - $2400
Deputy Treasurer - $2000
Tax Collector - $3000
Chief Deputy Tax Collector $2000
Cashier - $2000
Deputy Tax Collector - $1600
Assessor - $3000
Chief Office Deputy, Chief Field Deputy, Head Draughtsman - $2000
Assistant Draughtsman - $1800
Office Deputies - $1800
Part time Deputies - $5 per day
Recorder - $3000
Chief Deputy Recorder - $2400
Deputy Recorder - $1800
Porter/Watchman - $900 
County Clerk - $3000
Chief Deputy County Clerk - $2400
Courtroom Clerk & Registry Clerks - $2100
Assistant Registry Clerk - $1600
Copyist - $1600
Part time Copyist - $3 per day
District Attorney - $4000 
Assistant DA - $2400
Clerk - $1500
City or County Attorney - $4000
Assistant to City or County Attorney - $2400
Copyist - $900
Coroner - $3000 
1st Deputy Coroner - $1600
2nd Deputy Coroner - $1500
Messenger/Dead Wagon Driver - $900
Superintendent of Streets - $3000
Deputies - $125 to $200 per month
City or County Surveyor - $3000
Deputies - $5 per day
Superintendent of Schools - $3000
Police Judge - $4000
Prosecuting Attorney of the Police Court - $2400
Assistant PA - $1500
Presiding Justice of the Justice Court - $3000
Other Justices of the Peace - $2400
Clerk of the Justice Court - $2400
Deputy to Clerk of Justice Court - $1200
Collector of Licenses - $3000
Chief Deputy of Collector - $1800
Deputy of Collector - $1500
Election Commissioner - $3000
Deputy Election Commissioner- $1800
Election Officers (vote counting) - $3 per day
President of the Board of Police Commissioners - $1500
Police Commissioner - $1200
Chief of Police - $4000
Police Captain - $1800
Police Officer or Detective- $1500
Clerk of the Chief of Police - $1800
Property Clerk - $1800
Fire Commissioner - $2200
Fire Chief Engineer - $3000
Assistant Chief Engineer- $2400
Assistant Engineer - $1800
Superintendent of Steam Fire Engine - $1800
Assistant - $1600
Clerk and Storekeeper for the Corporation Yard - $1500
Corp. Yard Drayman - $1080
Night Watchman - $900
Hydrantman - $1080
Veterinary Surgeon - $1200
Company Foreman - $540
Engineer for Steam Fire Engine Company - $1600
Substitute Engineer and Machinist - $1680
Driver - $1080
Fireman - $1080
Carpenter - $1200
Tillerman for Hook and Ladder Company - $1080
Steward for Hose Company - $960
Hoseman for Hook and Ladder Company - $480
Janitor/Messenger - $900
Clerk of the Board of the Fire Commissioners - $1800
Superintendent of Fire Alarm and Police Telegraph - $2400
Chief Operator - $1800
Operator - $1500
Repairer - $2000
Assistant Repairer - $1080
Batteryman - $900
Board of Health Officer - $2400
Quarantine Officer - $1800
Secretary - $2400
Health Inspector - $1200
Meat Inspector - $1200
Messenger - $900
Superintendent City or County Hospital - $2400
Resident Hospital Physician - $1500
Hospital Steward - $1200
Matron - $900
Apothecary - $1200
Hospital Engineer - $900
Staff Physicians - $1200
Alms House Superintendent - $2400
Alms House Physician - $1500
Alms House Matron - $720
City Physician - $1800
Assistant City Physician for the Industrial School and House of Correction - $1200
First Cook - $60 per month
2nd cook - $35 per month
3rd Cook - $30 per month
Baker - $75 per month
Clerk - $40 per month
Interpreter - $40 per month
Ambulance Driver - $40 per month
Nurse - $35 per month

Selected Genealogical Abstracts from the California Statutes - 1868

A copy of this publication can be found HERE.

LAWS

Chapter 26, pg 26
An Act for the protection of cemeteries in Nevada County.  Any infraction is a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of not less than $10 and not more than $250 or 5 days to 4 months in jail

Chapter 70, pg 63
An Act to Limit the Hours of Labor - 8 hours is defined as a legal days work in all cases within the State of California

Chapter 137, pg 116
An Act Authorizing the Board of State Prison Directors to recommend the pardoning of convicts in State Prison

Chapter 199, pg 194
An Act to punish assaults with caustic or corrosive liquids and substances.  This Act makes it a felony to commit this crime with punishment of up to 20 years in prison

Chapter 344, pg 418
An Act to provide for compensating parties whose property may be destroyed in consequence of mobs or riots

PAYMENTS MADE BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Chapter 8, pg 6
$136 payment to Drury P. Baldwin for service rendered the state during the session of Legislature of 1851

Chapter 61, pg 58
$494.35 payment to James H. Yates for services rendered to the County of Plumas

chapter 65, pg 60
$1000 payment to S. N. Norton for services rendered in the office of the Surveyor and in the State Land Office

Chapter 81, pg 70
$450 payment to William W. Merrihew for services as clerk of the Board of Examiners of Indian War Claims

Chapter 131, pg 110
$1500 payment to J. S. Downs for services rendered the State

Chapter 227, pg 220
$1000 payment to William O'Shea for street cleaning in the City and County of San Francisco

Chapter 303, pg 346
$2000 payment to C. C. Townsend for damages sustained by him in arresting a murderer

Chapter 338, pg 406
$370 payment in gold or silver coin to Mrs. E. Wright salary due her as a teacher in Jefferson School in San Mateo County

Chapter 346, pg 421
$500 payment to William Fitzpatrick for losses sustained by him on contract to grade 16th Street from Guerrero to Dolores Street in the City and County of San Francisco

Chapter 400, pg 486
$200 payment to C. D. Lyman for extra services in the State Library

Chapter 450, pg 599
$7627 payment to W. D. Harriman and William G. Wood for services as Clerks of the Supreme Court

Chapter 461, pg 616
$475 payment to Captain John H. Gilmore for services rendered as a commissioned officer of Company F, 6th Infantry, California Volunteers

Chapter 478, pg 644
$300 payment to T. M. Brown for the capture of Indian Frank, the murderer of R. L. Stockton, the Indian Agent of the Hoopa Valley Reservation

Chapter 494, pg 664
$1400 payment to Anna Lee, the widow of the Hon. Harvey Lee, late Judge of the 16th Judicial district composed of the counties of Alpine, Mono, Kern and Inyo

Chapter 534, pg 703
$1000 payment to David L. Britten of El Dorado County for damages sustained by him during the arrest of criminals by him

Chapter 544, pg 722
$1000 payment to Mark W. Higgins for uniforms furnished by him to the Hugh O'Neill Guard of the California State Militia

MISCELLANEOUS

Chapter 30, pg 28
David P. Mallagh and Hub Hollister are authorized to construct a wharf in the Bay of San Luis Obispo in the County of San Luis Obispo to the west and near the mouth of San Luis Creek

Chapter 48, pg 45
Charles M. Benbrook, Samuel Miller and Marcus D. Brundige are authorized to construct a turnpike road from Niley's Rancho in the County of Los Angeles, running thence over the dividing ridge to the canon known s the Canon of San Francisco

Chapter 59, pg 57
W. G. Hunt and L. M. Curtis are authorized to construct a lock in Cache Creek at or near the outlet of Clear Lake in Lake County

Chapter 103, pg 87
Z. B. Heywood and J. H. Jacobs are authorized to construct a wharf at Ocean View Landing in Alameda County

Chapter 105, pg 88
E. H. Perry is authorized to construct a turnpike road from the Sonora and Mono Road near West Walker River to Antelope Valley

Chapter 158, pg 135
H. B. Tichenor and R. G. Byxbee are authorized to construct a railroad wharf and toll bridge across the mouth of the Navarro River in Mendocino County

Chapter 159, pg 137
Titus Hale, Austin Walrath, William McCall and Richard P. Tenney are authorized to construct a railroad from the City of Monterey to the Rancho Natividad and to construct a wharf in the City of Monterey

Chapter 160, pg 138
John Lawley is authorized to construct a turnpike road from Edward Every's residence in the County of Napa through St. Helena Canon and over the St. Helena range of mountains to a point in the Loconoma Valley where the road leading from Calistoga to Lower Lake intersects the road leading from Calistoga to Lakeport via Cobb Valley in Lake County

Chapter 178, pg 157
Niles Mills is authorized to build a wharf on the east bank of the Petaluma Creek at Lakeville in Sonoma County

Chapter 205, pg 199
Cyrus Cheeny is authorized to construct a wharf in the on the San Joaquin River in the Town of Antioch in the County of Contra Costa

Chapter 206, pg 200
Antonio Giorgiani and Paul Torre are authorized to construct a wharf in Alameda County

Chapter 240, pg 242
John K. Hackett and Charles D. Judah are authorized to construct a wharf at the Pulgas Rancho in the County of San Mateo

Chapter 241, pg 243
George Hearst and Joseph Clark are authorized to construct a wharf on the northwesterly side of San Simeon Bay at the place known as Rancho Piedra Blanca in San Luis Obispo County

Chapter 263, pg 277
Frederick W. Kuelp, Hugo Schenk, John Foster, William Workman, Theodore Riser and A. Langenberger are authorized to construct a wharf in the County of Los Angeles on the Bay of Bolea Chiquita 13 1/2 miles from the Town of Anaheim and 1 1/2 miles from the former landing of the Anaheim Lighter Company

Chapter 291, pg 312
Thomas B. Lewis, E. Thomas and Henry Pichoir are authorized to construct an iron railroad within the City limits of San Francisco commencing at Railroad Avenue or Bay View turnpike near the terminus of the Potrero and Bay View Railroad thence along 27th Avenue across the lands claimed by J.B. Felton to the San Bruno Road to Henry Street to University Street to Wayland Street in the University Extension

Chapter 301, pg 342
William W. Waddell is authorized to construct an iron track railroad from Waddell's sawmill to a point easterly of Point New Year in Santa Cruz County

Chapter 333, pg 402
Jerome B. Ford is authorized to construct a wharf at the mouth of Big River in Mendocino County

Chapter 388, pg 477
Elijah Beebe is authorized to construct a chute and mooring at Beebe's Landing in Mendocino County

Chapter 466, pg 625
William Dunphy, George D. Bliss and Peter McCann are authorized to carry on the business of slaughtering beef cattle, hogs and sheep and calves within the City and County of San Francisco

Chapter 481, pg 646
P. K. Austin is authorized to construct a turnpike road from San Rafael across the marsh and swamp lands to Point San Quentin in Marin County

Chapter 525, pg 700
John B. Ward is authorized to construct a wharf out from the Guadalupe Ranch in the County of Santa Barbara

Chapter 526, pg 701
Lyman Leslie and Paul K. Hubbs are authorized to construct  a wharf from the high land of Maryland Street upon Marin Street in the City of Vallejo, County of Solano

Chapter 535, pg 709
William Bihler is authorized to construct  a wharf on the easterly side of the Petaluma Creek near Lakeville in Sonoma County

Chapter 277, pg 295
C. Labetoure, Samuel Norwood, Josiah Hall, M. E. Hughes, J.C. Smith, George Morgan, F. Gandin, J. Monahan, B. A. Mardis, J. J. Franklin, G. C. Bush, H. C. Shulz, T. N. Willis, Albert O. Smith, J. E. Edmiston, T. Brodigan, J. M. Gandin, Andrew Rocco, F. Weyer, John Pereira, Allen Oliver, A. M. Mitchell, William Shine, Dennis Fahey, Philip Reed, J. A. Bogle, D. J. Hurley, F. McCarty, J. W. Loring, Jacob Wedl, Daniel Shane, J. Bixel, Peter Oliver, John Shaw, Daniel McLean, John Mundorf, Harris Joseph, J. Snider, S. S. Turner, Henry Schuler, P. A. Campbell, T. B. Woods, John Perano, James Burns, George C. Lucas, Benjamin Lawhead, L. F. Jarvis, John Bauman, David McKee, Compte Xavier, Joseph Ede, O. Cazeaux, P. Shine, Charles S. Johnson, S. M. Miller, M. McMahon, L. Brunet, M. J. Rehm, John Wainwright, Isaac Desber, William Burbridge, W. W. Fletcher, Bernardino Casaretto, Thomas Simmons, C. Dorsey, A. McLean and R. Hessian surities upon the official bond of Thomas Norwood, late Treasurer of Tuloumne County shall each be released from all obligations upon the official bond.

ESTATES, GUARDIANSHIPS AND NAME CHANGES

Chapter 60, pg 57
An act authorizing the administrator of the estate of Charles White, deceased, to sell real estate

Chapter 69, pg 62
The Guardian of Victoriano Guerraro, minor child of Francisco Guerraro, deceased is authorized to sell real estate known as "Las Manzanitas" near the Mission Dolores in the City and County of San Francisco

Chapter 104, pg 88
An act to declare Thomas Jefferson Clunie, of the City and County of Sacramento, a minor of lawful age

Chapter 201, pg 195
Richard Abby, administrator of the estate of Richard H. Farquhar, deceased is authorized to sell land in the County of Nevada

Chapter 212, pg 203
An Act to legalize acknowledgments of deeds of husbands and wife taken before and certified by County Clerks

Chapter 255, pg 268
The name of the Howard Street Religious Society located in San Francisco is hereby changed to the Howard 
Presbyterian Society

Chapter 325, pg 372
$158 payment to H. M. LaRue by the County of Sacramento for expenses incurred by him in pursuing and arresting John A. Toney who was charged with grand larceny

Chapter 326, pg 372
The Italian Mutual Benevolent Association located in the City and County of San Francisco is authorized to change its name to "Societa Italiana di Mutua Beneficenza"

Chapter 473, pg 641
An act to authorize Henry S. Dexter, administrator of the estate of Annie B. Dexter, deceased to sell real estate in the City and County of San Francisco

Chapter 474, pg 641
An act to authorize Montgomery Godley, the administrator with will annexed of the estate of Charles G. McChesney, deceased to sell real estate in the City and County of San Francisco

Chapter 475, pg 642
An act to authorize Romualdo Pacheco, trustee for the infant heirs of Juana Castro, deceased to sell real estate in the County of San Luis Obispo with the consent of Juan Castro, father and guardian of said infant heirs

Chapter 477, pg 644
An act authorizing John Hayes and Maria Hayes, administrators with will annexed of the estate of John W. Kisling namely William C. Kisling and Caroline A. Kisling, minors to sell real estate in the City and County of San Francisco

Selected Genealogical Abstracts from the California Statutes - 1877 to 1878

A copy of this publication can be found HERE.

Payments Made by the State of California

Chapter 21, pg 26
$200 payment to Edward Hunt by the Cold Spring School District for services as a teacher

Chapter 32, pg 47
$3427.91 payment to C. H. Krebs for paving Tenth Street from L to N in the City of Sacramento

Chapter 78, pg 88
$2333.33 payment in gold and silver coin to S. G. S. Dunbar by the County of San Joaquin for his services in performing the duties of School Superintendent

Chapter 84, pg 105
$300 payment to Julius Blume for services rendered in arresting Juan Salazar, who, on the 21st day of October 1876 in the County of Marin, robbed one William Brown on the highway and then murdered said Brown

Chapter 114, pg 137
$2199.42 payment to Harrison Roberts, Luis Ruggio and C. S. Colvig for the capture of Cleodoveo Chavez, an associate of the bandit Vasquez

Chapter 149, pg 193
$5722.51 payment to Andrew Onderdonk for work and materials furnished in the construction of the new slips at the foot of Market Street in San Francisco

Chapter 205, pg 251
$1000 payment to Thomas Molloy for his services as Road Overseer in Alameda County

Chapter 217, pg 260
$1300 payment to John A. Odell for services rendered as Superintendent of the Branch State Prison at Folsom

Chapter 264, pg 328
$600 payment to Edwin Kimball for constructing a bridge across San Lorenzo Creek in the County of Alameda

Chapter 310, pg 394
$857 payment to J. B. Scott for services rendered as Auditor of the County of Monterey

Chapter 346, pg 530
$7000 payment to Mary M. Springer, widow and heir of Thomas A. Springer, late State Printer, deceased for balance of a claim for State printing

Chapter 360, pg 543
$285 payment to P. K. Stockton for services as short-hand reporting on the State Land Commission

Chapter 373, pg 558
$300 payment to John Q. Hendrichs, Charles Carroll and R. D. Hubbard for the arrest and capture of Joseph Blanchard who was an accomplice of William Barber in highway robbery in the County of Siskiyou

Chapter 377, pg 560
$120 payment to Hiram Clock for services rendered as the State Messenger and Porter in the office of the Reclamation Fund Commissioners

Chapter 454, pg 696
$300 payment to Frederick Kuhnle for the arrest of Andronica Ygera who on the 21st of October 1876, in the County of Marin, robbed one William Brown on the highway and murdered him

Chapter 468, pg 731
$300 payment to John Sutherland, Jr. for his services rendered in destroying the Vasquez bandit

Chapter 493, pg 766
$600 payment to John C. Boggs for the capture of Ah Sam, alias Gee Ah You, a noted murderer

Chapter 517, pg 801
$36,875 payment to Henry F. Williams due him by reason of neglect, refusal and non-fulfillment of contract on part of the executive officers of the City and County of San Francisco to modify the grades of certain streets

Miscellanous

Chapter 36, pg 48
An Act authorizing John Parrott, Samuel Clark, J. L. Keagle, Rufus Franklin, William Heart, Robert Boice and D. P. McNeal to construct and maintain certain levees on the south bank of the Mokelumne River in San Joaquin County

Chapter 69, pg 83
An Act authorizing John Blair, Thomas Alderson, Truman Wilcox, L. A. Garnett, Thomas Price and F. A. Bishop to construct a race-way through the City of Placerville

Chapter 83, pg 104
An Act authorizing the Nevada County Board of Supervisors to disinter all human remains interred in Moore's Flat Cemetery and remove them to a new cemetery near the Town of Moore's Flat

Chapter 96, pg 109
An Act to change the name of the Town of Fiddleton in the County of Amador to Oleta

Chapter 116, pg 138
An Act releasing John Rierden, B. H. Kenney, Patrick Donahue and W. B. Jordan of the City and County of San Francisco from all liability on a certain bail bond in the sum of $5000 for the appearance of one Philip Smith Allis

Chapter 150, pg 193
An Act authorizing the County of Tulare to pay Charles Dukes, J. D. Billingsly, D. Malloch, William Kincaid, Stacy Taylor and A. M. Abbey a sum they deem reasonable for their services as jurors in the Coroner's Inquest in the matter of Martin Pendergast

Chapter 152, pg 194
Edward C. Kirby and John Burke of the City and County of San Francisco are released from all liability as sureties on bail in the amount of $6000 for Michael Dunn who was charged with the crime of assault with intent to commit murder upon the person of John Griffin.

Chapter 191, pg 236
An Act to prohibit "Piece Clubs" and prevent extortion from candidates for office

Chapter 255, pg 322
W. J. Johnson, W. H. Perdue, John Cheney, William L. Tomlin and M. V. Dixon are released from all liability as sureties on bail in the amount of $3000 for James Johnson indicted by the Grand Jury for the crime of robbery

Chapter 281, pg 341
An Act releasing S. L. Marks, Terrence Burke, J. R. Deardorff and Milo Hoadley, all of the City and County of San Francisco, from all liability of a certain bail bond in the sum of $10,000 for the appearance of one S. R. Deardorff

Chapter 286, pg 354
An Act granting George E. Isaacs the right to supply the inhabitants of the Town of Merced with fresh water

Chapter 353, pg 535
An Act to prevent the sale of oleomargarine under the name of and pretense of that said commodity is butter

Chapter 431, pg 637
An Act to provide for transcribing the Great Register of El Dorado County

Chapter 449, pg 695
An Act to prohibit and punish the sale of adulterated syrup.  Any person who shall knowingly sell, or keep, or offer for sale, or otherwise dispose of any syrup, or golden drips syrup, silver drips syrup, or molasses containing muriatic or sulphuric acids, or glucose, or adulterated with any other substances to improve the color thereof, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, fined $500 and imprisoned in the County Jail for a period not exceeding six months

Chapter 574, pg 915
An Act releasing A. D. Splivalo, J. H. Coleman and Juan de Toro of the City and County of San Francisco from all liability on a certain bail bond in the sum of $5000 for the appearance of one Auguste Ducommun

Chapter 584, pg 930

$25,000 from the general fund to be used co-jointly with a like sum of $25,000 donated by H. D. Bacon for the construction of a library and art gallery on the State University grounds in Alameda County

The Meier Family Wedding Veil

A couple of years ago I started a project for my sister-in-law's family.  There is a rose point lace wedding veil that was purchased in 1921 by Abe and Minnie (Eising) Meier for their daughter Jeanette to wear on her wedding day.  The family story is that Abe and Minnie were on vacation in Europe.  When they were in Brussels, Belgium, they visited a museum that was selling off some of their holdings.  They needed the money to repair their building that had been damaged during the German occupation in World War I. One of the items was a rose point lace wedding veil.

There is a list of names of all the brides in the Meier family who have worn the veil.  My sister-in-law's mother wanted to do something with the list of names.  It was decided to create a photobook of the brides and I was tasked with the job of locating photos of all the brides wearing the veil and then write a little bit about how each of the brides was related to the Meier family, how they connected.

While searching for photos, I blogged about The Importance of a Wedding Veil to Family History.  I had all but one photo of the brides wearing the veil.  Sura Rubenstein in Portland heard about my search for that one elusive photo and was able to locate one for me.

Two and one-half years later, the book was finally published privately.  Sadly, my sister-in-law's mother passed away before we finished the book.  But it was her wish that every bride still living and all of the descendants of the brides receive a copy of the book.

There are many family members who live in the Portland, Oregon area so my sister-in-law and I drove to there to hand deliver the books.  Copies of the book were also delivered to the Jewish Genealogical Society of Oregon, the Jewish Museum of Oregon, the Genealogical Forum of Oregon and the Oregon Historical Society.  

It was pure joy to work on this project.  One of the brides from the 1940's is still living and I was able to personally give her a copy of the book.  When she turned the page and saw herself - the smile on her face - made all the hard work worth it.

It is so important to keep family traditions, artifacts and stories alive to pass on to the younger generations.  Whether it is a wedding veil or grandmother's cookbook - they all tell stories of our ancestors lives.

Selected Genealogical Abstracts from the California Statutes - 1875-76

This publication can be found on Internet Archive

PAYMENTS MADE BY STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Chapter 93, pg 64
$6500 payment to John Jackson, ex-sheriff and Tax Collector of Trinity County for losses incurred by him in a certain prosecution against him in the U.S. Circuit Court in 1871 for collecting "foreign miners' license taxes" 

Chapter 183, pg 207
$152.65 payment in gold coin to N. W. Spaulding for painting the Webster Street Bridge in Oakland, Alameda County

Chapter 253, pg 332
$70.62 1/2 cents payment to John Breuner for furnishing shelves and desks for members of the Assembly

Chapter 331, pg 460
$459 payment to Laura De Force Gordon for publishing in the Daily Evening Leader at Stockton in San Joaquin County the delinquent list of purchasers of swamp and overflow land in District #5

Chapter 367, pg 511
$200 payment in gold coin to N. A. Covarrubias as a reward for the apprehension of Jack Cotton and Caroline Norton, murderers

Chapter 468, pg 687
$5000 payment to John F. Swift for services rendered as special counsel for City and County of San Francisco in a lawsuit against Spring Valley Water Company

Chapter 501, pg 761
$450 payment to George W. Whitlock for services rendered as messenger and porter in the office of State Board of Equalization

Chapter 521, pg 796
$650 payment to John Breuner for making drawings and for constructing mineral cabinet cases for State Cabinet

Chapter 592, pg 886
$2015 payment to Michael Purcell for cleaning the streets in District #1, that portion of City of San Francisco bounded on the north by line of Market Street, on the west by the westerly line of Eighth Street, on the south abd east by the Bay of San Francisco

MISC

Chapter 65, pg 41
C. F. Leavenworth are granted the right to lay down suitable water pipes in the Town of Modesto, County of Stanislaus

Chapter 72, pg 47
E. Barry of Downieville, Sierra County, is authorized to remove the remains of deceased persons, along with all headstones, ornaments, etc,  interred in the "old graveyard" in the northeastern part of Town and rebury them within a suitable fence in the plot of ground adjoining the new cemetery northeast of town

Chapter 236, pg 310
David Girky is authorized to build a wharf at Santa Cruz 

Chapter 291, pg 388
J. E. Davis and A. P. Jordan are authorized to build a wharf at Santa Cruz

Chapter 328, pg 444
James E. Ryan was indicted by the Grand Jury of the City and County of San Francisco for the crime of assault with intent to commit murder and gave bail in the amount of $15,000 by a written undertaking with John Parnell, James Byrnes and Patrick Ryan as sureties. James E. Ryan fled the jurisdiction and did not appear for trial so the bail was forfeited.  The sureties took it upon themselves to recapture James Ryan and handed him over to the Sheriff of San Francisco.  The sureties were then released from liability of the bail

Chapter 438, pg 680
Property in Stanislaus County, belonging to Nancy Wilson, a widow, that had been sold to the State of California for nonpayment of taxes is quit claimed back to her for the payment of $47.25 in gold coin

Chapter 471, pg 688
George Green and James Smith of the City and County of San Francisco are relieved from all liability on a bail bond in the amount of $500 for the appearance of J. W. Adams

1913 Was An Interesting Year In California

In the 1913 California State Statutes, there are no name changes, probate issues, contract awards, etc., it only contains acts authorizing payments of claims to citizens. 

In 1913 there were 17 claims that the State of California paid out. They ranged from $19,168.76 to $5.34.  A couple of them really peaked my interest and so clickty-clack, off I went to investigate. Make sure to scroll down and read the great stories for some of these claims.

Chapter 424, pg 870

An Act to pay the claim of Thomas Nightengale in the amount of $10

Chapter 453, pg 883

An Act to pay the claim of Duane Bliss in the amount of $19,168.76

Walter Danforth "Duane" Bliss was an architect of considerable note.  Among his many accomplishments, he designed:

City of Oakland Public Library, 1901

The Columbia Theater, San Francisco, 1909

The James Flood house, 2222 Broadway, Pacific Heights, San Francisco, 1912

City of San Francisco Public Library, Richmond Branch, 1914

The Metropolitan Club in San Francisco, 1916

Southern Pacific Railroad Passenger Depot, Sacramento, 1924

I wasn't able to find what the claim was for, but given the large amount, I am guessing he was paid for his services as an architect rather than a personal claim.

Chapter 494, pg 100

$100 payment to C. A. Palmer for services rendered by him as attorney for plaintiff in the case of people of the State of California vs. Deta Lima

Chapter 510, pg 906

$1000 payment to A. E. Smith of Modoc County

Chapter 518, pg 910

$5.34 payment to O. Nelson for grading of Park Blvd in the City of San Diego

Chapter 519, pg 910

$1609.40 payment to John Ewart for the filling and grading of American Street in the City of Stockton fronting the property of the Stockton State Hospital

Chapter 535, pg 917

An Act to pay the claim of Mr. Frederick Maskew in the amount of $88 for services rendered as Deputy Quarantine Officer of the State

Chapter 546, pg 927

An Act to pay the claim of Vincent Bona in the amount of $250

Chapter 607, pg 1132

An Act to pay the claim of J. Harry Russell in the amount of $3212.94

Chapter 620, pg 1152

An Act to pay the Claim of Jerome B. Graham in the amount of $182.83

Chapter 621, pg 1152

An Act to pay the claim of J. W. Galloway in the amount of $1000

Special Deputy John Galloway had arrested Herbert LeCornec, George LeCornec and J.W. McNamara for poaching steelhead trout in the Larkspur slough in Marin County.  While his back was turned, Herbert LeCornec shot him in the head. Though severely injured, Deputy Galloway was able to return fire and shot and killed George LeCornec.  Deputy Galloway made a full recovery.  Herbert LeCornec was brought to trial for attempted murder, but unbelieveably the jury found him not guilty. 

Chapter 623, pg 1153

An Act to pay the claim of Mrs. Foley in the amount of $500

Chapter 624, pg 1153

An act to pay the claim of Grace Elvira Raynaud in the amount of $5000

Special Deputy Ernest Raynaud was on boat patrol when he arrested Antone Balesteri and Salvatore Balesteri for catching striped bass with an unlawful net near San Quentin Point in Marin County. A third man, Carlo Balesteri was not arrested but accompanied the men.  All of the men were in a boat.  A struggle ensued and both Dept. Raynaud and Salvatore Balesteri were killed.  Raynaud's skull had been beaten in and he had been shot between the eyes.  Antone Balesteri escaped and was never apprehended.  Carlo Balesteri was arrested, tried and convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in San Quentin Prison.

Different newspaper reports of the event differ slightly in their facts.  

The San Francisco Chronicle:   Warden Raynaud was working boat patrol with Deputy Commissioner M.S. Clark that day. Warden Raynaud made contact with and arrested two brothers, Antone and Salvatore Balesteri, for taking striped bass with an illegal net. They were taken into custody and placed on the warden's boat. A third man who was with them, Carlo Balesteri was also taken aboard the Warden's boat to act as an interpreter.

The Sacramento Union:  Five friends of the Balesteri brothers stormed aboard the Warden's boat, attacking the wardens with clubs and oars while trying to free the two Balesteri brothers who had been taken into custody.

The San Anselmo Herald:  Deputy Clark was able to shoot and kill Salvatore Balesteri and wound his nephew, Caloggero Balestri before being struck in the head with an oar. Deputy Clark was thrown overboard where one of the remaining Balesteri's tried to run him over with the boat. Other fishermen in the area rescued Deputy Clark, but Warden Raynaud died of his injuries.

Chapter 626, pg 1154

An Act to pay the claim of Joseph Nelligan in the amount of $1000

Chapter 627, pg 1154

An Act to pay the claim of Frank P. Cady in the amount of $1000

Regular Deputy Frank P. Cady and Special Deputy Joseph Nelligan arrested ten Indians for spearing spawning trout on streams running into Tule Marsh (aka Moon Lake), Lassen County.  Three of them - Wilson Duke, John Hendricks, and John Pede - resisted arrest, disarmed Dept. Cady and shot both Dept. Nelligan and Dept. Cady.  The ten poachers fled, leaving the two deputies for dead.  Cady and Nelligan managed to get help and they made a full recovery.  Pede and Hendricks were arrested, tried for assault for murder, found guilty and sentenced to 3 years at San Quentin Prison.  Wilson Duke was found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer and was sentenced to five years at San Quentin.

Chapter 699, pg 1444

An Act to pay the claim of William J. Burns in the amount of $10,000

William J. Burns was known as "America's Sherlock Holmes." In 1889, he entered the U.S. Secret Service, where he had considerable success in tracking down counterfeiting operations, both in the United States and Costa Rica. He also uncovered bribery and land fraud by government employees, leading to the conviction of several federal, state, and municipal officials.  Burns left government service in 1906.  He served as Director of the Bureau of Investigation (predecessor to the FBI) from 1921 to 1924.

With this information about William Burns, I was able to easily find him in newspapers to learn why he was paid $10,000.  On 1 October 1911, James McNamara and his brother John McNamara blew up the Los Angeles Times building to protest a labor union dispute.  20 people were killed in the explosion.  William J. Burns tracked the brothers down and when the McNamara's were convicted, Burns was given a $10,000 reward.

I left out one of the claims from above:

Chapter 622, pg 1153

An Act to pay the claim of Bert Blanchard in the amount of $5000

This claim deserves a post all its own.  Coming Soon - how the death of Bert Blanchard uncovered a huge police scandal in San Francisco. 

Sources:

1913 Biennial Report of the California Department of Fish and Game

Photo of William J. Burns courtesy of Wikipedia

Oakland Tribune, Monday Evening, April 28, 1913, pg 16, col 4

San Francisco Chronicle, Monday, March 17, 1913, pg 6, col 4

San Anselmo Herald, Saturday, April 19, 1913, pg 3, col 1

San Anselmo Herald, Saturday, May 3, 1913, pg 6, col 3

San Francisco Chronicle, Thursday, April 17, 1913, pg 1, col 1

The Sacramento Union, Friday, April 25, 1913, pg 9, col 1

NOTE:  For some reason, this book is no longer available in Google books. Two weeks ago I was able to view and download for free.