This record group consists of all types of legal documents relevant to court action, including, but not limited to, dockets, formal decisions, rules, appointments, judges’ notes and opinions, indexes, case files, record books, executions, reports, and administrative papers, as well as materials from related entities such as the State Bar Examining Committee and Coroners and Medical Examiners. The records date from 1636 to the late 20th century, with the bulk from the 17th through the 19th century. Most extant state court records prior to 1870 are in the State Archives along with a substantial volume of municipal and justice court records. Record Group 003 also includes probate records including wills, inventories, bonds, administration reports, etc. until 1698, when the General Assembly established the separate probate court system. See record group 004 for Records of the Probate Court. The records of the Judicial Department include colony and statewide materials for the Particular Court, 1639-65; Court of Assistants, 1665-1711; Superior Court, 1711-1879; and Supreme Court of Errors, 1784-1901. The bulk of the records, however, are arranged by county and consist of papers of county courts, courts of common pleas, superior courts, supreme courts of errors, and maritime courts.
