Debra Osborne Spindle has written about a a great online resource for anyone researching pre-statehood Oklahoma ancestry. First, she quotes the web site's description:
The Incorporation Records for the Oklahoma and Indian Territories have been digitized in a joint project with the Oklahoma Historical Society and the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s Office. The ledger books were generated by the Territorial secretary as new businesses and municipalities began conducting business. There are 27 volumes of Oklahoma Territory Incorporation Records and 15 volumes for Indian Territory. Some examples of the entries found in the ledgers include: Agreement & Incorporation, Incorporation Amendment, Appointment of Agent, Dissolution, as well as lease and mortgage transactions. The entries begin in 1890 and continue until statehood is established in 1907.
Debra then goes on to add her own explanation:
Keep in mind that included are transactions for churches and lodges and private business as well as the larger banks and coal and, of course, oil companies. While the database is not searchable by personal name, it is quite user friendly if you spend a bit of time getting use to the terminology.
You can read more in Debra's blog at http://goo.gl/WLutg.
My thanks to Susan E. L. Lake for telling me about this new online resource.
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