Legal Papers

Each series in this division consists of a number of volumes with similar markings. Generally speaking, each volume contains around 50 separately written contracts or law cases. One party in each contract or case is usually an Orsetti family member; a former owner of Orsetti lands; or a connection of the Orsettis through marriage. Material dated after circa 1650 seems to be original (or contemporary notarial copies) while most material dated before 1650 seems to be 17th century notarial copies. The first or last volume in a series tends to contain both early and late material with the other volumes run comparatively consecutively. Items in a volume are usually chronologically arranged and often the volume contains a table of contents. Some items include maps and other ancillary evidence. Each item was separately written (likely by a notary) and kept separate for a while before being bound into a volume.