Our Juror Ancestors with Judy Russell and Juror Commissioner Paul O'Neill

The Forget-Me-Not Hour

The Legal Genealogist Judy Russell and the Ulster County, NY, Commissioner of Jurors Paul O'Neill join Jane to talk about jurors in relation to our ancestors and to ourselves. We'll find out the history of jurors and how the system was brought to North America. Judy and Paul will also talk about what the role of jurors was historically, what court systems worked with jurors, and what the qualifications for jurors were for our ancestors and are for us today. Paul will give the inside scoop on what it's like to be juror today, how jurors are selected and what to expect -- as well as give the pep talk that he gives to each batch of jurors going through the Ulster County court system. It's inspiring! Photos: Lizzie Borden jury, 1893, via Wikimedia Commons Grand Jurors, US Circuit Court, Georgia, 1816, NARA microfilm Burke County NC Grand Jury list, 1798, from Court of Pleas Minute Book, NC State Archives (Judy Russell) Ulster County Courthouse and John Jay, courtesy Ulster County Sojourner Truth, via Wikimedia Commons