New Mexico Territorial Laws and Treaties NM TERR LAWS KEARNY CODE REG OF LANDS § 6

When there is no written evidence of the claim, the claimant may take evidence in writing, before some officer having authority to administer oaths showing the nature and extent of his claim, how much of the land claimed has been actually cultivated and inhabited by himself and those under whom he claims, and for what length of time; and also as to any grant, deed or conveyance relating to said land having ever existed, or any record thereof having ever been made, and as to the loss or destruction of the same, and how and when such loss and destruction happened. If any person shall neglect to deliver such evidence and notice of his claim as prescribed in this and the preceding section, within five years from the first day of next January such claim shall be void.