Greenlee County, Arizona Genealogy

Guide to Greenlee County, Arizona ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.

County Courthouse
Greenlee County Courthouse P O Box 908 Clifton, Az 85533 Phone:520-865-2972

Clerk Superior Court has marriage, divorce, probate and court records from 1911 County Recorder has land records

Description
The County has Clifton as its seat and the County was created March 10, 1909. The County is located in the southeast area of the state.

Parent County

 * Until 1821 - New Spain controlled land that later would become Arizona. Some records of early settlers may have been sent to an archives in Seville, Spain, or to archives in Mexico City.
 * In 1821 - Mexico obtained jurisdiction over the land that later would become Arizona. Records of this period may have been sent to archives in Mexico City.
 * 18 Aug 1846 - During the war with Mexico, the US took control of Santa Fe and proclaimed sovereignty over the land that later became the New Mexico Territory. Look for records in the National Archives and Records Administration, the Mexico Archives and the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives.
 * 4 July 1848 - In the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, Mexico ceded part of present day Arizona, including all of Greenlee County. Look for records in the National Archives and Records Administration, the Mexico Archives and the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives.
 * 9 Jan 1852 - New Mexico redefined the boundaries of previous counties and created new ones to cover all the land within its territory. Land in present-day Greenlee County, Arizona was once part of Socorro and Doña Ana counties of New Mexico.  Look for records in Dona Ana and Socorro counties.
 * 24 Feb 1863 - The US created the Arizona Territory from the western half of New Mexico Territory. All previous counties were discontinued for this new territory. Look for records in the Arizona State Library and New Mexico State Records Center and Archives
 * 10 Nov 1864 - Arizona created Pima and Yavapai counties. Both of these counties named for Indian tribes. Look for records in Pima and Yavapai counties.
 * 14 Feb 1879 - Arizona created Apache County from land in Yavapai County. This county named for the Apache Indians. Look for records in Apache and Yavapai counties.
 * 10 Mar 1881- Arizona created Graham County from lands in Apache and Pima counties. This county named for Mount Graham, the highest peak in the area. Look for records in Graham, Apache and Pima counties.

10 March 1909 - Greenlee County was created from Graham County County seat: Clifton This county named for an early Arizona pioneer. Look for records in Graham and Greenlee counties.

Boundary Changes
See Previous Jurisdictions to Land in Arizona showing dates the jurisdictions were created and maps. This will help in determining what jurisdiction your ancestor lived in and where the records are now located.

For animated maps illustrating Arizona county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Arizona County Boundary Maps" (1852-1993) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.

Record Loss
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

Populate Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:

Neighboring Counties

 * Apache County, Arizona
 * Cochise County, Arizona
 * Graham County, Arizona
 * Catron County, New Mexico
 * Grant County, New Mexico
 * Hidalgo County, New Mexico

Cemeteries
The following web sites may have additional information on Greenlee County cemeteries.


 * Interment.net Arizona cemetery records by County.

Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ward and Branch Records


 * Clifton
 * Duncan
 * Franklin
 * Morenci
 * York

Civil War

 * 1861-1865 - at FamilySearch — index

World War II

 * 1940-1945 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Probate
Online Probate Records
 * 1803 – 1995 Arizona Wills and Probate Records 1803-1995 at Ancestry.com — index and images $

Birth Records
Online Birth Indexes and Records


 * 1909-1917 - Arizona Select Births and Christenings 1909-1917 at Ancestry.com — index $

Marriage Records
Online Marriage Indexes and Records


 * 1833-1949 - Arizona, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * 1864-1982 - Arizona Marriage Collection 1864-1982 at Ancestry.com — index $
 * 1871-1964 - at FamilySearch.org — index and browse images, incomplete
 * 1888-1908 - Arizona Select Marriages 1888-1908 at Ancestry.com — index $

Death Records
Online Death Indexes and Records


 * 1910-1911 and 1933-1994 - Arizona Select Deaths and Burials 1910-1911 and 1933-1994;at Ancestry.com — index $

Societies and Libraries
Greenlee County Historical Society 315 Chase Creek P.O. Box 1125 Clifton, AZ 85533 Telephone 928-865-3115 Hours 2-4:30 T, Th, Sat.

Family History Centers
Introduction to Family History Centers

Clifton Arizona 112 Riverside Dr Clifton, Greenlee, Arizona, United States Telephone: 928-865-1562

Duncan Arizona Fairgrounds Rd &amp; Clifton Hwy Duncan, Greenlee, Arizona, United States Telephone: 928-359-2348

These are not mailing addresses. Due to limited staff, Family History Centers are unable to respond to mail inquiries.

Websites

 * Greenlee County, Arizona AZGenWeb
 * Greenlee County, AZ History, Records, Facts and Genealogy (Genealogy Inc)
 * USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
 * Greenlee County, Arizona Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * Greenlee County, Arizona Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)