Santa Cruz County, Arizona Genealogy

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

Description
Santa Cruz County was named in the late 17th century by Father Kino. Santa Cruz means "holy cross" in Spanish. The county is located in the south-central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Santa Cruz County Courthouse 2160 N Congress Drive Nogales, AZ 85621 Phone: 520-375-7700 Santa Cruz County Courthouse

Clerk Superior Court has marriage, divorce, probate and Court Records from 1899, military records 1888-1085, and adoption records from 1940.

Boundary Changes

 * Parent County(s): Created from Pima County, on 15 Mar 1899. ''
 * County Seat: Nogales
 * Interactive Map of Arizona County Formation History (1790-1897) - animated maps illustrating Arizona county boundary changes
 * Santa Cruz County, Arizona Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library

Populated 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:

History Timeline


Santa Cruz County lies directly south of Tucson. The town of Nogales is the county seat. Nogales is also a major border crossing between the United States and Mexico, and is part of a 'twin border city' situation. The Santa Cruz river runs north out of Mexico towards Tucson.

The historic Catholic mission near Tubac on I-19 was significant in the history of the area. However, any records that were produced when this was an active parish were not kept there, but may be in the Diocese in Tucson. Other missions are also nearby, mainly San Xavier which is in Pima County closer to Tucson.


 * 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 Santa Cruz County, 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. The land south of the Gila River in present day Arizona was not ceded, it remained in control of Mexico. This included all of present day Santa Cruz County. Look for records in the National Archives and Records Administration, the Mexico Archives and the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives.
 * 30 Dec 1853 - The United States bought the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico. It contained land south of the Gila River in present day Arizona, including all of present day Santa Cruz County. Look for records in the National Archives and Records Administration, the Mexico Archives, and the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives.
 * 4 Aug 1854 - The land acquired in the Gadsden Purchase was officially added to New Mexico Territory. Look for records in the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives.
 * 3 Feb 1855 - Dona Ana County gained all the land acquired in the Gadsden Purchase. This county included all of present day Santa Cruz County. Look for records in Dona Ana County.
 * 1 Feb 1860 - New Mexico created Arizona County from land in Dona Ana County. Arizona County was located entirely within present day Arizona, including all of present day Santa Cruz County. Look for records in Dona Ana County.
 * 18 Jan 1862 - New Mexico discontinued Arizona County returning the land to Dona Ana County. Look for records in Dona Ana County.
 * 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 County. This county named for the Pima Indians. Look for records in Pima County.

Church Records
Ward and Branch Records
 * Nogales

List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Emigration and Immigration

 * 1905-1952 at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection

Maps and Gazetteers

 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Military Records
Civil War
 * 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection

World War II
 * 1940-1945 at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection

Newspapers

 * 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)

Obituaries

 * 1959-2014 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection

Other Records
Voting Records
 * 1900-1920 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection, index and images

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

Social Security Records

 * 1935-2014 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
 * 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007

Birth

 * 1800-1946 Arizona Genealogy Birth Certificates, 1800-1947 at Arizona Department of Health Services — images
 * 1855-1930 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1887-1935 Arizona Birth Certificates, 1887-1935 at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
 * 1909-1917 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index; Also at: Ancestry($)
 * 1909-1917 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index

Marriage

 * 1809-2011 Western States Marriage Index, 1809-2011 at Ancestry — index ($)
 * 1833-1949 US Marriages – Arizona, 1833-1949 at Findmypast — index ($)
 * 1864-1982 Arizona Marriage Collection, 1864-1982 at Ancestry — index ($)
 * 1871-1964 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1888-1908 Arizona Select Marriages, 1888-1908 at Ancestry — index ($)
 * Western States Marriage Index at BYU Idaho — index; Also at: 
 * Mission Records at Tumacacori National Historical Park - includes births, marriages, and deaths.
 * Part 1 - Cathedral of Culiacan Marriage Records
 * Part 2 - Cathedral of Culiacan Marriage Records
 * Part 3 - Cathedral of Culiacan Marriage Records

Death

 * 1800-1972 Arizona Genealogy Record Search at Arizona Department of Health Services — images
 * 1870-1951 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1870-1963 Arizona Death Certificates, 1870-1963 at MyHeritage — index & images ($)

FamilySearch Centers

 * Bisbee Arizona FamilySearch Center
 * Nogales Arizona FamilySearch Center
 * Sahuarita Arizona FamilySearch Center
 * Sierra Vista Arizona FamilySearch Center

Libraries
Nogales Santa-Cruz Public Library 518 N. Grand Avenue Nogales, AZ 85621 Phone: 520-287-3343 Website

Societies
Pimeria Alta Historical Society 136 N. Grand Avenue Nogales, AZ 85621 P.O. Box 2281 Nogales, AZ 85628 Phone: 520-287-4621 Website

Websites

 * AZGenWeb Project
 * Santa Cruz County, Arizona Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection.  Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.