Santa Cruz County, Arizona Genealogy

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

County Courthouse
Santa Cruz County Courthouse 2150 North Congress Drive P O Box 1265 Nogales, AZ 85628-1265 Phone: 520-761-7800

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

Description
The County was named in the late 17th century by Father Kino. Santa Cruz means "holy cross" in Spanish. The County has Nogales as its seat and the County was created March 15, 1899. The County is located in the south central area of the state.

History
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.

Parent County
15 Mar 1899 - Arizona created Santa Cruz County from land in Pima County. County seat: Nogales This county named for the Santa Cruz River. Look for records in Pima and Santa Cruz 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.

Neighboring Counties

 * Cochise, Arizona
 * Pima, Arizona

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


 * Interment.net Arizona cemetery records by County.

Church
Ward and Branch Records


 * Nogales

Emigration and Immigration

 * 1905-1952 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Civil War

 * 1861-1865 - at FamilySearch — index

World War II

 * 1940-1945 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Obituaries

 * 1959-2014 - at FamilySearch — index

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


 * Many early marriages are listed on the Western States Marriage Index.


 * The Tumacacori National Historical Park has created a website with searchable Spanish Mission Records as well as an annotated bibliography of the Tohono O'odham (Papago Indians). Also included are transcribed marriage records from the Cathedral of Culiacan in Spanish:
 * Part 1
 * Part 2
 * Part 3


 * 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
Pimeria Alta Historical Society 136 North Grand Ave. Nogales, AZ 85621 PO Box 2281 Nogales, AZ 85628 Telephone 520-287-4621 Hours 10-4 Thurs.-Sat

Family History Centers
Introduction to Family History Centers

Nogales Arizona Family History Center

Nogales Arizona 621 W Green Pl Nogales, Santa Cruz, Arizona, United States Telephone: 520-281-0368

This is not a mailing address. Due to limited staff, Family History Centers are unable to respond to mail inquiries.

Websites

 * Santa Cruz County AZGenWeb
 * Santa Cruz 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.
 * FamilySearch Catalog
 * Santa Cruz County, Arizona Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)