Greenlee County, Arizona Genealogy

United States Arizona  Greenlee County

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

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.
 * 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.
 * 30 Dec 1853 - The US bought the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico. It contained land south of the Gila River in present day Arizona and New Mexico. It also settled the International boundary dispute between the United States and Mexico. 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, it became non-county land. 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. Its boundary was stretched across present day Arizona to the Baja California border. It including land that later became part of Greenlee 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 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 where. This will help in determining what jurisdiction your ancestor lived in and where the records are now located.

Neighboring Counties

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

Cemeteries
Franklin Cemetery, Greenlee County, Arizona

Arizona Cemetery Transcription and Photo Project

Church
LDS Ward and Branch Records


 * Clifton
 * Duncan
 * Franklin
 * Morenci
 * York

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.

Web Sites

 * 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)