Graham County, Arizona Genealogy

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

Description
Graham County was created on 10 March 1881 and named after the mountain which was likewise named for Lt. Col James Duncan Graham. It was the first Arizona county to break the tradition of naming counties for Native Americans. Its county seat is Safford. It is located in the southeastern area of the state.

County Courthouse
Graham County Courthouse 800 W Main Street Safford, AZ 85546 Phone: 928-428-3100 Graham County Courthouse

Clerk of Superior Court has marriage, probate, divorce and court records from 1881 and naturalization records 1907-1973. County Recorder has land records.

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

 * 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.
 * 24 Aug 1821 The Treaty of Cordoba was signed by Spain, which recognized Mexico's independence. The land in present day Arizona became part of Mexico. Land north of the Gila River was claimed by the State of Alta California and the State of New Mexico. Land south of the Gila River was in the State of Sonora. Look for records in the Spain and Mexico Archives.
 * 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. The land in present day Graham County was split between the US and Mexico. 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 Graham County, Arizona was once part of Socorro (NM) and Dona Ana (NM) counties of New Mexico.   Look for records in Dona Ana and Socorro counties.
 * 30 Dec 1853 The United States bought the  from Mexico. It contained land in Arizona south of the Gila River, including part of the land in present day Graham 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, it became non-county land. Look for records in the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives.
 * 3 Feb 1855 Dona Ana (NM) gained all the land acquired in the Gadsden Purchase. Its boundary stretched across present day Arizona to the Baja California border. This county included part of the land in present day Graham 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. ''
 *  10 Mar 1909 Arizona created Greenlee County from land in Graham County. This county named for an early Arizona pioneer. Look for records in Graham and Greenlee counties.

See also 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.

Church Records
Church and Branch Records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Artesia, Ashurst, Bryce, Central, Eden, Emery, Ft. Thomas, Graham, Hubbard, Kimball, Layton (Safford), Lebanon, Mathews, Pima, Safford, Solomonsville, Thatcher, Thatcher East and Thatcher West.

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

Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
American Indians
 * 1876-1920- Arizona, Mohave County, Voting Records, 1876-1920 - at FamilySearch, index and images.

Land and Property Records
Graham County Recorders Office 921 Thatcher Blvd Safford AZ 85546 (928) 428-3560

Online Land Indexes and Records
 * Land Search at General Land Office Records
 * Land Records, 1982 to the present at Graham County Recorders Office

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 ($)
 * Graham Guardian(Safford, Ariz.) 1895-1923 is available for searching free Online. Click Browse Issues tab.
 * Safford Rattler (Safford, Ariz.) 1896-189? is also available Online.

Obituaries

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

Other Records

 * 1876-1920- Arizona, Mohave County, Voting Records, 1876-1920 - at FamilySearch, index and images.

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1803-1995 Arizona Wills and Probate Records 1803-1995 at Ancestry.com — index & 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
 * 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

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 ($)
 * 1865-1949 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1871-1964 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1888-1908 Arizona Select Marriages, 1888-1908 at Ancestry — index ($)
 * Western States Marriage Index at BYU Idaho — index; Also at: 

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 ($)

Divorce

 * 1877-1937 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images

FamilySearch Centers

 * Clifton Arizona FamilySearch Center
 * Duncan Arizona FamilySearch Center
 * Safford-Thatcher Arizona FamilySearch Center
 * Forest Lakes Community Library - an affiliate library

Museums
Graham County Historical Society and Museum 3430 W. Main St. (Hwy 70) Thatcher, AZ 85552 Phone: 928-348-0470 Website

Societies
Graham County Historical Society and Museum 3430 W. Main St. (Hwy 70) Thatcher, AZ 85552 Phone: 928-348-0470 Website

Websites

 * Graham County Arizona AZGenWeb
 * Graham 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.