Santa Cruz County, Arizona Genealogy

United States Arizona Santa Cruz County

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

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

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.
 * 8 June 1854 - all land south of the Gila River was added to the already existing Doña Ana County, New Mexico Territory.  This included land that later became Santa Cruz County, Arizona. Records during this time period may have been sent to the Doña Ana County, New Mexico courthouse.
 * 24 February 1863 - Arizona was created from the western half of New Mexico Territory. All previous counties were dissolved, and eventually four new counties were formed in the new Arizona Territory.

Parent County

 * 15 March 1899 - Santa Cruz County was created from Pima and Cochise Counties. County seat: Nogales

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

 * Cochise, Arizona
 * Pima, Arizona

Cemeteries
Arizona Cemetery Transcription and Photo Project

Church
LDS Ward and Branch Records


 * Nogales

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

The Tumacacori National Historical Parkhas created a website with searchable Spanish Mission Records as well as an annotated bibliography of the Tohono O'odham (Papago Indians). Along with transcribed marriage records from the Cathedral of Culiacan in spanish, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

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 CentersNogales 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.

Web Sites

 * USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
 * Family History Library Catalog
 * Santa Cruz County, Arizona Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)