Step-by-Step Arizona Research, 1850-1910

Arizona Step-by-Step Research 1850--1910 Step-by-Step Research 1910--present Step-by-Step Research 1850--1910

Step 1: Find out everything possible from living relatives and their family records.
Every good genealogy project starts with finding all the clues that can be gathered from living relatives — both from their memories and from documents or memorabilia in their homes.

What are the best questions to ask?
In order to extend research, ask for names, dates, and places. Everything about who a relative was and when and where they lived is a clue to a new record search. For ideas, see :
 * Fifty Questions for Family History Interviews What to Ask the Relatives
 * Genealogy: 150 questions to ask family members about their lives
 * Creating Oral Histories

What documents should be collected or copied?
Because these records cover names, dates, places, and relationships, they are a valuable source of clues. Look for them in your home, your parents' home, and ask living grandparents to check for them.

Step 2: Find ancestors in every possible census record, 1850-1950, online.
A census is a count and description of the population of a country, state, county, or city for a given date. A census took a "snapshot" of a family on a certain day. For each person living in a household (depending on the year). their name, age, birthplace, relationship to head of household, place of birth for father and mother, citizenship status, year of immigration, mother of how many children and number of children living, native language, and whether they were a veteran of the military can be listed.



Look for ancestors in as many censuses as possible. Use the clues from each census for hints where to find families in both earlier and later census records.
- For more information, see Arizona Census and United States Census.

Step 3: Try to find additional details about your ancestors in death certificates, Social Security, obituary and cemetery records online.
There are record collections available, based upon a person's death: death certificates, Social Security records, obituaries, and cemetery records. These are a great source for more details about a person. Here are some examples; notice the level of details available.

Death Indexes

 * 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 ($)
 * 1910-1911, 1933-1994 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index; Also at: Ancestry($)

Ordering Certificates from the Arizona Vital Records Department.
The full original certificate will contain information not contained in the index. Although it costs money, consider sending for the full original certificates, particularly for direct line ancestors (grandparents, great-grandparents, etc).


 * Where to Write for AArizona Birth, Marriage, Death and Divorce Records

U.S. Social Security Death Index
The U.S. Social Security program began in 1935 but most deaths recorded in the index happened after 1962. The Social Security Death index includes those who had a Social Security number and/or applied for benefits. The index entries give the person's full birth date, last known residence, and residence at the time they first enrolled. Women are listed under their married name at the time of their death. You can search these records online at. Also at Ancestry.com, ($), index.
 * 1935-2014 US Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 at Ancestry — index ($)
 * 1936-2007 US Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry — index ($)
 * 1962-2014 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index

The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process, including valuable details such as birth date, birth place, and parents’ names. The deceased would have to be at least 75 years old today for their parents' names to be published in the index. You will not find everybody who is listed in the SSDI, as criteria for inclusion differs.

If you find your ancestor in the SSDI index, you can order a copy of their original Social Security application (SS-5). If you can prove the individual has died (by sending an obituary or copy of their cemetery headstone), the application will also give the deceased's parents' names, if listed, the date and place of birth, current residence and employer.

Example of an SSDI Entry: Example of a Social Security Application and Claims Index Entry:

'''Obituaries

 * Online Arizona Death Records &amp; Indexes
 * Arizona Obituary Archive
 * Native American Obituaries Digitized with full name index.
 * GenealogyBuff Arizona
 * — index and images
 * — index and images

Cemeteries
Example of a FindAGrave record.
 * Findagrave.com
 * at FamilySearch - How to Use This Collection
 * U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current at Ancestry
 * Billion Graves
 * at FamilySearch - How to Use This Collection
 * BillionGraves Index at Findmypast ($)
 * at FamilySearch — How to Use This Collection
 * Arizona Cemetery at at AccessGenealogy
 * Arizona Cemetery Records at Interment
 * at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection
 * Arizona Gravestones Photo Project at Arizona Gravestones
 * Arizona Tombstone Transcription Project at USGenWeb Transcription Project
 * Online Arizona Obituary and Cemetery Indexes at DeathIndexes
 * Pioneer Cemeteries at Pioneers' Cemeteries Association - PDF lists
 * Arizona Cemeteries at American Pioneer and Cemetery Research Project

Step 4: Search for county birth and marriage records online.
Vital records registration of births and marriages at the state level started in 1905. Prior to that the individual counties kept the records. The starting dates of those records vary from county to county, depending on when the county was formed.

Online Records
Births (and Deaths)
 * Arizona Genealogy Birth Certificates, 1855-1939 Index and images
 * Index and images

Marriages
 * Arizona Marriage Collection, 1864-1982 ($)
 * Arizona, Select Marriages, 1888-1908 ($)
 * Western States Marriage Index
 * Web: Western States Marriage Index, 1809-2011 ($)

Records at the County Courthouse.
These records were originally created by county clerks, and then copies were sent to the state. County clerks can be willing to help find all the birth records for one family or perform other searches that the state would not do. To contact county clerks by e-mail or telephone, go to the Wiki article for each county. Links to the county Wiki articles are found at the end of this page or by clicking here: Arizona Counties.

For more information on birth, marriage, and death records in Arizona, see How to Find Arizona Birth Records, How to Find Arizona Marriage Records, and How to Find Arizona Death Records.

Step 5: Look for church records online.
Church records function as vital records. Church records are particularly helpful prior to the advent of civil registration.
 * An infant christening or baptism record documents a birth.
 * Many, if not most, people are married in a church, and then a record is created by the minister.
 * Likewise, ministers presided over funerals, then creating a burial record, which documents a death.



FamilySearch

 * 1909-1917 Arizona, births and christenings, 1909-1917, index
 * 1910-1911; 1933-1994 Arizona, deaths and burials, 1910-1911; 1933-1994, index
 * 1865-1949 Arizona, marriages, 1865-1949, index

Episcopal

 * 1889-1971 Episcopal Diocese of Arizona church records : jurisdiction of New Mexico and Arizona, 1889-1971, images

Presbyterian

 * 1701-1970 U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970, index and images, incomplete.($)

- For help with church records kept in Arizona, see Arizona Church Records. To search records by denomination, if you know your ancestors religion, go to Searching for Church Records by Denomination.

Step 6: Search military records: World War I and II draft cards online.
Information in military records can vary from a simple lists of name, age, and residence, to more detailed records including name, residence, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace, physical description, number of dependents, pensions received, disabled veterans, needy veterans, widows or orphans of veterans, and other information.

World War 1 Draft Registration
During three separate registrations, men born between 1873-1897 were required to register in the draft for World War I. Example of a World War I draft card.

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World War II Draft Registration
The Fourth Registration, or Old Man’s Registration, was held on April 27, 1942. The purpose of this registration was to collect information on industrial capacity and skills of men who were born between April 27, 1877 and February 16, 1897 (ages 45 to 64). This draft registration was not intended to be used just for military service but to provide a complete inventory of manpower resources in the United States that could be utilized for national service during World War II. Example of a World War II draft card. - For more information on a wide variety of military records, see Arizona Military Records.
 * , index and images.
 * , index and images.

Step 7: If any ancestor was an immigrant, search immigration and naturalization records online.
The census records may show that your ancestor was born in another country. It will be necessary to try to find the town or city they were born in to continue research in that country. The next goal is to search immigration records (usually passenger lists) and naturalization (citizenship) records. Immigration refers to people coming into a country, such as the United States, and emigration refers to people leaving a country to go to another. Usually these records are passenger lists of the ships they sailed on. A typical record will show name, age, and country of origin, but records after 1892 often list the actual town of last residence and later, the town of birth. The later passenger lists can also list the next of kin still living in the old country and their residence, and the names of relatives and the place they are traveling to.

Census clues to Immigration records
Census records can provide important clues about nationality and immigration. This chart lists data that can be found in each of the census records. Gather the information in the census records specifically about immigration, as it will help narrow down your search.


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Immigration records
There are too many immigration records to list here. Click here to see a complete list of available immigration records online. Notice that they are listed by state, but under the letter "U" there is a long list of records that cover all of the United States. Unless family information tells you the port where family arrived, you will need to search all of the United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records for the time period when your ancestors arrived. Here are the immigration records specific to Arizona:
 * Border Crossings:From Mexico to U.S., 1895-1964 Index and images ($)
 * , images only
 * , images only

Naturalization (Citizenship) Records
Naturalization is the process of becoming a citizen. Records can include the immigrant's declaration of intent to become a citizen, petition, and final citizenship papers. Also locate both the declaration of intent and the petition. Naturalization records after 1906 can give birth date and place, spouse's name, marriage date and place, and lists of children with their birth dates. Records before 1906 usually include less information although, some county clerks would add more information then necessary making it important to always search for the records even if the naturalization happened before 1906. For more information regarding the naturalization process go to: Beginning Research in United States Naturalization Records wiki page.

Arizona Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records

 * U.S., Naturalization Records - Original Documents, (World Archives Project) for Arizona, 1864-1955 - U.S. District Court ($)
 * Arizona, State Court Naturalization Records, 1869-1976, index, images, incomplete, ($).
 * Arizona, Naturalization Records, 1909-1991, index & images ($).
 * Arizona, Naturalization Records, 1912-1991, images/index ($)

Local histories

 * Published histories of towns, counties, and states usually contain biographies and accounts of early or prominent families.
 * Here are several websites that feature online copies of printed county histories:
 * Hathi Trust Digital Library. Don't use the keywords Arizona; that will bring up too many hits. Just use the name of the county and "county": for example, "Hyde County"
 * Google Books. Use keywords "Arizona" and the county name. Hits will list online readable books, lists of libraries that carry the book, and purchasing opportunities.
 * Family History Books
 * Internet Archive.Use keywords "Arizona" and the county name.
 * Genealogy Book Links, Arizona. Browse list; county histories are interspersed.
 * Ancestry.com, ($). In the Card Catalog search box, use Arizona and the name of the county.


 * Local histories are extensively collected by the FamilySearch Library, public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies. If you have access to the FamilySearch Library or a FamilySearch center, you can find out about local histories the library has by checking the FamilySearch Catalog. In the "place" field, type the name of your county and select it from the drop down list, then click "Search". A list of subheadings for the county will appear. Local histories containing genealogies and biographies will be found under Biography, Genealogy, History, and History - Indexes.


 * Also, in  Step 11, you will be contacting a county history society. Societies often have a good selection of printed histories about the area. Some may be search history for you for a fee.

Biographies
These collections of Arizona biographies can be searched online. Most have a table of contents and an index. Or you can use the "Find" function on your computer.
 * A Historical and biographical record of the territory of Arizona, ($). Images, partial index.
 * A Historical and biographical record of the territory of Arizona, ($). Images, partial index.
 * Arizona Memory Project. Index.
 * Who's who in Arizona, 1913, e-book
 * Portrait and biographical record of Arizona, 1901

Step 9: Write to a county for wills and probate indexes.
For more information, see U.S. Probate Records Class Handout.

County probate records

 * Arizona probate records include probate proceedings, petitions, affidavits, orders for sales, reports of sales, administrators' and executors' bonds, guardianship papers, wills, and letters of administration. In a will book, usually just a transcription of the will is recorded. But all of these other records are kept in a probate packet. Administrations are probate proceedings that handled an estate if no known will existed.

Currently, these records are microfilmed and digitized:
 * Arizona, Wills and Probate Records, 1803-1995, ($), index and images, incomplete.
 * Arizona, Wills and Probate Records, 1866-1974 at http://search.ancestry.com/ Ancestry.com] — index and images $


 * Eventually more of these records may become available online.


 * In the meantime, this online directory by Genealogy Inc. will enable you to arrange to have them searched for a fee: Click on the map to select a county, then scroll down to the Courthouse and Government Records to find the address and phone number of the County Clerk of Court. Ask them about the years covered by their probate records and their procedure and fees for ordering copies probate packets. When you write, always ask for the full probate packet, not just the will or administration.

Step 10: Search land records online.

 * These records will give the name of the owner, the date they obtained the land, the county, and the exact location of the land. They can contain clues to family members who shared ownership of the land, sold or gave land to a child, or witnessed the sale. Sometimes they show the previous or new residence of the parties to the deed. They can be useful in tracking an ancestor who lived in more than one county in Arizona. With the additional county name where the family lived, the probate and vital records of that county can then be searched.
 * Images only.
 * Arizona Land Patents online. Index.
 * The County Recorder. Online searchable land records for Arizona.

Step 11: Contact a county historical or genealogical society.
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 * Historical societies have collections that are frequently little known and often overlooked.
 * Many have a surname file, where they have collected genealogies, newspaper clippings, old photographs, etc.
 * Many have a sort of "pioneer ancestor" program, where people can submit pedigrees to prove they are the descendants of an early resident of the area.
 * Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia.
 * Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia.


 * Find the society on the internet, and they may list their holdings. Or call them on the phone, find out what they have, and find out what arrangements can be made to search their collection. Frequently, one of their members can be hired to search the collection for you.

This online directory by GenealogyInc. lists historical and genealogical societies by county: Click on the map to select a county, then scroll down to the historical or genealogical society listings. Here is an example of an internet website for a local genealogical society.

Historical Images
Records collected and digitized by FamilySearch can all be found through their Historical Images feature.
 * Arizona, United States Historical Images, New Version
 * Arizona, United States Historical Images, Old Version

Arizona Online Genealogy Records
Search any other online records listed in Arizona Online Genealogy Records. The steps given here are intended to list record sources which can most efficiently identify descendants. Many other online records which might or might not mention descendants are listed in the Arizona Online Genealogy Records page, including immigration records, land records, military records, newspapers, and probate records, and others. These can be records that cover a smaller group within the population, such as men who served in the military, etc.
 * Arizona Online Genealogy Records

Step 13: Study the Research Wiki pages for any county in Arizona.
This article focused more on Arizona state or state-wide records. There is a separate Wiki article for each county in Arizona. These articles give information, office addresses, and links to county records.