Jefferson County, Colorado Genealogy

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

Description
Jefferson County, commonly referred to as the Gateway to the Rockies, is the fourth most populated county in Colorado. The county runs along the west side of the Denver Metro area along the front range. The county website can be found at Jefferson Co..

County Courthouse
Jefferson County Courthouse 100 Jefferson County Pkwy #2530 Golden, CO 80419-2530 Phone: 303.271.8168 Jefferson County website Jefferson County Vital Records 800 Jefferson County Parkway Golden, CO 80419 303-271-6450 Fax 303-271-6451 Jefferson Co. website Has Birth and Death Certificates County Clerk has marriage records from 1868 and land records from 1860; County Health Department has birth, death and burial records; Clerk District Court has divorce records; County Court has probate and court records

Populated Places
The following are locations in Jefferson County, Colorado:

History Timeline
A chronological history timeline for Jefferson County can be found on the county website.

State and Territory Census Records

 * 1860-1940 Colorado Census Records from 1860 to 1940 at FamilySearch.org — index/images
 * 1885 - Colorado State Census, 1885 at FamilySearch - Index and images
 * 1885 - Colorado State Census, 1885 at Ancestry - ($), Index and images

Federal Census Records
In 1860, present-day Colorado was enumerated in the Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Utah Territories. Colorado Territory was created in 1861 and was enumerated as such in the 1870 Census. The 1880 Census was the first federal census after Colorado became a state in 1876. For links to Federal census indexes, see Colorado Census

Land and Property Records
Online Land Records

For more information see Colorado Land and Property
 * Colorado DPA Land Records - Index only; Choose Record Type, and search either "Land Patents" or "Land Records."
 * Land Patent Search - index to federal patents and homesteads on the Bureau of Land Management website, some images available
 * 1796-1907 - U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907 at Ancestry - index, info taken from Bureau of Land Management website
 * 1861-1936 - U.S. Homestead Records 1861-1936 at Ancestry.com - ($), index and images
 * 1862-1908 - Denver Land Office Records, 1862-1908 at Ancestry.com - ($), index only

Maps and Gazetteers

 * Interactive Formation Boundary Map of Colorado - shows boundary changes for Colorado Counties
 * Colorado Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library

Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Records
 * 1868-1990 - Colorado, State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1868-1990 at Ancestry ($); Index and images
 * 1876-1990 - at FamilySearch - Browseable images only; District Court records

Newspapers
Colorado Newspapers Online
 * Colorado Online Historical Newspapers online - in the Colorado Historic Newspaper Collection by the Colorado State Library
 * Colorado Newspapers at Ancestry.com - ($)
 * GenealogyBank - ($), contains images of Colorado newspapers
 * Newspaper Archive - ($), contains images of Colorado newspapers
 * Chronicling America - contains images of some Colorado newspapers; searching tips
 * Elephind - Free; search engine that retrieves newspaper images from other free newspaper websites

Colorado Newspaper Catalogs
 * U.S. Newspaper Directory, 1690-Present on Chronicling America - contains a list of all known newspapers and the dates they cover; once you locate a newspaper name, contact the local library to see if they have copies of the newspaper

Probate Records
'''Online Records
 * 1875–1974 Colorado Wills and Probate Records 1875-1974 at Ancestry.com — index and images $

Tax Records
1913-1945 Colorado State Archives has put the Jefferson County Inheritance Tax Records Index for 1913-1945 on-line.

Vital Records
See also the Colorado Vital Records.

Birth
Birth records may become public records when 100 years have elapsed after the date of birth. EXCEPTION: The birth record of any individual who is known to be currently alive will remain confidential even if they are 100 years of age or greater.

For in-state births from 1903 to present, certificates can be obtained from Jefferson County Vital Statistics office. For birth certificates before 1903 contact the county where the birth occurred or the State Health Department at (303) 756-4464.

If you are obtaining a birth certificate for a sibling, parent, grandparent, etc., you will need to show chain of relationship. Examples are: A sibling could provide their birth certificate to show same parents. If you are trying to get a grandparent's birth certificate you will need to show your birth certificate, plus your parent's birth certificate to show chain of relationship. If you have questions on this please call our office at 303-271-6450.

Marriage
The Jefferson County Recorder's office will search their indexes if you call or come in to the office. If a record is found, a copy can be purchased in person or by mail. Call 303-271-8121.

Online Records
 * 1809-2011 - Western States Marriage Index, 1809-2011 - Index, incomplete, list of counties included
 * 1853-2006 - at FamilySearch.org - Index and images
 * 1862-2006 - Colorado, County Marriages and State Indexes, 1862-2006 at Ancestry ($), Index and images
 * 1864-1995 - at FamilySearch - Index and images
 * 1900-1939 - Colorado, Statewide Marriage Index, 1900-1939 at Ancestry.com - ($); Browseable images of original index

Death
Death records may become public records when 75 years have elapsed after the date of death.

Certificates can be obtained from the Jefferson County Vital Statistics office.To obtain a recent death certificate, you must show a direct and tangible interest to the deceased. Relatives include wife, mother, father, child (if they are listed on the death certificate). If they are not listed on the death certificate they must show proof of relationship. This would include maternal grandparents, paternal grandparents, siblings if they can prove chain of relationship. If you have questions on this please call our office at 303-271-6450.

Divorce
All divorces and divorce records are handled by the Jefferson County Combined Courts, Colorado Judicial District 1. Please contact their office directly at 303-271-6145 or Fax: 303-271-6188.

Jefferson County Combined Courts 100 Jefferson County Parkway Golden CO 80401

Online Records
 * 1851-1985 Colorado, Divorce Index, 1851-1985 at Ancestry - ($); Index only
 * 1900-1939 - at FamilySearch - Browseable images of original index

Archives
1862-1977 Jefferson County Probates 1864-1886 Jefferson County Civil Cases 1868-1930 Jefferson County Coroner Reports 1913-1945 Jefferson County Inheritance

Family History Centers

 * Arvada Colorado Family History Center
 * Columbine Colorado Family History Center (Littleton)
 * Golden Colorado Family History Center
 * Lakewood Colorado Family History Center

Libraries
Jefferson County Public Library 10200 W 20th Ave Lakewood, CO 80215 Phone: (303) 235-5275 Jefferson Co. Public Lib. website

Societies
List of all societies for Jefferson County can be found on their County website.

Foothills Genealogical Society of Colorado, Inc. PO Box 150382 Lakewood, CO 80215-0382 Telephone: 303-935-9192 E-mail: [mailto:foothillsgensoc@yahoo.com foothillsgensoc@yahoo.com] website

Golden Landmarks Association 14th and Washington St. PO Box 1136 Golden, Colorado 80402-1136 Telephone: 303-279-1236 website

Websites

 * - 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
 * Jefferson County, Colorado Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)