Maricopa County, Arizona Genealogy

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

Description
Maricopa County was created on 14 February 1871 with Phoenix as its county seat. The county is located in the south-central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Maricopa County Courthouse 201 W. Jefferson Street Phoenix, AZ 85003 Phone: 602-506-3204 Maricopa County Courthouse

Clerk Superior Court has marriage records from 1877, divorce records from 1930, probate and court records from 1871. 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:

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

History Timeline



 * Until 1821 Spain controlled the land, called New Spain, that later would become Arizona. Records may have been sent to the archives in Seville, Spain or to archives in Mexico City.
 * In 1821 - Mexico obtained jurisdiction over the land that later would become Arizona. Records 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.
 * 4 July 1848 In the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, Mexico ceded part of present day Arizona. The land south of the Gila River in Arizona was not ceded, it remained in control of Mexico. The land in present day Maricopa 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. The north part of the land in present day Maricopa County was then in Socorro (NM).   Look for records in Socorro County.
 * 30 Dec 1853 The United States bought the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico. It contained land south of the Gila River in present day Arizona, including the south part of present day Maricopa 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. 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. This included the south part of present day Maricopa 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 two counties: Pima and Yavapai counties. These counties named for Indian tribes. Look for records in Pima andYavapai counties.
 * 14 Feb 1871 Arizona created Maricopa County from land in Yavapai County. ''
 * 1 Feb 1875 Arizona created Pinal County from lands in Maricopa and Pima counties. This county named for the Pinal mountains. Look for records in Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties.
 * 31 Jan 1877 Maricopa county gained land from Yavapai county, and lost a small area along the Gila River to Pima. Look for records in Maricopa, Pima, and Yavapai counties.
 * 8 February 1881 Gila County was created from lands in Maricopa and Pinal Counties.  This county named for the Gila River. Look for records in the Gila, Maricopa, and Pima 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
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ward and Branch Records:  Alma, Avondale, Buckeye, Capitol (Phoenix), Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Lehi, Mesa, Mesa 1st, Mesa 2nd, Mesa 3rd, Mesa 4th, Mesa 5th, Mesa 6th, Mesa 7th, Mesa 8th, Papago, Phoenix, Phoenix 1st, Phoenix 2nd, Phoenix 3rd, Phoenix 4th, Phoenix 5th, Scottsdale, Spanish-American and Tempe.

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

Land and Property Records
Online Land Indexes and Records
 * Land Search at General Land Office Records
 * Land Records, 1871 to the present at County Recorder
 * Dates Vary United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search at FamilySearch - incomplete index and images, counties and dates vary

Maps and Gazetteers
1895 Map of Maricopa county Arizona
 * 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 ($)
 * The Arizona Republic
 * The Phoenix Gazette
 * The East Valley Tribune (previously: The Mesa Tribune) microfilm copies of back issues found at
 * Mesa Public Library  64 E First St Mesa, AZ 85201 480-644-2207
 * Maricopa county AZ Newpapers found at the Library of Congress

Obituaries
Online Obituary Records
 * 1860-1993 Arizona obituary card index, 1860-present - Digitization of images from the FamilySearch microfilmed collection; incomplete - more images will be added over time
 * 1948-2008 at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection
 * 1959-2014 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
 * 1993-1994 — index - How to Use this Collection
 * The Mesa Public Library will do an obituary look up for The Arizona Republic for a fee.
 * Maricopa County, Arizona Obituary Collection From GenealogyBuff.com ~ Free for obits and death notices from Various Funeral Homes in the Sun City, East Mesa, Peoria, Chandler, and Surprise areas.

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1803-1995 Arizona Wills and Probate Records 1803-1995 at Ancestry.com — index & images ($)
 * 1870-1930 at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection
 * Dates Vary United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search at FamilySearch - incomplete index and images, counties and dates vary

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

FamilySearch Centers

 * Chandler Arizona West FamilySearch Center
 * Glendale Arizona FamilySearch Center
 * Mesa Arizona Kimball East FamilySearch Center
 * Paradise Valley Arizona FamilySearch Center
 * Phoenix Arizona FamilySearch Center
 * Phoenix Arizona Hispanic FamilySearch Center
 * Scottsdale Arizona Camelback FamilySearch Center
 * Tempe Arizona FamilySearch Center
 * Forest Lakes Community Library - an affiliate library

Museums
George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center 415 E Grant St Phoenix, AZ 85023 Facebook Email: [mailto:carvermuseumaz@gmail.com carvermuseumaz@gmail.com] Website Gilbert Historical Museum Facebook Website Mesa Historical Museum Website San Tan Historical Museum Website Scottsdale Historical Museum Website Closed until further notice Sun Cities Museum Website

Societies
Arizona Historical Society, Arizona Heritage Center 1300 N College Ave. Tempe, AZ 85281 Phone: 480-929-0292 Email: [mailto:ahsadmin@azhs.org ahsadmin@azhs.org] Facebook Website Arizona Jewish Historical Society 122 E Culver St Phoenix, AZ 85004 Phone: 602-241-7870 Email: [mailto:jschesnol@azjhs.org jschesnol@azjhs.org] Facebook Website Family History Society of Arizona Website Glendale Arizona Historical Society Website Phoenix Genealogical Society Facebook Website San Tan Historical Society Website Sun Cities Area Historical Society Website Tempe Historical Society Website West Valley Genealogical Society Website

Websites

 * Maricopa County AZGenWeb
 * Maricopa County, Arizona Genealogy and Family History) at Linkpendium
 * Maricopa County Genealogy
 * – 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.