Cochise County, Arizona Genealogy

United StatesArizona Cochise County

County Courthouse
Cochise County Courthouse P O Box CK, Bisbee, Az 85603 Phone 520-432-9200

Clerk Superior Court has marriage divorce, probate and court records County Records has land records

"The main office in Bisbee is the records repository. We are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for government holidays. Many of our older records are stored in an upstairs Archives Section. There may be a wait of up to an hour when asked to retrieve these records so please be prepared for this."

"Cochise County, Clerk of the Superior Court" Marriage, Divorce and Probate Records 100 Quality Hill P.O. Box CK Bisbee, AZ 85603 Phone: 520-432-8570 Fax: 520-432-4850

The Clerk of the Superior Court officially maintains all civil, domestic, criminal, juvenile and probate records. The Clerk takes and transcribes all court minutes for all court proceedings; is the Registrar of Probate matters; issues and records marriage licenses.

Cochise County Recorder Land Records and Voting 1415 Melody Lane Bldg. B Bisbee, AZ 85603 Phone: (520) 432-8350 Fax: (520) 432-8368

"Instruments recorded include real estate transactions, mortgages, deed of trust, family trusts, personal property, tax liens, mining locations, subdivision plats, records of survey, military discharges, official appointments of office, and other documents required to be made of public record. The second major duty concerns elections since the County Recorder is also the registrar of voters for the county. This involves maintaining the county register, conducting early voting, verifying petition signatures, lists for political parties and candidates, and jury lists."

Parent County

 * Until 1821 - New Spain controlled the 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 Cochise County, Arizona. Some records of this period may have been sent to archives in Mexico City.
 * 4 July 1848 - In the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, Mexico ceded a small part of northeast Cochise County in present day Arizona. Part of the international boundary was in dispute. The land south of the Gila River in present day Arizona was not ceded, it remained in control of 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 boundary of Dona Ana County was expanded to include some land in present day Cochise County Arizona. But most of the land that later became Cochise County still belonged to Mexico. Look for records in the Mexico Archives and  Dona Ana County.
 * 3 Feb 1855 - Dona Ana County gained all the land acquired in the Gadsden Purchase.  It included all the land that is now Cochise 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 County. This county is named for the Pima Indians. It included all the land in present day Cochise County. Look for records in Pima County.

1 February 1881--Cochise County was created 1 February 1881 from Pima County. County seat: Bisbee

“Cochise County is one of only three counties in the State without an Indian Reservation. The County is comprised of 6,251 square miles, with the City of Bisbee serving as the County seat since 1929.”

Arizona Genealogy and History, Cochise County History.

Boundary Changes
14 Mar 1968 - Cochise County gained a very small amount of land from Santa Cruz County when the boundary was redefined to run along the east line of range 18 east.

See also 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

 * Graham, Arizona
 * Greenlee, Arizona
 * Hidalgo County, New Mexico
 * Pima, Arizona
 * Santa Cruz, Arizona

Biographies
Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, Biographical Index Search

Cemeteries

 * Evergreen Cemetery searchable database from The Bisbee Mining &amp; Historical Museum.
 * Cemeteries of Cochise County with transcriptions from the Cochise Genealogical Society.
 * Mortuary &amp; Cemetery Locations from the Cochise Genealogical Society.
 * Arizona Gravestones lists most of the cemeteries in Cochise county and most of the graves in those cemeteries have a free picture of the gravestone.

Census
Early School Census Records from the Cochise Genealogical Society.

1864 Territorial Census (A-Z) from the Cochise Genealogical Society.


 * Names Beginning With: A, B, C, D-F, G, H-K, L, M-Mi, Mo-O, P-Ri, Ro-Rz, S, T-W, X-Z

The 1890 Territorial Great Register (A-Z) from the Cochise Genealogical Society.


 * Names Beginning With: A-E, F-K, L-R, S-Z

Paper copies of specific pages of the Federal population census can be ordered through the National Archives in Washington, DC either online (using NARA's Microfilm Catalog) or you can download the NATF Form 82, print it, and send it through the mail.

How to Use NARA's Census Microfilm Catalogs

Churches
LDS Ward and Branch Records: Bisbee, Douglas, Miramonte, Pomerene, St. David, San Pedro and Whitewater.

Court System
Justice Court No. 1 (Bisbee) 207 N. Judd Dr., Bisbee, Arizona 85603 Phone: 520-432-9540

Justice Court No. 2 (Douglas) 661 G Ave., Douglas, Arizona 85607 Phone: 520-805-5640

Justice Court No. 3 (Benson) 126 W. 5th Street, Ste. 1, Benson, Arizona 85602 Phone: 520-586-8100

Justice Court No. 4 (Willcox) 450 S. Haskell Ave., Willcox, Arizona 85644 Phone: 520-384-7000

Justice Court No. 5 (Sierra Vista) 100 Colonia De Salud, Ste. 108, Sierra Vista, Arizona Phone: 520-803-3800

Justice Court No. 6 (Bowie) 201 N. Central Ave., Bowie, Arizona 85605 Phone: 520-847-2303

Superior Court Divisions I-III (Bisbee) 100 Quality Hill, 1st Floor, Bisbee, Arizona 85603 Phone: 520-432-8520

Superior Court Division IV (Sierra Vista) 100 Colonia De Salud, Suite 108, Sierra Vista, Arizona Phone: 520-803-3800

Superior Court Division V (Bisbee) 4 Ledge Ave., 2nd Floor, Bisbee, Arizona 85603 Phone: 520-432-8480

"Cochise County’s records date back to Territorial days when it was carved out of a portion of Pima County on February 1, 1881. Records are available for you to research in person, free of charge at the courthouse in Bisbee. If you want the Clerk’s office to research a record for you it will cost $26.00 for each search request (Arizona law governs our fees). Our records index is available electronically, for certain case types, dating back to 1996. If you find your case number or book and page number for a marriage record it will save you $26.00 in research fees." Public Access to Court Information

Immigration
Arizona USGenWeb Archives, Cochise County Naturalizations - Declarations of Intent 1881-1897

National Archives and Records Administration has microfilm publications related to Mexican Border Crossing Records for Arizona and a few other states.

Arizona Ports

Ajo Arizona

'' A3377, Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Ajo, Lukeville, and Sonoyta (Sonoita), Arizona, Jan. 1919-Dec. 1952, and at Los Ebanos, Texas, Dec. 1950-May 1955 (2 rolls) '' - "Contains over 6,400 alien arrivals at these Arizona ports of entry. Arrivals at Ajo are interfiled with those from Lukeville and Sonoyta (Sonoita) on rolls 1 and 2 in four record series: (1) index to manifests of aliens admitted for permanent residence, Jan. 1919-June 1924; (2) manifests of aliens admitted for permanent residence, Jan. 1919-June 1924; (3) manifests of aliens admitted for permanent residence and aliens readmitted as returning U.S. residents, July 1924-ca. Dec. 1952; and (4) manifests of aliens admitted temporarily, July 1924-ca. Dec. 1952. Series 1, 3, and 4 are alphabetically arranged. Series 2 is chronologically arranged, but is indexed by Series 1."

Aros Ranch, Arizona

 A3365, Lists of Aliens Arriving at Brownsville, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, El Paso, Laredo, Presidio, Rio Grande City, and Roma, Texas, May 1903-June 1909, and at Aros Ranch, Douglas, Lochiel, Naco, and Nogales, Arizona, July 1906-December 1910 (5 rolls)  - "Contains lists arranged chronologically by quarter-year, then by port of arrival. Arrivals at Aros Ranch, Feb.-Sept. 1908 and Jan.-Mar. 1909, are on rolls 3 and 4."

Douglas, Arizona

 M1759, Nonstatistical Manifests and Statistical Index Cards of Aliens Arriving at Douglas, Arizona, July 1908-December 1952 (4 rolls)  - "Contains over 43,000 alphabetically-arranged records."

Lochiel, Arizona

 A3365, Lists of Aliens Arriving at Brownsville, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, El Paso, Laredo, Presidio, Rio Grande City, and Roma, Texas, May 1903-June 1909, and at Aros Ranch, Douglas, Lochiel, Naco, and Nogales, Arizona, July 1906-December 1910 (5 rolls)  - "Contains lists arranged chronologically by quarter-year, then by port of arrival. Arrivals at Lochiel, July-Dec. 1908, are on rolls 3 and 4."

Lukeville, Arizona

'' A3377, Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Ajo, Lukeville, and Sonoyta (Sonoita), Arizona, Jan. 1919-Dec. 1952, and at Los Ebanos, Texas, Dec. 1950-May 1955 (2 rolls) '' - "Contains over 6,400 alien arrivals at these Arizona ports of entry. Arrivals at Lukeville are interfiled with those from Ajo and Sonoyta (Sonoita) on rolls 1 and 2 in four record series: (1) index to manifests of aliens admitted for permanent residence, Jan. 1919-June 1924; (2) manifests of aliens admitted for permanent residence, Jan. 1919-June 1924; (3) manifests of aliens admitted for permanent residence and aliens readmitted as returning U.S. residents, July 1924-ca. Dec. 1952; and (4) manifests of aliens admitted temporarily, July 1924-ca. Dec. 1952. Series 1, 3, and 4 are alphabetically arranged. Series 2 is chronologically arranged, but is indexed by Series 1."

Naco, Arizona

 A3365, Lists of Aliens Arriving at Brownsville, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, El Paso, Laredo, Presidio, Rio Grande City, and Roma, Texas, May 1903-June 1909, and at Aros Ranch, Douglas, Lochiel, Naco, and Nogales, Arizona, July 1906-December 1910 (5 rolls)  - "Contains lists arranged chronologically by quarter-year, then by port of arrival. Arrivals at Naco, July 1906-June 1909, are on rolls 1 through 5."

 A3372, Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Naco, Arizona, 1908-1952 (18 rolls)  - "Reproduces over 105,000 index cards and related manifests in four record series: (1) index to statistical manifests, nonstatistical manifests, and agricultural laborer manifests (all interfiled), 1908-1924; (2) statistical manifests, May 1908-June 1924; (3) manifests of aliens admitted for permanent residence, July 1924-ca. Dec. 1952; and (4) manifests of aliens admitted temporarily, July 1924-ca. Dec. 1952. Series 1, 3, and 4 are alphabetically arranged. Series 2 is chronologically arranged but is indexed by Series 1."

Nogales, Arizona

 A3365, Lists of Aliens Arriving at Brownsville, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, El Paso, Laredo, Presidio, Rio Grande City, and Roma, Texas, May 1903-June 1909, and at Aros Ranch, Douglas, Lochiel, Naco, and Nogales, Arizona, July 1906-December 1910 (5 rolls)  - "Contains lists arranged chronologically by quarter-year, then by port of arrival. Arrivals at Nogales, Sept. 1906-June 1909, are on rolls 1 through 5."

 M1769, Index and Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Nogales, Arizona, 1905-1952 (74 rolls)  - "Reproduces over 455,000 manifests and related index cards of alien arrivals in four record series: (1) index to statistical manifests interfiled with nonstatistical manifests, ca. 1905-ca. 1926; (2) statistical manifests, July 5, 1905-Oct. 1924; (3) aliens admitted for permanent residence and applications for resident alien border crossing identification cards, July 1924-1952; and (4) aliens admitted for temporary visits, 1927-1952. Series 1, 3, and 4 are alphabetically arranged. Series 2 is chronologically arranged but is indexed by Series 1."

San Luis, Arizona

 M1504, Manifests and Alien Arrivals at San Luis, Arizona, July 24, 1929-December 1952 (2 rolls)  - "Reproduces over 7,900 records of arrival manifests in two alphabetically-arranged record series: (1) aliens admitted for permanent residence and (2) aliens admitted for temporary visits."

Sasabe/San Fernando, Arizona

 M1850, Index and Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Sasabe/San Fernando, Arizona, 1919-1952 (3 rolls)  - "Contains over 7,500 arrivals in five record series: (1) index to statistical manifests, Jan. 1, 1919-June 30, 1924; (2) statistical and permanent manifests, Jan. 1, 1919-June 30, 1924; (3) manifests of aliens readmitted as returning U.S. residents, July 1, 1924-1952; (4) nonstatistical and temporary manifests, 1927-1952; and (5) statistical and permanent manifests, 1919. Series 1, 3, and 4 are alphabetically-arranged; series 2 is chronologically-arranged but indexed by series 1; and series 5 is unarranged."

Sonoyta (Sonoita), Arizona

'' A3377, Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Ajo, Lukeville, and Sonoyta (Sonoita), Arizona, Jan. 1919-Dec. 1952, and at Los Ebanos, Texas, Dec. 1950-May 1955 (2 rolls) ''- "Contains over 6,400 alien arrivals at these Arizona ports of entry. Arrivals at Sonoyta (Sonoita) are interfiled with those from Ajo and Lukeville on rolls 1 and 2 in four record series: (1) index to manifests of aliens admitted for permanent residence, Jan. 1919-June 1924; (2) manifests of aliens admitted for permanent residence, Jan. 1919-June 1924; (3) manifests of aliens admitted for permanent residence and aliens readmitted as returning U.S. residents, July 1924-ca. Dec. 1952; and (4) manifests of aliens admitted temporarily, July 1924-ca. Dec. 1952. Series 1, 3, and 4 are alphabetically arranged. Series 2 is chronologically arranged, but is indexed by Series 1."

Land
The Cochise County Recorder has records of land transactions going back to the founding of the county in 1881. Records from 1989 to the present can be searched online. For earlier records, you may have the office staff search the records for you for a fee of $26 per year searched. If you visit the offices, there is no charge to search, except for copies.

Most of the land in Arizona was originally obtained from the US federal government by a patent. These General Land Office Records are available and searchable free of charge. The minimum information needed for a search is the state where the land is located and the name of the person receiving the patent. Surveys and Land Status Records can also be searched here.

Local Histories
 City of Willcox 

Klump, Kathy, and Peta-Anne Tenney for the Sulphur Springs Valley Historical Society. Images of America: Willcox. Arcadia Publishing, 2009.

Schultz, Vernon B. Southwestern Town: The Story of Willcox, Arizona. Fabe Litho, Ltd., 1994.

Maps
1895 Map of Cochise County Arizona

Newspapers
Arizona Range News (Willcox, Arizona) 122 S. Haskell (85643), P.O. Box 1155, Willcox, AZ 85644 Phone: (520) 384-3571 Fax: (520) 384-3572 E-Mail: [mailto:rangenews@willcoxrangenews.com rangenews@willcoxrangenews.com] Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to noon

Issues from 2006-2009 available in Google News Archive

Douglas Dispatch (Douglas, Arizona) 530 E 11th Street, Douglas AZ 85607 Phone: (520) 364-3424 Fax: (520) 364-6750

Ancestry.com has a searchable database for the Douglas Dispatch ($Paid Subscription Necessary)

San Pedro Valley News-Sun (Benson, Arizona) 200 S. Ocotillo Ave., P.O. Box 1000, Benson, AZ 85602 Phone: (520) 586-3382 Fax: (520) 586-2382 E-Mail: [mailto:newssun@bensonnews-sun.com newssun@bensonnews-sun.com] Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sierra Vista Herald (Sierra Vista, Arizona) 102 Fab Ave., Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 Phone: 520-458-9440

Tombstone News (Tombstone, Arizona) P.O. Box 1760, Tombstone, Arizona 85638 Phone: 520-457-3086 Fax: 520-457-3126 Email: [mailto:editor@thetombstonenews.com editor@thetombstonenews.com]

Cochise county AZ Newspapers found at Library of Congress

Probate
Cochise County Clerk of the Superior Court (Marriage, Divorce and Probate Records)

Publications
The Cochise County Historical Journal

The Cochise County Quarterlies &amp; Historical Journals 1971 – 2003 (PDF) Available through the Cochise County Historical Society )

Research Guides
BYU Family History Library, Family History &amp; Genealogy Resources, Research Outlines, Arizona (PDF).

Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, Law &amp; Research Library Division, "How do I...? Selection of Research Guides"

State Archives
Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records


 * Hours &amp; Locations
 * Contact the Agency Division
 * What to expect at the State Archives (PDF)
 * Partial list of records for Cochise County, held at the Arizona State Archives

Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records Online Databases &amp; Digital Collections


 * Arizona Memory Project (Arizona Archives Historic Photographs, Contributed by Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records)
 * Biographical Database
 * Collections at the Arizona State Archives
 * Cultural Inventory Project
 * Finding Aids and Inventories
 * Historical Photograph Collections
 * History &amp; Archives, Genealogical Resources (Family History)
 * Map Collections (Use Online Library Catalog to search)
 * Partial List of Records For Each County
 * Private Manuscript Collections
 * Photograph Search Page
 * Services to Genealogists and Historical Researchers
 * The Arizona Collection (Use Online Library Catalog to search)


 * ASL - Law &amp; Research Library


 * Law and Research Library Collections
 * Location Guides and Contact Information
 * Genealogy Collection
 * Overview of Genealogy Collection
 * Classifications Used for the Genealogy Collection
 * Selected Federal Publication of Interest to Genealogists

Vital Records
Older Birth and Death certificates found at Arizona Genealogy Birth and Death Certificates

Marriage, Divorce &amp; Probate Records at Cochise County Clerk

Birth and Death Records Birth prior to 1927: Arizona State History and Archives

Birth after 1927: Department of Health Services, Arizona State Vital Records Search

Death prior to 1952: Arizona State History and Archives

Death after 1952: Department of Health Services, Arizona State Vital Records Search

A large number of marriages for this county are listed at Western States Marriage Index

Cochise County Marriages, Created by the Sierra Vista Genealogical Society &amp; Shared with the Cochise Genealogical Society:


 * Cochise County Marriages, 1880-1890
 * Cochise County Marriages, 1889-1893

Cochise County Marriages, 1893-1901


 * Brides - A-B, C-D, E-G, H-K, L-Mi, Mo-Q, R-Sm, Sn-Z
 * Grooms - A-B, C-E, F-G, H-K, L-Mi, Mo-Q, R-Sm, Sn-Z

Cochise County Marriages, 1911-1920


 * Brides - A-B, C-D, E-G, H-K, L-Mi, Mo-Q, R-Sm, Sn-Z
 * Grooms - A-B, C-E, F-G, H-K, L-Mi, Mo-Q, R-Sm, Sn-Z

Cochise County Marriages, 1927-1963


 * Brides - A, B-Bo, Br-Bz, C-Com, Con-Cz, D, E-F, G, H, I-K, L, M-Mc, Me-Mz, N-Pep, Per-Rey, Rh-Rz, S-Sl, Sm-Sz, T-Van, Var-Wik, Wi-Z


 * Grooms - A, B-Bos, Bot-Car, Cas-Cor, Cos-Dr, Du-Fl, Fo-Gom, Gon-Har, H-I, J-K, L, M-Mc, Me-Mo, Mu-Par, Pat-Raw, Ray-Roz, Ru-Sik, Sil-Tar, Tat-Vau, Ve-Wh, Wi-Z

FamilySearch Record Search, Arizona Deaths, 1870-1951

FamilySearch Record Search, Arizona Births and Christenings, 1909-1917

FamilySearch Record Search, Arizona Deaths and Burials, 1910-1911; 1933-1994

FamilySearch Record Search, Arizona Marriages, 1888-1908

Voting Records
Cochise County Recorder has county voter lists (the early ones are called "Great Registers") Some of these are also in the Family Search Catalog

Genealogical &amp; Historical Societies
Arizona Historical Society  Locations in Flagstaff, Tempe, Tucson, and Yuma AZ

Arizona Genealogical Advisory Board in Mesa AZ Phone: 1-800-255-5841 (Arizona State Library - Ask for Betsy Howard) Helen Seaton - President Email: [mailto:helen.seaton@asu.edu helen.seaton@asu.edu]

Cochise Genealogical Society in Douglas AZ

Douglas-Williams House 1001 Ave. D, Douglas, Arizona 85608

Cochise County Historical Society in Douglas AZ Contact: Nery Burnett Douglas-Williams House, 1001 Ave. D, Douglas, Arizona 85608 Mailing: P.O. Box 818, Douglas, AZ 88608-0818 Phone: 520-364-5226

Sulphur Springs Valley Historical Society Contact: Kathy Klump 127 E. Maley, Willcox, AZ 85643 Phone: 520-384-3971 Email: [mailto:ssvhs@ssvecnet.com ssvhs@ssvecnet.com]

The Family History Society of Arizona in Phoenix AZ P.O. Box 63094 Phoenix, AZ 85082-3094

The Ninth Judicial Circuit Historical Society (NJCHS)

Sierra Vista Genealogical Society in Sierra Vista AZ P.O. Box 1084 Sierra Vista 85636-1084

Family History Centers
Introduction to Family History Centers

Bisbee Family History Center Melody Ln Bisbee, Cochise, Arizona, United States Phone: 520-432-3122 Hours: W 3pm-7pm; all other days by appt

Douglas Family History Center 2800 15th St Douglas, Cochise, Arizona, United States Phone: 520-364-8075 Hours: M-T,Th-F by request; W 6pm-8pm

St. David Family History Center 481 N Pomerene Rd Benson, Cochise, Arizona, United States Phone: 520-586-2301 Hours: T 10am-5pm; W 6pm-8:00pm; Th 10am-8:00pm; Sat 10am-1pm

Sierra Vista Family History Center 115 North HWY 90 Sierra Vista, Cochise, Arizona, United States Phone: 520-459-1284 Hours: T-W 10am-2pm; Thu 10am-9pm; Sat 12pm-4pm Closed: Sunday, Monday, Friday

Sunsites Family History Center 206 Ford Street Sunsites, Cochise, Arizona, United States Phone: 520-826-3850

These are not mailing addresses. Due to limited staff, Family History Centers are unable to respond to mail inquiries.

Libraries
Cochise County Library District Old Bisbee High School, 2nd Floor, 100 Clawson Avenue, Bisbee, Arizona 85603 Mailing: Drawer AK, Bisbee, AZ 85603   Fax: 520-432-7339


 * Benson Public Library in Benson AZ
 * Copper Queen Library in Bisbee AZ
 * Jimmie Libhart Public Library in Bowie AZ
 * Douglas Public Library in Douglas AZ
 * Elfrida Library in Elfrida AZ
 * Elsie S Hogan Community Library in Willcox AZ Email: Director, Tom Miner at [mailto:tminer@willcoxcity.org tminer@willcoxcity.org]
 * Huachuca City Public Library in Huachuca City, AZ
 * Myrtle Kraft Libraryin Portal AZ
 * Sierra Vista Public Library in Sierra Vista AZ
 * Alice Woods Library in Sunizona AZ
 * Sunsites Community Library in Sunsites AZ
 * Tombstone City Library in Tombstone AZ Email: [mailto:jhoffma@tombstonepl.lib.az.us jhoffma@tombstonepl.lib.az.us]

Web Sites

 * USGenWeb for Cochise County Maps, name indexes, transcriptions, images, history and other information for all States and most counties. Also see the USGenWeb Project
 * The Arizona State library, Archives and Public Records, Arizona Cultural Inventory Project - Arizona repositories, societies, directory information, including addresses, phone numbers, emails, website and repository descriptions.
 * Cochise County, Arizona Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * Cochise County, Arizona Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)