African American Resources for Arizona



Online Resources

 * The State of Black Arizona
 * Arizona Memory Project Directory of the Colored Population of Phoenix Arizona 1915-1916

History
The first person, most likely, of African heritage who came to the Arizona area was a member of a Spanish expedition. Esteban was originally from Morocco and was a slave to a Spaniard. He first arrived in the New World in 1528. See Esteban, a 16th Century Explorer.

Resources to learn more about African Americans in Arizona history:
 * Arizona's Black History Timeline
 * In The Steps of Esteban: Tucson's African American Heritage
 * Wilson, Bernard J. 2007. The black residents of Tucson and their achievements, 1860-1900: a reference guide. [Tucson, Ariz.]: Bernard Wilson. Available through WorldCat and Sabio Library at University of Arizona.
 * Valenzuela, Blanca, and Regina Kelly. 1998. History paints a beautiful picture: a report on A-Mountain neighborhood history for the Casa Alegre mural project. Tucson, Ariz: s.n. (African American History in Tuscon area) Available through WorldCat and Sabio Library.
 * Trailtones: The African-American Heritage of Arizona,compiled by Gloria L. Smith, contains materials that highlight African American heritage in Arizona.

Biographies
In The Steps Of Esteban: Biographies and Oral Histories - contains biographies from African American pioneers, educators, military officials, and more.

Church Records
African Americans are represented mainly in five categories: Baptist, Methodist, Church of God in Christ, Church of Christ, and Apostolic.

Phoenix: Tanner Chapel AME Church, 1887 - History

Tucson: Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 1900 - History
 * African American Churches in Tucson
 * Photographic Exhibits African American Churches in Tucson, Arizona, 1900 - 1990

Other Records

 * Harris, Richard E. The First 100 Years: A History of Arizona Blacks. Apache Junction, AZ: Relmo Publishers, 1983.

Birth
The Arizona, Birth Records, 1881-1948 ($) collection contains birth records between 1881 and 1948 for most counties in Arizona. Information often includes name, birth date, sex, father, mother's maiden name, race or color, parents' birth places, condition at birth, and remarks.

Death
The Arizona, County Coroner and Death Records, 1881-1971 ($) collection contains death records between 1881 and 1971 for most counties in Arizona. Information often includes name, age, sex, informant, and death date/place. The Arizona, Death Records, 1887-1960 collection contains death records between 1887 and 1960 for every county in Arizona. Information usually contains name, gender, race, marital status, birth date and place, death date and place, burial date and place, age, occupation, parents and their birth places, and medical information.

Archives and Libraries
Sabio Library The University of Arizona Libraries 1510 E. University Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85721-0055 Phone: 520-621-6406 Website: University Libraries

Pioneer Museum (Flagstaff) 2340 N. Fort Valley Road Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Phone: 928-774-6272 Email: AHSFlagstaff@azhs.gov The Pioneer Museum has a few collections documenting African American pioneers. See Black Genesis for reference to Beppie Culin Papers (1850-1900) on page 64 which contain 324 bills of sale for slaves. Website: Pioneer Museum

African American Multicultural Museum 617 North Scottsdale Road, Suite A Scottsdale, AZ 85257 Phone: 480-314-4400

Societies
Black Family Genealogy & Historical Society P. O. Box 90683 Phoenix, Arizona 85066-0683 Website: Black Family Genealogy & Historical Society