Gila County, Arizona Genealogy

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

Description
Gila County was named from a Spanish contraction of Hah-quah-sa-eel, a Yuma word meaning "running water which is salty". The county is located in the central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Gila County Courthouse 1400 East Ash Street Globe, AZ 85501 Phone: 928-425-3231 Gila County Courthouse

County Clerk has marriage records from 1881, divorce, probate and court records from 1914. 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:

History Timeline

 * Until 1821New Spain controlled 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 Arizona. Some records of this period 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, including all of Gila County. 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 Socorro (NM) was stretched across present day Arizona to the California border. Land in present-day Gila County, Arizona was once part of Socorro (NM) county of New Mexico. Look for records in Socorro 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. This county named for the Maricopa Indians. Look for records in Maricopa and Yavapai counties.
 * 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.
 * 8 February 1881 Gila County was created from lands in Maricopa and Pinal Counties. ''
 * 12 Mar 1885 Gila County exchanged property with adjacent Graham County. Look for records in Gila and Graham counties.
 * 21 Mar 1889 Gila County added a portion of Yavapai County. Look for records in Gila and Yavapai counties.
 * 19 Mar 1891 Gila County gained additional land from Yavapai County. Look for records in Gila and Yavapai 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.

Cemeteries
The following web sites may have additional information on Gila County cemeteries.


 * 1927-1994 Arizona, Gila County, Cemetery Records, 1927-1994 — index - How to Use this Collection; also at Ancestry ($)

Church Records
Ward and Branch Records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Globe, Hayden, Miami, Nephi and Pine.

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
 * Dates Vary United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search at FamilySearch - incomplete index and images, counties and dates vary

Maps and Gazetteers

 * 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 ($)

Obituaries

 * 1959-2014 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
 * Gila County, Arizona Obituary and Death Notices Collection From GenealogyBuff.com ~ Free. This collection is from Various Funeral Homes in the Payson, Globe, Miami, Winkelman, Hayden, and Dudleyville areas.

Other Records

 * 1881- 1920 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1803-1995 Arizona Wills and Probate Records 1803-1995 at Ancestry.com — index & images ($)
 * 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 ($)
 * 1871-1964 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1888-1908 Arizona Select Marriages, 1888-1908 at Ancestry — index ($)
 * 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 ($)

FamilySearch Centers

 * Globe Arizona FamilySearch Center
 * Mesa Arizona Kimball East FamilySearch Center
 * Mesa Arizona Salt River FamilySearch Center
 * East Flagstaff Public Library - an affiliate library
 * Flagstaff City - Coconino County Public Library - an affiliate library
 * Forest Lakes Community Library - an affiliate library

Societies
Northern Gila County Historical Society PO Box 2532 Payson, AZ 85547 Phone: 928-474-3483 Website Gila County Historical Society 1330 N. Broad St. Globe, AZ 85502 Phone: 928-425-7385 Website

Websites

 * Gila County AZGenWeb
 * Gila County, Arizona Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * – 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.