La Paz County, Arizona Genealogy

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

Description
La Paz County was named from the Spanish word for "the peace", and is taken from the early settlement (now ghost town) of La Paz along the Colorado River. The county is located in the west-central area of the state.

County Courthouse
La Paz County Courthouse 1316 Kofa Ave, Suite 607 Parker, AZ 85344 Phone: 928-669-6131 La Paz County Courthouse

Clerk Superior Court has marriage, divorce, probate and court records. 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 1821 New 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. 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 present day La Paz 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 land in present day La Paz County was then in Socorro (NM).   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 Yuma County was created as an original county of Arizona.  This county named after the Yuma Indians. Look for records in Yuma County.
 * 27 Apr 1983 Arizona created La Paz County from the northern half of Yuma County. ''

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

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

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1803-1995 Arizona Wills and Probate Records 1803-1995 at Ancestry.com — index & images ($)

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

 * Blythe California FamilySearch Center
 * Parker Arizona FamilySearch Center
 * Quartzsite Arizona FamilySearch Center
 * West Valley Genealogy Society - an affiliate library

Societies
Parker Area Historical Society 1214 California Ave. Parker, AZ 85344-1500 Phone: 928-669-8077 Website Quartzsite Historical Society  161 W. Main St. Quartzsite, AZ 85346 Phone: 928-927-5229 Website

Websites

 * La Paz County AZGenWeb
 * La Paz 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.