Santa Cruz County, Arizona Genealogy

United States Arizona Santa Cruz County

County Courthouse
Santa Cruz County Courthouse 2150 North Congress Drive P O Box 1265 Nogales, AZ 85628-1265 Phone: 520-761-7800

Clerk Superior Court has marriage, divorce, probate and Court Records from 1899, military records 1888-1085 and adoption records from 1940

History
Santa Cruz County lies directly south of Tucson and Pima Counties. The town of Nogales is a major border crossing between the United States and Mexico, and is part of a 'twin border city' situation. Nogales is also the county seat.

A river runs north out of Mexico towards Tucson, also named the Santa Cruz.

The historic Catholic mission near Tubac on I-19 is significant in the history of the area. However, any records that were produced when this was actively a community and an active parish are not kept there, but may be with the Diocese in Tucson. Other missions are also nearby, mainly San Xavier which is in Pima County closer to Tucson.

Parent County

 * Up 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.
 * From 1821 until 1846 - Mexico had jurisdiction over the land that later would become Arizona. Residents living on Gadsden Purchase land were part of Mexico until 1854. Some records of this period may have been sent to archives in Mexico City.
 * From 1846 to 1863 - New Mexico Territory included land that later would become Arizona.
 * In 1852 - New Mexico Territory set up counties that stretched east and west from the Texas border to the California border, including all the land that became Arizona. Present-day Greenlee County, Arizona was once part of Socorro and Doña Ana counties of New Mexico. Some records during this period may have been sent to courthouses in their respective New Mexico counties.
 * In 1854 - the  added former Mexican land, including some that would become Greenlee County, to to the already existing Doña Ana County, of New Mexico. Some records from 1854 to 1863 may have been sent to the Doña Ana County, New Mexico courthouse.
 * In 1863 - Arizona Territory was created from the western half of New Mexico territory. All previous counties were dissolved, and eventually four new counties were created in the new Arizona Territory.

1899--Santa Cruz County was created 15 March 1899 from Pima and Cochise Counties. County seat: Nogales

Neighboring Counties

 * Cochise
 * Pima

Cemeteries
Arizona Cemetery Transcription and Photo Project

Church
LDS Ward and Branch Records


 * Nogales

Vital Records
Many early marriages are listed on the Western States Marriage Index.

The Tumacacori National Historical Parkhas created a website with searchable Spanish Mission Records as well as an annotated bibliography of the Tohono O'odham (Papago Indians). Along with transcribed marriage records from the Cathedral of Culiacan in spanish, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

Societies and Libraries
Pimeria Alta Historical Society 136 North Grand Ave. Nogales, AZ 85621 PO Box 2281 Nogales, AZ 85628 Telephone 520-287-4621 Hours 10-4 Thurs.-Sat

Family History Centers
Introduction to Family History CentersNogales Arizona Family History Center

Nogales Arizona 621 W Green Pl Nogales, Santa Cruz, Arizona, United States Telephone: 520-281-0368

This is not a mailing address. Due to limited staff, Family History Centers are unable to respond to mail inquiries.

Web Sites

 * USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
 * Family History Library Catalog
 * Santa Cruz County, Arizona Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)