Larimer County, Colorado Genealogy

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

Description
The County was named for William Larimer, Jr. The County is located in the north central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Larimer County Courthouse 200 W Oak Street PO Box 1190 Fort Collins, CO 80522-1190 Phone: 970-498-7860 Larimer County website Larimer County Clerk and Recorder website County Clerk has marriage and land records from 1862; County Health Department has birth and death 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:

State and Territory Census Records

 * 1860 - at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images; Colorado was included in the 1860 Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Utah Territories Censuses - How to Use this Collection
 * 1870 - at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images; Colorado Territory Census - How to Use this Collection
 * 1885 - at FamilySearch - Index and images
 * 1885 - Colorado State Census, 1885 at Ancestry - ($), Index and images

Federal Census Records
The 1880 Census was the first Federal Census for Colorado after it became a state in 1876. For links to Federal Census indexes, see Colorado Census.


 * 1860-1940 Colorado Census Records from 1860 to 1940 at FamilySearch.org — index/images

Church Records
Online Church Records


 * 1692-1942 - at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection

Presbyterian Church


 * 1743-1970 - U.S., Presbyterian Records, 1743-1970 at Ancestry — ($); Index and images; Dates vary for each county

List of Churches and Church Parishes


 * FamilySearch Places

Court Records
Numerous records are available at Colorado Archives. To use this link scroll down the page to where it asks for Record Type. Click there and scroll down the list to the records you want and select. The next field asks for county. Select the county you want and then click on Search. You can narrow the search by adding the additional information it asks for.

1920-1933 Larimer County Mothers' Compensation Records at Colorado State Archives - index, select record type for search

Directories
Online Directories


 * 1906-1995 - U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 at Ancestry - ($), Index and images, Fort Collins City Directories, various dates
 * 1973-1975 - U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 at Ancestry - ($), Index and images, Loveland City Directories
 * 1975 - U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 at Ancestry - ($), Index and images, Larimer County City Directory

Land and Property Records
Online Land Records


 * Colorado DPA Land Records - Index only; Choose Record Type, and search either "Land Patents" or "Land Records."
 * Land Patent Search - index to federal patents and homesteads on the Bureau of Land Management website, some images available
 * 1796-1907 - U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907 at Ancestry - index, info taken from Bureau of Land Management website
 * 1863-1908 - U.S. Homestead Records 1863-1908 at Ancestry.com - ($), index and images
 * 1862-1908 - Denver Land Office Records, 1862-1908 at Ancestry.com - ($), index only

For more information see Colorado Land and Property

Local Histories
Online County Histories


 * History of Larimer County Colorado. 1974. By Ansel Watrous. Tucson, Arizona : W.C. & Cox Co. Online at: Hathitrust, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($);.

Maps and Gazetteers

 * Interactive Formation Boundary Map of Colorado - shows boundary changes for Colorado Counties
 * Colorado Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library
 * FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places

Online Collections
These collections are unique to Colorado. You will find nationwide databases for military records on U.S. Military Online Genealogy Records and Colorado Military Records.

All Veterans


 * Colorado State Archives Veterans Grave Registration Index at the Colorado State Archives website - Index only; In the Record Type field, select, Military - Grave

Civil War


 * Colorado Civil War Casualties Index at the Colorado State Archives website - Index only; In the Record Type field, select, Civil War Casualty
 * 1861-1865 - Colorado State Archives Volunteers Transcript of Record Index (1861-1865) at the Colorado State Archives website - Index only; In the Record Type field, select, Transcript of Record

Spanish-American War (1898)


 * 1898 - Colorado Volunteers in the Spanish American War, 1898 - at the Colorado State Archives website - Index only; In the Record Type field, select, Span-Am War Soldiers

World War I


 * 1916-1919 - Colorado State Archives Denver War Risk Insurance Applicants, 1916-1919 - at the Colorado State Archives website - Index only; In the Record Type field, select, War Risk Insurance
 * 1917-1922 - Colorado State Archives World War I Civilian Service Questionnaires, 1917-1922 - at the Colorado State Archives website - Index only; In the Record Type field, select, WWI Questionnaire
 * 1917-1918 - Colorado Soldiers in WWI, 1917-1918 at Ancestry.com — ($), index

World War II


 * 1940-1945 - at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection

Vietnam War


 * 1966 & 1968 - Colorado State Archives Vietnam War Casualties - June-December 1966 & January-December 1968 - at the Colorado State Archives website - Index only; In the Record Type field, select, Vietnam Deaths

For further information see Colorado Military Records.

Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Records


 * 1868-1990 Colorado, State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1868-1990 at Ancestry ($); Index and images
 * 1876-1990 at FamilySearch — index and images; District Court records - How to Use this Collection
 * 1885-1958 Larimer County Naturalization Index at Colorado State Archives - index, select record type for search

Newspapers
Colorado Newspapers Online


 * Colorado Online Historical Newspapers online - in the Colorado Historic Newspaper Collection by the Colorado State Library
 * Colorado Newspapers at Ancestry.com - ($)
 * GenealogyBank - ($), contains images of Colorado newspapers
 * Newspaper Archive - ($), contains images of Colorado newspapers
 * Chronicling America - contains images of some Colorado newspapers; searching tips
 * Elephind - Free; search engine that retrieves newspaper images from other free newspaper websites

Colorado Newspaper Catalogs


 * U.S. Newspaper Directory, 1690-Present on Chronicling America - contains a list of all known newspapers and the dates they cover; once you locate a newspaper name, contact the local library to see if they have copies of the newspaper


 * 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)

Obituaries
Larimer County, Colorado Obituary Collection Free from Larimer County Obituary Collection From various funeral homes in the Loveland and surrounding areas.

Other Records
Pension Records Water Cases
 * 1933-1936 Larimer County Old Age Pensions at Colorado State Archives - index, select record type for search
 * 1899-1926 Larimer County Water Cases at Colorado State Archives - index, select record type for search

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1875–1974 Colorado Wills and Probate Records 1875-1974 at Ancestry.com — index and 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 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.

Vital Records
The Larimer County Vital Statistics Office is on the first floor of the Fort Collins Office of the Department of Health and Environment, at 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, CO, 80524-2004. Larimer County Courts

Birth
Birth records may become public records when 100 years have elapsed after the date of birth. EXCEPTION: The birth record of any individual who is known to be currently alive will remain confidential even if they are 100 years of age or greater.

For in-state births from 1900 to present, certificates can be obtained from Larimer Vital Statistics office. For birth certificates before 1900 contact the County where the birth occurred or the State Health Department at (303) 756-4464.

If you are obtaining a birth certificate for a sibling, parent, grandparent, etc., you will need to show chain of relationship. Examples are: A sibling could provide their birth certificate to show same parents. If you are trying to get a grandparent's birth certificate you will need to show your birth certificate, plus your parent's birth certificate to show chain of relationship. If you have questions on this please call our office at 970-498-6710.

Marriage
The Larimer County Recorder's office will search their indexes if you call or come in to the office. If a record is found, a copy can be purchased in person or by mail. Call 970-498-7860.

Online Records


 * 1784-2007 - Colorado, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * 1809-2011 - Western States Marriage Index, 1809-2011 - Index, incomplete, list of counties included
 * 1853-2006 - at FamilySearch.org - Index and images - How to Use this Collection
 * 1858-1939 Colorado Marriages 1858-1939 at Denver Public Library - index
 * 1862-2006 - Colorado, County Marriages and State Indexes, 1862-2006 at Ancestry ($), Index and images
 * 1864-1995 - at FamilySearch - Index and images - How to Use this Collection
 * 1900-1939 - Colorado, Statewide Marriage Index, 1900-1939 at Ancestry.com - ($); Browseable images of original index
 * 1975 - 2004 Colorado, Marriages, 1975 - 2004 at MyHeritage - index and images ($)

Death
Death records may become public records when 75 years have elapsed after the date of death.

To obtain a recent death certificate, you must show a direct and tangible interest to the deceased. Relatives include wife, mother, father, child (if they are listed on the death certificate). If they are not listed on the death certificate they must show proof of relationship. This would include maternal grandparents, paternal grandparents, siblings if they can prove chain of relationship. If you have questions on this please call the Larimer County Vital Statistics office at 970-498-6710.

Divorce
All divorces and divorce records are handled by the Larimer County Courts. Please contact their office directly at (970) 494-3500 or visit Larimer County Courts

Online Records


 * 1851-1985 Colorado, Divorce Index, 1851-1985 at Ancestry - ($); Index only
 * 1861-1941 Denver Public Library Colorado Divorce Index 1861-1941 at Denver Public Library - index
 * 1878-2004 Colorado, Divorces, 1878 - 2004 at MyHeritage - index ($)
 * 1900-1939 - at FamilySearch - Browseable images of original index - How to Use this Collection

Archives
1885-1958 Larimer County Naturalization Index 1899-1926 Larimer County Water Cases 1920-1933 Larimer County Mothers Compensations 1933-1936 Larimer County Old Age Pensions

Family History Centers

 * Berthoud Colorado Family History Center
 * Fort Collins Colorado Family History Center
 * Loveland Colorado Family History Center

Societies

 * Estes Park Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1687 Estes Park, CO 80517 970-586-8116 Website


 * Johnstown Historical Society 701 Charlotte St. Johnstown, CO 80534 970-587-0278 Website Facebook


 * Larimer County Genealogical Society PO Box 270737 Fort Collins, CO 80527-0737 E-mail: [mailto:director1@lcgsco.org director1@lcgsco.org] Website Facebook

Websites

 * Larimer County, Colorado Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * Larimer County -  CO Gen Web Site
 * Larimer County -  US Gen Web Archives
 * Larimer County -  Rootsweb Site
 * Larimer County -  ancestry.com resources  -  $ requires ancestry.com subscription
 * - 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