Mohave County, Arizona Genealogy
Guide to Mohave County, Arizona ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
| Mohave County, Arizona | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Arizona | |
 Location of Arizona in the U.S. | |
| Facts | |
| Founded | November 9, 1864 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Kingman |
| Courthouse | |
 | |
| Address | 401 E. Spring Street P.O. Box 7000 |
Contents
County Information
Mohave County, Arizona Record Dates
| | |||||
| Birth | Marriage | Death | Census | Land | Probate |
| 1887 | 1860 | 1864 | 1871 | ||
County Courthouse
Mohave County Courthouse
401 East Spring St
Kingman, Az 86041
Phone: 520-753-9141
Clerk Superior Court has marriage records from 1888,
Divorce, Probate and Court Records from 1850
County Records land records [2]
Mohave County is located in the northwest corner of Arizona, the county seat is Kingman, and it also contains the somewhat newer 'river city' known as Bullhead City, which is across the Colorado River from Laughlin, Nevada. Hoover Dam is also partly included in the county due to it being built to dam the Colorado River to create Lake Mead. The word 'Mohave' is a variant spelling of 'Mojave'.
Description
The County has Kingman as its seat and the County was created November 9, 1864. The County is located in the northwest area of the state.[3]
History
Parent County
- 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.[4] 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. This included all the land in present day Mohave County.[5] 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 Mohave County, Arizona was once part of Taos, San Juan (1861-1862 only), Rio Arriba, Santa Ana, Bernalillo, Valencia, and Socorro counties of New Mexico.[6] [7] [8] Look for records in Dona Ana County, Socorro County, Bernalillo, Rio Arriba, Taos, and Valencia counties.
- 24 Feb 1863 - The US created the Arizona Territory from the western half of New Mexico Territory.[9] 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 - Mohave County was created as one of the four original counties in Arizona. County seat: Kingman [10] [11] This county named for Mojave Indians. Look for records in Mohave County.
Boundary Changes
- 22 Dec 1865 - Arizona created Pah-Ute County (extinct) from the northern half of Mohave County.[12] This county named for the Paiute Indians, using the spelling of that day. Both Mohave and Pah-Ute counties covered land which was later given to Nevada. Look for records in Mohave County.
- 5 May 1866 - The US removed the northwest corner from Arizona Territory (parts of Pah-Ute (extinct) and Mohave counties) and gave that land to the State of Nevada.[13] Nevada used that land by adding to Lincoln and Nye counties. But Arizona held to its previous claim on that land and opposed this transfer, twice petitioning congress to repeal the law. Up thru 1868, representatives from Pah-Ute County (extinct) attended the Arizona Legislature. Look for records in Nevada State Library and Archives and Arizona State Library. Also the Lincoln, Nye, and Mohave counties.
- 18 Feb 1871 - Arizona discontinued Pah-Ute County (extinct).[14] In effect, withdrawing claim to the southeastern corner of Nevada after exhausting all legal recourse. The remnant of Pah-Ute County (extinct) still in Arizona was returned to Mohave County. Look for records in Mohave County.
- 6 Mar 1883 - Arizona expanded Mohave County by adding land from Yavapai County, north of the Colorado River and west of Kanab Wash.[15] Look for records in Mohave 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.
For animated maps illustrating Arizona county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Arizona County Boundary Maps" (1852-1993) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.
Record Loss
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
Places/Localities
Populated Places
- Communities: Dolan Springs | Golden Valley | Mohave Valley |
Neighboring Counties
- Coconino County, Arizona
- La Paz County, Arizona
- Yavapai County, Arizona
- San Bernardino County, California
- Clark County, Nevada
- Lincoln County, Nevada
- Kane County, Utah
- Washington County, Utah
Resources
Cemeteries
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The following web sites may have additional information on Mohave County cemeteries.
- Interment.net Arizona cemetery records by County.
Census
For tips on accessing Mohave County, Arizona Genealogy census records online, see: Arizona Census.
Church
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Arizona denominations, view the Arizona Church Records wiki page. LDS Ward and Branch Records
- Kingman
- Littlefield
- Moccasin
- Mt. Trumbull
Court
Land
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Arizona Land and Property for additional information about early Arizona land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse and where records are currently housed.
Recorded Land Records from 1 January 1970 to the present may be search online.
All Recorded Land Records may be searched at
Mohave County Recorders Office
700 W. Beale Street
Kingman, AZ 86402-0070
928-753-0701
928-753-0727
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Mohave County, Arizona Genealogy. County histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the Wiki page section Arizona Local Histories.
Maps
for more resources
Military
Civil War
- 1861 - 1865 - Arizona Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index
Newspapers
Mohave County Miner (Mineral Park, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1882-1918 is availble for free Online viewing.
Finding More Arizona Newspapers
Additional newspapers abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Mohave County, Arizona Genealogy newspapers in online catalogs like:
- WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
- Do a Mohave County, Arizona Genealogy Place-name search for these and other records in the FamilySearch Catalog (For instructions see FamilySearch Catalog Place-name Search).
Probate
From 1850 to 1864 during the territorial period, probate records of Arizona were kept by the probate courts of New Mexico. Then until 1912, the records were handled by county probate courts. Since then probate records, such as wills, claims, administrations, case files, and calendars are kept in the custody of the clerk of the superior court in the county courthouse.
The FamilySearch Catalog lists films of probate records. To find the records for this county, use the Subjects Search for Arizona, Mohave - Probate records.
Online Probate Records
- 1803 – 1995 Arizona Wills and Probate Records 1803-1995 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
Taxation
Vital Records
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the Arizona Department of Health Services , the county clerk's office of the county where the event occurred or order electronically online.
Birth Records
Online Birth Indexes and Records
- 1909-1917 - Arizona Select Births and Christenings 1909-1917 at Ancestry.com — index $
Marriage Records
Online Marriage Indexes and Records
- 1866-1907 - 395 marriages from 1 Jun 1866 to 26 Jun 1907 are listed on the Western States Marriage Index.
- 1833-1949 - Arizona, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- 1864-1982 - Arizona Marriage Collection 1864-1982 at Ancestry.com — index $
- 1871-1964 - Arizona, County Marriages, 1871–1964 at FamilySearch.org — index and browse images, incomplete
- 1888-1908 - Arizona Select Marriages 1888-1908 at Ancestry.com — index $
Death Records
Online Death Indexes and Records
- 1910-1911 and 1933-1994 - Arizona Select Deaths and Burials 1910-1911 and 1933-1994;at Ancestry.com — index $
Societies and Libraries
Lake Havasu Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 953
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405-0953
Telephone 928-854-5447
Mohave County Genealogical Society
400 W. Beale St
Kingman, AZ 86401
Telephone 928-753-3195
Family History Centers
Family history centers provide one-on-one assistance and free access to premium genealogical websites. In addition, many centers have free how-to genealogy classes. See family history center for more information. Search the online FHC directory for a nearby family history center.Introduction to Family History Centers
Kingman Arizona
3180 Rutherford St
Kingman, Mohave, Arizona, United States
Phone: 928-753-1316
Lake Havasu City Arizona
504 N Acoma Blvd
Lake Havasu City, Mohave, Arizona, United States
Phone: 928-855-8583
These are not mailing addresses. Due to limited staff, Family History Centers are unable to respond to mail inquiries.
Websites
- Mohave County, AZ History, Records, Facts and Genealogy (Genealogy Inc)
- AZGenWeb Mohave County project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county.
- FamilySearch Catalog
- Mohave County, Arizona Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
References
- ↑ Alice Eichholz, Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County and Town Sources, Revised ed. (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1992), 13-28. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27rb 1992
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Mohave County, Arizona p. 56. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Mohave, Arizona," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohave_County,_Arizona 7/10/2017.
- ↑ Williams 108-110
- ↑ U.S. Stat., vol. 9, pp. 922-943; Parry, 102: 29-59; Van Zandt, 11, 28-29; Walker and Bufkin, 19, 20A
- ↑ William Thorndale, and William Dollarhide, Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1987), 26. At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 X2th.
- ↑ Original Counties of New Mexico Territory (map) at http://www.nmgs.org/Graphics/nmcoun-orig.jpg (accessed 9 August 2011).
- ↑ N.M. Terr. Laws 1851, 1st assy., 2d sess. /p. 292
- ↑ U.S. Stat., vol. 12, ch. 56[1863]/pp. 664-665; Ariz. Terr. Laws 1864, 1st assy./ pp. vii-viii; Van Zandt, 162
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Howell Code, Ariz. Terr. Laws 1864, 1st assy., ch. 2/ pp. 24-25
- ↑ Ariz. Terr. Laws 1865, 2d assy./ pp. 19-20
- ↑ U.S. Stat., vol. 14, ch. 73[1866]/p. 43; Van Zandt, 158, 165; Ariz. Terr. Laws 1867, 3rd assy./ pp. 67-68; Ariz. Terr. Laws 1868, 4th assy./ pp. 68-69
- ↑ Ariz. Terr. Laws 1871, 6th assy./ p. 87
- ↑ Ariz. Terr. Laws 1883, 12th assy./ p. 171
