Conejos County, Colorado Genealogy
Guide to Conejos County, Colorado ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information
Description
Conejos County was created 1 Nov 1861[2] and was named for the Spanish word "conejo", meaning rabbit, for the abundance of rabbits in the area. Its county seat is Conejos. It is located in the south-central area of the state.[3]
County Courthouse
Conejos County Courthouse
6683 County Rd 13
PO Box 157
Conejos, CO 81129-0157
Phone: 719-376-5422
Conejos County, Colorado
Clerk of Courts has probate records;
County Clerk has birth, marriage and death records
County assessor has land records.[4]
Conejos County, Colorado Record Dates
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1877 | 1871 | 1877 | 1877 | 1871 | 1875 | 1860 |
Record Loss
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1980: County records from 1878-1936 were lost when the courthouse burned in 1980, except for the Grantee and Grantor books, which are at the clerk’s office. The county has digitized the land records and they are on a paid subscription website by the county. A few marriage records of the late 1940s also remain in the county clerk’s office. Marriage records for 1858-1936 have been published by “The Colorado Genealogical Society, Inc.” Denver Colorado. The older birth and death certificates that were kept in the Local Registrar, are now available at the courthouse in Alamosa, Colorado. For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:
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Boundary Changes
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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:[7]
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
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| Census-designated places | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
- The Colorado Genealogist Index of Bible Records
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
Census Records
In 1860, present-day Colorado was enumerated in the Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Utah Territories. Colorado Territory was created in 1861 and was enumerated as such in the 1870 Census. A state census was taken in 1885 for Colorado.[8] See links listed below.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1870 | 2,504 | — |
| 1880 | 5,605 | 123.8% |
| 1890 | 7,193 | 28.3% |
| 1900 | 8,794 | 22.3% |
| 1910 | 11,285 | 28.3% |
| 1920 | 8,416 | −25.4% |
| 1930 | 9,803 | 16.5% |
| 1940 | 11,648 | 18.8% |
| 1950 | 10,171 | −12.7% |
| 1960 | 8,428 | −17.1% |
| 1970 | 7,846 | −6.9% |
| 1980 | 7,794 | −0.7% |
| 1990 | 7,453 | −4.4% |
| 2000 | 8,400 | 12.7% |
| 2010 | 8,256 | −1.7% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
State and Territory Census Records
- 1860 United States Census, 1860 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index & images; Colorado was included in the 1860 Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Utah Territories Censuses - How to Use this Collection
- 1870 United States Census, 1870 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index & images; Colorado Territory Census - How to Use this Collection
- 1885 Colorado State Census, 1885 at FamilySearch - Index and images
- 1885 Colorado State Census, 1885 at Ancestry - ($), Index and images
Federal Census Records
The 1880 Census was the first Federal Census for Colorado after it became a state in 1876.[9] For links to Federal Census indexes, see Colorado Census.
- 1860-1940 Colorado Census Records from 1860 to 1940 at FamilySearch.org — index & images
Church Records
Church records vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Colorado denominations, view the Colorado Church Records wiki page.
Online Church Records
- 1692-1942 Colorado, Church Records, 1692-1942 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
Presbyterian Church
- 1743-1970 U.S., Presbyterian Records, 1743-1970 at Ancestry — ($); Index and images; Dates vary for each county
Churches of Conejos County
Some of the following Conejos church records are available online at COGenWeb
Catholic Churches:
- Lady of the Valley in La Jara
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Conejos
- St. Anthony in Los Sauces (Special Mass once a month)
- St. Augustine in Antonito
- St. Joseph’s Parish in Capulin
- St. Teresa in Manassa
- St. Andrew in La Jara (closed and replaced with Lady of the Valley)
- In Lobatos
- In Romeo
- In Ortiz
- In San Antonio
- In Sanford (closed and replaced with Lady of the Valley)
Other Churches:
- Conejos Canyon Community Chapel (26727 Hwy 17)
- Presbyterian Church in San Rafael
- Presbyterian Church in Antonito
- Seventh Day Adventist in Antonito
- United Church in La Jara (522 Walnut)
The following Ward and Branch Records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are on microfilm at the FamilySearch Center in La Jara.
- 1878-1879 Conejos Branch
- 1894-1908 Eastdale Ward
- La Jara Ward (see Richfield Ward)
- 1893-1894 Fox Creek Branch
- 1892-1897, 1907-1948 Manassa Ward
- Manassa 1 Ward
- 1920-1928 Manassa 2 Ward
- 1934-1942 Morgan Branch
- 1889-1896 Mountain View Branch
- 1884-1941 Richfield Ward
- 1936-1948 Romeo Ward
- 1888-1948 Sanford Ward
List of Churches and Church Parishes
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.
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
Funeral Homes
- Romero Funeral Homes in Antonito
Genealogies
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
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 Colorado Land and Property for additional information about early Colorado land grants.
After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse, where current records are also housed.
- 1878 - current: Grantee & Grantor books, Conejos County Clerk, 719-274-5422.
- 1936 - current: Land records 1936 - current, ibid
Online Land Indexes and 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 - - index & images ($)
- 1862-1908 Denver Land Office Records, 1862-1908 at Ancestry - ($), index only
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
For more information see Colorado Land and Property
Local Histories
- "Clarinda's Story of San Luis Valley Roots" by Clarinda Knight Sewell, printed Dec. 31, 1983.
- "Mormon Colonization of the San Luis Valley, Colorado 1878-1900" by Judson Harold Flower, Jr., May 1966. (A Thesis Presented to the Department of History Brigham Young University.)
- "The Mormons 100 Years in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, 1883-1983" compiled and Edited by: Carleton Q. Anderson, Betty Shawcroft, and Robert Compton, Published by: The La Jara Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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The first European known to visit this area was Don Diego de Vargas in 1694, but he left behind no colonists. In 1708, Juan de Uribarri passed through searching for runaway Indian slaves.[2]
Conejos County's name comes from the Spanish word "conejos", meaning rabbit, for the large abundance of rabbits in the area. Also early in its existence, the county seat was moved from the town of Guadalupe to Conejos.
- Misc. Family Collection in FamilySearch Center, La Jara, Colorado, 719-274-4024
Online County Histories
- Conejos Country. 1984. By Frances Harvey Mead. Colorado Springs, Colo. : Century One Press. At various libraries (WorldCat).
- The People of El Valle : a History of the Spanish Colonials in the San Luis Valley. c1997. By Olibama Lopez-Tushar. Pueblo, Colorado : El Escritorio. At various libraries (WorldCat).
- We Call It Home. (A history of Sanford and surrounding area.) c1977. By Mary June Miller. [S.l.] : Mary June Miller. Online at: {FamilySearch Digital Library; At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers
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for more resources
- 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: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration
Military Records
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 — ($), index
World War II
- 1940-1945 Colorado, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1945 at FamilySearch — index & images - How to Use this Collection
Vietnam War
- 1966 & 1968 Colorado State Archives Vietnam War Casualties - June-December 1966 & January-December 1968 - at the Colorado State Archives website - Index only; In the Record Type field, select, Vietnam Deaths
For further information see Colorado Military Records.
Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Records
- 1868-1990 Colorado, State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1868-1990 at Ancestry ($); Index and images
- 1876-1990 Colorado Naturalization Records, 1876-1990 at FamilySearch — index & images; District Court records - How to Use this Collection
Newspapers
For more information, see Colorado Newspapers.
- 1800s-Current Colorado, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
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 - ($), contains images of Colorado newspapers
- Chronicling America - contains images of some Colorado newspapers; searching tips
- 1899-1901 - La Voz Del Valle, Antonito, online at Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection - free.[10]
Colorado Newspaper Catalogs
- U.S. Newspaper Directory, 1690-Present on Chronicling America - contains a list of all known newspapers and the dates they cover; once you locate a newspaper name, contact the local library to see if they have copies of the newspaper
Microfilm
The following are on microfilm located in the FamilySearch Center, located in La Jara, Colorado. 719-274-4032.
- 1892-1972 The Antonito Ledger (June 1892 - Oct 1972)
- 1904-1911 The La Jara Chronicle (Oct 1904 - Dec 1911)
- 1914-1917 The La Jara Enterprise (April 1914 - April 1917)
- 1916-1982 The La Jara Gazette (April 1916 - Dec 1982)
- 1983-1993 The Conejos County Citizen (Jan 1983 - Oct 1993)
- 1996-1997 The Conejos County Citizen (July 1996 - Oct 1997)
Obituaries
There is a collection of misc. obituraries from newspaper clippings and funeral programs in the FamilySearch Center in La Jara. To recieve a digital copy call 719-274-4032 or email fhcobituary@gmail.com
Other Records
Public Records
Conejos County Assessor's Office
Periodicals
Probate Records
Probate records have been kept by the county courts. Colorado probate records include bonds, affidavits, letters, claims, appraisals, fee accounts, minutes, judgments, dockets, calendars, case files, and wills. The FamilySearch Library does not have copies of probate records from Colorado.
You may obtain copies of documents from the clerk's office in the county courthouse.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1875-1974 Colorado Wills and Probate Records 1875-1974 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1894-1918 Conejos County Probate Cases at Colorado State Archives - index, select record type for search
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
North Conejos "Centauri" School District, 719-274-5174
Sanford Public School District, 719-274-5167
South Conejos "Antonito" School District, 719-376-7000
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index 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.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Colorado tax records complement land records and can be used as supplements to censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the records. To find tax records in the FamilySearch Catalog, do a Place Search for the county.
- 1918-1923 Conejos County Inheritance Tax at Colorado State Archives - index, select record type for search
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 Vital Records Section Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment or the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred.
For some online statewide indexes, see the FamilySearch Historical Record Collections for Colorado.
- Conejos County Old Vital Records, are kept in the Alamosa County Courthouse, 719-589-6681.
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. [11]
Marriage
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 Colorado Statewide Marriage Index, 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 ($), Index and images
- 1864-1995 Colorado, County Marriages, 1864-1995 at FamilySearch - Index and images - How to Use this Collection
- 1900-1939 Colorado, Statewide Marriage Index, 1900-1939 at Ancestry - ($); Browseable images of original index
- 1975 - 2004 Colorado, Marriages, 1975 - 2004 at MyHeritage - index & images ($)
Death
Death records may become public records when 75 years have elapsed after the date of death.
Divorce
Online Records
- 1851-1985 Colorado, Divorce Index, 1851-1985 at Ancestry - ($); 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 Colorado Statewide Divorce Index, 1900-1939 at FamilySearch - Browseable images of original index - How to Use this Collection
- 1899-1915 Conejos County Divorces 1899-1915 at Colorado State Archives - index, select record type for search
Research Facilities
Archives
- See Colorado Archives and Libraries for more resources.
Colorado State Archives
1313 Sherman St., Room 1B-20
Denver, CO 80203
Request a Record
Telephone: 303-866-2358
Website
- Contains online database Archives Search. See Colorado State Archives for a full list of online holdings
1880-1939 Divorce Index
1883-1900 Mine Accidents, Non - fatal
1897-1920 Horseshoers
1936-1942 Civilian Conservation Corps Enrollments
1966-1968 Vietnam Deaths
1894-1918' Conejos County Probate Cases
1899-1915 Conejos County Divorces
1918-1923 Conejos County Inheritance Tax
FamilySearch Centers
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Alamosa Colorado FamilySearch Center
- Manassa Colorado FamilySearch Center
- San Luis Colorado FamilySearch Center
- Aguilar Public Library - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Conejos County. For state-wide library facilities, see Colorado Archives and Libraries.
Conejos Library District
17703 Hwy 285
La Jara, CO 81140
719-274-5858
Website
Museums
Cumbres and Toltec Narrow Gauge Railroad
5234 B US Hwy 285
PO Box 668
Antonito, CO 81120
719-472-3984, 888-286-2737
Email: info@cumbrestoltec.com
Website
Jack Dempsey Museum
412 Main St
PO Box 130
Manassa, Colorado 81141
719-843-5207
Email: mchale45@yahoo.com
Website
Sanford History Museum
778 Main St
Sanford, Colorado 81151
719-580-4114
Email: administrator@sanfordhistorymuseum.org
Website
Facebook
Societies
Listed below are societies in Conejos County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Colorado Societies.
San Luis Valley Historical Society
Email: jaywarner117@gmail.com
Facebook
Websites
- Conejos County COGenWeb
- Conejos County, Colorado Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- The Town of Manassa Project
- FamilySearch Catalog - 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
Research Guides
References
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/CO_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Conejos County, Colorado," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Conejos_County,_Colorado&oldid=1220416168 (accessed May 31, 2024).
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), 97, Conejos County, Colorado, and 99, Guadalupe County, Colorado. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Conejos County, Colorado. Page 97 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 92.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Conejos County, Colorado," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conejos_County,_Colorado, accessed May 16, 2017.
- ↑ William Thorndale and William Dollarhide, Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses (Bountiful, UT: American Genealogical Lending Library, 1985), page 51-54; Alice Eichholz, ‘’Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County and Town Sources,’’ 3rd ed. (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 2004), 86. Free online version; FS Library Book 973 D27rb 2004; WorldCat entry.
- ↑ William Thorndale and William Dollarhide, Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses (Bountiful, UT: American Genealogical Lending Library, 1985), page 54.
- ↑ Colorado Online Historical Newspapers, https://sites.google.com/site/onlinenewspapersite/Home/united-states-online-historical-newspapers/colorado-online-historical-newspapers, accessed 19 July 2013.
- ↑ Letter from Colorado State Registrar, Dated September 1, 2011. Policy Number 2011- 08. http://www.colorado.gov