Yavapai County, Arizona Genealogy
Guide to Yavapai County, Arizona ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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County Information
Description
Yavapai County was created on 10 Nov 1864[1] and named after the Yavapai people, who were the principal inhabitants at the time the United States annexed the area.[2] Its county seat is Prescott.[3] It is located in the central area of the state.
County Courthouse
Yavapai County Courthouse
120 South Cortez Street
Prescott, Az 86303
Phone: 928-771-3312
Yavapai County
Superior Court Clerk has marriage, divorce probate and court records.
County Recorder has land records.[4]
Yavapai County, Arizona Record Dates
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1887 | 1865 | 1887 | 1865 | 1864 | 1864 | 1830 |
Record Loss
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There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
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:[8]
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 Mexico Archives and Libraries 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 Mexico Archives and Libraries 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.[9] 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, Mexicoceded part of present day Arizona, including all of present day Yavapai County.[10] 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. Land in present day Yavapai County was then part of Socorro (NM), Bernalillo (NM), Santa Ana (NM) and Valencia (NM) counties.[11] [12] Look for records in Socorro County, Bernalillo, and Valencia counties.
- 24 Feb 1863 - The US created the Arizona Territory from the western half of New MexicoTerritory.[13] 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.
- 14 Feb 1871 - Arizona created Maricopa County from land in Yavapai County.[14] This county named for the Maricopa Indians. Look for records in Maricopaand Yavapai counties.
- 14 Feb 1879 - Arizona created Apache County from land in Yavapai County.[15] This county named for the Apache Indians. Look for records in Apache and Yavapai counties.
- 19 Feb 1891 - Arizona created Coconino County from land in Yavapai County.[16] This county named for the Coconino Indians. Look for records in Coconino and Yavapai counties.
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
Census Records
For tips on accessing Census records online, see: Arizona Census.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1870 | 2,142 | — |
| 1880 | 5,013 | 134.0% |
| 1890 | 8,685 | 73.2% |
| 1900 | 13,799 | 58.9% |
| 1910 | 15,996 | 15.9% |
| 1920 | 24,016 | 50.1% |
| 1930 | 28,470 | 18.5% |
| 1940 | 26,511 | −6.9% |
| 1950 | 24,991 | −5.7% |
| 1960 | 28,912 | 15.7% |
| 1970 | 36,733 | 27.1% |
| 1980 | 68,145 | 85.5% |
| 1990 | 107,714 | 58.1% |
| 2000 | 167,517 | 55.5% |
| 2010 | 211,033 | 26.0% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
Church Records
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 more about Arizona denominations, see Arizona Church Records.
Ward and Branch Records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Bagdad
List of Churches and Church Parishes
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Court Records
- See 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.
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration
- 1911-2000 Arizona, Yavapai County, Pioneers' Home Resident Ledger and Index, 1911-2000 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
Funeral Homes
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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 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.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
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 and Gazetteers
for more resources
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration
Military Records
Civil War
- 1861-1865 Arizona Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
World War II
- 1940-1945 Arizona, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945 at FamilySearch — index & images - How to Use this Collection
Naturalization and Citizenship
Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Arizona, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
- Arizona Daily Journal-Miner - full-text digital issues in Google News Archive; covers 1900-1902
- Arizona Historical Digital Newspapers at Arizona Memory Project
- Arizona Journal-Miner - Google News Archive; covers 1903-1912
- Arizona Miner - Google News Archive; covers 1866-1871
- Arizona Weekly Journal-Miner - Google News Archive; covers 1893-1900
- Arizona Weekly Miner - Google News Archive; covers 1877
Obituaries
- 1959-2014 Arizona, Mesa LDS Family History Center, Obituary Index, 1959-2014 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
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Other Records
Voting Records
- 1875-1932 Arizona, Yavapai County, Voting Records, 1875-1932 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
Periodicals
Probate Records
From 1850 to 1864, probate records of Arizona were kept by the probate courts of New Mexico. From 1864 to 1912, the records were handled by county probate courts. 1912 to present, 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.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1803-1995 Arizona Wills and Probate Records 1803-1995 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Vital Records
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the Arizona Department of Health Services or the county clerk's office of the county where the event occurred.
Birth
- 1800-1946 Arizona Genealogy Birth Certificates, 1800-1947 at Arizona Department of Health Services — images
- 1855-1930 Arizona, Birth Certificates and Indexes, 1855-1930 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1887-1935 Arizona Birth Certificates, 1887-1935 at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
- 1909-1917 Arizona, Births and Christenings, 1909-1917 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index; Also at: Ancestry($)
- 1909-1917 Arizona Birth Certificates, 1909-1917 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
Marriage
- 1809-2011 Western States Marriage Index, 1809-2011 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1833-1949 US Marriages – Arizona, 1833-1949 at Findmypast — index ($)
- 1864-1982 Arizona Marriage Collection, 1864-1982 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1865-1949 Arizona Marriages, 1865-1949 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1871-1964 Arizona, County Marriages, 1871-1964 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1888-1908 Arizona Select Marriages, 1888-1908 at Ancestry — index ($)
- Western States Marriage Index at BYU Idaho — index; Also at: FamilySearch
Death
- 1800-1972 Arizona Genealogy Record Search at Arizona Department of Health Services — images
- 1870-1951 Arizona Deaths, 1870-1951 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1870-1963 Arizona Death Certificates, 1870-1963 at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
- 1910-1911, 1933-1994 Arizona, Deaths and Burials, 1910-1911, 1933-1994 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index; Also at: Ancestry($)
Divorce
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Yavapai County. For state-wide facilities, see Arizona Archives and Libraries.
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
- Bagdad Arizona FamilySearch Center
- Cottonwood Arizona FamilySearch Center
- Prescott Arizona FamilySearch Center
- Spring Valley Arizona FamilySearch Center
- East Flagstaff Public Library - an affiliate library
- Flagstaff City - Coconino County Public Library - an affiliate library
- Forest Lakes Community Library - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Yavapai County. For state-wide library facilities, see Arizona Archives and Libraries.
Sharlot Hall Museum Library and Archives
115 S. McCormick St
Prescott, AZ
Phone: 928-445-3122 ex 14
Website
Museums
Societies
Listed below are societies in Yavapai County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see Arizona Societies.
Northern Arizona Genealogical Society
Website
Focuses on the counties of Yavapai and Coconino Arizona.
Camp Verde Historical Society
435 South Main
Camp Verde, AZ 86322
Phone: 928-567-9560
Website
Jerome Historical Society
200 Main Street
Jerome, AZ 86331
Phone: 928-634-5477
Website
Websites
- Yavapai County AZGenWeb
- Yavapai County, Arizona Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
- 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
- ↑ AZ: Individual County Chronologies; https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/AZ_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#YAVAPAI
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Yavapai, Arizona," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yavapai_County,_Arizona 7/10/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002).At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Yavapai County, Arizona p. 57.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Yavapai County, Arizona. Page 56-57 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), 52.
- ↑ Howell Code, Ariz. Terr. Laws 1864, 1st assy., ch. 2/ pp. 24-25
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002).At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Pima County, Arizona," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pima_County,_Arizona, accessed 24 February 2019.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ N.M. Terr. Laws 1851, 1st assy., 1st sess./p. 119; N.M. Terr. Laws 1851, 1st assy., 2d sess. /pp. 266, 292
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Ariz. Terr. Laws 1871, 6th assy./ pp. 53-54
- ↑ Ariz. Terr. Laws 1879, 10th assy./ pp. 96-97
- ↑ Ariz. Terr. Laws 1891, 16th assy./ pp. 26-34