So, you want to learn more about Arizona Genealogy?
Perhaps you have tracked an ancestor down to the Grand Canyon state and have hit a wall, or maybe you know who your ancestor is and want to learn more about the local history so that you can understand what they were living through. Whatever the reason, this is a great place to start.
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Arizona Genealogy: State History
Arizona became a state in 1912 but had been a U.S. territory since the Civil War. Arizona was traveled by many immigrants pushing west for California. It became part of the wild west and became home to famous legends such as Tombstone, The O.K. Corral, and Cochise.
While there is some truth to these stories, many of the details are legends. It was also home to the fierce Apache warriors. Today, Arizona has many urban areas, and the days of the Wild West are over. Many folks head to Arizona to retire since its climate is warm with low humidity.
Arizona Genealogy: Guide to Arizona Counties
APACHE ∣ COCHISE ∣ COCONINO ∣ GILA ∣ GRAHAM ∣ GREENLEE ∣ LA PAZ ∣ MARICOPA ∣ MOHAVE ∣ NAVAJO ∣ PIMA ∣ PINAL ∣ SANTA CRUZ ∣ YAVAPAI ∣ YUMA
Researching Arizona genealogy is not that difficult. It is important to remember that although Arizona became a state in 1912, it has a history that dates back to before the American Revolutionary War. It was also an important crossroads for many seeking a new life. Many important events happened across what became Arizona's boundaries:
- Gadsden Purchase
- Railroad Expansion
- Western Migration
- Mexican-American War
- Spanish Exploration
- The Wild West
- The Civil War
- Native American History
There are probably some that I am missing, but it gives a nice example of what I want you to see about this state and other western states.
Arizona Genealogy: Research Databases
If you have an ancestor that migrated to California, then it is quite possible to find your ancestor on the California trail.
Traveling through Arizona was not an easy task due to all the Indian activity and extreme heat. If you have an ancestor in Arizona or one that possibly traveled through the area, then here are a few databases that can help you get started:
- Western States Marriage Index
- Arizona Marriage Collection
- Arizona Select Births and Christenings
- Arizona Deaths and Burials
- Arizona Naturalization Records
- Arizona Newspapers
- Arizona Military Records
After searching these databases and building a profile for your ancestor, you may want to dig deeper into their lives. To do that, you will need to use advanced research techniques.
Arizona Genealogy: Advanced Research Techniques
If you want to pursue your Arizona ancestor further after finding them in census reports or vital records, then the next step would be to contact local archives. Here is a list of places you should check out if you want to dive deeper:
- County Clerk’s Office: Contacting the county clerk can help you find some land records, court documents, and other interesting documents that will give you a deeper look into your ancestor’s life.
- Local Library: What were the newspapers during that time period? Most libraries have microfilm that will allow you to read what was going on during your ancestor’s life. Many libraries also have obituary collections.
- Local Genealogical Societies: Most counties have their own historical society, and many cities also have genealogical societies. It is quite possible that someone has come before you and done much of the research and has wrote it down. If that is the case, then a local genealogical society would have that document.
- Local Cemeteries: Finding the grave of your ancestor can also give additional clues.