Gila County Genealogy Lookup

Gila County genealogy records preserve family histories from Arizona's copper mining heartland. The county seat of Globe grew during the late 1800s silver and copper boom. Payson in the northern part of the county developed as a ranching and timber community. County offices maintain property deeds, court records, and vital documents that help trace Gila County ancestors. Online records go back to 1985, but older documents are available through in-person requests and state archives. Two recorder office locations serve researchers in this geographically divided county.

Gila County Recorder Office

The Gila County Recorder maintains property records, land deeds, and recorded documents for genealogy research. The main office in Globe is at 1400 E Ash Street with phone (928) 402-8740. A second office in Payson is located at 707 S Colcord Road. The Gila County Recorder website provides information about services and online access.

The recorder website above shows how to access Gila County property records online.

Online records from the Gila County Recorder go back to 1985. For older documents, you will need to contact the office directly or visit in person. Land records from the mining era capture property transfers, mining claims, and business partnerships. Globe and Miami grew as copper mining towns, and company records mixed with private land transactions. Payson area records reflect ranching and timber operations. These property documents place ancestors in specific locations and reveal their occupations.

Water rights records in Gila County are also valuable for genealogy. The Salt River and Tonto Creek watersheds served mining operations and ranches. Water claims often involved multiple family members and neighbors. Recorded easements and rights of way may name individuals connected to your family tree.

Gila County Court Records

The Clerk of the Superior Court keeps marriage licenses, divorce records, probate files, and civil cases. The courthouse is at 1400 E. Ash Street on the 3rd floor in Globe. Phone number is (928) 425-3231. The Gila County Clerk of Court website explains available services and fees.

Marriage licenses in Gila County cost $83. Certification fees run $35.00. Under ARS 25-121, couples must apply in person with valid identification. Marriage records from Gila County capture the diverse population drawn by mining jobs. Workers came from across the United States and many foreign countries. Their marriage records often note birthplaces and parents' names.

This clerk of court page explains services for Gila County genealogy researchers.

Probate records from Gila County reveal family structures when ancestors died. Estate inventories list property and personal belongings. Distribution documents name heirs and their relationships. Some probate files include correspondence, receipts, and other papers that add personal details beyond what vital records contain. Guardian appointments for minor children after a parent died also name family members.

Mining Records in Gila County

Copper mining shaped Gila County history. Globe, Miami, and the smaller mining camps employed thousands of workers from the 1870s through the modern era. Mining company records, union documents, and payroll ledgers may survive in archives. The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records holds some corporate mining records. The Arizona Historical Society also has mining industry materials in its collections.

Mining claims filed with the county recorder name individual prospectors and their partners. These documents often include physical descriptions of claim locations that help identify where ancestors worked. Claim transfers show how mining properties changed hands over time. Many prospectors moved between mining districts, so claims in one county may lead to records in neighboring counties.

Newspapers from Globe and Miami documented mining accidents, strikes, and community events. These papers named workers and their families. Obituaries and marriage announcements appeared regularly. Historical newspaper archives are available through the Arizona Memory Project and other digital collections.

Gila County Vital Records

Birth and death certificates in Arizona are governed by ARS 36-302. Arizona is a closed record state. Only eligible family members can obtain certified copies. Each certificate costs $20. For genealogy purposes, non-certified copies may be available with proof of family relationship.

Historical vital records become accessible over time. Birth records older than 75 years and death records older than 50 years are open for research. The free genealogy.az.gov database has searchable indexes and actual certificate images from this historical period. Gila County deaths from mining accidents, disease outbreaks, and natural causes are documented in these files.

Cemetery records supplement vital records for Gila County genealogy. Globe, Miami, Payson, and smaller communities have cemeteries with family plots. Volunteer transcriptions appear on Find A Grave and other websites. Funeral home records, where they survive, may contain additional family information.

Note: Office hours may vary, so call ahead before visiting Gila County offices.

State Resources for Gila County

The Arizona State Archives in Phoenix holds additional Gila County genealogy materials. Court records, naturalization papers, and territorial government documents are preserved there. Arizona residents get free access to Ancestry records through the state library system. The Arizona Memory Project contains photographs and documents that may include Gila County content.

FamilySearch has microfilmed many Gila County records. These films are available at FamilySearch Centers across Arizona. The FamilySearch Arizona guide lists digitized collections and explains how to access them. Census records, military records, and naturalization files are among the available resources.

Nearby Arizona Counties

Gila County borders several other counties. Workers moved between mining districts and timber operations. Search neighboring counties for additional family records.

Cities in Gila County

Gila County includes several communities spread across rugged terrain. Globe serves as the county seat. Payson is the largest town by population. Other communities include Miami, San Carlos, and Star Valley. None of these cities have populations over 50,000. All genealogy records for Gila County residents are maintained at the county level through the offices described above. The San Carlos Apache Reservation covers a portion of Gila County, and tribal records may be relevant for families with Apache ancestry.

Globe and Miami developed as twin mining towns along the Pinal Creek drainage. Their combined records tell the story of copper mining families. Payson grew separately in the Tonto Basin as a ranching and timber community. The geographic division between these areas means records may be filed at different office locations.