Gila County, Arizona
History, Records, Facts and Genealogy

Court Records | Vital Records | County History | County Links |

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Gila County was created on February 8, 1881 and was formed from Parts of Maricopa County and Pinal County. The county seat is Globe. Gila County was named for the Gila River, a river that flows through Arizona, whose name comes from a Pima Indian word.

Counties adjacent to Gila County are Yavapai County (northwest), Maricopa County (west), Pinal County (south), Graham County (southeast), Navajo County (east, northeast), Coconino County (north).

Cities include Globe. Towns Include Hayden, Miami, Payson, Star Valley, Winkelman. Unincorporated Communities include Kohls Ranch, Punkin Center.

The Official County Website is located at http://www.co.gila.az.us/ . See Extended History for More information.

Gila County Census Records - Federal Population Schedules that exist for Gila County, Arizona are 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930.

Search Arizona Historical Records - Databases include Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; Birth, Marriage & Death Records; Voter Lists & Census Records; Immigration & Emigration Records; Obituary Records; Military Records; Family Tree Records; Pictures; Stories, Memories & Histories; Directories & Member Lists and much more....

Gila County Court Records - Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information.

Gila County Clerk of Circuit Court has Court Records from 1881 , Marriage and Divorce Records from 1889 and Probate Records from 1881 and is located at Globe Courthouse, 1400 E. Ash Street Globe, AZ 85501; 928-425-3231 or Payson Courthouse, 714 S. Beeline Hwy., Payson, AZ 85541 ; 928-474-3978

County Court Clerks issue marriage licenses, maintain marriage and divorce records, civil, domestic, criminal, juvenile and probate records, Notary Public Bonds and Commissions, and any other duties that the presiding judge may prescribe.

Gila County Recorder has Land Records from 1881 and is located at 1400 East Ash Street, Globe, Arizona 85501; Phone: 1-928-402-8731 TDD number 711; Toll Free- 1-800-291-4452 (In-State) .

The County Recorder has two principle duties. The first duty of the County Recorder is to record documents, as required by law, to be public record. Instruments recorded include real estate transactions, mortgages, deed of trust, family trusts, personal property, tax liens, mining locations, subdivision plats, records of survey, military discharges, official appointments of office, and other documents required to be made of public record. The second major duty concerns elections since the County Recorder is also the registrar of voters for the county. This involves maintaining the county register, conducting early voting, verifying petition signatures, lists for political parties and candidates, and jury lists.

Gila County Assessor has Tax Records and is located at 1400 East Ash Street, Globe, Arizona 85501; 928-425-3231 -- 1-800-304-4452 WITHIN ARIZONA ONLY; -- 928-472-5340 ACCESS TO GLOBE COURTHOUSE -- 928-472-7973 ASSESSOR'S OFFICE IN PAYSON .

The County Assessor’s Office has the statutory duty to locate, identify and value all taxable property in the county’s jurisdiction. The Assessor’s office maintains ownership of certain files, provides public services, value all land, improvements, and personal property annually, maps all parcels and maintains all tax authorities (area and boundaries). The utilization of recorded documents, deeds, plat maps and sub-divisions are among the tools used by the Assessor’s Office to accomplish several of these tasks.

Gila County Vital Records Office has Birth and Death Records from 1887 and is located at 5515 South Apache Avenue, Globe, AZ 85501, (928) 425-3231 ext. 8803.

For Birth and Deaths occuring before 2007 contact the Arizona Bureau of Public Health Statistics, Office of Vital Records. See the Vital Records page for more information. You can Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service.

State and National Research

Statewide Information for Arizona Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records, Land Records, Marriage Records, Tax, Court & Probate Records, Census Records, Church & Cemetery Records, Military Records, State Genealogical and Historical Addresses.

Nationwide Information for United States Census Records, Court Records, Probate Records, Tax Records, Land Records, Military Records, Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records, Church & Cemetery Records, Immigration Records and State & County Maps.

Below is a list of online resources for Gila County Family Trees, web forums and other type information dealing with this county.

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Gila County History

 

Gila County has an area of 7,247 square miles, about equal to that of the State of New Jersey. This county is quite irregular in shape, and is bounded on the north by Coconino and a portion of Apache Counties; on the east by Apache and Graham Counties; on the south by Graham and Pinal Counties; on the west by Pinal, Maricopa and Yavapai Counties. The county-seat is Globe, the center of a large mining region, and the terminus of the Gila Valley and Globe Railroad, which connects with the Southern Pacific Railroad at Bowie Station in San Simon Valley, Cochise County. Gila is almost exclusively a mountain county, and the great industry for many years will be mining and work in connection with mines.

The population by census of 1900 was 4,973 and of Globe, the county-seat, by same census, 1,495. This county was created in 1881, at the eleventh legislative session of the Territorial legislature, by taking territory from Yavapai and Pinal Counties, its name is derived from the River Gila, which forms a portion of its southern boundary; after its first formation some 965 square miles were added from Yavapai County.

Much of the best agricultural lands of this county are embraced in the San Carlos Indian Reservation. The county is largely mountainous and in many places abounds in minerals, mostly copper, though the more precious minerals, as gold and silver, are found, also.

The Salt River flows through the northern portion of the county and farther in are some flourishing settlements, dependent upon the land they cultivate for their subsistence. The Rio Solado or Salt River receives its name from the salty or brackish taste of its waters, and many statements have been put forth to account for this peculiarity of a mountain stream. Some who would wish to have others think they knew all things, and could give reasons off hand for everything, have told of a vast bed of salt that the river ran over on its course from the mountains to the valley, and that the constant scouring and erosion wears off enough of the rock salt to give all the waters of the lower stream a saline taste. Upon investigation, however, it has been ascertained that about north of the city of Globe is a small mountain or hill of pure rock salt from which flows quite a stream of very salt water, this stream flows into Salt River and impregnates its waters from this point, as above this junction the main stream is fresh. This stream of salt water ought, if possible, to be diverted from flowing into Salt River, as it may be that so much salinity in water used for irrigation may impregnate the soil to such an extent as in time to render it unproductive. One great remedy after land has become sterile through the salinity of water used for irrigation is to grow beets for several crops, though it might be very inconvenient to many to do this.

This county has many natural wonders: in the northern part the natural bridge, which spans Pine Creek, far surpasses the world-famed Natural Bridge of Virginia.! Beneath this bridge are numerous caves, some not yet explored. In this portion of the county many beautiful waterfalls are found, and springs from which flow a sufficiency of water to drive heavy machinery. There are warm springs upon the San Carlos Reservation, believed by the Indians to possess almost marvelous curative qualities. There is much, also, to interest the scientist: evidences of a race of humanity having lived here in the ages long past, the cliff dwellers; and as for beautiful and imposing scenery, it is here mapped out in rocky splendor for his admiration.

The Pinal Mountain Range crosses the county south and west and is heavily timbered; the Sierra Ancha and Mazatsal Ranges on the north are covered also with a heavy growth of pine, oak and juniper.

The main industry of this county is mining and from its southern to its northern boundary minerals abound. The Globe Copper Mines have paid largely from the start when everything in connection with the mines had to be hauled by mule wagons to and from Willcox upon the Southern Pacific Railroad, a distance of about one hundred and fifty miles. There is also within the bounds of this county the San Carlos coal fields though but little has been done towards developing this deposit.

The San Carlos Indian Reservation embraces much of the county and probably fully one-half of the agricultural land; small portions are tilled by the Apaches in a desultory manner. Down Pinal Creek about twelve miles from Globe, at a point where is living water at all seasons, is what is known as the wheat fields. This land was cultivated, to a considerable extent, by the Apache Indians, who here planted corn, pumpkins and beans long before there were any white settlers in the vicinity. The land now by reason of its productiveness and nearness to market is valued at a higher figure. Within sight of this mountain divide lies nearly all the farming land of the county. From the mouth of Pima Creek it is about fifteen miles to the Box Canon of Salt River. There are about four thousand acres of land fenced in, and of this some two thousand acres are devoted to the raising of grain. Much attention is also given to the raising of stock. Tonto Creek joins the Salt River just above the Box Canon from the north; the valley of Tonto Creek is broad and is occupied for some twenty- five miles by stockmen, who raise little produce excepting hay.

There are many evidences of a pre-historic race having inhabited this country long before the advent of Europeans upon this continent. Upon many of the hilltops there are to be found the remains of stone structures, circular in form, which seem to have been used either as a watch tower or temple for sun worship, maybe for both purposes. Is it to be wondered at that these primitive inhabitants should worship the sun, to them the great creative power, their darkened minds not having risen to a comprehension of the Invisible,—"Him who kindled and who quenchest suns." Upon many of the jutting cliffs are remains of what were undoubtedly fortresses, constructed so as to overlook the valley below and exterior defenses which commanded all approaches.

A short distance below Greenback Creek are the remains of an immense ruin on the mesa or plateau. The walls of this ruin are yet standing to the height of six or eight feet and are covered with debris. This structure was built of gypsum; a large deposit of which underlies the country in the neighborhood, cropping out when the upper covering has been eroded sufficiently either through the action of wind or water. Several irrigating canals can be traced which must have required no mean engineering skill to bring the water to the top of the table lands. Along the small streams in the vicinity are marked out in cobble stones long stretches of connected enclosures that must have been rooms of houses. Some of these houses are as long as half a mile, though narrow. Here in the long past must have existed the inhabitants of a populous city. The washings of centuries have mostly covered these antique dwellings until the sites now are but slightly marked on the edges of the lowest plateau. Some very interesting remains, evidencing that there have been here an ancient people, are to be found to the south a few miles from Armer Post office.

Far up a narrow canon and reached only after an exhaustive climb, a number of cliff dwellings are found. They are all constructed after much the same plan. In the contact between the sandstone stratum and more ancient formation which underlies it, several large caves have been worn out by action of wind and water. Across the wide mouth was built a wall of cement, somewhat the shape of an open oyster shell, and the interior was divided off into rooms by partition walls of the same material. The manner by which the primitive inhabitants entered their dwellings was by means of a ladder or notched stick or log, up the face of the cliff maybe fifteen or twenty feet to the level of the roof, then through a hole in the roof by drawing up the ladder and placing it down this aperture, a descent could be made into the dwelling, then by letting down and fastening the trap door and removing the ladder all would be secure against external foes. Nothing short of heavy ordnance would prove effective against these fortified dwellings, even up to the present day. The largest cave of this group is about one hundred feet long, by forty feet deep, and twenty feet in height at the face; there were within, some dozen rooms arranged upon three floors; the floors were of neatly dressed cedar logs upon which were laid, crosswise and close as they could be together, ribs of the giant cactus, and upon these, flags and a clay dressing. The woodwork in these caves is in an excellent state of preservation, the condition for preserving relics of a long past era could nowhere be found nearer perfection.

The climate is free from humidity and through the long lapse of ages not a drop of moisture has reached the interior of these caves. The probability seems to be that they were used as a place of refuge, a denier resort by those people who cultivated the valleys, and these fortresses were kept victualed and guarded so that on the approach of a foe too strong for them to encounter in the open field, the inhabitants withdrew into these strongholds until the storm of invasion should pass on.

The mountain scenery of this county is very grand and fully equal to that of Switzerland which has been the theme for ages of the historian, the tourist and the poet. The schools are good and well attended, showing that education is not neglected by her energetic and prosperous people. The churches, also, are well attended and supported. When Gila was first created a county organization (1881), there was not a single church within its boundaries, though the Latter-day Saints (Mormons) held meetings in private houses. Since that time many of the different denominations have erected houses of worship, until the religious requirements of the people are fairly well attended to. There are some thirty-three public schools within the county, employing about forty competent teachers. At Thatcher is located an academy maintained by the Mormon Church organization; so a fair business education can be obtained by every child without leaving the Gila Valley.

The secret orders are ably represented and have many valuable buildings and their humanizing influence, as always, has a powerful effect for the good of society. The most prominent are, perhaps, in about the order named: Masons, Odd Fellows and Elks. Of benevolent societies the A. O. U. W. stands prominent. There are two weekly papers published at Globe and both seem to be doing well. Assessable valuation of property of this county for 1903 amounted to $1,541,924.

Source: The History of Arizona: From the Earliest Times Known to the People of Europe to 1903 By Sidney Randolph De Long, Arizona Pioneers' Historical Society Published by The Whitaker & Ray company, 1905

"Gila County was formed from parts of Maricopa and Pinal counties on February 8, 1881, and was extended eastward to the San Carlos River by petition in 1889. It contains 3,040,000 acres. The county was named fro the Gila River, which forms part of its southern boundary. The county seat was established at what was originally called Globe City, now Globe, an important copper mining center.

The elevation of Gila County varies from 2,123 feet at Roosevelt Dam to 7,153 feet at Mount Ord. Over half of the county is occupied by the San Carlos Indian Reservation, which in turn extends into Graham County for half its own area. The principal industries of Gila County have always been and continue to be mining and the raising of livestock."

Barnes, Will C.; Granger, Byrd (ed.) Arizona Place Names University of Arizona Press. 1960.
P. 94

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Gila County Links

 

Gila County Family Histroy Site Links - The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher. When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide.

  • Nichols and Related Families of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virgina.
  • The Arizona Family Group Sheets Project
  • Stories, Memories & Histories - Stories and histories compiled by others researching a person or area can be an amazing source of information about your ancestors. Not only do they generally contain dates and places of vital events like birth, marriage, and death, but they often relate stories and memories that help you really get to know the character of your ancestors.
  • Arizona USGenweb Site
  • National USGenweb Main Page
  • Family Trees - Ancestry has thousands of family trees shared by other members. They can help you identify how ancestors are related and give you clues about birth, marriage, and death information. Family trees are an excellent resource for filling in gaps in your research or even to simply know where to begin.
  • Family Pictures - One of the more exciting discoveries in doing family history research is finding a photograph of your ancestors or their residence. Finding historic postcard photos and drawings of towns and important events throughout history can also give you a visual look into your ancestors lives.
  • Gila County, Arizona Family Books at Amazon.com

Gila County Court, Probate, Land, Immigration, and Tax Record Links - Researchers often overlook the importance of court records, probate records, and land records as a source of family history information.

  • Order County Court, Civil or Criminal Records Online
  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM) which covers the State of Arizona. Many pioneers and settelers bought land from the government instead of individuals.
  • Court, Land, Wills & Financial - Court records are an often overlooked, yet very valuable tool for finding information to assist you in your research. Land records, such as deeds, allow you to tie an ancestor to a specific place at a point in time. Other court records like those dealing with finances and estates often list related family members or give interesting details like the total value of property owned by your ancestors to add interest to your family history.
  • Immigration & Emigration - As our ancestors moved from one country to another, details about their lives were recorded on passenger lists and government documents. Immigration and emigration records can help you learn where your ancestors originally came from, where they went, when they left, who they traveled with, and more.
  • Gila County, Arizona Court Books at Amazon.com

Gila County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Record Links - Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

  • VitalChek Express Certificate Service. - Some documents are just too important to wait six weeks for. With VitalChek Express Certificate Service you won’t have to. VitalChek is the fast and convenient way to order certified government-issued vital records online. They make it easy for you to purchase the documents to which you are legally entitled. Beware of other online services that do not have relationships directly with the agencies that store your vital records. VitalChek's order process usually takes less than 10 minutes --And you can select express courier service for even faster delivery when time is running out.
  • Find Obituaries in The World's Largest Newspaper Archive at NewpaperArchive.com! - Find thousands of Arkansas obituaries to help you research your family history. Search for a Arkansas newspaper obituary about your ancestor or a celebrity. Begin your search today and find death notices and funeral announcements printed in newspapers from Arizona . Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.
  • Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index for FREEicon - Search over 82 million death records and get genealogical information crucial to your family research. New content added weekly! Most comprehensive SSDI site online!
  • Research Death records In The World's Largest Newspaper Archive at NewpaperArchive.com! - Find thousands of historical Arkansas newspaper articles about deaths. Search for local articles about an old family friend that died many years ago or a celebrity that committed suicide. Historical newspapers contain a wealth of information about the deceased.
  • Birth, Marriage & Death - Vital records (births, deaths, marriages, and divorces) mark the milestones of our lives and are the foundation of family history research. Vital records, usually kept by a civic authority, can give you a more complete picture of your ancestor, help you distinguish between two people with the same name, and help you find links to a new generation.
  • Gila County, Arizona Birth, Marriage & Death Books at Amazon.com

Gila County Census Record Links - Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

  • Research In American Census Records
  • U.S. Census Extraction Forms - These are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research.
  • Census & Voter Lists - A census is an official list of the people in a particular area at a given time, while voter lists show those who were registered to vote in a certain area. The valuable information found on census records helps you to understand your family in their time and place. Voter Lists serve as a confirmation of residence in between the years that the census was taken.
  • Gila County, Arizona Census Books at Amazon.com

Gila County Military Record Links - Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.

  • Military - The men and women called to serve their country in military duty are a source of pride to their families and to their nation. Now, with databases containing more than 16 million names and thousands of government records available to search, researching your veteran ancestors has become easier than ever before.
  • Gila County, Arizona Military Books at Amazon.com

Gila County Church Links

  • Gila County, Arizona Church Books at Amazon.com

Gila County Cemetery Links - Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.

Gila County Map & Atlas Links

  • Research In State Map Collections
  • Genealogy Atlas has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for Arkansas and other states.
  • Rotating animated maps for Arizona showing all the county boundary changes for each year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries .
  • Arizona Department of Transportation - You can view a list of maps for other states and State Department of Transportation Maps at The Arkansas Department of Transportation has county maps the show the locations of churches, cemeteries, roads, ect... free for viewing or download here
  • Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers - Maps are an invaluable part of family history research, especially if you live far from where your ancestor lived. Because political boundaries often changed, historic maps are critical in helping you discover the precise location of your ancestor's hometown, what land they owned, who their neighbors were, and more.
  • Gila County, Arizona Map Books at Amazon.com

Gila County General Genealogy Links

  • Search 60 Years Of Everton Data: For the first time ever you can get access to more than 150,000 pedigree files and family group sheets from Evertons. Learn More
  • Genealogy Encyclopedia: General Abbreviations, Early Illnesses, Nickname Meanings, Worldwide Epidemics, Early Occupations, Common Terms, Censuses Explained, Free Genealogical Forms
  • Search the Family Tree DNA Project - Use DNA testing to break through your genealogical barriers!
  • Reference Materials & Finding Aids - Reference materials, including dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other how-to books, can be tremendously helpful in finding and interpreting historical documents. Many of these books can help you learn where to look for more information and how to use what you've already found to uncover more clues.
  • Newspapers & Periodicals - The Newspapers & Periodicals Collection lets you discover a wealth of information about your ancestors from many historical newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals. These types of sources can often supplement public records and provide information that is not recorded anywhere else. Here, you can learn more about your ancestor's possible daily activities by placing them in the context of their time.
  • Directories & Member Lists - Directories and member lists are typically compilations of information about people who belonged to various associations and groups or lived within city boundaries. They can be thought of as the predecessors to the modern-day phone book and usually list names, addresses, and sometimes the occupations of your ancestors.
  • Arizona Genealogical Society Books at Amazon.com
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