Pat Burns
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New Mexico Genealogy and Ancestry Research
This page will provide you with information that will help you in your genealogy and ancestry research for the state of New Mexico. It includes a timeline for the state, when the state began recording vital records, what US and State census records are available, a map of the counties in the state and link to page showing when counties were formed, and links to a variety of genealogy and ancestry resources for the state of New Mexico.
New Mexico State History Timeline
1540 – Spanish conquistador Francisco Vazquez de Coronado arrives and claims the land for Spain.
1598 – New Mexico becomes an official colony of Spain.
1610 – The settlement of Santa Fe is established.
1680 – The Pueblo people revolt against the Spanish.
1706 – The city of Albuquerque is established.
1821 – New Mexico becomes a province of Mexico after Mexico declares independence from Spain.
1821 – The Santa Fe Trail is opened by William Becknell.
1846 – The start of the Mexican-American War.
1848 – The U.S. gains control of New Mexico as a result of winning the Mexican-American War.
1850 – The New Mexico Territory is established by the United States.
1863 – The Long Walk begins as the Navajo are forced to relocate.
1881 – Billy the Kid is shot and killed.
1912 – New Mexico is admitted as the 47th state.
New Mexico Vital Records
Statewide recording began in 1920, although some earlier records may be found, including those found as part of real estate transactions in some counties. Additionally, there are some delayed certificates of birth from 1866 to 1895 and some death certificates beginning in 1889.
Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org has a variety of online collections which I’ve included in the links below.
New Mexico Census Records
Federal
Population Schedules
- Indexed’1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930
- Soundex’1880, 1900, 1920
Union Veterans Schedules
- 1890
.
Native American Schedules
Native American schedules prior to 1880 are incomplete and contain inaccuracies. From 1885 to 1940, Native American censuses were taken regularly but not annually. Surviving records vary by tribe.
The researcher should consult National Archives sources for details.
Colonial and State
Numerous Spanish and Mexican colonial censuses can be found at the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives. Originals are in Spanish, but the following have been published:
- Olmsted, Virginia L., comp. Spanish and Mexican Censuses of New Mexico, 1750 to 1830. Albuquerque: New Mexico Genealogical Society, 1981.
- ____, trans. and comp. Spanish and Mexican Colonial Censuses of New Mexico, 1790, 1823, 1845. Albuquerque: New Mexico Genealogical Society, 1979. (Contains corrections of the 1975 edition, as well as new material.)
Copies are available at the Special Collections Library at the University of New Mexico, Family History Centers in Albuquerque, and many other locations.
The New Mexico State Records Center and Archives also holds the 1885 state census, which was actually a federally taken census and includes all members of the household. Some schedules are missing and others are illegible. It is available through the Special Collections Library at the University of New Mexico, the National Archives, the FHL, and other locations.
See New Mexico Census at FamilySearch.org for more information.
New Mexico Counties
The New Mexico County Resources at rootsweb originally written by Karen Stein Daniel, CG and Margaret Windham for Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, includes more information on each county including date formed, parent county(ies), and first recorded dates for marriage, death, land, probate.
New Mexico Genealogy and Ancestry Links
Ancestry.com has a variety of online collections. Membership may be required.
- New Mexico Data Collections
- New Mexico, U.S., Land Records of New Spain, 1692-1846
- New Mexico, U.S., Census, Military, and Other Records of Mexico, 1821-1846.
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FamilySearch.org has a variety of FREE online collections.
- New Mexico Online Genealogy Records
- New Mexico, Births and Christenings, 1726-1918
- New Mexico, Marriages, 1751-1918
- New Mexico, County Marriages, 1885-1954
- New Mexico, Deaths and Burials, 1788-1798, 1838-1955
- New Mexico, Deaths, 1889-1945
- New Mexico, County Death Records, 1907-1952
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NMGenWeb Project
https://www.nmgenweb.us/
New Mexico Genealogy Trails
http://genealogytrails.com/newmex/
Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness – New Mexico Records Guide
https://raogk.org/newmexico/
GenealogySpot – New Mexico
http://www.genealogyspot.com/state/nm.htm
GenealogyBuff.com – New Mexico Genealogy Data
http://www.genealogybuff.com/nm/
Genealogy Toolbox – New Mexico
http://www.genealogytoolbox.com/NM/new-mexico-state.html
New Mexico Genealogical Society
https://www.nmgs.org/
New Jersey State History Timelines
Ducksters – New Mexico State History
https://www.ducksters.com/geography/us_states/new_mexico_history.php
eReference Desk – New Mexico History Timeline
https://www.ereferencedesk.com/resources/state-history-timeline/new-mexico.html
Timeline of New mexico History – by PPSA Online Magazine
https://www.ppsa.com/magazine/NMtimeline.html
Timelines of History – New Mexico
https://www.timelines.ws/states/NEWMEXICO.HTML
DatesandEvents.org – New Mexico History Timeline
http://www.datesandevents.org/american-timelines/31-new-mexico-history-timeline.htm
Sources
- Attribute – New Mexico Counties Map. This map was created by William Dollarhide and was published in Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources. https://wiki.rootsweb.com/wiki/index.php/Map_of_New_Mexico (Accessed 10 Jan 2021).
- New Mexico Family History Research. This entry was originally written by Karen Stein Daniel, CG and Margaret Windham for Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources. https://wiki.rootsweb.com/wiki/index.php/New_Mexico_Family_History_Research (Accessed 10 January 2021).
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