Boulder County, Colorado Genealogy
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Guide to Boulder County, Colorado ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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Contents
- 1 County Information
- 2 Resources
- 2.1 Bible Records
- 2.2 Biographies
- 2.3 Business, Commerce, and Occupations
- 2.4 Cemeteries
- 2.5 Census Records
- 2.6 Church Records
- 2.7 Court Records
- 2.8 Directories
- 2.9 Emigration and Immigration
- 2.10 Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
- 2.11 Funeral Homes
- 2.12 Genealogies
- 2.13 Guardianship
- 2.14 Land and Property Records
- 2.15 Local Histories
- 2.16 Maps and Gazetteers
- 2.17 Migration
- 2.18 Military Records
- 2.19 Naturalization and Citizenship
- 2.20 Newspapers
- 2.21 Obituaries
- 2.22 Other Records
- 2.23 Periodicals
- 2.24 Probate Records
- 2.25 School Records
- 2.26 Tax Records
- 2.27 Vital Records
- 3 Research Facilities
- 4 Societies
- 5 Websites
- 6 Research Guides
- 7 References
County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
The early settlers mostly came for the Colorado gold rush in 1858. The County was named after Boulder City and Boulder Creek, so named because of the abundance of boulders in the area. The County is located in the southeast area of the state. [2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Boulder County Courthouse
2020 13th st
PO Box 471
Boulder, CO 80302
Phone 303.441.7770
Boulder County Website
Boulder Clerk Recorder's Office
1750 33rd Street, Suite 201
Boulder, CO 80301
Telephone: (303) 413-7770
County recorder has marriage records from 1863, land records from 1864 and military discharge records from 1917;
County Health Department has birth and death records records from 1872.
County Court has probate, divorce and court records.[3]
Boulder County, Colorado Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1872 | 1863 | 1872 | 1864 | 1864 | 1864 | 1860 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
|
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
|
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
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:[6]
| Cities | ||
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
- Caribou, Colorado was an important silver mining town. Famed at the time for being the coldest, snowiest, windiest town, at 10,000 feet elevation it was not an easy place to live. The Silver Crash of 1893 meant that it was less profitable. Incorporated as a town in 1871, Caribou had peak population of 549 in the 1880 census, and became a ghost town by the 1920s. [7]
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Census Records[edit | edit source]
In 1860, present-day Colorado was enumerated in the Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Utah Territories. Colorado Territory was created in 1861 and was enumerated as such in the 1870 Census. A state census was taken in 1885 for Colorado.[8] See links listed below.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1870 | 1,939 | — |
| 1880 | 9,723 | 401.4% |
| 1890 | 14,082 | 44.8% |
| 1900 | 21,544 | 53.0% |
| 1910 | 30,334 | 40.8% |
| 1920 | 31,861 | 5.0% |
| 1930 | 32,456 | 1.9% |
| 1940 | 37,438 | 15.4% |
| 1950 | 48,296 | 29.0% |
| 1960 | 74,254 | 53.7% |
| 1970 | 131,889 | 77.6% |
| 1980 | 189,625 | 43.8% |
| 1990 | 226,374 | 19.4% |
| 2000 | 271,651 | 20.0% |
| 2010 | 294,567 | 8.4% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
State and Territory Census Records[edit | edit source]
- 1860 - United States Census, 1860 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images; Colorado was included in the 1860 Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Utah Territories Censuses
- 1870 - United States Census, 1870 at FamilySearch Historical Records — index and images; Colorado Territory Census
- 1885 - Colorado State Census, 1885 at FamilySearch - Index and images
- 1885 - Colorado State Census, 1885 at Ancestry - ($), Index and images
Federal Census Records[edit | edit source]
The 1880 Census was the first Federal Census for Colorado after it became a state in 1876.[9] For links to Federal Census indexes, see Colorado Census.
- 1860 The first U.S. federal census that included the Boulder county area was part of the 1860 Nebraska territorial census. Transcribed records from that census are available here: Census
- 1870 U. S. federal census records began for Colorado in 1870 and continue every ten years to the present.
- 1860-1940 Colorado Census Records from 1860 to 1940 at FamilySearch.org — index/images
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Church records vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Colorado denominations, view the Colorado Church Records wiki page.
Online Church Records
- 1692-1942 - Colorado, Church Records, 1692-1942 at FamilySearch — index
Lutheran Church
- Records of the American Lutheran Church, Broomfield, in Evangelical Lutheran Church in America database at Archives.com ($).
Presbyterian Church
- 1743-1970 - U.S., Presbyterian Records, 1743-1970 at Ancestry — ($); Index and images; Dates vary for each county
Additional Churches
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Numerous records are available at Colorado Archives. To use this link scroll down the page to where it asks for Record Type. Click there and scroll down the list to the records you want and select. The next field asks for county. Select the county you want and then click on Search. You can narrow the search by adding the additional information it asks for.
1914-1934 Boulder County Mothers' Compensation Records 1914-1934. An Index compiled from the official]] record of the applications granted by the Boulder County Commissioners during these years. Record may show the following:
- Name of Applicant
- Date and Amount of Compensation payment
- Any adjustments to the pension
- Person's age
- Town nearest to where they lived
- Other Actions done by the County.
1933-1936 Boulder County Old Age Pension Records 1933-1936. An Index compiled from the official record of the applications granted by the Boulder County Commissioners during these years. Record may show the following:
- Name of Applicant
- Date and Amount of pension payment
- Any adjustments to the pension
- Person's age
- Town nearest to where they lived
- Other Actions done by the County
Directories[edit | edit source]
Online Directories
- 1896-1949 - U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 at Ancestry - ($), Index and images, Boulder City Directories
- 1912-1943 - U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 at Ancestry - ($), Index and images, Longmont City Directories
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Colorado Land and Property for additional information about early Colorado land grants.
After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse, where current records are also housed.
Boulder County Recording Division (303) 413-7770 and fax (303) 413-7775
email: recording@bouldercounty.org
Online Land Records
- Colorado DPA Land Records - Index only; Choose Record Type, and search either "Land Patents" or "Land Records."
- Land Patent Search - index to federal patents and homesteads on the Bureau of Land Management website, some images available
- 1796-1907 - U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907 at Ancestry - index, info taken from Bureau of Land Management website
- 1863-1908 - U.S. Homestead Records 1863-1908 at Ancestry.com - ($), index and images
- 1862-1908 - Denver Land Office Records, 1862-1908 at Ancestry.com - ($), index only
For more information see Colorado Land and Property
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
Some local histories available are these:
- Boulder County: an illustrated history / by Thomas J. Noel and Dan W. Corson. Carlsbad, Calif. ; Heritage Media Corp., c1999.
- Ghosts of Boulder County: a guide to the ghost towns and mining camps of Boulder County, Colorado / written and photographed by John K. Aldrich. Lakewood, Colo. (5815 W. 6th St., Bldg. 2, Suite. A, Lakewood 80214): Centennial Graphics, c1986
- A guide to the greater St. Vrain Valley. Compass Communications, 1975-
- Boulder County (Colorado) area key : a study of the genealogical record sources of Boulder County, Colorado, including maps, history, addresses / compiled by Florence Runyan Clint. Denver, CO : Eden Press, c1969.
Online County Histories
- History of Clear Creek and Boulder Valley, Colorado. 1880. By Sanford Charles Gladden. Chicago, Illinois : O.L. Baskin. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust, Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
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Click a neighboring county
for more resources
for more resources
Boulder County has numerous maps available online here: Maps
- Interactive Formation Boundary Map of Colorado - shows boundary changes for Colorado Counties
- Colorado Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Online Collections[edit | edit source]
These collections are unique to Colorado. You will find nationwide databases for military records on U.S. Military Online Genealogy Records and Colorado Military Records.
All Veterans
- Colorado State Archives Veterans Grave Registration Index at the Colorado State Archives website - Index only; In the Record Type field, select, Military - Grave
Civil War
- Colorado Civil War Casualties Index at the Colorado State Archives website - Index only; In the Record Type field, select, Civil War Casualty
- 1861-1865 - Colorado State Archives Volunteers Transcript of Record Index (1861-1865) at the Colorado State Archives website - Index only; In the Record Type field, select, Transcript of Record
Spanish-American War (1898)
- 1898 - Colorado Volunteers in the Spanish American War, 1898 - at the Colorado State Archives website - Index only; In the Record Type field, select, Span-Am War Soldiers
World War I
- 1916-1919 - Colorado State Archives Denver War Risk Insurance Applicants, 1916-1919 - at the Colorado State Archives website - Index only; In the Record Type field, select, War Risk Insurance
- 1917-1922 - Colorado State Archives World War I Civilian Service Questionnaires, 1917-1922 - at the Colorado State Archives website - Index only; In the Record Type field, select, WWI Questionnaire
- 1917-1918 - Colorado Soldiers in WWI, 1917-1918 at Ancestry.com — ($), index
World War II
- 1940-1945 - Colorado, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1945 at FamilySearch — index and images
Vietnam War
- 1966 & 1968 - Colorado State Archives Vietnam War Casualties - June-December 1966 & January-December 1968 - at the Colorado State Archives website - Index only; In the Record Type field, select, Vietnam Deaths
For further information see Colorado Military Records.
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Online Records
- 1868-1990 - Colorado, State and Federal Naturalization Records, 1868-1990 at Ancestry ($); Index and images
- 1876-1990 - Colorado Naturalization Records, 1876-1990 at FamilySearch — index and images; District Court records
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
For more information, see Colorado Newspapers.
Colorado Newspapers Online
- Colorado Online Historical Newspapers online - in the Colorado Historic Newspaper Collection by the Colorado State Library
- Colorado Newspapers at Ancestry.com - ($)
- GenealogyBank - ($), contains images of Colorado newspapers
- Newspaper Archive - ($), contains images of Colorado newspapers
- Chronicling America - contains images of some Colorado newspapers; searching tips
- Elephind - Free; search engine that retrieves newspaper images from other free newspaper websites
- 1869 - Boulder County Pioneer online at Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection - free.[10]
- 1869-1878 - Boulder County News online at Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection - free.[10]
- 1871 - Burlington Free Press online at Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection - free.[10]
- 1872-1882 - Longmont Press online at Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection - free.[10]
- 1875-1877 - Colorado Banner online at Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection - free.[10]
- 1878 - Boulder County Courier online at Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection - free.[10]
- 1879-1883 - Boulder News and Courier online at Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection - free.[10]
- 1888 - Longmont Times online at Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection - free.[10]
- 1891-1894 - Boulder Daily Camera online at Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection - free.[10]
- 1896 - Daily Times, Longmont, online at Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection - free.[10]
- 1897-1898 - Longmont Ledger online at Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection - free.[10]
- 1900-1901 - Lyons Recorder online at Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection - free.[10]
Colorado Newspaper Catalogs
- U.S. Newspaper Directory, 1690-Present on Chronicling America - contains a list of all known newspapers and the dates they cover; once you locate a newspaper name, contact the local library to see if they have copies of the newspaper
Microfilm of old newspapers is available at the Boulder Public Library and at the Longmont Public Library. The Longmont collection includes issues from 1872 to the present. See Longmont Newspapers
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
Probate records have been kept by the county courts. Colorado probate records include bonds, affidavits, letters, claims, appraisals, fee accounts, minutes, judgments, dockets, calendars, case files, and wills. The Family History Library does not have copies of probate records from Colorado.
You may obtain copies of documents from the clerk's office in the county courthouse.
- Estate Files from 1862 are in the Colorado State Archives
Online Records
- 1852 to 2004 The probate holdings in the state archives for Boulder County include the years 1852 to 2004.
- 1862–1900 The Colorado State Archives has a searchable database for county probate records. Boulder County records for the years 1862 to 1900 can be found in this index. Boulder County Records.
- 1875–1974 Colorado Wills and Probate Records 1875-1974 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
- 1900–2004 Boulder County probate records for the years 1900 to 2004 are currently being indexed (as of March 2018) at the Colorado State Archives by members of the Boulder Genealogical Society.
School Records[edit | edit source]
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
Colorado tax records complement land records and can be used as supplements to censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the records. To find tax records in the FamilySearch Catalog, do a Place Search for the county.
1941-1943 Boulder County Inheritance Tax Records Index (1941-1943) is one of many On-Line Indexes available at the Colorado State Archives website.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
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 Vital Records Section Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment or the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred.
For some online statewide indexes, see the FamilySearch Historical Record Collections for Colorado.
See also Colorado Vital Records.
Birth[edit | edit source]
Birth records may become public records when 100 years have elapsed after the date of birth. EXCEPTION: The birth record of any individual who is known to be currently alive will remain confidential even if they are 100 years of age or greater. [11]
Boulder County Public Health can issue certified birth certificates for births occurring anywhere in Colorado from 1904 to present day. They only issue certified copies of birth certificates.
Only the person named on the record or members of the immediate family, legal representatives of those named above, or others demonstrating a direct and tangible interest in the record may request a copy if the birth occurred within the last 100 years as stated above. Proof of your relationship or direct and tangible interest is required.
Birth & Death Certificates
Boulder: (303) 441-1100
Longmont: (303) 678-6166
Marriage[edit | edit source]
The Boulder County Recorder's office will search their indexes if you call or come in to the office. If a record is found, a copy can be purchased in person or by mail. Call (303) 413-7770 and press 0 to speak to a clerk.
Online Records
- 1784-2007 - Colorado, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
- 1809-2011 - Western States Marriage Index, 1809-2011 - Index, incomplete, list of counties included
- 1853-2006 - Colorado Statewide Marriage Index, 1853-2006 at FamilySearch.org - Index and images
- 1859-1900 - Colorado Marriages, 1859-1900 at Ancestry.com - ($); Index only
- 1862-2006 - Colorado, County Marriages and State Indexes, 1862-2006 at Ancestry ($), Index and images
- 1864-1995 - Colorado, County Marriages, 1864-1995 at FamilySearch - Index and images
- 1900-1939 - Colorado, Statewide Marriage Index, 1900-1939 at Ancestry.com - ($); Browseable images of original index
Death[edit | edit source]
Death records may become public records when 75 years have elapsed after the date of death. [11]
Certified copies of death certificates may be issued to: parents; grandparents; stepparents; siblings; spouse; adult children, stepchildren, or grandchildren of the deceased; legal representatives of any of the above; legal representatives of the deceased; probate researchers; genealogists representing family members with appropriate credentials; others who may demonstrate a direct and tangible interest when information is needed for determination or protection of a personal property right. Proof of your relationship or direct and tangible interest is required.
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Boulder County divorces take place in Colorado’s 20th Judicial District. To obtain copies of divorce records there are fees for searching and for copies.
Boulder County Combined Courts Research Department (303) 441-4860 Combined Courts Research Department
Online Records
- 1851-1985 Colorado, Divorce Index, 1851-1985 at Ancestry - ($); Index only
- 1900-1939 - Colorado Statewide Divorce Index, 1900-1939 at FamilySearch - Browseable images of original index
- 1904-1912 The Colorado State Archives has put a name only index to the Boulder County Divorce Records for the period 5/14/1904 to 4/22/1912 on-line.
- 1964-1995 The Colorado State Archives also has the divorce records for Boulder County from 1964 to 1995. To obtain these records, you need the case number and can get it from the Boulder County Combined Courts. Then go to Combined Courts Divorce Records
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
The Colorado State Archives has the following records available for Boulder County, Colorado Genealogy in this online database Archives Search. For a full list of online holdings, click here.
(Statewide)
1880-1939 Divorce Index
1883-1900 Mine Accidents, Non - fatal
1897-1920 Horseshoers
1936-1942 Civilian Conservation Corps Enrollments
1966-1968 Vietnam Deaths
1862-1900 Boulder County Probates
1871-1872 Boulder County Rights of Way Cases
1892-1906 Boulder County Birth Index
1904-1918 Boulder County Divorce
1914-1934 Boulder County Mothers Compensations
1933-1936 Boulder County Old Age Pension
1941-1943 Boulder County Inheritance Tax Records
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance and free access to premium genealogical websites. In addition, many centers have free how-to genealogy classes.
- For current information about a center near you, go to the Family History Center Map
Libraries[edit | edit source]
|
Boulder Public Library |
Louisville Public Library |
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
|
Boulder Genealogical Society |
St. Vrain Historical Society |
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Boulder County COGenWeb
- 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
- Boulder County, Colorado Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, "Boulder County, Colorado Genealogy and History", http://genealogytrails.com/colo/boulder/ 6/27/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Boulder County, Colorado. Page 97At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Boulder County, Colorado. Page 97 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 92.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT: Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Boulder County, Colorado," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulder_County,_Colorado, accessed May 12, 2017.
- ↑ Noel, Thomas J. and Dan W. Corson. Boulder County, An Illustrated History.; Carlsbad, California; Heritage Media Corporation: 1999. pp 63-65.
- ↑ William Thorndale and William Dollarhide, Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses (Bountiful, UT: American Genealogical Lending Library, 1985), page 51-54; Alice Eichholz, ‘’Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County and Town Sources,’’ 3rd ed. (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 2004), 86. Free online version; FHL Book 973 D27rb 2004; WorldCat entry.
- ↑ William Thorndale and William Dollarhide, Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses (Bountiful, UT: American Genealogical Lending Library, 1985), page 54.
- ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 10.11 Colorado Online Historical Newspapers, https://sites.google.com/site/onlinenewspapersite/Home/usa/co, accessed 19 July 2013.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Letter from Colorado State Registrar, Dated September 1, 2011. Policy Number 2011- 08. http://www.colorado.gov
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