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Locating Catholic Church Records in New Mexico Records and Sources

The Records: How will I find them? Noncommercial sources for NM Microfilm, microfiche, and books Missing Records Skip to bottom for: Sources Site Map Know the film Identification:  Throughout this databank, microfilm rolls are identified by different letters: FHL, AASF, and ADG, as follows:  FHL: Those beginning with the letters FHL (Family History Library) indicate they were filmed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and may be obtained for searching through any of the LDS Family History Centers nationally and internationally. See Where to find the microfilm, section 3A below. AASF: Microfilms beginning with the letters AASF indicate that the records were filmed by the Archives of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and are available for consultation only in New Mexico at these selected locations: The Archdiocese office, New Mexico State Archives (B), National Hispanic Cultural Center, Special Collections Branch of Albuquerque Public Library (F), and the Center for Southwest Research at UNM's Zimmerman Library (G). ADG: Those labeled ADG were microfilmed by the Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of NM under the direction of the AASF. The microfilm may be consulted at the offices of : HGRC (E), the Archdiocese of Santa Fe (1), the Diocese of Gallup (2), and New Mexico State Records Center and Archives (B). Identify the Diocese: a. Colorado: 1. The 13 southernmost Colorado counties in this project are all in the Catholic Diocese of Pueblo, formed from a portion of the Denver diocese in January 1942. The offices of the Pueblo Diocese are at 1001 North Grand Ave., Pueblo, CO 81003. Phone (719) 544-9861; (800) 354-2729 (in CO); FAX (719) 544-5202. b. New Mexico: has three Catholic Dioceses. Here is an overview of each: 1. The Archdiocese of Santa Fe (AASF records) In 2005, the Cathedral's title has been amplified to the "Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi." Encompasses New Mexico counties of Bernalillo, Colfax, Curry, De Baca, Guadalupe, Harding, Mora, Quay, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Sandoval, Santa Fe, Taos, Torrance, Union, and Valencia (see boundaries on map). The offices of the Archives are at 223 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, NM 87501. Ph (505) 983-3811. E-mail: archive@archdiocesesantafe.org. All genealogical research is by appointment. Copies of the microfilms are available through the locations listed below. The county's page lists the microfilm numbers for that county. 2. The Diocese of Gallup (ADG records) Encompasses the New Mexico counties of Catron, Cibola, McKinley, and San Juan (see boundaries on map), and three in Arizona. The Gallup Diocese offices are at 711 South Puerco Drive, P.O. Box 1338, Gallup, NM 87305. Phone (505) 863-4406. Most of the sacramental records remain at the individual parishes, but have recently been microfilmed by the Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of NM. Volunteers are currently extracting the records for publication. Copies of the microfilm for the Gallup diocese are now available for searching at these offices: 1) HGRC-NM, 2) Gallup Diocese, 3) New Mexico State Records Center, and 4) Archives of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. 3. The Diocese of Las Cruces (shown in this databank as ADLC, for Archives of the Diocese of Las Cruces) Encompasses ten counties in southern New Mexico: Chaves, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, Otero, and Sierra (see boundaries on map). The Diocese was carved out of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe on October 18, 1982. Prior to that it has been part of the Diocese of Dallas, the Diocese of Tucson, the Diocese of El Paso, and the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. See comment by Francisco Sisneros at Feedback. For records over 100 years old, contact the office of the Archives of the Diocese at 1280 Med Park Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88005-3239. Phone: (505) 523-7577 Fax: (505) 524-3874; E-mail: pastoralcenter@dioceseoflascruces.org. More current records are housed in the individual parishes (names are listed on the county's page within this databank, and addresses of the individual parishes may be obtained from the Archives office). Study the record. Here's where to find the microfilm: A. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Also referred to as LDS or FHL. Thousands of New Mexico Catholic church records are on microfilm available through any of the Family History Centers throughout the world. Use this link to find the address of the Family History Center near you, with hours of operation.. For a minimal fee, the microfilm you wish to study may need to be ordered for researching at that location. For a list of the records they have microfilmed, see Family History Library Catalog. B. New Mexico State Records Center and Archives   1205 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, NM 87505. (505) 476-7908 Fax: (505) 476-7909; E-mail: archives@rain.state.nm.us. See Archives and Historical Services Division for a general description of the permanent and historical records housed there, guidelines for use, and hours of operation. Research Room Hours (except on holidays) are 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Reference assistance is available from 9 am to 4:30 pm. C. National Hispanic Cultural Center 1701 4th SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. (505) 246-2261, FAX (505) 246-2613. The Family History and Genealogy Research Center at NHCC is open Tuesday through Friday 10 AM to 5PM, and Saturdays 8AM to noon. Nearly 2,000 rolls of microfilm, focusing on New Mexico, Northern Mexico, Spain, and the Southwestern United States from the 17th through the late 20th centuries. Also civil and religious records, as well as census records of New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona. D. New Mexico Genealogical Society P.O. Box 8283, Albuquerque, NM 87198-8283. Founded in 1960, the NMGS has continually published church records, including AASF church records. All NMGS publications are housed at Special Collections library in Albuquerque. The Society provides funds, books, microfilm, microfiche, and computer materials for genealogy research at the Special Collections library. Volunteers maintain two publishing divisions: NMGS Press (see list) and the New Mexico Genealogist. (more info below). For general information, visit the NMGS home page. E. Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of New Mexico Research room at 4000 St. Joseph Place, Lourdes Hall R108, Albuquerque, NM 87120. Call (505) 833-4197 for office hours. Materials available for research include New Mexico Roots (Diligencias Matrimoñales) by Fr. Angelico Chavez; all books published by the New Mexico Genealogical Society; Diligencias Matrimoñales from Durango, Mexico; Santa Fe Archdiocese and Gallup Diocese microfilm; census records, Gallup Diocese records. See List of books published . For general information, visit the HGRC-NM home page. F. Special Collections Library This is a specialized branch of the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Library System, located at 423 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Phone (505) 848-1376. Carries all AASF microfilm and many of those filmed by the LDS. Also in its holdings are the books published by the New Mexico Genealogical Society (NMGS), Hispanic Genealogical Research Center (HGRC-NM), and Albuquerque Genealogical Society (AGS). A staff member specializing in genealogy is always available at the genealogy reference desk. The librarian will be able to determine what sources may be of help to you, and assist you in using the materials. For a general description of genealogical materials available at that library, click here. Hours: Tues through Sat, 10AM to 6:00 PM. E-mail: SpecialCollections@cabq.gov. G. Center for Southwest Research Inside Zimmerman Library, CSWR is the Special Collections Division of the University of New Mexico's General Library, Albuquerque, NM. Visit the web site for additional information. H. Rio Grande Historical Collections New Mexico State University Library, MSC 3475, P.O. Box 30006, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003-3006. Phone (505) 646-3839. FAX (505) 646-7477. E-mail: archives@lib.nmsu.edu. The RGHC houses records of organizations, personal papers, and other unpublished materials documenting the cultural heritage and history of New Mexico and the Southwest, with an emphasis on the Spanish Borderlands. Holdings include microfilm of the Archivos Historicos del Arzobispado de Durango (AHAD). For information on collection holdings and location and hours please see the RGHC home page at http://archives.nmsu.edu/ I. The New Mexico Genealogist Thousands of New Mexico county records have been published in the New Mexico Genealogist since the first issue in 1962, including marriage records performed by Justices of the Peace as well as Catholic priests and Protestant ministers, cemetery listings, and much more. Now: every issue of the first 40 years (through December 1999) is available on one CD. See New Mexico Genealogist: The First Forty Years. J. The Genealogist online Selected articles are being published on this web site. See the current list.   Sources Consulted for this Project Online sources, including:   Family Search: Family History Library Catalog, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp)   NMGenWeb (http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/nmfiles.htm)   Parishes Online: Roman Catholic Dioceses by state (http://www.parishesonline.net)   Diocese of Las Cruces, NM -- Directory of Parishes and Missions (http://www.dioceseoflascruces.org/parishes/html/parishes.html)   Diocese of Pueblo (http://www.dioceseofpueblo.com/   District Courts in New Mexico Territory - the Judicial Districts (http://www.nmgs.org/artfedistcts.htm) from the New Mexico Genealogist, quarterly journal of the New Mexico Genealogical Society. Sept 1996   Blue Book: Historic Churches and Mission Ruins (http://www.sos.state.nm.us/bluebook/culture03.htm)   Colorado State Vital Records Office (http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/hs/certs.asp)   Colorado Department of State, Roster of County Clerks and Recorders (http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/countyclerk.html) Books and other sources, including:   The Official Catholic Directory. July 2000. Published annually by P.J. Kenedy and Sons, 121 Chanlon Road, New Providence, NJ 07974. Ref 282   New Mexico Blue Book. 2001-2002. Publication by the staff of the New Mexico Office of the Secretary of State. Printed by LithExcel, Albuquerque.   Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses 1790-1920, by William Thorndale and Wiliam Dollarhide. 1993. Genealogical Publishing Co,, Baltimore.   The Place Names of New Mexico, by Robert Julyan. 1996. University of New Mexico Press.   The Lord and New Mexico, Centennial issue, a brochure by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. 1976.   The Missions of New Mexico Since 1776, by John L. Kessell. Albuquerque: UNM Press, 1979.   Guide to the Microfilm of the Sacramental Records of the Diocese of Gallup, 1777-1920. 2001. Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of New Mexico, Albuquerque.   AASF and LDS Microfilm Listings for Church and Census Records in New Mexico, compiled by Luis Gilberto Padilla y Baca. 2000.   Sources in New Mexico History, 1821-1838, by Daniel Tyler. 1984. Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa Fe.   New Mexico Courthouses, by Donald W. Whisenhunt, Ph.D. 1979. Western Press, El Paso.   SMRC-Newsletter, published by the Southwestern Mission Research Center, Arizona State Museum, at the University of Arizona in Tuscon, AZ. Individuals who first brought this project to you: Three volunteers initiated this project, decided on the format and brought both the New Mexico and Colorado projects to the web: Armando R. Sandoval and Angela Lewis, data supply. Patricia Black Esterly, design and data entry. The project continues to grow and improve as we learn of churches and their records that should be included. We welcome all comments and suggestions. If you know of a church or microfilm number that we have not yet discovered, please contact us at info@nmgs.org Special thanks also to these volunteers: Molly Otto, Senior Librarian, Colorado Legislative Council Library, who provided timely information and URLs for our research. Pat Sanchez Rau, who contributed numerous historical facts about the Catholic church in Colorado as well as film numbers. Julie Candelaria, who in April 2003 made her entire collection of film numbers available to us for cross-checking our information, so that we were able to add many more entries, especially to the Colorado portion. Francisco Sisneros, whose support and ready advice on sources has been significant. Gladys Boice Tolbert, who contributed historical facts about the settlers' migration and the chapels in Colorado. Luis Padilla y Baca, who has provided additional frame numbers from his own considerable collection of information. Antoinette Duran Silva, who in January 2003 contributed the following specific information for one film that contained a complicated mix of records: "I was able to check LDS Film #0016758 for specific references to church and locations. The records begin 19 July 1859 with Las Cruces baptisms. There are many records with no mention of location but when mentioned, besides Las Cruces, there are a few references to San Albino de la Mesilla. On 17 Aug 1862 the records begin to reference the parish church in Las Cruces, St. Genovieve (en esta paroquia de Sta. Genoveva). On 21 April 1864, Bishop Juan B. Lamy visited "esta parroquia de Sta. Genoveva en Las Cruces" and gave Confirmation. In May and June of 1864 towns mentioned include Tularosa, Doña Ana, and Las Cruces. Confirmations are listed for Aug 30, 1880 and Aug 4, 1889. The location is Las Cruces, New Mexico, Arizona D. (Diocese). Also mentioned is Tularoso [sic]. In the 1880s records for Las Cruces include the towns of Las Cruces, Doña Ana, Rincon, Colorado, Hatch, and Tortugas. The film also lists Las Cruces burials (I didn't look at these specifically, but there is a written entry listing the dates 1859-1876). Beginning in 1912, the film lists baptism (1912 to 1955), marriage, and death records for Purificacion Beata Maria Virginis, Doña Ana, New Mexico. (These are the records for Our Lady of Purification). Some of the burial records list locations other than Doña Ana. For instance, the entry: Rev. Andres Echallier, Sacerdos, age 77, born in France, died 23 Jan 1922, buried 25 Jan 1922, buried in the cemetery of Sta Genovefae, Las Cruces. Indexes appears within the film. Hope this helps clarify information on the film." Phil Gonzales, and Karen Stein Daniel, without whose encouragement we would not have added the towns along the Colorado-New Mexico border. Charles Barnum, Gloria Cordova, Gloria Gonzales, and Mike Quintana, who provided many helpful details for the Colorado portion. Consuelo Rodriguez, who provided additional microfilm numbers for Doña Ana County.  Kathy Trujillo, who sent in microfilm numbers for Grant County. We appreciate the notes and comments from other researchers about this project, and invite alert people to continue submitting material to supplement the work begun here.   Contacting us: Locating Catholic Church Records in New Mexico is a work-in-progress and the pages will be updated as needed. If sending email to us with corrections or additions that apply to any of these pages, please include source reference, and send to info@nmgs.org.  We appreciate your help in keeping this project helpful to everyone seeking their New Mexico ancestors. To contact NMGS about membership or programs: info@nmgs.org. For problems navigating this web site or with its links: webmaster@nmgs.org. For individual research questions, use our extensive link section, go to NMGenWeb, New Mexico Ancestors, or see email. These volunteers have offered their help: NMGenWeb is a link in a chain of state web sites covering the entire United States, providing online records and volunteer researchers. Visit the web site at: http://www.rootsweb/~nmgenweb/. New Mexico Ancestors covers our state of New Mexico. It also has online records and volunteer researchers. Visit the web site at http://www.rootsweb.com/~nma/index.htm.

New Mexico Genealogical Society
PO Box 27559
Albuquerque, NM 87125-7559
USA