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Locating Catholic Church Records
in
New Mexico
Records and Sources
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The RECORDS: How will I find them?
Noncommercial sources for NM Microfilm, microfiche, and
books
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Know the film Identification:
Throughout
this databank, microfilm rolls are identified by different letters: FHL, AASF, and
ADG, as follows:
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FHL:
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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.
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AASF:
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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).
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ADG:
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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).
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Identify the Diocese:
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a. Colorado:
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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.
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b.
New Mexico:
has three Catholic Dioceses. Here is an overview of each:
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I.
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The Archdiocese of Santa Fe
(AASF records)
In 2005 the Cathedral's title was amplified to "Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis
of Assisi."
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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 then lists the microfilm numbers for that county.
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II.
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The Diocese of Gallup
(ADG records)
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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.
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III.
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The Diocese of Las Cruces
(shown in this databank as ADLC, for Archives of the Diocese of Las Cruces)
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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: (575) 523-7577 Fax: (575)
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).
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 Study the records. Here's where to find them:
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A.
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Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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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.
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B.
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New Mexico State Records
Center and Archives
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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.
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C.
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National
Hispanic Cultural Center
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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.
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D.
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New Mexico Genealogical Society
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P.O. Box 27559, Albuquerque, NM 87125-7559. 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.
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E.
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Hispanic Genealogical Research
Center of New Mexico
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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.
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F.
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Special
Collections Library
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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.
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G.
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Center for Southwest Research
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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.
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H.
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Rio Grande Historical Collections
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New Mexico State University Library, MSC 3475, P.O. Box
30006, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003-3006. Phone (575) 646-3839. FAX (575) 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/
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I.
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The New Mexico Genealogist
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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.
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J.
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The Genealogist
online
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Selected articles are being published on this web site. See the
current list.
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SOURCES Consulted
for this Project
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Online sources, including:
Books and other sources, including:
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The Official Catholic Directory. July 2000.
Published annually by P.J. Kenedy and Sons, 121 Chanlon Road, New Providence, NJ
07974. Ref 282
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New Mexico Blue Book. 2001-2002. Publication
by the staff of the New Mexico Office of the Secretary of State. Printed by LithExcel,
Albuquerque. Current Blue Book due any day.
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Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses 1790-1920,
by William Thorndale and Wiliam Dollarhide. 1993. Genealogical Publishing Co,, Baltimore.
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The Place Names of New Mexico, by Robert
Julyan. 1996. University of New Mexico Press.
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The Lord and New Mexico, Centennial issue,
a brochure by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. 1976.
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The Missions of New Mexico Since 1776,
by John L. Kessell. Albuquerque: UNM Press, 1979.
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Guide to the Microfilm of the Sacramental Records
of the Diocese of Gallup, 1777-1920. 2001. Hispanic Genealogical Research
Center of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
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AASF and LDS Microfilm Listings for Church and
Census Records in New Mexico, compiled by Luis Gilberto Padilla y Baca.
2000.
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Sources in New Mexico History, 1821-1838,
by Daniel Tyler. 1984. Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa Fe.
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New Mexico Courthouses, by Donald W. Whisenhunt,
Ph.D. 1979. Western Press, El Paso.
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SMRC-Newsletter, published by the Southwestern
Mission Research Center, Arizona State Museum, at the University of Arizona
in Tuscon, AZ.
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Individuals who first brought this project
to you:
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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
webmaster@nmgs.org
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Special thanks also to these volunteers:
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Molly Otto, Senior Librarian, Colorado Legislative
Council Library, who provided timely information and URLs for our research.
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Pat Sanchez Rau, who contributed numerous historical
facts about the Catholic church in Colorado as well as film numbers.
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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.
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Francisco Sisneros, whose support and ready
advice on sources has been significant.
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Gladys Boice Tolbert, who contributed historical facts
about the settlers' migration and the chapels in Colorado.
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Luis Padilla y Baca, who has provided additional
frame numbers from his own considerable collection of information.
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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."
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Phil Gonzales and Karen Stein Daniel,
without whose encouragement we would not have added the towns along the Colorado-New
Mexico border.
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Charles Barnum, Gloria Cordova, Gloria Gonzales, and
Mike Quintana, who provided many helpful details for the Colorado portion.
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Consuelo Rodriguez, who provided additional microfilm
numbers for Doña Ana County.
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Kathy Trujillo, who sent in microfilm
numbers for Grant County.
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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.
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Contacting us:
Locating Catholic Church Records in New Mexico is a continual 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 webmaster@nmgs.org.
We appreciate your help in keeping this project helpful to everyone
seeking their New Mexico ancestors.
For problems navigating this web site
or with its links: webmaster@nmgs.org.
To contact NMGS about membership or programs:
info@nmgs.org.
For individual research questions, use our extensive link
section, go to NMGenWeb, or
see email.
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These volunteers have offered their help for research questions:
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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.nmgenweb.us/.
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