Greeley Colorado Genealogy Records
Greeley is the county seat of Weld County. Over 114,000 people live here. The city was founded in 1870. It was named after newspaper editor Horace Greeley. The city began as a utopian colony. It was called the Union Colony. Genealogy research here connects to agricultural history. Records span from the frontier era to today.
The city grew as an agricultural center. Sugar beets were a major crop. The Great Western Sugar Factory was here. Many immigrants came to work in the fields. Your ancestors may have been among them. The University of Northern Colorado adds to the city's history.
Greeley Quick Facts
Weld County Records
Greeley is the county seat of Weld County. The Clerk and Recorder office is downtown. They maintain marriage and land records. These are essential for genealogy research. Staff can help you search their indexes. The office follows state rules under C.R.S. 24-80.
Weld County was created in 1861. It is one of the original 17 counties. Marriage records go back to the 1860s. Land records go back to the county's founding. The Clerk and Recorder can search their database. Call before you visit to check hours.
| Office |
Weld County Clerk and Recorder 1401 N. 17th Avenue Greeley, CO 80631 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 970-304-6520 |
| Records Available | Marriage licenses, Land records, Military discharge records |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Records Available in Greeley
Weld County maintains many record types. Marriage licenses start from the 1860s. Land records go back to 1861. These can help you find family connections. Birth and death records are at the state level. Older ones may be at the State Archives.
The Colorado State Archives holds historical records. These include documents from Weld County. You can search their database online. C.R.S. 24-80 guides how these records are kept. Some records are on microfilm. Others are original documents.
- Marriage licenses from 1860s to present
- Land deeds and property records
- Military discharge records
- Court records at the District Court
- Probate records
- Naturalization records
Newspapers are a great resource. The Greeley Tribune has been published since 1870. Old issues are on microfilm. The library has many papers from the area. Obituaries can be found there. They often list family members.
Local Genealogy Resources
The High Plains Library District is excellent. They have genealogy resources available. You can access Ancestry Library Edition there. They also have local history materials. The library is a good starting point.
The Colorado State Archives is in Denver. They hold older Weld County records. You can search their database first. Then visit to view original documents. Bring a photo ID for entry.
The Greeley History Museum preserves local history. They have exhibits on the city's founding. The museum can help with research. They focus on the Union Colony history. This includes information on early settlers.
Colorado State Resources
The Colorado State Archives holds many Weld County records. These include historical documents. Births before 1908 are often found there. Deaths before 1900 may also be available. The Archives Search database lets you check online.
The CDPHE Vital Records office has certificates from 1900 onward. They are at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver. Call 303-692-2200. Under C.R.S. 25-2-117, some records are confidential. Birth certificates are private for 100 years.
Other helpful resources include:
- Colorado State Archives: archives.colorado.gov
- Archives Search: Online database
- FamilySearch: familysearch.org
- VitalChek: vitalchek.com
- Colorado Historic Newspapers: coloradohistoricnewspapers.org
Nearby Cities
Greeley is near several other cities. Your ancestors may have lived in these areas. Check nearby jurisdictions for complete research. Weld County has many smaller towns.