Littleton Colorado Genealogy Records
Littleton has a unique position in Colorado. It spans three different counties. Most of the city lies in Arapahoe County. Portions extend into Douglas and Jefferson counties. This affects where you search for records. The Arapahoe County Courthouse is in Littleton. It serves as the county seat. This makes research convenient.
The city was founded in 1859. Richard Sullivan Little was an early settler. The community grew along the Platte River. Agriculture shaped early development. The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad arrived in 1871. This brought growth and commerce. Many families settled permanently. Their descendants still live here today.
Littleton Quick Facts
County Information
Littleton sits at the center of three counties. Most records are in Arapahoe County. The courthouse is at 5334 South Prince Street. Douglas County portions use Castle Rock. Jefferson County portions use Golden. Always verify which county held jurisdiction. Records may be split between offices.
| Primary County | Arapahoe County |
|---|---|
| Secondary Counties | Douglas, Jefferson |
| County Seat | Littleton (Arapahoe) |
| Clerk Phone | 303-795-4520 |
| Courthouse Address | 5334 S Prince St, Littleton |
Arapahoe County was organized in 1861. It was one of the original counties. The name honors the Arapaho tribe. Records were kept from the start. Marriage records date to 1902. Land records go back further. Some early records were lost. Most survived to the present.
Records Available in Littleton
The Littleton Museum offers historical resources. It sits on 40 acres with historic buildings. The museum holds photographs and documents. These show Littleton families over time. School records are in their collection. Business directories are available too. The museum hosts genealogy programs. Check their schedule for classes.
The Bemis Public Library provides research tools. They have Ancestry Library Edition. Heritage Quest is available remotely. The library has local history archives. These include newspapers and photos. The Littleton Independent is on microfilm. Obituaries are indexed. Staff can help with searches.
The Arapahoe County Clerk has vital records. Marriage licenses are available from 1902. Some older marriage records exist. The office can search indexes. Fees apply for certified copies. Land records are also accessible. These show property ownership. Deeds trace family movements.
Local Genealogy Resources
Arapahoe County offices are in Littleton. This is convenient for researchers. The Clerk and Recorder handles documents. The County Clerk keeps records. The Combined Courts handle legal matters. Each office has specific holdings. Call ahead to confirm what they have.
The Englewood Public Library is nearby. It serves another Arapahoe County community. Their resources complement Littletons. You can use both libraries. Each has unique materials. Sharing expands your research reach.
Church records are scattered. Littleton has many denominations. Catholics, Protestants, and others kept records. Some churches are very old. Their archives hold baptisms and marriages. Contact churches directly. Some have transferred records to archives.
Colorado State Resources
Colorado State Archives holds Arapahoe County records. Probate cases from 1902 to 1937 are indexed. Hospital records from 1891 to 1899 exist. Voter registrations cover 1893 to 1905. These are searchable online. Use their Archives Search database. Select the record type and county.
The Colorado Department of Public Health manages vital records. They have state-level copies. This helps if county records are incomplete. Birth records are available from 1910. Death records start then too. Order through VitalChek or by mail. C.R.S. 25-2-117 governs access.
Colorado Historic Newspapers is a free resource. The Littleton Independent is included. It ran from 1888 to 1923. You can search by name or date. This finds obituaries and articles. The collection is always growing. New titles are added regularly.
Nearby Cities for Research
Several cities border Littleton. Englewood is to the north. It is also in Arapahoe County. Centennial surrounds Littleton on three sides. It shares the same county resources. Columbine is an unincorporated area nearby. Its records are at the county too.