Phillips County Genealogy Records

Phillips County sits in the northeast corner of Colorado. It holds records that span more than a century of family history. The county seat is Holyoke. People come here to find birth records, marriage licenses, land deeds, and more. The county formed in 1889. That means records go back to the late 1800s.

The Clerk and Recorder keeps most genealogy records in Phillips County. You can visit the office in Holyoke. Staff can help you search for records. You may also find some records online. The Colorado State Archives holds older records too.

Phillips County Clerk and Recorder

The Clerk and Recorder in Phillips County keeps vital records and land documents. This office holds marriage records from 1889. They also have land records dating back to the county's founding. You can get certified copies of these records for a fee. The office follows state rules under C.R.S. 24-80.

Staff at the Clerk and Recorder office can help you find what you need. You should call ahead before you visit. Some records may take time to locate. Older records might be on microfilm. The office can also help with elections and motor vehicles. But their records section is the place for genealogy work.

Birth and Death Records in Phillips County

Birth and death records in Colorado follow state law. C.R.S. 25-2-117 makes these records confidential. They are not open to the public. Only certain people can get copies. This includes the person named on the record, parents, siblings, and legal reps.

The Phillips County Clerk and Recorder has some birth and death records. They have records from 1897 to 1906. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment holds records from 1910 to now. You can order these through VitalChek or by mail.

For birth records before 1908, check with the Colorado State Archives. They hold delayed birth records. These were filed later to prove birth facts. Not all early births were recorded. Statewide registration started around 1908 under C.R.S. 25-2-103.

Marriage Records in Phillips County

Marriage records are public in Phillips County. The Clerk and Recorder issues marriage licenses. They keep records of all marriages in the county. Records go back to 1889. You can get a certified copy for a small fee.

To find a marriage record, you need the names of the couple. The date of marriage helps too. Staff can search the indexes for you. Most Colorado marriage records do not list parents. Keep this in mind when doing family history work.

The Colorado State Archives has a marriage index. It covers 1890 to 1939. This can help you find marriages from Phillips County. The index gives the date and license number. Use this to get the full record from the county.

Land and Property Records

Land records in Phillips County date back to 1889. The Clerk and Recorder keeps all deeds and mortgages. These records show who owned land over time. They can help you trace family property. You can search these records at the office in Holyoke.

Land records are open to the public. You can view them for free. Copies cost a small fee per page. Staff can help you find records by name or legal description. Some older records may be on microfilm. The office has machines for viewing these.

Colorado State Archives Resources

The Colorado State Archives holds many records for Phillips County. These include court records, school records, and more. The Archives is in Denver at 1313 Sherman Street. You need an appointment to visit. Call 303-866-2358 to schedule.

Use the Archives Search Database to look for records. This database has names and record types. It does not have everything. But it is a good place to start. The Archives holds records under C.R.S. 24-80.

Records available for Phillips County at the State Archives may include old court cases, probate files, and tax records. Some records were damaged in a 2022 water event. Most have been treated and returned as of 2024.

Online Genealogy Resources

Many records can be found online. You do not need to travel to Holyoke or Denver. Here are key websites for Phillips County genealogy research:

• Colorado State Archives - Historical state and county records
• FamilySearch - Free genealogy database with Colorado records
• Phillips County COGenWeb - Local genealogy project
• Phillips County Recording - Land record information

FamilySearch has many Colorado collections. Some are digitized and viewable from home. Others require a visit to a Family History Center. The FamilySearch Wiki has tips for Phillips County research.

Nearby Counties

Genealogy research often crosses county lines. If you cannot find a record in Phillips County, check these nearby counties: