New Mexico Genealogical Records

New Mexico Birth & Baptism Records

New Mexico Births and Christenings (1726-1918)

Name index to birth, baptism and christening records from the state of New Mexico. Includes parents' names and date and place of birth.

New Mexico and Texas Methodist Records (1870-1970)

An index and images to baptism, marriage, burial, membership and clergy from Methodist churches in New Mexico and West Texas.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Records (1875-1940)

An index to and images of Lutheran registers containing close to 3 million baptism, marriage and death records.

US Consular Reports of Births (1910-1945)

An index to and images of 36,000 birth records for children of US citizens registered abroad. Records contain child's name, date and place of birth, parents' names and ages, occupations, residence, passport numbers, consulate where registered, parents' naturalization dates, parents place of of birth and number of living children to the parents.

Foreign and Overseas Registers of British Subjects (1627-1965)

Registers of births/baptisms, marriages and deaths/burials containing over 160,000 entries from over 30 countries. These largely relate to British subjects.

New Mexico Marriage & Divorce Records

Western States Marriage Index (1809-2011)

A growing index to over 1 million marriages recorded in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, California, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and New Mexico.

New Mexico Marriages (1751-1918)

Name index to marriage records from the state of New Mexico. The index can be used to locate original records, which may contain further details.

New Mexico and Texas Methodist Records (1870-1970)

An index and images to baptism, marriage, burial, membership and clergy from Methodist churches in New Mexico and West Texas.

New Mexico Marriage Index (1727-1900)

An index to around 10,000 marriages recorded in the state.

Instant Checkmate (1980-Present)

A collection of billions of records on American citizens and residents. Includes records for addresses, phone numbers, voting, foreclosure, criminal activity and arrests, business affiliations, dates of birth, property, tax, weapon and hunting permits, vehicle ownership, marriages, divorces and more.

New Mexico Death & Burial Records

New Mexico Deaths (1889-1945)

Name index of death certificates and records of death. The index can be used to locate original records, which may contain further details.

New Mexico and Texas Methodist Records (1870-1970)

An index and images to baptism, marriage, burial, membership and clergy from Methodist churches in New Mexico and West Texas.

New Mexico, Deaths and Burials (1788-1955)

Name index to death and burial records from the state of New Mexico. The index can be used to locate original records, which may contain further details.

United States Social Security Death Index (1962-Present)

An index to over 93 million people whose death has been recorded by the Social Security Administration. It includes date of birth, date of death, last place of residence and other details. It can be used to located other records, such as death certificates, which will provide more information.

US Mortality Schedules (1849-1886)

Details of over 1.6 million people who died between 1849 and 1886. Entries may list name, gender, colour, marital status, place of birth, occupation, cause of death and more.

New Mexico Census & Population Lists

1885 New Mexico Territorial Census (1885)

Indexes and images of the population schedule listing inhabitants of the New Mexico Territory.

New Mexico Resident Index (1790)

This database is a collection of Hispanic family history records concerning those who lived in what is now the state of New Mexico. Each entry provides the individual's name and sex. Many entries include birth date and birthplace information.

US WWII Old Man's Draft Registration (1942)

Records registering over 15 million men born between 1877 and 1897, including name, age, birth date and place, residence, employer, and physical description.

1940 United States Census (1940)

A name index and digital images of registers recording almost 135 million people living in the United States. The registers record age, place of birth, relationships, occupations and more.

1930 United States Census (1930)

An index to 125 million people living in the United States, linked to registers recording their age, place of birth, family relationships and more.

Newspapers Covering New Mexico

Newspaper Archive: US (1753-Present)

Text-searchable editions of over 7,500 newspaper titles from the United States, containing 2 billion articles and over 100 million obituaries.

Newspapers.com (1728-Present)

A growing collection of text-searchable, digitalised newspapers from the United States of America. Contains thousands of titles and over 100 million pages.

Genealogy Bank Newspapers (1690-Present)

Text-searchable editions of and over 250 million obituaries and death notices extracted from over 7,500 United States newspaper titles.

US Quaker Periodicals (1828-1929)

This database contains digitized volumes of more than 60 Quaker publications, including some foreign-language periodicals. Names have been indexed from a variety of articles including births, marriage notices, obituaries, officers, missionaries, committee members, names of people who have moved, and other references to members of the Society of Friends.

Name Card Index to AP Stories (1905-1990)

An index to over 2.1 million people mentioned in Associated Press stories, including name, subject, location, date and a reference to the article.

New Mexico Wills & Probate Records

New Mexico Wills & Probate Records (1801-1993)

An index to and images of 9,500 wills and probate documents. They typically record details of the deceased's relatives; and sometimes describe real and personal property, sentiments, convictions, intended places of burial and more.

British Inheritance Disputes Index (1574-1714)

An index to almost 78,000 wills that were disputed. The index can lead you to documents that may shed a great deal of genealogical information as disputes often arose between siblings and cousins.

Genealogical Gleanings in England Vol. I (1400-1650)

Abstracts of English wills that are connected to early American families. In addition, it contains genealogical notes and pedigrees, maps, tabular charts, illustrations, and an index of 30,000 names as well as a fifty-one page index of places, with details of where many of the early families settled.

Genealogical Gleanings in England Vol. II (1400-1650)

Abstracts of English wills that are connected to early American families. In addition, it contains genealogical notes and pedigrees, maps, tabular charts, illustrations, and an index of 30,000 names as well as a fifty-one page index of places, with details of where many of the early families settled.

New Mexico Immigration & Travel Records

New York Passenger and Crew Lists (1909-1957)

Digital images of registers recording the arrival of passengers and crew at New York harbour. Varying details are included, such as name, age, gender, occupation, nationality, race, last place of residence, intended place of residence and more. The registers can be searched by a name index of over 28 million names.

Canada-US Border Crossings (1895-1956)

This database contains an index of aliens and citizens crossing into the U.S. from Canada via various ports of entry along the U.S.-Canadian border. It may include name, age, date and place of birth, gender, ethnicity/nationality, names of friends and relatives and more.

San Francisco Passenger Lists (1893-1953)

Name index and images from passenger lists of those arriving in San Francisco, California. Records details, such as place of birth and occupation of around 3 million people.

New York Passenger Arrival Lists (1892-Present)

Images of passenger and crew lists, searchable by an index of more than 51 million names. Lists may contain details such as age, gender, place of origin, occupation and much more.

Boston, MA Passenger Lists (1891-1943)

Digital images of passenger lists, recording passenger names, their age, gender, occupation place of birth, citizenship, place of residence and intended place of residence. Searchable by an index of almost 3 million names.

New Mexico Military Records

New Mexico World War I Records (1917-1919)

An index to and digital images of a variety of records, including service records, biographical material, correspondence, casualty lists, awards, commendations and photographs.

New Mexico World War II Records (1941-1945)

An index to and images of around 120,000 enlistment records, military discharges, photographs, and service records.

Camp Funston, Kansas Military Records (1914-1919)

Camp Funston was established at Fort Riley in Kansas as a World War I training center for recruits from Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico & South Dakota. This collection includes personnel records from the 89th Division, 353rd Infantry, and the 314th Engineers.

US World War II Draft Registration Cards (1942)

Digital images of over 10 million registration cards, which record name, address, date and place of birth, next of kin, employer and more. Cards can be searched by a name index.

US WWII Old Man's Draft Registration (1942)

Records registering over 15 million men born between 1877 and 1897, including name, age, birth date and place, residence, employer, and physical description.

New Mexico Department of Corrections Records (1905-1958)

An index and images to inmate files, intake records, and work and misconduct reports for inmates in the custody of the New Mexico Department of Corrections.

US Passport Applications (1795-1925)

Digital images of applications for passports, which list name, date and place of birth, father's particulars, immigration and naturalisation details, residence, occupation, photograph and more. Searchable by a name index.

US Social Security Applications & Claims Index (1936-2007)

An index to 49 million applications and claims for social security. The index includes name, SSN, date and place of birth, nation of citizenship, gender, father's name, mother's maiden name and race.

FBI Case Files (1908-1922)

Over 2.3 million records from investigations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

US Pension Office Correspondence (1889-1904)

Name index and images of the name and subject index to correspondence of the Records and Pension office. Searchable by an index of almost 800,000 names.

New Mexico Taxation Records

IRS Tax Assessment Lists (1862-1918)

An index to and digital images of registers recording 8.8 million instances of taxation. The records list the name of the person or business being taxed: their address and details tax assessed and paid.

New Mexico Land & Property Records

County Land Ownership Maps (1860-1918)

Various maps and documents listing and delineating around 7 million land plots and their owners. Searchable by a name index.

Historic Land Ownership and Reference Atlases (1507-2000)

This database is a collection of maps and atlases detailing land areas that comprise the present-day United States and Canada, as well as various other parts of the world.

Union Army Provost Marshals' Papers (1861-1867)

Over 235,000 documents relating to Union prisoners, legal proceedings, oaths, land forfeitures and more.

Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty-Land Applications (1800-1900)

An index to and digital images of around 80,000 applications for pensions or grants to public lands in lieu of military service. Some applications may contain over 200 pages of information.

Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Index (1790-1855)

An index to over 360,000 applications for land grants in lieu of military service.

New Mexico Directories & Gazetteers

New Mexico, New Mexico City Directory (1903-1913)

Searchable books containing information relating to the area, its residents and businesses.

Thom's Official Directory of Great Britain & Ireland (1914)

A directory of the court, parliament, aristocracy, mayors, civil service, military, militia and banks in the British Empire.

US City Directories (1821-1989)

An index to around 1.5 billion names found in books containing list of citizens & businesses: their addresses and occupation or business. The index is linked to scanned images of the books, which may also contain local history, details of government bodies, officials and more.

The American Gazetteer (1798)

One of the earliest attempt to form a comprehensive dictionary of places in The Americas.

US Phone & Address Directories (1993-2002)

Transcriptions of over 313 million entries from directories, which may list name, address, city, state and phone number.

New Mexico Cemeteries

New Mexico Gravestones (1800-Present)

A growing database of over 1,000 gravestones, searchable by name and organised by cemetery.

US Veteran's Gravesites (1775-2008)

A database containing details of the burial of 7.6 million US military veterans. Entries may contain details of birth, next of kin and more.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

US Cemetery & Funeral Home Collection (1777-Present)

A growing collection of millions of funeral and cemetery record transcriptions, including obituaries and names of relatives.

US Cemetery Interment Control Forms (1928-1962)

This database contains cards recording details for members of the US Army interred in national cemeteries. May include details of next of kin, military service and other details.

New Mexico Obituaries

Newspaper Archive: US (1753-Present)

Text-searchable editions of over 7,500 newspaper titles from the United States, containing 2 billion articles and over 100 million obituaries.

US Cemetery & Funeral Home Collection (1777-Present)

A growing collection of millions of funeral and cemetery record transcriptions, including obituaries and names of relatives.

US Obituary Collection (1700-Present)

A growing database containing 10s of millions of abstract obituaries with a reference to the publication it occurred in and a link to the full obituary if available online.

Genealogy Bank Newspapers (1690-Present)

Text-searchable editions of and over 250 million obituaries and death notices extracted from over 7,500 United States newspaper titles.

Daily Obituary Digest (1995-Present)

A growing index to more than 16 million obituaries, citing name, age, residence and source publication.

New Mexico Histories & Books

The American Gazetteer (1798)

One of the earliest attempt to form a comprehensive dictionary of places in The Americas.

Mary Evans Picture Library (2000 BC-Present)

A database of over 300,000 photos, etchings, engravings and other mediums depicting places and events in the British Isles and the rest of the world.

Ancestry Member Stories (6000 BC-Present)

Over 7 million remembrances and historic details submitted by Ancestry members. Useful for local historians.

Ancestry Member Photos & Documents (6000 BC-Present)

Over 60 million historic photographs and documents submitted to Ancestry. This rich collection contains many rare sources of interest to local historians and will be relevant to most genealogical research.

US Historical Postcards (1880-1940)

This database contains over 115,000 historical postcards with photos of places in the United States. Each postcard caption has been indexed and may be searched by keyword or location.

New Mexico School & Education Records

US School Yearbooks (1880-2012)

A growing index to over 300 million entries in middle school, junior high, high school, and college yearbooks linked to digital images of the yearbook pages. Yearbooks usually include name and photo, but may include biographical data, such as family relations, academic achievements and hobbies.

US School Yearbooks (1880-2012)

An index to and digital images of over 20,000 year books, listing details of schools, students and staff. Many contain photographs.

US School Catalogues (1765-1935)

A variety of publications listing names of students, faculty, alumni, and others associated with US universities, seminaries and theological institutes, normal schools, medical schools, academies, military schools, etc. Records include catalogues, obituary records and necrologies, class histories, speeches and addresses, commencement exercises, class reports, registers, prospectus, circulars, proceedings, annual reports, magazines and other documents.

High School Student Lists (1821-1923)

Digital images of a variety of publications listing the names of students, faculty, alumni, and others associated primarily with preparatory and similar schools, including academies, high schools, seminaries, reform schools, institutes, industrial schools, military academies, dance schools, grammar schools, Latin schools and others. Searchable by an index of around 650,000 names.

US College Student Lists (1763-1924)

Digital images of a variety of publications listing the names of college students, faculty, alumni, and others associated with places of learning. They include catalouges of students and officers, histories, biographical sketches, retrospectives, memorials, registers, anniversary books, annual reports, addresses and commencement exercises, alumni lists, lists of lectures and courses, board proceedings, catalogues of fraternity members, and other items.

New Mexico Occupation & Business Records

Kansas, Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Records (1859-1935)

An index to and digital images of around 95,000 service records. It includes name, department, birth date, retirement date, years of service and other details.

FBI Case Files (1908-1922)

Over 2.3 million records from investigations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

US Federal Census Non-Population Schedules (1850-1880)

An index and digital images of schedules recording statistical data concerning agriculture, industry, social and other areas. Includes many people and businesses.

Register of Civil Military & Naval Service (1863-1959)

Registers include the name of each government employee, office held, where employed, where born, whence appointed, and pay received, as well as information regarding the Navy, such as names and conditions of all ships and vessels belonging to the United States and when and where they were built.

Appointments of US Postmasters (1832-1971)

Books recording over 1.5 million post office appointments. They contain name, appointment date, date and cause of vacancy and post office of appointment. Searchable by a name index.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering New Mexico

Daughters of the American Revolution Lineage Books (1620-1938)

Pedigrees of women who were descendants of one or more servicemen of The American Revolutionary War. Contains 100,000s of names.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Colonial Families in the US (1600-1920)

Genealogical charts, and coats of arms where appropriate, of prominent families in America's early history.

Ancestry Member Family Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A compilation of lineage-linked family trees submitted by Ancestry users. The database contains over 2 billion individuals and is searchable by numerous metrics.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

New Mexico Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

History of England Society & Government (56 BC-1867)

A lengthy history of England detailing the country's connection to the U.S.A. Includes much detail on royalty, nobility and other historical figures of note.

New Mexico Church Records

New Mexico and Texas Methodist Records (1870-1970)

An index and images to baptism, marriage, burial, membership and clergy from Methodist churches in New Mexico and West Texas.

US Quaker Meeting Records (1681-1935)

An index to and digital images of documents recording almost 6 million names. They include registers of births, marriages and deaths; lists of members; movement of members between congregations; records of discipline; disownment; burials and more.

US Quaker Periodicals (1828-1929)

This database contains digitized volumes of more than 60 Quaker publications, including some foreign-language periodicals. Names have been indexed from a variety of articles including births, marriage notices, obituaries, officers, missionaries, committee members, names of people who have moved, and other references to members of the Society of Friends.

Index to Quaker Records (1680-1940)

An index to close to 900,000 names occurring in Quaker meeting records. These cover items such as discipline, admittance, movement between meetings, some vital events and much more.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Records (1875-1940)

An index to and images of Lutheran registers containing close to 3 million baptism, marriage and death records.

Biographical Directories Covering New Mexico

Women of the US West (1928)

This database contains approximately 1,100 short biographies of women from 11 western states complied in the 1928 edition of Women of the West.

Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans (1904)

A ten volume work containing close to 20,000 biographies of notable Americans.

American Biographical Library (1774-1949)

Over 75,000 biographies covering congressmen, women, military and other notable individuals.

Biography & Genealogy Master Index (1600-Present)

An index to millions of biographies, listing names, dates of birth and death and the biography's source publication.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

New Mexico Maps

US Enumeration District Maps & Descriptions (1940)

Maps recording districts used to allot areas in which census takers would operate. Searchable by street name and more.

County Land Ownership Maps (1860-1918)

Various maps and documents listing and delineating around 7 million land plots and their owners. Searchable by a name index.

Historic Land Ownership and Reference Atlases (1507-2000)

This database is a collection of maps and atlases detailing land areas that comprise the present-day United States and Canada, as well as various other parts of the world.

Old Maps Online (1497-2010)

An interactive index to thousands of maps covering the world, continents, countries and regions. The majority of maps cover Britain and Ireland.

Civil War Maps (1861-1865)

A collection of around 2,000 reconnaissance, sketch, and theater-of-war maps.

New Mexico Reference Works

Periodical Source Index (1825-Present)

An index to over 2.7 million articles published in various genealogical, historical and ethnographic publications.

US Free Genealogical Data Search Engine (1513-Present)

A search engine that covers over 2.5 million pages of vital records, family trees, biographies and other genealogical resources.

A Guide to the NARA Field Branches (1988)

Details of record collections held by numerous sub-branches of The National Archives.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

US Family Historian's Address Book (1997)

A directory of bodies that hold important collections of genealogical and historical records, ordered by state. As it was published in 1997, some contact details may be out of date, but the organizations' names can be used to locate updated information.

Historical Description

NEW MEXICO (Territory.) The region now comprehended within the limits established by Congress as the United States Territory of New Mexico formerly constituted a portion or portions of a Mexican province. During the war between the United States and Mexico, (1846,) General Kearney took peaceable possession of Santa Fe, the capital of the province, and established a temporary government therein. In the early part of the following year, a revolt against the American authorities took place, and six of the civil officers, including the governor, were barbarously murdered. Several battles were subsequently fought in different parts of New Mexico, in all which the combined forces of the Mexicans and Indians were repulsed. By the treaty of peace in 1848, the Mexican title was cancelled, and the immense country, of which this territory forms a part, became an adjunct of the United States. By the act of Congress, passed September 9, 1850, for defining the northern and western boundaries of Texas, &c., a territorial government for New Mexico was also established.

Boundaries and Extent

New Mexico is bounded north by the Territory of Utah, and by a part of the scarcely explored wilderness called Nebraska; east by the State of Texas; south by a portion of Texas, and principally by the boundary line between the United States and the Mexican possessions; and west by the State of California. Its eastern quarter extends from the 32d to the 38th degree of north latitude, and the residue of the territory from the 33d to the 37th. It lies between 103° and 116° west longitude, reaching from east to west about 600 miles, is from 240 to 360 miles in width, and comprises an area of some 200,000 square miles.

Government

By the act establishing the territory, the governor is appointed by the President of the United States for four years, who must reside in the territory, and is also superintendent of Indian affairs. A secretary of state is appointed in like manner for the same term, who is acting governor in the absence of that magistrate. The legislature is composed of a Council, to consist of 13 members, chosen for two years, and a House of Representatives, consisting of 26, who serve one year. The legislature is elected by a plurality of the popular votes. Its session cannot exceed 40 days. All laws must be submitted to Congress for approval. The right of suffrage is held by all free citizens of the United States, resident for a prescribed period within the territory. By the same act it was required that a census should be forthwith taken, in order to apportion the members of the legislature, according the number of inhabitants. This was done in the spring of 1851, and the result showed a population of 56,984, exclusive of Indians. The ratio of representation has thereupon been fixed, for members of the Council at 4384, and for those of the House at half that number. The Legislative Assembly convened for the first time on the 2d day of June, 1851.

Education

After the lands shall be surveyed under the direction of the general government, for the purpose of bringing them into market, two sections in each township are to be set off for the support of schools.

Judiciary

The judicial power of the territory is vested in a Supreme Court, District Courts, Probate Courts, and justices of the peace. The former is composed of a chief justice and two associates, either two of whom form a quorum. An annual term of the court is held at the seat of government. The judges hold office four years. Three judicial districts are established, in each of which a District Court is held by the justices of the Supreme Court. The above tribunals possess chancery as well as common law jurisdiction. Appeals are allowed to the Supreme from the District Courts, but in such cases there is to be no trial by jury. Appeals are also allowed from the final decisions of the Supreme Court of the territory to that of the United States, in cases involving a sum in controversy of $1000 and upwards, and also in cases affecting the title to slaves.

Finances

The sources from which to meet the public expenditures, excepting those provided by Congress, will ordinarily consist of direct taxes, and the income arising from land sales, as is the case generally in all the new states and territories.

Surface, Soil, &c.-The face of the country presents much variety. Stupendous ranges of mountains-portions of the great vertebrae of the continent-traverse the eastern half of the territory from north to south, pierced occasionally by rugged and precipitous gaps, and sometimes by tracts of prairie, affording passage to travellers. This region includes the former provincial limits of New Mexico, and the oldest and most populous settlements. The country on the west of these elevations exhibits immense plains or plateaus, over which are scattered numerous isolated mountains and broken ridges of volcanic origin, the peaks of some of which rise to a great height. The valleys and slopes between the eminences in the eastern section consist generally of very productive land; and the river bottoms, especially near the southern boundary, comprise broad tracts of exceedingly rich soil, adapted to the culture of sugar, and of most of the products of that latitude. The portion of country lying on the Gila and Colorado Rivers, where these advantages are very apparent, will doubtless attract the early attention of settlers. The interior of the western half of the territory, so far as it has yet been topographically examined, is, for the most part, an arid and sterile desert, with the exception of some fertile spots and stunted forests along the margin of streams, or among the nooks of the high lands. The soil in this region seems to be either sandy or to consist of a light, porous clay, bearing a species of coarse grass, said to be good winter fodder for cattle. The country does not abound in timber, but in some locations is overgrown for miles with almost impenetrable thickets of mezquite and other thorny shrubbery. Corn, wheat, grapes, peaches, and other grains and fruits, are cultivated in a small way near the villages, and by some tribes of Indians in different parts of the territory; but it is only in the immediate vicinity of streams that the land may be considered productive, or even inhabitable by civilized beings.

Rivers

The Rio Grande takes its rise many miles above the northern boundary of New Mexico, flows entirely across the territory, and, after passing for several hundreds of miles between Texas and the Mexican states on the west, discharges itself into the Gulf of Mexico.

It is navigable during a great part of its course. The Gila and Colorado are also among the principal streams; the latter a fine river, flowing from the north in a westerly direction, until it strikes the eastern boundary of California, from which point it proceeds southerly between that state and New Mexico, passes beyond their southern limits, and finally empties into the Gulf of California, affording steamboat navigation for 350 miles. There are numerous other streams, some of them very extensive, and most of them tributaries to the rivers already mentioned. The country, as a whole, is poorly watered, either for purposes of internal communication, for the propulsion of machinery, or for appeasing the thirst of men and animals.

Internal Improvements

There are no public works of the character understood by this caption now existing in this territory, neither is it known that any are in contemplation, beyond that of constructing a road through it, from east to west, to facilitate the progress of emigrants into California. Surveys have been made with this view by military men under the authority of the United States, but the question of the construction of such a work remains undetermined; and it is further problematical whether, if a highway be decided on, it will ever assume the costly and important shape of a railroad. The enervating effect of the climate upon the inhabitants will probably tend to prevent for a long time any attempt at internal improvement by means of works of art.

Minerals

Evidences of volcanic action abound upon the surface of all parts of the territory; and gold, silver, copper, and iron deposits exist in many places. Mines of the three former metals have been worked in past years to some extent, but discontinued within a short period. All the ordinary geological features peculiar to such a region are discoverable here. The character and composition, and the combinations of the masses which form the mountainous ridges, and other enormous protuberances scattered confusedly over the face of the country, refer to the fires below for the origin of their present appearance, at least, if not for the cause of the general barrenness of the earth around them.

Manufactures

Nothing can yet be said of the manufacturing genius or industry of those who now constitute the people of New Mexico. Their ancestors, and those of the savages in the same region, were noted for little more in this line than the fabrication of a rude kind of pottery, and some few other sorts of household articles. The territory, or state,-as it may be hereafter,-will probably never become either a manufacturing or agricultural country for any important commercial purposes.

Indians

The vast wilderness, of which the western half of the territory consists, is peopled by numerous tribes of Indians. Some of these are mild, peaceably disposed, honest, industrious, and hospitable, living in villages and permanent settlements, and obtaining their subsistence mainly by hunting, fishing, and tillage. Others wander about in hordes, living by plunder, and constantly engaged in thievish depredations and bloody warfare. With one of the most formidable tribes of the latter, the Apaches, Governor Calhoun, of this territory, has recently concluded a treaty, whereby they are restricted to such limits as may be prescribed by the United States government, and to form permanent settlements, the United States stipulating to furnish all necessary facilities for tilling the soil.

Population

The census taken by the civil authorities of the territory showed a population of 56,984; but that of the United States, taken at nearly the same period, (1850-1,) gives a population of 61,547, exclusive of Indians, of whom, perhaps, it is impossible to obtain a correct enumeration.

Climate

In those mountainous parts where water is easily accessible, the residents may be said to enjoy a good share of health throughout the year; but in other localities, at certain seasons, the heat is extremely oppressive, and the climate decidedly insalubrious. The winters are not uncomfortably cold for any great length of time; but, even at the extreme south snow is by no means uncommon, although the streams rarely freeze. During the march of Lieutenant Colonel Cooke from Santa Fe to San Diego, in the latter part of October, 1846, snow fell, and his party suffered for about two weeks with cold, though then at the southerly border of the territory. In the vicinity of Santa Fe, about latitude 36° north, on the 31st of December, 1846, the snow was five inches deep.

Religion

The Roman Catholic, having formerly been the established religion throughout all Mexico, still maintains its ascendency in this territory. Other denominations, however, are now tolerated, under the laws of the United States.

Curiosities

Among these, the most remarkable, perhaps, are the ruins of singularly constructed religious temples, and other large edifices, which are occasionally met with upon the sites of ancient Indian or Mexican villages, the inhabitants of which have long since passed beyond the reach of historical research, arid left scarcely any traces even of legendary remembrance. The village of Pecos, not far from Santa Fe, furnishes one illustration among many of these extraordinary remains. In various quarters are found vestiges of mounds and other monuments, of strange forms and divers dimensions, the uses of which baffle inquiry or conjecture. Among the extraordinary natural phenomena may be enumerated the high volcanic peaks in the mountainous district near the centre of the territory, and the character of some of the sandstone rocks composing the walls of many chasms and bluffs in the same region. From one of these, which had broken so as to leave a perpendicular face 180 feet in height, Lieutenant Abert, in the course of his topographical exploration in 1846, gathered a number of shark’s teeth, shells, and bones of fish. The ruins of the singular structures left by the Aztecs, an ancient race, of common origin with the New Mexicans, once inhabiting several large districts in this territory, are also among the striking curiosities of the country. In their wanderings from a point near the centre of the present northern boundary, they left at different spots many ponderous memorials of their laborious skill, in the shape of immense edifices, designed to serve, it is supposed, as fortified habitations. Near the River Gila, in November, 1846, Captain Johnson, U. S. A., visited one of these ruins, called the “Casa de Montezuma,” presumed to be many centuries old, an account of which is given in his journal, communicated to the war department by General Kearney, in 1847.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States (1854) by Thomas Baldwin

Most Common Surnames in New Mexico

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in United States
1Martinez28,1061:773.49%19
2Garcia24,6111:882.72%10
3Chavez18,6231:1169.16%150
4Sanchez15,1561:1433.21%44
5Gonzales14,5801:1496.09%118
6Smith14,5511:1490.50%1
7Romero14,2731:1527.87%181
8Lopez12,4651:1741.88%24
9Montoya12,3271:17617.51%585
10Trujillo11,2281:19315.67%562
11Lucero10,0611:21524.09%1,048
12Johnson9,3211:2320.42%2
13Baca9,0431:23930.27%1,502
14Gallegos8,7361:24813.18%632
15Rodriguez8,5151:2541.00%14
16Vigil8,2481:26324.67%1,329
17Brown8,1471:2660.46%4
18Hernandez7,6441:2831.07%23
19Padilla7,6041:2857.74%397
20Williams7,1701:3020.37%3
21Jones6,9911:3100.42%5
22Gutierrez6,7101:3232.94%126
23Sandoval6,6951:3236.09%338
24Ortiz6,6571:3252.69%113
25Davis6,4991:3330.46%6
26Torres6,3151:3431.76%65
27Salazar6,0341:3594.38%266
28Miller5,9601:3630.44%7
29Herrera5,9241:3663.59%220
30Valdez5,6121:3864.64%300
31Jaramillo5,4811:39515.78%1,272
32Duran5,1901:4176.24%484
33Flores5,0881:4261.42%63
34Marquez4,9411:4385.34%428
35Gomez4,7741:4541.62%82
36Ramirez4,7461:4561.15%52
37Anderson4,6491:4660.46%8
38Aragon4,6461:46618.91%1,849
39Archuleta4,6361:46728.35%2,783
39Wilson4,6361:4670.48%9
41Cordova4,6291:46810.32%956
42Rivera4,6201:4691.36%68
43Gonzalez4,4791:4830.72%29
44Perez4,4501:4870.83%40
45Griego4,4221:49041.21%4,218
46Ortega4,3041:5033.98%349
47Martin4,2911:5050.52%17
48Thompson4,0821:5300.52%20
49Moore3,9291:5510.46%13
50Quintana3,9111:55410.72%1,203
51White3,8891:5570.48%18
52Lujan3,8441:56316.94%2,034
53Taylor3,7251:5810.42%11
54Castillo3,6681:5901.83%155
55Thomas3,6651:5910.42%12
56Pacheco3,6101:6005.05%567
57Clark3,5951:6020.50%22
58Montano3,5191:61513.26%1,697
59Lewis3,5181:6150.55%25
60Maestas3,3501:64633.05%4,456
61Armijo3,3341:64934.82%4,677
62Medina3,3211:6522.00%218
63Harris3,3121:6540.43%21
64Lee3,2851:6590.39%15
65Madrid3,2811:66012.22%1,676
66Silva3,2801:6602.13%232
67King3,2761:6610.58%32
68Dominguez3,1851:6803.26%399
69Lovato3,1621:68533.06%4,683
70Jackson2,9711:7290.36%16
71Roybal2,9701:72936.50%5,455
72Apodaca2,9431:73622.25%3,423
73Allen2,8261:7660.45%28
74Begay2,8061:77228.82%4,609
75Hall2,7591:7850.45%30
76Mendoza2,7251:7951.41%164
77Tafoya2,7011:80225.79%4,314
78Morales2,6771:8091.08%112
79Yazzie2,6571:81530.96%5,190
80Wright2,6521:8160.48%33
81Nelson2,6431:8190.49%39
82Ruiz2,6341:8221.26%141
83Baker2,6231:8250.49%36
84Walker2,6201:8260.41%26
85Roberts2,6131:8290.55%43
86Barela2,5671:84329.64%5,139
87Adams2,4291:8910.44%34
88Wood2,4031:9010.71%69
89Rogers2,4011:9020.62%57
90Munoz2,3971:9031.82%281
91Hill2,3821:9090.44%35
92Reyes2,3701:9140.86%96
93Vasquez2,3601:9171.21%162
94Aguilar2,3441:9241.63%249
95Diaz2,3401:9250.80%85
96Gurule2,3361:92740.64%7,383
97Young2,3281:9300.39%31
98Scott2,3261:9310.43%38
99Campbell2,2991:9420.47%41
100Zamora2,2971:9434.08%754
101Pena2,2551:9601.78%285
102Green2,2381:9670.42%37
103Mitchell2,2111:9790.48%45
104Phillips2,2061:9820.50%47
105Carrillo2,2041:9822.98%542
106Evans2,1491:1,0080.47%46
107Robinson2,1421:1,0110.34%27
108Morgan2,1191:1,0220.58%60
109Estrada2,1151:1,0241.96%352
110Perea2,0991:1,03218.63%4,015
111Moreno2,0971:1,0331.22%205
112Sena2,0881:1,03724.07%5,125
113Salas2,0761:1,0433.58%723
114Morris2,0681:1,0470.52%55
115Cox2,0271:1,0680.59%67
116Candelaria1,9421:1,11520.03%4,623
117Peterson1,9331:1,1200.53%59
118Stewart1,8951:1,1430.47%54
119Acosta1,8911:1,1451.99%413
120Collins1,8891:1,1460.45%50
121Fernandez1,8851:1,1491.08%200
122Cruz1,8811:1,1510.67%93
123Otero1,8331:1,1818.21%2,056
124James1,8201:1,1900.60%79
124Luna1,8201:1,1901.90%408
126Ward1,8161:1,1920.55%71
127Carter1,7971:1,2050.37%42
128Abeyta1,7901:1,21023.79%5,834
129Harrison1,7811:1,2160.75%120
129Jimenez1,7811:1,2161.04%204
131Bell1,7681:1,2250.49%62
132Reed1,7661:1,2260.51%66
133Sedillo1,7651:1,22740.34%9,403
134Benavidez1,7641:1,22712.69%3,280
135Cooper1,7471:1,2390.48%61
136Delgado1,7391:1,2451.47%305
137Murphy1,7261:1,2540.45%58
138Valencia1,7221:1,2573.06%753
139Rael1,6881:1,28337.86%9,243
140Olivas1,6871:1,2839.03%2,432
141Sanders1,6721:1,2950.60%90
142Molina1,6681:1,2981.94%469
143Edwards1,6641:1,3010.39%49
144Espinoza1,6501:1,3121.80%433
145Gray1,6441:1,3170.51%75
146Maldonado1,6371:1,3231.60%380
147Bailey1,6151:1,3410.45%64
148Richardson1,6071:1,3470.51%77
149Tapia1,5991:1,3543.87%1,057
150Parker1,5931:1,3590.38%51
151Bennett1,5741:1,3760.48%74
152Esquibel1,5731:1,37727.53%7,432
153Vargas1,5701:1,3791.08%246
154Ross1,5611:1,3870.53%80
155Turner1,5481:1,3990.36%48
156Hughes1,5451:1,4010.51%78
157Long1,5431:1,4030.54%87
158Chacon1,5421:1,4046.21%1,829
159Brooks1,5261:1,4190.47%73
160Russell1,5221:1,4230.55%95
161Saiz1,5131:1,43130.72%8,483
162Howard1,5051:1,4390.45%70
163Graham1,4981:1,4450.58%103
164Henderson1,4891:1,4540.54%99
165Serna1,4661:1,4776.07%1,887
166West1,4631:1,4800.57%104
167Ramos1,4591:1,4840.64%125
167Ulibarri1,4591:1,48437.14%10,369
169Sisneros1,4561:1,48728.57%8,245
170Alvarez1,4511:1,4920.76%167
171Foster1,4451:1,4980.49%81
172McDonald1,4321:1,5120.61%122
173Campos1,4291:1,5151.75%492
173Myers1,4291:1,5150.49%84
175Reynolds1,4211:1,5240.56%105
176Velasquez1,4121:1,5332.13%635
177Contreras1,4111:1,5351.35%364
178Holguin1,4081:1,5389.07%2,937
179Nunez1,3881:1,5601.35%377
180Patterson1,3851:1,5630.54%107
181Hamilton1,3751:1,5750.53%102
182Price1,3731:1,5770.47%86
182Stevens1,3731:1,5770.58%119
184Pino1,3491:1,60510.97%3,658
185Soto1,3441:1,6111.07%289
186Watson1,3401:1,6160.42%76
187Mora1,3371:1,6192.63%842
188Atencio1,3241:1,63524.24%7,745
189Benally1,3121:1,65040.29%12,100
190Sullivan1,2961:1,6710.44%83
191Gibson1,2941:1,6730.54%117
192Valenzuela1,2881:1,6812.58%855
193Franco1,2851:1,6851.89%610
194Kelly1,2791:1,6930.39%72
194Torrez1,2791:1,6939.08%3,240
196Perry1,2701:1,7050.46%98
197Alvarado1,2631:1,7141.16%348
198Ford1,2611:1,7170.54%121
199Cole1,2591:1,7200.50%109
200Leyba1,2581:1,72127.92%9,153
RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in United States
1Garcia4,2221:2844.32%661
2Romero2,6511:4567.13%1,639
3Montoya2,5991:4689.74%2,205
4Martin2,5911:461.76%15
5Trujillo2,3481:5183.06%2,263
6Gonzales2,1631:5538.26%1,137
7Lucero2,1421:5583.80%2,479
8Baca2,1251:5687.99%2,630
9Chaves1,9621:6083.52%2,695
10Martinez1,9231:6238.72%1,308
11Lopez1,5371:7735.85%1,519
12Gallegos1,5111:7888.00%3,561
13Chavez1,4191:8477.25%3,360
14Sanchez1,3291:8946.78%2,256
15Vigil1,1581:10279.21%4,104
16Duran1,1221:10648.87%2,753
17Sandoval1,1031:10878.23%4,227
18Sanches9891:12056.64%3,511
19Archuleta9591:12483.46%5,071
20Salazar9491:12565.04%4,112
21Jaramillo8581:13888.36%5,853
22Ortiz8411:14171.03%4,949
23Padilla8291:14382.73%5,699
24Aragon8071:14785.49%5,989
25Valdez8031:14842.76%3,288
26Mestas7311:16281.77%6,282
27Armijo7191:16593.99%7,147
28Ortega7181:16559.83%4,896
29Torres6831:17453.48%4,643
30Apodaca6681:17876.78%6,413
31Griego6371:18687.14%7,451
32Lujan6271:18976.93%6,760
33Quintana5931:20074.69%6,907
34Pacheco5871:20265.44%6,260
35Medina5841:20356.92%5,572
36Herrera5671:20957.80%5,796
37Cordova5301:22462.95%6,589
38Tafoya5101:23389.63%9,145
39Perea4791:24893.37%9,961
40Sena4761:24986.70%9,402
41Lobato4381:27179.78%9,402
42Barela4261:27883.04%9,961
43Montaño4051:29393.53%11,432
44Gutierres4031:29488.77%11,006
44Silva4031:29413.46%2,141
46Padia3971:29987.83%11,052
47Gomez3951:30024.25%3,723
48Martines3851:30836.74%5,478
49Sisneros3471:34285.47%12,002
50Mares3421:34760.11%9,145
51Candelaria3401:34991.64%12,861
52Rivera3391:35053.90%8,418
53Luna3381:35130.64%5,264
54Madrid3351:35475.11%11,173
55Gurule3051:38980.69%12,672
56Sandobal3041:39085.88%13,333
57Espinosa3031:39138.70%6,984
58Gonsales2981:39871.81%11,786
59Sedillo2841:41897.59%15,534
60Valencia2821:42149.47%9,135
60Samora2821:42172.49%12,418
62Pino2771:42870.84%12,369
63Rodriguez2681:44313.91%3,204
63Castillo2681:44333.54%6,860
65Sais2611:45468.15%12,565
65Gutierrez2611:45447.80%9,439
67Serna2531:46973.76%13,670
68Otero2481:47887.32%15,798
69Flores2461:48212.37%3,117
70Vijil2351:50569.32%13,775
71Marquez2331:50956.14%11,786
72Anaya2241:52985.82%16,879
73Gallego2231:53255.47%12,088
74Roibal2221:53496.10%18,544
75Tapia2201:53960.27%13,032
76Pena2191:54224.15%6,203
77Maes2171:54755.50%12,369
78Atencio2151:55273.88%15,534
78Cordoba2151:55271.67%15,152
80Esquibel2141:55485.26%17,416
81Mondragon2131:55778.31%16,354
82Giron2121:55978.52%16,466
82Cruz2121:55925.03%6,550
84Lovato2101:56585.02%17,632
85Varela2091:56785.66%17,803
86Olguin2051:57962.50%14,139
87Moya2041:58162.01%14,109
87Abeita2041:58193.15%19,344
89Smith2031:5840.03%1
90Lusero2001:59386.21%18,492
91Lopes1981:59935.17%9,217
92Peralta1941:61154.34%13,251
93Dominguez1921:61842.95%11,153
94Rael1911:62180.25%18,126
95Salas1891:62743.55%11,408
96Tenorio1881:63195.92%21,129
97Fernandez1861:63818.79%5,751
98Valdes1811:65548.92%12,894
99Benavides1791:66346.49%12,506
100Telles1731:68664.79%16,600
100Blea1731:68691.05%21,644
102Madril1721:68962.09%16,134
103Mora1711:69433.73%10,068
104Martine1681:70620.07%6,620
105Abeytia1671:710100.00%23,854
106Segura1631:72862.69%16,929
107Crespin1621:73295.86%23,646
107Marques1621:73242.97%12,702
107Molina1621:73243.20%12,757
110Chacon1591:74653.00%15,152
111Aguilar1581:75139.70%12,177
112Gonzalez1471:80723.60%8,486
113Ribera1461:81280.22%22,362
113Trugillo1461:81242.94%13,751
115Nieto1451:81867.44%19,635
115Ulibarri1451:81899.32%26,445
117Naranjo1441:82473.85%21,220
118Zamora1411:84161.30%18,603
119Abeyta1381:85962.44%19,192
120Miller1371:8660.05%6
121Arguello1361:87266.34%20,381
122Carrillo1321:89853.01%17,505
122Ballejos1321:89897.06%27,873
124Bernal1291:91931.46%11,900
125Gabaldon1251:94991.24%27,735
126Alarid1231:96496.85%29,402
126Jojola1231:964100.00%30,178
128Montana1221:97254.22%18,933
129Gomes1201:98826.67%11,091
130Johnson1191:9970.03%2
131Mascarenas1181:1,00592.19%29,245
132Velarde1171:1,01478.00%25,907
133Muniz1161:1,02273.42%24,909
134Gutieres1141:1,04069.09%24,088
134Espinoza1141:1,04058.76%21,305
136Velasquez1111:1,06867.68%24,200
136Maestas1111:1,068100.00%32,615
138Garcea1101:1,07883.97%28,717
139Gurula1071:1,108100.00%33,530
140Rodrigues1061:1,11910.48%5,650
140Alderete1061:1,11977.37%27,735
142Manzanares1051:1,12986.78%30,604
142Barreras1051:1,12990.52%31,560
144Baldonado1041:1,14088.14%31,158
145Miera1021:1,16393.58%33,053
145Padillo1021:1,16364.15%24,783
147Casados1001:1,18684.03%30,979
148Ramirez991:1,19813.52%7,446
148Brown991:1,1980.03%3
150Williams981:1,2100.03%4
150Olivas981:1,21036.43%16,510
152Bustos971:1,22365.54%26,182
153Tafolla961:1,23584.96%32,195
154Morales951:1,24812.50%7,189
155Alire921:1,28992.93%35,553
155Coris921:1,28980.70%31,974
157Maldonado911:1,30333.21%16,270
158Davis901:1,3180.04%7
159Leyba891:1,33368.99%29,048
159Salasar891:1,33351.74%23,310
159Campos891:1,33343.00%20,235
159Mes891:1,33365.44%27,873
159Casias891:1,33368.99%29,048
164Archebeque871:1,363100.00%39,167
164Salaz871:1,36394.57%37,602
164Angel871:1,3632.90%2,139
167Analla851:1,39589.47%36,719
168Delgado841:1,41224.00%13,461
168Ramires841:1,41225.69%14,178
170Esquivel821:1,44684.54%36,097
171Arias811:1,46457.04%27,017
171Marcus811:1,4645.53%4,098
171Solano811:1,46462.79%29,048
171Contreras811:1,46435.37%18,666
171Suaso811:1,46462.79%29,048
176Roybal801:1,48280.81%35,553
177Armenta791:1,50182.29%36,402
177Savedra791:1,50182.29%36,402
179Brito781:1,52074.29%34,042
179Romo781:1,52059.54%28,717
181Carabajal771:1,54070.64%33,053
182Borrego761:1,56055.47%27,735
182Belarde761:1,56058.46%28,876
184Barros751:1,58168.18%32,843
184Jones751:1,5810.02%5
184de Herrera751:1,58193.75%41,746
187Gonzallas741:1,60396.10%42,935
188Barrella731:1,62593.59%42,510
188Durand731:1,6254.45%3,689
188Hurtado731:1,62582.95%38,849
191Roival721:1,647100.00%45,119
191Calabaza721:1,647100.00%45,119
191Archuletta721:1,64778.26%37,602
191Fresques721:1,64793.51%42,935
191Wilson721:1,6470.04%8
196Deherrera711:1,67094.67%43,760
196Garduño711:1,67080.68%38,849
196Taylor711:1,6700.04%9
196Domingues711:1,67029.96%18,185
200Candelario701:1,69457.38%30,405
200Velasques701:1,69467.96%34,505
200Troncoso701:1,694100.00%46,098
200Sabedra701:1,694100.00%46,098
200Urioste701:1,694100.00%46,098