How to Find New Mexico Marriage Records on FamilySearch

How to Find New Mexico Marriage Records on FamilySearch.org

This guide will walk you through the process of locating New Mexico marriage records efficiently on FamilySearch.org.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Access FamilySearch and Sign In: Open your web browser and go to www.familysearch.org. If you have an account, click "Sign In" in the top right corner and enter your credentials. While some records are publicly accessible, signing in often provides the best experience and access to all features.

2. Navigate to the Records Search: Once on the homepage, hover your mouse over the "Search" tab in the main navigation menu at the top of the page. From the dropdown menu, click on "Records." This will take you to the main historical records search page.

3. Enter Place Information: On the records search page, locate the "Place" field. Type "New Mexico, United States" into this field. As you type, FamilySearch may suggest the full place name; select it when it appears. This narrows your search to records pertaining to New Mexico.

4. Add Names and Date Ranges (Optional but Recommended): If you know the names of the individuals involved (groom and/or bride) and approximate marriage dates, enter them into the respective "First Names," "Last Names," and "Year Range" fields. The more information you provide, the more precise your search results will be.

5. Refine by Record Type: After entering your initial search criteria, click the blue "Search" button. On the results page, look at the left-hand panel under "Filter Your Results." Expand the "Record Type" filter. Look for categories such as "Marriage," "Vital Records," or "Marriage & Divorce" and select them. This will filter the results specifically for marriage records.

6. Browse Search Results and Collections: Review the list of search results. Look for specific collections related to New Mexico marriages, such as "New Mexico, County Marriages, 1905-1959," or similar titles. Click on a collection or an individual record entry to view more details or digitized images.

7. Alternative Method: Using the FamilySearch Catalog

   If a direct records search doesn't yield the desired results, the FamilySearch Catalog is an excellent tool for finding digitized microfilm and other resources.

   Access the Catalog: From the FamilySearch homepage, hover over the "Search" tab and select "Catalog" from the dropdown menu.

8. Search by Place in the Catalog: In the Catalog search page, ensure "Place" is selected as the search type. Type "New Mexico, United States" into the "Place" field and click "Search."

9. Filter by Topic: Once the New Mexico catalog results load, scroll down to the "Topics" section. Look for topics like "New Mexico - Vital records" or "New Mexico - Vital records - Marriage" and click on them. This will display a list of available records, often including digitized microfilm of county marriage records.

10. Explore Collections and View Images: Browse the list of collections under your selected topic. Look for icons indicating digitized images (a camera icon) or film rolls (a microfilm reel icon). Click on the camera icon to view the digitized records page by page. Some records may also include an index or be searchable within the collection itself.