Family tree Arvada refers to the process of researching and documenting your ancestors who lived in or came from Arvada, Colorado, using local records, genealogy websites, and community resources. The best starting point is the Arvada Historical Society and the Jefferson County Public Library, which hold local histories, city directories, and newspaper archives that can connect your family to this specific area.
Why Arvada Has a Unique Genealogical Record
Arvada was founded in 1870 as a farming and mining supply town, and its history is well-documented through local newspapers, land records, and cemetery records. The city’s early settlers were mostly farmers from the Midwest, and many families stayed for generations, making it easier to trace lineages once you find the first Arvada connection. Unlike larger cities, Arvada’s records are concentrated in a few key repositories, so you can often exhaust local sources quickly and then move to county and state archives.
One of the most valuable resources is the Arvada Historical Society, which maintains a collection of photographs, oral histories, and family files donated by residents. The society also publishes books on local history, such as Arvada: Just Between the Creeks, which includes biographical sketches of early families. The Arvada Cemetery (established 1870) has burial records and gravestone transcriptions, many of which are indexed on Find a Grave, making it a practical first stop for verifying dates and family relationships.
How to Start Your Arvada Family Tree
Begin with what you know: gather names, dates, and places from your own family, then work backward. For Arvada specifically, follow this order:
- Interview relatives – ask about family stories, old addresses, and the names of schools or churches they attended; these clues point to specific records.
- Search the Arvada Historical Society’s online catalog – they have a searchable index of obituaries and local newspaper articles.
- Use the Jefferson County Public Library’s genealogy database – library card holders can access Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest from home.
- Check the Colorado State Archives for birth, marriage, and death certificates (statewide registration began in 1907; earlier records are at the county level).
- Look at the Arvada City Directory – available on microfilm at the library, these directories list residents by name and address, helping you track families year by year.
If your ancestor arrived before 1900, the federal census (available on FamilySearch and Ancestry) will show them in Arvada. The 1880 census for Arvada lists about 450 residents, so you can often find a family in one page.
Key Records for Arvada Genealogy
Arvada’s records fall into several categories, each with its own quirks:
- Land and property records – Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder holds deeds and homestead patents. The Homestead Act of 1862 brought many settlers to the area, and those records are searchable on the Bureau of Land Management’s website.
- Church records – early churches include the Arvada United Methodist Church (founded 1870) and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church (founded 1902). These records often contain baptisms, marriages, and burials not found elsewhere.
- School records – the Arvada School District has historical yearbooks and enrollment records; the Arvada Historical Society has digitized many of them.
- Newspapers – the Arvada Enterprise (founded 1891) and the Arvada Herald are indexed in the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection, a free online resource.
For African American families, note that Arvada was predominantly white until the mid-20th century; if your ancestor was Black, they likely lived in the nearby Five Points neighborhood of Denver, so expand your search to Denver County records.
How to Choose a Genealogy Website for Arvada Research
Not all genealogy websites cover Arvada equally. Here’s how to choose:
- FamilySearch (free) – best for census, vital records, and the Colorado State Archives index. It also has the Arvada Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints records, which include some early settlers.
- Ancestry (paid) – has the largest collection of U.S. records, including city directories and newspapers, but its Arvada-specific content is limited to what’s been digitized.
- MyHeritage (paid) – useful for DNA matching and for European records if your Arvada family immigrated from Germany or Scandinavia.
- Find a Grave (free) – essential for Arvada Cemetery and nearby Crown Hill Cemetery; volunteers have photographed and transcribed most headstones.
For a focused search, start with FamilySearch and Find a Grave, then use Ancestry for its newspaper collection (the Arvada Enterprise is partially digitized there).
Common Problems in Arvada Family Trees
One recurring issue is the Arvada/Arvada Station confusion. The town was originally called Ralston’s Point (after a stagecoach stop), then Arvada in 1870, but the railroad station was named Arvada while the post office was Arvada as well. However, early records sometimes list the town as Ralston or Ralston’s Point, so search those names too.
Another problem is boundary changes. Arvada was part of Arapahoe County until 1902, when Jefferson County was created. If your ancestor lived there before 1902, their records may be in Arapahoe County, not Jefferson. Also, parts of Arvada extend into Adams County, so check both counties for land and court records.
Finally, common surnames like Smith or Miller can create false matches. Use the address from the city directory to confirm you have the right family, and always look for the same family in the next census to verify continuity.
Costs and Free Resources for Arvada Genealogy
You can research Arvada ancestors for free using these resources:
- Arvada Historical Society – free to visit, and their research library is open to the public.
- Jefferson County Public Library – free with a library card; offers access to Ancestry Library Edition (in-library only) and HeritageQuest (from home).
- Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection – free online.
- FamilySearch – free after creating an account.
- Find a Grave – free.
Paid options include Ancestry ($25/month for U.S. records), MyHeritage ($30/month), and the Arvada Historical Society membership ($35/year) which gives you access to their full digitized archive and expert help.
If you need a professional genealogist, the Association of Professional Genealogists has a directory; expect to pay $50–$100 per hour for local research.
Safety and Privacy in Family Tree Research
When sharing your Arvada family tree online, protect living relatives. Do not publish birth dates or addresses for anyone born in the last 100 years without their consent. Use privacy settings on Ancestry and FamilySearch to keep living people’s information private. Also, be cautious about DNA testing: if you take a DNA test, your matches can see your family tree, so consider using a pseudonym for living relatives.
For historical records, there are no privacy restrictions, but be respectful of recent deaths (within 20 years) and avoid posting sensitive information like cause of death or family conflicts. The Arvada Historical Society asks that you cite your sources when contributing to their files, so keep a record of where you found each fact.
Alternatives to Traditional Family Tree Research
If you hit a brick wall with Arvada records, consider these alternatives:
- DNA testing – AncestryDNA or 23andMe can connect you to distant cousins who may have family records or photos.
- Local history books – the Arvada Historical Society publishes books on specific neighborhoods, like the History of the Arvada Flour Mill, which lists employees and their families.
- Oral history interviews – the society has a collection of recorded interviews with long-time residents; listening to them can provide context and names.
- City directories from neighboring towns – if your ancestor worked in Denver, they might appear in the Denver directory, which is searchable on Ancestry.
If you cannot find your ancestor in Arvada, they may have lived in the nearby unincorporated communities of Ralston or Leyden, which are now part of Arvada. Search those names as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find Arvada birth records before 1907? Before state registration in 1907, births were recorded at the county level. For Arvada, that means Jefferson County (after 1902) or Arapahoe County (before 1902). Many early birth records are not indexed; you may need to search the county court minutes or church baptismal records.
Are there free genealogy classes in Arvada? Yes, the Jefferson County Public Library offers free genealogy workshops several times a year, and the Arvada Historical Society hosts beginner classes on the first Saturday of most months. Check their websites for schedules.
How do I find an ancestor’s address in Arvada from the 1920s? Use the Arvada City Directory, available on microfilm at the Arvada Public Library. The library also has a searchable index on their website. If you can’t visit, the Denver Public Library’s Western History Department has a copy of the directory.
What is the best DNA test for Arvada ancestry? AncestryDNA has the largest database of U.S. testers, which increases the chance of matching with distant cousins who have Arvada roots. 23andMe is better for health information but has a smaller genealogical database. For genealogy, AncestryDNA is the standard choice.
Can I get help from the Arvada Historical Society with my research? Yes, the society offers research assistance for a small fee (about $25 per hour) for non-members, and free for members. They will search their files and send you copies of relevant documents.
Why can’t I find my ancestor in the 1900 census for Arvada? The 1900 census for Arvada is indexed under Jefferson County, but the town was still called Ralston’s Point in some records. Also, the census taker may have listed the area as Arvada Precinct. Try searching for the family in the entire Jefferson County and then narrow by township.
Related
- Levers vs Cranks: How These Simple Machines Differ
- Roman Gods of Victory: Victoria, Mars, and Jupiter
- Roman Gods of the Sun: Sol, Apollo, and More
How pages are sourced and corrected: Sources and editorial policy.