Genealogy/Research

Genealogical/Research Resources Available
at the Gilpin History Museum

We do not have legal, property, or vital records. Those records are available through the state or county. Researchers are welcome to stop by the museum any time during normal business hours. During the off season appointments are required.

Gilpin County newspapers: Various dates on microfilm and hard copies, and many issues of Gilpin County newspapers are also available at coloradohistoricnewspapers.org. Issues available on microfilm can be checked by the public. Hard copies are restricted access and must be checked by staff.

The following records are open to the public during normal business hours or by appointment:

Index to 1860 and 1870 US Census and the 1885 Colorado Census for Gilpin County.

Gilpin County School Census Records, 1887-1920.

Gilpin County Naturalization Records, 1863-1910.

Marriage and Obituary Index for the Register-Call, 1860-1880 (a good source, but not comprehensive).

Cemetery Index for all county cemeteries. This is from a variety of sources, including cards created by volunteers who walked the cemeteries in the 1970s and 1980s, copies of burial records for some cemeteries, and histories of the cemeteries. By no means a complete record of who is buried in them, but the best we can do at this time.

Teller House Guest Register Index, 1881-1914.

Gilpin County Selective Service records for World War I.

Newspaper Index (by name generally, but sometimes by name of business or mine, very hit or miss).

Information on some mines, businesses, and buildings in the county but no company records (again, hit or miss).

Name Files (may contain newspaper clippings, index cards, burial information, letters, etc.)

Access to the following records is restricted and they must be checked by staff:

Copies of Gilpin County listings from Colorado Business Directories, 1870s-1890s.

Photographs and documents.

Reference and school year books.

We're happy to check what we have for any names that people might be researching. If we have a general idea of the date we're also happy to check through the newspapers for any articles if we have the edition of the paper. Click on the Resources tab under Gilpin History for links to History Colorado, the Colorado State Archives, the Denver Public Library's Western History and Genealogy Department, the Foothills Genealogical Society, and other museums and historical societies around Colorado.

Anyone with questions can call 303-582-5283 or email gilpinhistory@live.com.