Welcome!

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Las Animas County COGenWeb is a free genealogical site about the history of the Colorado county. It is a member of COGenWeb, which is a member of USGenWeb®. We hope you find helpful clues for your research of Las Animas County ancestors.

Are you familiar with the area? Do you have a family tree connection to the area? Please consider contributing your pieces of Las Animas County family history. Corrections, updates, and additions to this site are always welcome. Our combined efforts can make this a great site for all who visit!

Co-County Coordinator: YOU? I am looking for a volunteer who has a sincere interest in the genealogy of Las Animas County and is willing to help others along their family history journey. If you are interested, please don't hesitate to contact me.

County Coordinator: Norma Hass normahass01@gmail.com

State Coordinator: Rebecca Maloney

Assistant State Coordinators:
Betty Baker
M. D. Monk
Norma Hass

COUNTY FORMATION

Las Animas was formed February 9, 1866, from a southern portion of Huerfano County. Several years later, more of Huerfano was added. In 1889, part was split off to form Baca County.

Las Animas was named for the Animas River. The Spanish name for this river was El Rio de las Animas Perdidas en Purgatorio. This translates to the River of the Lost Souls in Purgatory. Legend has it that several Spanish explorers were lost on the river in the late 1760s. Their bodies were never recovered, and thus they were doomed to spend eternity in Purgatory.

Trinidad is the County Seat.

Las Animas is the largest of Colorado's 64 counties. It has a area of 4,773 square miles.

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