So, you want to learn more about California Genealogy? Perhaps you have tracked an ancestor down to the Golden State and have hit a wall, or maybe you know who your ancestor is and want to learn more about the local history so that you can understand what they were living through. Whatever the reason, this is a great place to start.
California genealogy is probably the most difficult state to research due to its complex counties and immigration. It was explored by the Spanish in the 16th century. It then switched from Spanish control to Mexican control when Mexico gained its independence. Eventually, it became part of the United States. Gold was discovered in 1849 and brought a massive amount of migrants to California trying to claim their fortune. It was also a popular destination for those traveling westward on the Oregon Trail. Lastly, the Transcontinental Railroad attracted many immigrants from Asia looking for work. Since that time, California has remained a popular destination for those searching to lay down new roots. It became home to many folks escaping the Dust Bowl, those chasing dreams of Hollywood, a community of hippies during the 60s, and immigrants from Mexico seeking a new beginning. It has been a land go new beginnings for migrants and immigrants alike.
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California Genealogy: Guide to California Counties
Here is a list of all the counties in California. If you know the county your ancestor was in, then click the link, and it will take you to a page full of resources in that county. This is incredibly valuable in genealogical research. The more that you can isolate an area, the easier it is to track down your ancestor. Most likely, there are still family members that live in the area that would have knowledge of your ancestors, the cemeteries will hold valuable information, and the local libraries and genealogical societies can point you in the right direction.
ALAMEDA ∣ ALPINE ∣ AMADOR ∣ BUTTE ∣ CALAVERAS ∣ COLUSA ∣ CONTRA COSTA ∣ DEL NORTE ∣ EL DORADO ∣ FRESNO ∣ GLENN ∣ HUMBOLDT ∣ IMPERIAL ∣ INYO ∣ KERN ∣ KINGS ∣ LAKE ∣ LASSEN ∣ LOS ANGELES ∣ MADERA ∣ MARIN ∣ MARIPOSA ∣ MENDOCINO ∣ MODOC ∣ MONO ∣ MONTEREY ∣ MERCED ∣ NAPA ∣ NEVADA ∣ ORANGE ∣ PLACER ∣ PLUMAS ∣ RIVERSIDE ∣ SACRAMENTO ∣ SAN BENITO ∣ SAN BERNARDINO ∣ SAN DIEGO ∣ SAN FRANCISCO ∣ SAN JOAQUIN ∣ SAN LUIS OBISPO ∣ SAN MATEO ∣ SANTA BARBARA ∣ SANTA CLARA ∣ SANTA CRUZ ∣ SHASTA ∣ SIERRA ∣ SISKIYOU ∣ SOLANO ∣ SONOMA ∣ STANISLAUS ∣ SUTTER ∣ TEHAMA ∣ TRINITY ∣ TULARE ∣ TUOLUMNE ∣ VENTURA ∣ YOLO ∣ YUBA
California Genealogy: Research Database
As I stated earlier, California is one of the more complex states to study genealogy. This is due to how the counties were formed and the timeline of events. In California, it is essential to know the county where your ancestor is located, especially if they were born or lived before 1905. Vital records were stored by the state registrar in 1905, and everything prior was stored in the county of origin. Due to the massive population booms of California, the county lines were reshaped, annulled, renamed, etc. This is where it can get a bit messy. Just keep an eye on the county, and don't assume anything. There is a good chance your ancestor will be located in the same location, but a different county will be named.
Like any research, you need to know where to start. Starting in California is not much different than starting in any other state. You need to begin by looking for any obvious event that will produce a record. This can be Birth, Marriage, Divorce, Death, Naturalization, Military, or Immigration records. Every ancestor is different with their own stories. Each of those stories may produce different records. To get started and lay a foundation for your California ancestor, look at these quick links:
- Birth Records (1905 - 1995)
- Marriage Index (1960 - 1985)
- Divorce Index (1966 - 1984)
- Death Index (1905 - 1939)
- Death Index (1940 - 1997)
- 1852 State Census
- Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index (1790 - 1890)
- Naturalization Records (1887 - 1991)
- Military Records
- California Newspapers
California Genealogy: Advanced Research Techniques
If you want to pursue your California ancestor further after finding them in census reports or vital records, then the next step would be to contact local archives. Here is a list of places you should check out if you want to dive deeper:
- County Clerk’s Office: Contacting the county clerk can help you find some land records, court documents, and other interesting documents that will give you a deeper look into your ancestor’s life.
- Local Library: What were the newspapers during that time period? Most libraries have microfilm that will allow you to read what was going on during your ancestor’s life. Many libraries also have obituary collections.
- Local Genealogical Societies: Most counties have their own historical society, and many cities also have genealogical societies. It is quite possible that someone has come before you and done much of the research and has wrote it down. If that is the case, then a local genealogical society would have that document.
- Local Cemeteries: Finding the grave of your ancestor can also give additional clues.
- Local Civil War Re-enactment Groups: If you have an ancestor who fought in the Civil War and you know what unit they were in, then it would be beneficial to see if you can locate a re-enactment group for that unit.
Good luck hunting down your California ancestor.