Are you looking for California genealogy records? The California History Section of the California State Library is an excellent place to begin your family history research. There are many publications available for viewing that are specialized in genealogical history of state residents.
The collection in the California History Room contains many general California genealogy records and helpful resources. They have newspaper records dating back to 1846 and the local histories of counties written in the 1800's. There are also various directories kept on file from as far back as the 1850's for cities, counties, and telephone numbers. There is also a biographical dictionary and voter's registration records available for access.
Also at the library are publications from the local genealogical society, a historical photograph collection and unpublished manuscripts written by individuals, business or organizations. County organized indexes for death, marriage and divorce are also available as a resource.
One of the other things that you can do to find California genealogy records is to investigate ship passenger lists for boat that brought people to the United States from other countries. Many times immigrants will keep mementos from their initial trip such as journals, tickets, or newspaper clippings in honor of their journey to a new country. Once of the best place to look for things like these is in your grandparent's basement or attic. These items may not be sources of complete information, but you may be able to gain some leads by searching through some old dusty boxes or trunks in an elderly relative's storage area. You can sometimes find passenger lists online or indexed on microfilm.
The internet is actually an incredibly valuable source for a lot of genealogical research. You can search indexed vital records and view images of these important documents online! Sometimes you have to pay a fee for access to certain things, but it will be worth it to capture some of your family's history. Some websites cover all states while others are state specific and organized by county.
One resource you can investigate is the United States Social Security Death Index. This index contains millions of American names with the dates of their births and deaths. You can search this index for free.
Military personnel are kept on file for a very long time after their service. If you have war veterans in your family line or you believe that one or more of your ancestors served in the army, navy, marines, or national guard, you will probably be able to find their service record if you know their name and approximate years in the military or in the reserves. If they were honored for special performance or heroic acts, they will be that much easier to find.
Cemetery records are also available online and at funeral homes. If you can find the old plot that an ancestor was buried, you can take a trip to the grave and pay your respects. You can also take pictures of the epitaph or trace it to include in your documented family history.
Genealogical researching has become a national past-time in an effort to bond with our past. In times of turmoil, locating our past can help ease the sting as we realize that similar plights befell our ancestors. In 1846 California broke away from Mexico and in 1850 it became a state.
California allows you to view and get copies of most records held by the California Department of Public Health, although confidential records are not available. Researchers have the ability because of a state law named the Public Records Act. This is of great assistance when searching for California genealogy records.
Most of the major records, including birth, death, marriage, and divorce records, are housed by the California Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records.? The Office of Vital Records issues certified copies of birth and death records from 1905 and it maintains a central registry of marriages and divorces. It provides other services regarding adoptions and paternity information as well as fetal death and still birth certificates. This is the office that would be of the most assistance in locating California genealogy records.
In addition to the Department of Public Health, the California History Section houses many documents that offer assistance to those performing genealogical research in California including census information, city and county directories, as well as some telephone books.
Public Records
Court Records
Criminal Records
Birth Records
Death Records
Marriage Records
Divorce Records
Genealogy Records