California Compiled Genealogies

Most archives, historical societies, and genealogical societies have special collections and indexes of genealogical value. You must usually search these in person. A published collection for early California is Marie E. Northrop, Spanish-Mexican Families of Early California: 1769-1850, Two Volumes. (New Orleans, Louisiana: Polyanthos, 1976; Family History Library book ).

Some notable manuscript collections of compiled genealogies for California are:

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Collection. This collection consists of transcripts of Bible records, cemetery records, church records, marriages, deaths, obituaries, and wills. It was microfilmed in 1971 at the DAR Library, Washington, D.C., and is available on 42 films at the Family History Library (Family History Library films -50, -449, and others). The volumes are generally arranged by county and many have individual indexes.

The Spanish-American Mission Collection. This is a collection of family group records showing the ancestry of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the Southwest. It is on microfilm at the Family History Library (Family History Library Spanish America films -6).

Society of Mayflower Descendants (California) Collection. This is a large collection of alphabetized family group records for California families. It was microfilmed in 1974 at the Society's headquarters in San Francisco and is at the Family History Library (Family History Library films -230 and -85).

Printing Your Family History
Pulling together a family history is not an easy task, but is without question one of the most rewarding activities you can be doing with your time. The end product will provide a wonderful depository for family stories, traditions, and other memories. The fruits of your labors will be appreciated for years to come.

Brigham Young University's Print and Mail Production Center offers facilities and consultants to assist genealogists in printing their family histories. Their consultants can answer questions regarding formatting, layout, scanning photos, and can assist in the printing process.

See also A Guide to Printing Your Family History