San Francisco County, California Genealogy

Guide to San Francisco County, California ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

Description
The county was named for St. Francis of Assisi. The county seat San Francisco and the county was created April 15, 1850. The County is located in the west central area of the state.

County Courthouse
San Francisco Courthouse 400 McAllister Street San Francisco, CA 94102 Phone: 415-551-5737 San Francisco County Courthouse

Superior Court Clerk has divorce, probate and court records. Counter Recorder has marriage records. Department of Public Health has birth records.

Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[1]

Cities
 * San Francisco

History Timeline
 Disasters  FamilySearch Catalog and Related FamilySearch Record Collections
 * 1906 Earthquake
 * 1906 Index to Articles about the 1906 Earthquake (Genealogy Trails)
 * 1906 | Correspondence and Related Records Pertaining to the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906, 1906 - 1906
 * Museum of the City of San Francisco. Earthquake cards, 1906



Biographies

 * Index to San Francisco County Biographies (Genealogy Trails)
 * Surname Index to San Francisco County Biographies (USGenWeb Archives)
 * Schellen's Collection of Historical Materials - Names
 * Schellen's Collection of Historical Materials - Hotels
 * Schellen's Collection of Historical Materials - Saloons
 * Schellen's Collection of Historical Materials - Ships

Census Records
1850 (1851) for the county is missing.
 * 1870 Index to Transcription of the 1870 Census, San Francisco County (USGenWeb Archives)

Church Records

 * 1864-1985 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * Church Records guide for San Francisco - This website helps you locate records for multiple churches and denominations.

Ward and Branch Records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
 * Balboa
 * Mission
 * San Francisco
 * Sunset (San Francisco)

Lutheran
 * 1781-1969 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
 * Records of Trinity, Bethlehem, and Ascension Lutheran Church, San Francisco, in Evangelical Lutheran Church in America database at Archives.com ($).

 List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Court Records

 * 1824-1997 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; includes coroner's records

Directories
Directories (free at the Internet Archive) - 1878, 1920 Fold3.com ($) has San Francisco City Directories 1861-1923 (4 yrs. missing) available online. This database is sometimes free at libraries.
 * 1850 San Francisco City Directory (CAGenWeb Project)
 * 1907 San Francisco California Blue Book (1907) at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
 * 1918 San Francisco City Directory (CAGenWeb Project)
 * 1955 San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1955 at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
 * 1957 San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1957 at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
 * 1958 San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1958 at MyHeritage — index & images ($)

Emigration and Immigration

 * Angel Island Immigration Station – This site gives the history of the landmark near San Francisco known as the “Ellis Island of the West”. When Angel Island was opened in 1910, it was expected to handle European immigrants headed for California via the Panama Canal. Instead, the facility handled about 250,000 immigrants from Asia, 70 percent of whom were Chinese. While records aren't searchable here, you will get a good insight into what those who were detained at Angel Island went through to enter the United States. Site provides links to sources that are available for researching ancestors.

 Online Records
 * 1882-1888 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1882-1947 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1883-1924 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1893-1934 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1896-1921 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1907-1911 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1910-1941 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1912-1946 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1918 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1928-1942 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1930-1949 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1936-1949 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1954-1957 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1903-1918 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * The Maritime Heritage Project

Funeral Homes

 * 1835-1979 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Genealogies
 A wiki article describing an online collection is found at: California Genealogical Colleactions at the California Genealogical Society (FamilySearch HIstorical Records)
 * Handcock, Nora I. Allenheads Lead Miners in America. History with the names of Miners that went to America in 1849, on the ship The Guy Mannering. Picture of the ship included. Many headed for Galena, or Rockford Illinois, Jamestown, San Francisco, Irish Hollow, one family moving on to Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. Names of Miners, Samuel and Maria Vickers, Jacob Nattrass, Joseph &amp; Phoebe Reed, John and Hannah Graham, Thomas and Maria Chatt, the Reed and Lee families, John &amp; Ann (followed later) Hewitson, Thomas Foster, George Philipson, William Dawson, Thomas Noble, Jacob Peart, Henry Bell, Andrew Muir, John and Ann Lee, John Stevenson. Dates 1832-1870 and is found in the Northumberland &amp; Durham Family History Society Journal, vol.37 no.4, pages 28-30, FamilySearch Library Ref. 942.8 B2jo, vol. 37 no.4
 * Jones, Andrew Forsyth. The French Family of Sunderland and the USA. History of the family of Joseph and Mary Ann French with description of their son Joseph French born 1847, Gateshead, and his wife Frances Ann Samuel, born Sunderland, July 1846. Photo included on their golden wedding. The family of Joseph and Frances and all but one of their children emigrate to USA in 1887, and settle in St Paul, Minnesota, and after 5 years move onto San Francisco. Photo of Andrew Forsyth, and Elizabeth nee French in 1903. Other surnames mentioned: Bennett, Forsyth, Douce, Winks, Lundgren. Article dated 1846-1954, and is found in the Northumberland &amp; Durham Family History Society Journal. vol. 32,no.2pages 48-49. FamilySearch Library Ref. 942.8 B2jo vol. 32.no.2.(summer 2007)
 * Family History of the Kerr and Grote Families of San Francisco California (Genealogy Trails)

Land and Property Records
Online Land Indexes and Records
 * 1824-1916 (*); San Francisco County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
 * 1824-1997 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; includes land and property records
 * 1838-1851 (*); San Francisco County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
 * 1849-1900 (*); San Francisco County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
 * 1850-1908 (*); San Francisco County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
 * 1868 (*); San Francisco County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
 * 1906-1934 (*); San Francisco County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
 * 1906-1937 (*); San Francisco County Superior Court at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
 * 1990-Current Office of the Assessor-Recorder
 * Index to Federal Land Records, San Francisco County (USGenWeb Archives)

Local Histories

 * Index to San Francisco County Historical Records (USGenWeb Archives)
 * San Fransico: A History of the Pacific Coast Metropolis, Vol. II at FamilySearch
 * California Indexes at EveryNameIndex.com — Select the county.
 * The Bay of San Francisco, the metropolis of the Pacific Coast, and its suburban cities : a history; v. 01 at FamilySearch

Maps and Gazetteers
For historical maps,search the following free sites: For some Custom Google Maps of San Francisco Mile Houses and Catholic Parishes in the city:
 * Maps of California (1850-1925)
 * Maps-Historical-State of California, the California government's site. Links to American Memory (Library of Congress), California Missions, and the State Library
 * Historical Maps of California
 * California Maps - HSU Library, also lists and links to gazetteers
 * California Perry-Castaneda Map Collection
 * USGS Topographic Maps of California topographical maps of California mountains, rivers, etc.,
 * Map showing locations of the mile houses of San Francisco
 * Map showing locations of Catholic parish churches of San Francisco (1893)
 * Map showing locations and extent of baptism, marriage and death records of Catholic parish churches of San Francisco (present-day)
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Migration

 * 1906-1935 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Military Records

 * 1883 San Francisco County – List of Pensioners on the Roll, January 1, 1883 (Genealogy Trails)
 * 1898-1913 Patient Case Files, 1898-1913 Letterman Hospital

 Civil War Despite the destruction of the 1890 Federal Census, a few 1890 Census Veterans Schedules for Alcatraz in San Francisco County survived. They are available on roll 118 of "Special Schedules of the Eleventh Census (1890) Enumerating Union Veterans and Widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War" (NARA M123). The schedules list veterans and their widows who served as Union soldiers in the Civil War. For more information on the 1890 Veterans Schedules see Union Census Records. Civil War service men in San Francisco County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (part of a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in this county:
 * - 1st Battalion, California Native Cavalry (Union), Company A
 * - 1st Battalion, California Native Cavalry (Union), Company B
 * - 1st Regiment, California Cavalry (Union), Company A
 * - 1st Regiment, California Cavalry (Union), 1st Company E
 * - 1st Regiment, California Cavalry (Union), New Company E
 * - 1st Regiment, California Cavalry (Union), Company F
 * - 1st Regiment, California Infantry (Union), Company B
 * - 1st Regiment, California Infantry (Union), Company H
 * - 1st Regiment, California Infantry (Union), Company K
 * - 2nd Regiment, California Infantry (Union), Company E
 * - 7th Regiment, California Infantry (Union), Company A
 * - 7th Regiment, California Infantry (Union), Company E
 * - 7th Regiment, California Infantry (Union), Company F
 * - 7th Regiment, California Infantry (Union), Company K
 * - 8th Regiment, California Infantry (Union), Company D
 * - 8th Regiment, California Infantry (Union), Company E
 * - 8th Regiment, California Infantry (Union), Company F


 * Index of Veterans, G.A.R. Post Rosters (USGenWeb Archives)

 World War I
 * 1914-1918 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1920 Record Of 86th Co. California Military Reserve 1920 (USGenWeb Archives)
 * 1918 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

 World War II
 * Index to World War II Army Enlistees, San Francisco County (USGenWeb Archives)

Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
 * 1824-1997 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; includes naturalization records
 * 1831-1985 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1852-1989 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Newspapers

 * 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
 * 1824-1997 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; includes newspaper clippings
 * California Digital Newspaper Collection at UCR Center for Bibliographical Studies and Research
 * California, U.S., Newspapers.com Stories and Events Index at Ancestry — index & images ($)

Obituaries

 * Index to San Francisco County Obituaries (Genealogy Trails)
 * Index to San Francisco County Obituaries (USGenWeb Archives)

Orphan's Records

 * 1824-1997 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; includes orphan's records

Voting Records

 * 1824-1997 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; includes public records and voter's records
 * 1866-1898 California, U.S., Voter Registers, 1866-1898 at Ancestry - index ($)
 * 1866-1910 California, Great Registers, 1866-1910 at MyHeritage - index ($)

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1782-1999 California Wills and Probate Records 1782-1999 at Ancestry — index and images ($)
 * 1824-1997 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; includes probate records
 * 1833-1991 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; images

School Records
Online School Indexes and Records
 * San Francisco County School Records (USGenWeb Archives)
 * 1864-1921 University of California Medical School Directory of Graduates (Internet Archives)
 * 1959 Yearbook, Marina Junior High School, San Francisco, CA, Spring 1959 (USGenWeb Archives)

Social Security Records

 * 1935-2014 at FamilySearch — How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
 * 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
 * 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

Tax Records
Online Tax Indexes and Records

 Online Records
 * 1883-1924 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Vital Records

 * Selected San Francisco County Vital Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Birth

 * 1800-1994 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1812-1988 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1905-1995 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at: MyHeritage($)
 * California Department of Public Health
 * San Francisco Department of Public Health has birth records since April 1906. Instructions and forms are on the link.
 * SFGenealogy has San Francisco Vital Records and links to numerous resources.
 * San Francisco County Birth Notices by year (Genealogy Trails)

Marriage

 * 1800-2007 California, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index $
 * 1824-1997 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; includes marriages
 * 1850-1945 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1850-1952 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images. Also at: MyHeritage($)
 * 1960-1985 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at: MyHeritage($)
 * Western States Marriage Index at BYU-Idaho
 * San Francisco County Marriage Notices by year (Genealogy Trails)

Death

 * 1776-2000 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1800-1994 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1905-1939 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1940-1997 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at: MyHeritage($)
 * 1861 San Francisco County Death Notices from the Daily Evening Bulletin, 1861 (Genealogy Trails)
 * 1882-1892 Death Index - Ancient Order of United Workmen (AOUW) 1882-1892 (CAGenWeb Project)
 * California Department of Public Health
 * San Francisco Department of Public Health has death records since April 1906. Instructions and forms are on the link.

Divorce

 * 1966-1984 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index

FamilySearch Centers

 * Danville California FamilySearch Center
 * San Francisco California FamilySearch Center
 * San Mateo California FamilySearch Center
 * San Rafael California FamilySearch Center
 * California FamilySearch Center Oakland California FamilySearch Center

Libraries
San Francisco Genealogy has a full compliment of historical and vital records for San Francisco and surrounding counties.Website

Societies
California Historical Society Website California Genealogy Society and Library Website San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Genealogical Society 4430 School Way Castro Valley 94546-1331 Website San Francisco History Association P.O. Box 31907 San Francisco, CA 94131 Phone: 415-750-9986 San Francisco History Center San Francisco Public Library 100 Larkin Street San Francisco, CA 94102 Phone: 415-557-4567 Email: [mailto:infor@sfpl.org infor@sfpl.org] Website

Websites

 * San Francisco County CAGenWeb
 * USGenWeb Archives
 * San Francisco, California Genealogy Trails
 * San Francisco CA Genealogy (ldsgenealogy.com)
 * Linkpendium


 * – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection.  Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.

Research Guides

 * San Francisco Research Guide at California State Library