California, United States Genealogy

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

California Information
California became the thirty-first state admitted to the Union in September 9, 1850. California was created from part of unorganized territory called Mexican Cession (Mexico ceded the land to the U. S. in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago in 1848) and is located in the southwest region of the United States. Sacramento is the capital and there are 58 counties in California.

Getting Started
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Getting Started with California Research
Links to articles on getting started with California research.
 * Step-by-Step California Research, 1905-Present
 * Step-by-Step California Research, 1850-1905
 * How to Find Birth Records
 * How to Find Marriage Records
 * How to Find Death Records
 * Research Strategies


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California Research Tools
Links to articles and websites that assist in California research.
 * Boundary Changes for California Counties
 * California Archives and Libraries
 * CAGenWeb
 * Geographical Names Information System - U.S. gazetteer of places, cemeteries and post offices in California.
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California Clickable Map
Many genealogy records are kept on the county level in the United States. Click on a county below to go to the county Wiki article listing more information.

Counties
Extinct or Renamed Counties:  Branciforte· Klamath· Lake (Nevada)· Pautah· Roop· Nataqua Territory

FamilySearch Resources
Below are FamilySearch resources that can assist you in resourcing your family.
 * Facebook Communities - Facebook groups discussing genealogy research
 * Learning Center - Online genealogy courses
 * Historical Records - databases and record images on FamilySearch
 * Family History Center locator map

Additional Resources

 * 2001-2014 - at FamilySearch — index
 * Cyndi's List - California genealogy sites on the internet
 * California State Genealogical Alliance's Online Research Guide - tells about early settlement research facilities in California.
 * California Genealogy Trails - collection of transcribed data for the state of California
 * Access Genealogy – Genealogy guide for California
 * Ancestorhunt.com - resources for California genealogy research
 * Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness - Guide to Ancestry and Family Tree Records for California
 * California Research Outline – Original Family History Library research outline; contains many out of date links
 * Every Name Index