GuidedResearch:Why Can't I Find the Record - California Marriages

This page will give you additional guidance and resources to find marriage information for your ancestor. Use this page after first completing the marriage section of the California Guided Research page.

Additional Databases and Online Resources

 * 1800-1990s:  United States Marriages, California  at FindMyPast ($)
 * 1849-1980:  California, County Birth, Marriage, and Death Records  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1850-1877:  California Marriages  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1850-1941:  California, Marriage Records from Select Counties  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1850-1945:  California, Select Marriages  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1949-1959:  California, Marriage Index  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1949-1959:  California Marriages  at Vitalsearch's California Marriages Databases
 * 1960-1985:  California, Marriage Index  at Ancestry ($); Also at MyHeritage ($)

Additional Records with Marriage Information
Substitute records may contain information about more than one event and are used when records for an event are not available. Records that are used to substitute for marriage events may not have been created at the time of the marriage. The accuracy of the record is contingent upon when the information was recorded. Search for information in multiple substitute records to confirm the accuracy of these records.

Marriage in a different place - Gretna Greens

 * Click here to learn more about Gretna Greens

Virtual Genealogy Consultations
Schedule a free online consultation with a research specialist:

Ask the Community
Select a community research group where you can ask questions and receive free genealogy help.

Tips for finding marriages
Successfully finding marriage records in online databases depends on a few key points. Try the following search suggestions:
 * Spelling variations. Your ancestor's name may be misspelled. Search with spelling variations for the first and last name of your ancestor.
 * Search given name. Search by given name by leaving out the last name.
 * Search for bride. Search by the bride’s name rather than the groom’s name.
 * Add information. For common names, add more information to narrow the search such as approximate year of marriage or the county the marriage took place in.
 * Date range. Expand the date range of the search by 5 years.
 * Search state. Search using the state name only instead of by county.

Marriage in a different place - Gretna Greens

 * Click here to learn more about Gretna Greens

Known Record Gaps
Records Start
 * Marriage records begin when the county was created.
 * 1905 Statewide Registration.
 * 1920 Compliance to Statewide Registration.

Records Published by FamilySearch Collection coverage tables show the places and time periods of original records published by FamilySearch. For any FamilySearch collections you did not find your ancestor in, check the coverage table for gaps in the online collection. If the time period or location your ancestor lived in is missing from the collection, it may require searches in records found at original repository or finding substitute records for the event.
 * California Marriages, Coverage Table (FamilySearch Historical Records)

Records Destroyed The following counties had record loss. Click on the county for more information.

Marriage in a different place - Gretna Greens

 * Click here to learn more about Gretna Greens