California Death Index 1940-1997 - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection consists of a name index of death records for the years 1940 to 1997. The index was created by the California Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Section in Sacramento.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Death Index
 * Name
 * Sex
 * Date and place of birth
 * Date and place of death
 * Father's last name
 * Mother's maiden name

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The date and place of death

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?
If these are indexes, the original records may contain additional information than was not indexed, or the information might have been indexed incorrectly. You may want to search for the original record at the California Department of Public Health.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use the age or estimated birth date to find other vital records such as birth, baptism, marriage, and death records
 * Search for death or burial information in BillionGraves Index
 * Search for an obituary or cemetery record
 * Use census records to search for other family members

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching a nearby locality
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of California.
 * California Guided Research
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research: 1850-1905 | 1905-Present

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.