Step-by-Step California Research, 1850-1905

California Step-by-Step Research 1850--1905 Step-by-Step Research 1905--present Step-by-Step Research 1850--1905

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Step 1. Find out everything possible from living relatives and their family records.
Every good genealogy project starts with finding all the clues that can be gathered from living relatives — both from their memories and from documents or memorabilia in their homes.

What information can relatives help with??
In order to extend research on ancestors, look for names, dates, and places. Any information about when and where a relative lived is a clue to a new record search. Be sure to ask questions that lead to that information, including about their occupations, military service, or associations with others, such as fraternal organizations. See also:


 * Fifty Questions for Family History Interviews What to Ask the Relatives
 * Genealogy: 150 questions to ask family members about their lives
 * Creating Oral Histories

Step 2: Search the 1900, 1880, 1870, 1860, and 1850 census records online.
A census is a count and description of the population of a country, state, county, or city for a given date. A census took a "snapshot" of a family on a certain day. For each person living in a household you might find (depending on the year) their name, age, birthplace, relationship to head of household, place of birth for father and mother, citizenship stat

Using family clues to lead to census record searches.
A grandmother, Juanita Cooper, says that '''Since Juanita was born just eight years before the 1900 census, the first step would be to search the 1900 census. At the age of eight, she ought to be living with Bob and Terry Johnson either in Texas of in Monterey, California'''. - The 1900 census of Monterey, California.
 * she was born 24 June 1892 in Texas
 * but her parents were from Monterey, California
 * all of her siblings were born in Monterey, California
 * her parents were Bob and Terry Johnson.

Finding the next generation back.
Working back in time, the next goal would be to find Robert F. Johnson in the 1860, 1870, and 1880 censuses of California.
 * In the 1900 census "Bob" Johnson's full name was Robert F. Johnson,.
 * He was born in May 1860 in California.

1880 census of Monterey City, Monterey, California

1870 census of Monterey township, Monterey, California

1860 census of Alisal, Monterey, California

These censuses show that Robert F. Johnson was the son of William S. and Louisa Johnson. They identify seven of their children. They show that William E. Johnson was born in England.



Step 3: Collect additional details in death certificates, Social Security records, obituaries, and cemetery records online.
These are record collections that document a person's death. The value of these records is that they are available in recent record collections but give details during earlier times, even times when birth and marriage records were not kept.

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Death Record Indexes
'These are indexes''. That means for each of them an actual, original, full certificate exists'''. It is highly advisable to order the original certificate. It will contain many details not given in the index.
 * , index.
 * . Images.
 * Index and images
 * California, Death and Burial Records from Select Counties, 1873-1987, ($). Images.
 * Index and images
 * California, Death Index, 1905-1939 ($)
 * California, Death Index, 1940-1997 ($)
 * California, Death Index, 1940-1997 ($)
 * Where to Write for California Birth, Marriage, Death and Divorce Records

Obituary Collections

 * Online California Death Records and Indexes: A Genealogy Guide for Finding Obituaries, Cemetery Burials and Death Records by county.
 * Index cards.
 * — index and images
 * Web: California, Berkeley Public Library Obituary Index, 1894-1979, ($)
 * San Diego Union-Tribune (California) Obituaries, 1993-1994, ($)
 * California Obituaries
 * — index and images

Cemetery Records

 * California, Mortuary and Cemetery Records, 1801-1932 Index and images ($)
 * California, San Francisco Area Funeral Home Records, 1895-1985 Index and images ($)
 * Images only.
 * California Cemetery Records at Findagrave.com
 * California Cemetery Records at Interment.net
 * BillionGraves California Cemeteries
 * USGenWeb Tombstone Transcription Project
 * California Cemetery Records
 * California Cemetery Records

U.S. Social Security Death Index and Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007

 * The U.S. Social Security program began in 1935 but most deaths recorded in the index happened after 1962.
 * The Social Security Death index includes those who had a Social Security number and/or applied for benefits.
 * You can search these records online at
 * Also at Ancestry.com, ($), index.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.


 * If you find an ancestor in the SSDI index, you can order a copy of their original Social Security application (SS-5). If you can prove the individual has died (by sending an obituary or copy of their cemetery headstone), the application will also give the deceased's parents' names, if listed.

For more information, see California Obituaries and California Cemeteries.

Step 4: Search for county birth and marriage records online.
States, counties, or even towns in some states recorded births, marriages, and deaths. In addition to the child's name, birth date, and place of birth, a birth certificate may give the birthplaces of the parents, their ages, and occupations. A death certificate may give the person's birth date and place, parents' names and birthplaces, and spouse's name.

Vital records registration of births and marriages at the state level started in 1905. Prior to that the individual counties kept the records. The starting dates of those records vary from county to county, depending on when the county was formed. Here are a variety of collected county records:
 * California, Great Registers, 1866-1910, index ($)

Births (and Deaths)
 * . Images.
 * Index only
 * California, Select Births and Christenings, 1812-1988 ($)
 * Index and images
 * California, County Birth and Death Records, 1849-1994, ($). Images.
 * California, Birth Records from Select Counties, 1872-1987, ($). Images.

Marriages
 * Western States Marriages
 * Web: Western States Marriage Index, 1809-2011 Index ($)
 * California Marriages, 1850-1877 Index ($)
 * Index only
 * California, Select Marriages, 1850-1945 Index ($)
 * Index only
 * California, Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1850-1941, ($). Images.
 * California, County Marriages, 1850-1952, index ($)
 * California Births, 1905-1995, index ($)
 * California, Marriage Index, 1949-1959, ($).
 * , index
 * California, Marriages, 1960 - 1985, index ($)

Samples of index entries
Records of close relatives should be looked for to help verify information that may not be on your direct-line ancestor's records. In the second record below, for example, the bride or groom might be only the brother or sister of your direct line ancestor, but the record still states the parents names. The parents then are the direct line.

Records at the County Courthouse
From the date of the formation of a county until the establishment of state civil registration, birth and marriage records were kept by the County Clerk. They may have been microfilmed, or you can write for them. It is appropriate to write asking for either a single record or for a list of all the marriages for a given surname. This Letter Writing Guide will help you with phrasing a letter. This online directory by Genealogy Inc. will give you the address of the County Clerk. Click on the map to select a county, then scroll down to the "Courthouse and Government Records" to find the address and phone number. If you are at the main FamilySearch Library, check first to see if microfilms of the county vital records are available. In the search field of the FamilySearch Catalog, enter the state and county. Then click on the "Vital Records" subject. The cost of renting the microfilms at a FamilySearch Center probably makes it less expensive to just write to the County Clerk.

Step 5: Search military records: World War I and II draft cards and Civil War pension records online.

 * There are many different types of military records, some covered in online collections, some microfilmed, and some requiring you to order them from government repositories with a fee. For more information, read the U.S. Military Records Class Handout. Information in military records can vary from a simple lists of name, age, and residence, to more detailed records including name, residence, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace, physical description, number of dependents, pensions received, disabled veterans, needy veterans, widows or orphans of veterans, and other information.

World War 1 Draft Registration

 * One of the most helpful military records is the draft registration of 1917-1918. During three separate registrations, men born between 1873-1897 were required to register in the draft for World War I. Cards may give birth date, birth place, residence, occupation, employer, physical description, next of kin (usually the wife or mother), and number of dependents. Search for your male relatives born in this time period at.

World War II Draft Registration
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Civil War Pensions

 * Pensions were given to Union Civil War soldiers who sustained war-related disabilities from the Federal Government.
 * There are several Civil War pension indexes online:
 * at FamilySearch
 * General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934, Civil War at Ancestry - $
 * Civil War Pensions Index at Fold3 - $


 * This collection indexes approved pension case files of widows and other dependents of soldiers submitted between 1861 and 1934 and sailors between 1910 and 1934. The pension files are being uploaded and attached to this index as they become available. If the pension images are not available, they must be obtained from the National Archives. The wife's maiden name is used in the index along with her married name.





This collection consists of two card indexes to widows who had applied for a pension renewal. The first covers service between 1812-1860 and the second covers service in the Civil War and later. This is helpful in locating a woman in census and death records under her new surname.



Pension Records for Other Wars

 * This record might help by naming a wife or widow of a Revolutionary War veteran who settled in California: Index


 * This record gives name, rank, regiment, company commander, regimental commander, height, weight, color of eyes, hair, complexion, age, occupation, county or state of birth, date and place of enlistment, miscellaneous remarks. Additional records include Indian Scouts, 1878-1914: Index and images.


 * These records might help by naming a wife or widow of a veteran who settled in California:
 * Index Only.
 * Index only.
 * Index only.
 * For a more complete list of available online military records and indexes, see United States Online Military Records.

Military Indexes Unique to California

 * Records of California men in the War of the Rebellion, 1861 to 1867($)
 * California, World War I Death Announcements, 1918-1921 Index and images ($)
 * California, World War I Soldier Citations, 1918-1921 Index and images ($)
 * California, WWI Soldier Service Cards and Photos, 1917-1918 Index and images ($)
 * California, WWI Soldier Photographs, 1917-1918 Index and images ($)
 * Index and images.

Step 6: Look for church records.
Church records function as vital records. Church records are particularly helpful prior to the advent of civil registration.
 * An infant christening or baptism record documents a birth.
 * Many, if not most, people are married in a church, and then a record is created by the minister.
 * Likewise, ministers presided over funerals, then creating a burial record, which documents a death.



FamilySearch Historical Records

 * 1864-1985 at FamilySearch; index — How to Use this Collection
 * 1812-1988 at FamilySearch; index — How to Use this Collection
 * 1850-1945 at FamilySearch; index — How to Use this Collection
 * 1776-2000 at FamilySearch; index — How to Use this Collection

Congregational

 * Records of the American Missionary Association (Congregational) among the Chinese : principally in California

Presbyterian

 * 1701-1970 U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970, index and images, incomplete.($)

Lutheran

 * 1800-1947 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Swedish American Church Records, 1800-1947, index and images, incomplete.($)
 * 1781-1969 - U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969, index and images, incomplete.($)
 * 1781-1969 - U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969, index and images, incomplete.($)

Dutch Reformed

 * 1639-1989 U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639-1989, index and images, incomplete.($)
 * 1701-1995 U.S., Selected States Dutch Reformed Church Membership Records, 1701-1995, index and images, incomplete.($)
 * 1856-1970 U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Vital Records, 1856-1970, index and images, incomplete.($)

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 * For help with church records kept in California, see California Church Records.
 * To search records by denomination, if you know your ancestors religion, go to Searching for Church Records by Denomination.

Step 7: Write to a county for wills and probate indexes.
For more information, see U.S. Probate Records Class Handout.

County probate records

 * California probate records include probate proceedings, petitions, affidavits, orders for sales, reports of sales, administrators' and executors' bonds, guardianship papers, wills, and letters of administration. In a will book, usually just a transcription of the will is recorded. But all of these other records are kept in a probate packet. Administrations are probate proceedings that handled an estate if no known will existed.


 * Currently, these records are microfilmed and digitized:


 * California, Wills and Probate Records, 1782-1999, ($), index and images, incomplete.
 * Early California Wills, ($).
 * Images only.


 * Eventually more of these records may become available online.


 * In the meantime, this online directory by Genealogy Inc. will enable you to arrange to have them searched for a fee: Click on the map to select a county, then scroll down to the Courthouse and Government Records to find the address and phone number of the County Clerk of Court. Ask them about the years covered by their probate records and their procedure and fees for ordering copies probate packets. When you write, always ask for the full probate packet, not just the will or administration.

Step 8: Search land records online.

 * These records will give the name of the owner, the date they obtained the land, the county, and the exact location of the land. They can contain clues to family members who shared ownership of the land, sold or gave land to a child, or witnessed the sale. Sometimes they show the previous or new residence of the parties to the deed. They can be useful in tracking an ancestor who lived in more than one county in California. With the additional county name where the family lived, the probate and vital records of that county can then be searched.


 * BLM General Land Office, Patents
 * California, Spanish Archive Records, 1784-1868, ($). Land grants. Index.
 * Images only
 * Spanish and Mexican Land Grants, 1855-1875
 * California, Alien Land Ownership Records, 1921-1952, ($) index.
 * California, Spanish Archive Records, 1784-1868, ($) Land records.

Step 9: If any ancestor was an immigrant, search immigration and naturalization records online.
The census records may show that your ancestor was born in another country. It will be necessary to try to find the town or city they were born in to continue research in that country. The next goal is to search immigration records (usually passenger lists) and naturalization (citizenship) records. Immigration refers to people coming into a country, such as the United States, and emigration refers to people leaving a country to go to another. Usually these records are passenger lists of the ships they sailed on. A typical record will show name, age, and country of origin, but records after 1892 often list the actual town of last residence and later, the town of birth. The later passenger lists can also list the next of kin still living in the old country and their residence, and the names of relatives and the place they are traveling to.

Immigration records
There are too many immigration records to list here. Click here to see a complete list of available immigration records online. Notice that they are listed by state, but under the letter "U" there is a long list of records that cover all of the United States. Unless family information tells you the port where family arrived, you will need to search all of the United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records for the time period when your ancestors arrived. Here are the immigration records specific to California:
 * California, Pioneer and Immigrant Files, 1790-1950, index, images($).
 * California Bound Passenger list of those bound from NY to CA for the Gold Rush.
 * Native Daughters of the Golden West, Index to the Roster of California Pioneers
 * San Francisco Ship Passenger Lists Vol. I (1850-1864), Vol. II (1850-1851), Vol. III (November 7, 1851 to June 17, 1852) ($)
 * California, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1882-1959 Index and images ($)
 * California, Los Angeles, San Pedro, and Wilmington Passenger Lists, 1900-1948, ($). Index.
 * Images
 * Border Crossings:From Mexico to U.S., 1895-1964 Index and images ($)


 * Notice in this California Pioneer and Immigrant Files entry for William Smith Johnson, the wealth of information: his parents's names, his wife's maiden name, his birth date and place, death date and place, and  previous residence.



Naturalization (Citizenship) Records
Naturalization is the process of becoming a citizen. Records can include the immigrant's declaration of intent to become a citizen, petition, and final citizenship papers. Also locate both the declaration of intent and the petition. Naturalization records after 1906 can give birth date and place, spouse's name, marriage date and place, and lists of children with their birth dates. Records before 1906 usually include less information although, some county clerks would add more information then necessary making it important to always search for the records even if the naturalization happened before 1906. For more information regarding the naturalization process go to: Beginning Research in United States Naturalization Records wiki page.


 * Sample of a naturalization record--declaration of intent;



California Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records

 * Online California Naturalization Records and Indexes
 * Browse only images
 * California, Naturalization Records, 1887-1991 ($)
 * California, State Court Naturalization Records, 1850-1986 ($)
 * U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for California, Northern District, 1851-1904 - U.S. District Court Declarations ($)
 * Free!
 * Shasta county, California, Naturalization Records: 1852 - 1932 ($)
 * U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for California, Northern District, 1853-1867- U.S. District Court ($)
 * U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for California, Northern District, 1854-1906- U.S. District Court, Certificates of Naturalization ($)
 * U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for California, Northern District, 1855-1912 - U.S. Circuit Court Certificates of Citizenship ($)
 * Naturalization Index Cards from the Superior Court of San Diego, CA, 1868-1958 ($)
 * Naturalizations - Naturalization Records of the Superior Court of Los Angeles, CA, 1876-1915 ($)
 * Selected U.S. Naturalization Records - Superior Court of Los Angeles, California, 1876-1915 ($)
 * U.S., Naturalization Records - Original Documents, (World Archives Project) for California, 1876-1940 - U.S. District and Superior Courts ($)
 * U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for California, Northern District, 1879-1903- U.S. Circuit Court ($)
 * Naturalization Records in the Superior Court of San Diego, CA, 1883-1958 ($)
 * Selected U.S. Naturalization Records - Superior Court of San Diego, California, 1883-1958 ($)
 * Naturalization Petitions for the Southern District Of California, 1887-1940 ($)
 * Selected U.S. Naturalization Records - U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, Central Division (Los Angeles), 1887-1940 ($)
 * San Francisco, California, Surrendered Alien Certificates, 1906-1946, ($).
 * U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for California, Northern District, 1906-1928- U.S. District Court, Declarations and Petitions ($)
 * U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for California, Northern District, 1906-1928- U.S. District Court, Declarations and Petitions ($)

Local histories

 * Published histories of towns, counties, and states usually contain biographies and accounts of early or prominent families.
 * Here are several websites that feature online copies of printed county histories:
 * Hathi Trust Digital Library. Don't use the keywords California; that will bring up too many hits. Just use the name of the county and "county": for example, "Hyde County"
 * Google Books. Use keywords "California" and the county name. Hits will list online readable books, lists of libraries that carry the book, and purchasing opportunities.
 * Family History Books
 * Internet Archive.Use keywords "California" and the county name.
 * Genealogy Book Links, California. Browse list; county histories are interspersed.
 * Ancestry.com, ($). In the Card Catalog search box, use California and the name of the county.


 * Local histories are extensively collected by the FamilySearch Library, public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies. If you have access to the FamilySearch Library or a FamilySearch center, you can find out about local histories the library has by checking the FamilySearch Catalog. In the "place" field, type the name of your county and select it from the drop down list, then click "Search". A list of subheadings for the county will appear. Local histories containing genealogies and biographies will be found under Biography, Genealogy, History, and History - Indexes.

Biographies
These collections of California biographies can be searched online. Most have a table of contents and an index. Or you can use the "Find" function on your computer.


 * California Pioneers, 1542-1848, ($). Partial index.
 * Historical and biographical record of southern California: containing a history of southern California from its earliest settlers, ($). Index.
 * California, Biographical Index Cards, 1781-1990, ($). Index.
 * California, Pioneer and Immigrant Files, 1790-1950, ($). Index.
 * Roster of California Pioneers
 * DAR California Pioneers
 * Biographical Materials for the State of California
 * California Biographies
 * California Biographical Collection:Responses to Vital Record Inquiries, 1822-1964 Index and images.
 * California Pioneer List
 * U.S., Women of the West, 1928, ($). Index.
 * Who's who among the women of California, e-book
 * California and Californians, Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4, Vol. 5, e-books
 * Personal sketches of California pioneers I have known, e-book
 * A history of the new California, its resources and people, V. 1, V. 2
 * A memorial and biographical history of the coast counties of central California e-book
 * A memorial and biographical history of northern California, e-book
 * Early days in California, e-book
 * Men of achievement in the great southwest : a story of pioneer struggles during early days in Los Angeles and Southern California, e-book
 * A Volume of memoirs and genealogy of representative citizens of northern California, e-book
 * A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties: also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present, e-book
 * The new empire and her representative men; or, The Pacific coast, its farms, mines, vines, wines, orchards, and interests; its productions, industries and commerce, with interesting biographies and modes of travel, e-book

Step 11: Contact a county historical or genealogical society.
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 * County historical societies have collections that are frequently little known and often overlooked.
 * Many have a surname file, where they have collected genealogies, newspaper clippings, old photographs, etc.
 * Many have a sort of "pioneer ancestor" program, where people can submit pedigrees to prove they are the descendants of an early resident of the county. :*Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia than you.
 * Many have a sort of "pioneer ancestor" program, where people can submit pedigrees to prove they are the descendants of an early resident of the county. :*Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia than you.


 * If you can find the society on the internet, they may list their holdings. Or call them on the phone, find out what they have, and find out what arrangements can be made to search their collection. Frequently, you can hire one of their members to search the collection for you.

This online directory by GenealogyInc. lists historical and genealogical societies by county: Click on the map to select a county, then scroll down to the historical or genealogical society listings. Here is an example of an internet website for a local genealogical society.

Historical Images
Records collected and digitized by FamilySearch can all be found through their Historical Images feature.
 * California, United States Historical Images, New Version
 * California, United States Historical Images, Old Version

California Online Genealogy Records
Search any other online records listed in California Online Genealogy Records. The steps given here are intended to list record sources which can most efficiently identify descendants. Many other online records which might or might not mention descendants are listed in the California Online Genealogy Records page, including immigration records, land records, military records, newspapers, and probate records, and others. These can be records that cover a smaller group within the population, such as men who served in the military, etc.
 * California Online Genealogy Records

Step 13: Study the Research Wiki pages for any county in California.
This article focused more on California state or state-wide records. There is a separate Wiki article for each county in California. This can help you with other records kept on a county level.  Alameda Alpine Amador Butte Calaveras Colusa Contra Costa Del Norte</li> El Dorado</li> Fresno</li> Glenn</li> Humboldt</li> Imperial</li> Inyo</li> Kern</li> Kings</li> Lake</li> Lassen</li> Los Angeles</li> Madera</li> Marin</li> Mariposa</li> Mendocino</li> Merced</li> <li>Modoc</li> <li>Mono</li> <li>Monterey</li> <li>Napa</li> <li>Nevada</li> <li>Orange</li> <li>Placer</li> <li>Plumas</li> <li>Riverside</li> <li>Sacramento</li> <li>San Benito</li> <li>San Bernardino</li> <li>San Diego</li> <li>San Francisco</li> <li>San Joaquin</li> <li>San Luis Obispo</li> <li>San Mateo</li> <li>Santa Barbara</li> <li>Santa Clara</li> <li>Santa Cruz</li> <li>Shasta</li> <li>Sierra</li> <li>Siskiyou</li> <li>Solano</li> <li>Sonoma</li> <li>Stanislaus</li> <li>Sutter</li> <li>Tehama</li> <li>Trinity</li> <li>Tulare</li> <li>Tuolumne</li> <li>Ventura</li> <li>Yolo</li> <li>Yuba</li> </ul>

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