California Vital Records Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

==== This wiki article describes a collection that is available for free online at FamilySearch Record Search – Pilot Site. To access the collection see California Births, 1817-1997; California Marriages, 1951-1923; California Deaths, 1850-1997 ====

Collection Time Period
This index covers events from 1817 to 1997.

Collection History
Volunteer indexers over thirty years extracted this information from microfilm copies of the parish registers. Some of it was published in 1998 on 7 CDs by the Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as "North America Vital Records Index." This is an index to births/christenings, marriages, and deaths/burials throughout California. It is not necessarily complete for any particular place or region.

Why This Collection Was Created
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsored the indexing to accomplish its program of identifying the ancestry of mankind.

Collection Reliability
Church records and civil registration were official sources and are some of the most reliable sources of information available on those who were born, married, or died in California.

Collection Description
Digital database of information transcribed from original records.

Collection Content
The key genealogical facts found in the index entries are: • Name of principal person(s) • Names for parents for those being baptized • Event date(s) • Event place • Collection title • Microfilm number and inclusive dates on the film

How to Use the Collection
Use this file to help you learn more about your ancestors. The information could help you identify family relationships and lineages as well as direct you to original records of your ancestors, which may contain additional information.

Depending on the time period and place there may not be a surname listed in the original records. When that happened, the indexer often assigned a surname based on the father's surname which may not be correct. So if you are looking for a birth/christening, search by the given name of the child, adding parents' names and as much locality information as is permitted.

Bibliographic Information
Each record in this index will have its own bibliographic reference. These bibliographic references include a variety of sources such as: • Family Records • Church Records • Civil Registration