California Vital Records Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

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

Collection History
For over 30 years, volunteer indexers extracted this information from microfilm copies of the original records. In 1998, a few of the entries were published on 7 CDs by the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the "North America Vital Records Index." This index is an index of the births, marriages, and deaths throughout California. The index 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
The index is an electronic database of information transcribed from original records.

Record Content
The key genealogical facts found in birth index entries may include: • Name of the child • Gender • Names of the parents • Birth date • Birthplace • Christening date (if the source is a church record) • Family History Library Microfilm and item numbers for the source materials

The key genealogical facts found in marriage index entries may include: • Name of the bride and groom • Names of the parents • Marriage date • Marriage place • Family History Library Microfilm and item numbers for the source materials

The key genealogical facts found in death or burial index entries may include: • Name of the deceased • Gender • Names of the parents • Name of the spouse (if married) • Death or burial date • Death or burial place • Family History Library Microfilm and item numbers for the source materials • 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.

In birth or christening records, if a surname is not listed for the child, the indexer often assigns the father’s surname to the child. This surname may not be correct. So if you are looking for a birth or christening, search by the given name of the child, adding parents' names and as much locality information as is permitted.

Related Websites
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Related Wiki Articles
California Vital Records

Sources of Information for this Collection
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

How to Cite This Source
Instructions for citing this source can be found at: Cite Your Sources (Source Footnotes)