California, Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States California

What Is in the Collection?
This collection contains Church records from various denominations in California, 1864-1985, including St. Clement's Episcopal Church (Berkeley, California), and the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Library-Archives. The record content and time period varies by denomination and locality. These records include births, baptisms, marriages, banns, deaths, and burials. Before viewing the images, check to see if there is an index of names in alphabetic order at the beginning or end of these records. If you can find your ancestor in the index, it will tell what page number they are listed on.

What Can these Records Tell Me?
The following information is found in a birth record: The following information is found in a baptism record: The following information is found in a marriage record: The following information is found in a death record:
 * Name
 * Date of birth
 * Names of parents
 * Name
 * Date of birth
 * Date of baptism
 * Names of parents
 * Residence
 * Names of bride and groom
 * Date of Marriage
 * Birthplaces and residences of bride and groom
 * Ages of bride and groom
 * Occupation of groom
 * Name
 * Spouse
 * Death date

How Do I Search the Collection?
You can search the index or view the images or both. Before using this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the individual
 * Approximate date and or location of the event

View the Images
You will be able to search this collection once it is published.

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. For more tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line article FamilySearch Search Tips and Tricks.

I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?

 * Copy the citation below, in case you need to find this record again later.
 * Search for other church and vital records such as birth, baptism, marriage, and death records.
 * Use the information found in the record to find land, probate and immigration records.
 * Use the information found in the record to find additional family members in censuses. Witnesses were usually family members.
 * Repeat this process with additional family members found, to find more generations of the family.

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 records of a nearby town or county.
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name.
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names. Try searching for these names as well.
 * Check the info box above for additional FamilySearch websites and related websites that may assist you in finding similar records.

Citing this Collection
Proper citations make it easier to get back to sources that you have found, so citing sources properly can help you keep track of research. Correct citations also allow others to check completed research by giving them a way to find and examine records for themselves. Top of Page
 * Collection Citation:
 * Record (or Index) Citation:
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