Orange County, California Genealogy

Guide to Orange County, California ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.

California Online Genealogy Records

County Courthouse (Superior Court)
Orange County Courthouse 12 Civic Center Place Santa Ana, CA 92701 Phone: 714.834.2500 714.834.2500

County Recorder has birth, marriage, death and land records County Clerk has divorce, probate and court records from 1964

Orange County Clerk-Recorder, 630 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Phone: 714-834-2500 Holdings include birth, death and marriage certificates (1889-current) and property records (1954-current).

European Discovery and Mission Period
Gaspar de Portola and a party of sixty-two men first entered what is now Orange County on July 22, 1769. Orange County’s only mission, San Juan Capistrano, was founded in 1776. During the Mission Period the area was under the military jurisdiction of the presidio at San Diego and under the rule of Spain. The Mission Period ended following the Secularization Act of 1833 and, while most of the mission communities disintegrated rapidly, the village of San Juan Capistrano survived.

See the wiki article California Land and Property for help with locating records from this period.

Rancho Days
The only Spanish grant in what is now Orange County was Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana. This grant to Antonio Yorba and Pablo Peralta was a very large grant made in 1810 covering the areas to the east and south of the Santa Ana River. Spain’s authority ended in1821 and grants made after this were by the Mexican government. For a detailed description of the method of land granting by the Mexicans see “Land Grant Policies an the Ranchos” by William McPherson The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in January 1848 ended the war with Mexico and the United States acquired California along with much other territory. The United States agreed to honor the many existing Mexican land grants but many had unclear title. The Americans wanted land and some of it was purchased and some taken.

See the wiki article California Land and Property for help with locating records from this period.

Formation of Orange County
When California became a state in 1850, the area of what is now Orange County became part of Los Angeles County. As the area grew, dissatisfaction with the distance from the governing seat of Los Angeles grew as did interest in separating from Los Angeles County. In 1889, at the time of creation of the county, there were only three incorporated cities, Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Orange. Oranges were not common in this county at the time that the suggestion of Orange County was made in 1871. “…to encourage immigration, the area was boomed by real estate promoters as a semi-tropical paradise—a place where anything could grow… The name orange has a Mediterranean flavor about it, so for that reason it was selected to suggest our climate…By 1889, after a devastating blight wiped out the grape industry, oranges had indeed become our most promising crop, even if they were not responsible per se for the county’s naming”

Parent County
1 August 1889: Orange County was created from Los Angeles County, per Orange County Archives. County seat: Santa Ana

Orange is the third largest county by population, preceeded by (1)Los Angeles and (2)San Diego Counties, according to the California State Association of Counties

Description
The county was named for the orange. The county seat Nevada City and the county was created March 11, 1889. The County is located in the southwest area of the state.

Boundary Changes
For animated maps illustrating California county boundary changes, "Rotating Formation California County Boundary Maps" (1850-1925) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.

Records Loss
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:

Biography

 * Orange County Biographies (Genealogy Trails)
 * Index to Orange County Biographies (CAGenWeb Project)

Census
The first census in which you will find Orange County is the 1900 US Population Schedule. Orange County census records include 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940.

Cities and unincorporated areas in present-day Orange County are included with the County of Los Angeles for the US Population Schedules 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880.

Industry and Agriculture Schedules exist for Los Angeles County including the areas of Orange County for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.

Mortality Schedules also exist for Los Angeles County including the areas of Orange County for the years 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880.

The state of California took one state census in 1852 which includes the areas of Orange County as part of Los Angeles County. This census images are available through Ancestry.com ($) and a name index is avaliable through FamilySearch.org,.

Church History and Records

 * 1864-1985 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index

Roman Catholic
The first Catholic missions were organized in 1769. Most of the mission records begin in 1770 and are on film. The Family History Library and the Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley have extensive collections of the early records. For the index to these records, see:

Temple, Thomas W. An Alphabetical Listing of the California Mission Vital Records. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1985. FHL Collection 1307621 item 4; fiche 6047009

The following sources may help you find Catholic mission records:

Weber, Francis J. A Select Guide to California Catholic History. Los Angeles, California: Westernlore Press, 1966. FHL Collection 979.4 K21c Bowman, J.N. "The Parochial Books of the California Missions, 1961," The Quarterly (Historical Society of Southern California)], Vol. 43, No. 3. FHL Collection 979.4 B2s Barton, Noel R. "Genealogical Research in the Records of the California Missions," Genealogical Journal, Vol. 4, No. 1. FHL Collection 973 D25gj v. 3-4 (1974-1975)

Many original mission records and other Catholic records have been gathered into central repositories. These include:

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens website features the Early California Population Project (ECPP) which provides public access to all the information contained in California's historic mission registers. Records include baptism, marriage and burial records for each of the California missions including the San Juan Capitstrano Mission in Orange County. Records include information on Indians, soldiers, and settlers of Alta California from 1769-1850.

The Diocese of Orange 2811 East Villa Real Drive Orange, CA 92867-1999 Phone: (714) 282-3000

Mailing Address P.O. Box 14195 Orange, CA 92863-1595 List of Churches and Church Parishes


 * FamilySearch Places

Court History and Records
Orange County Clerk-Recorder, 630 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Phone: 714-834-2500 Holdings include birth, death and marriage certificates (1889-current) and property records (1954-current).

See also: Orange County Archives

The main criminal courthouse is at 700 Civic Center Drive, Santa Ana, California. There are three branch courts but even more locations. North Court is in Fullerton. West Court is in Westminster. Harbor Court has locations in Newport Beach, Laguna Niguel and Laguna Hills. The Lamoreaux Justice Center is in Orange.

Gazetteers

 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

History
The greatest repositories of Local Histories are at the Orange County Family History Center, 674 South Yorba, Orange, California, and the collection of the Orange County Genealogical Society, located at the Huntington Beach Public Library, 7111 Talbert Avenue, Huntington Beach, California. Also noted is the Orange Public Library and History Center, 407 East Chapman Avenue, Orange, California Phone: 714- 288-2400


 * The History of Orange County California with Biographical Sketches; Samuel Armour, supervising Editor; Historic Record Company,Los Angeles, CA, 1911 (FHL US/CAN Film 1000115 Item 1)
 * History of Orange County California; Mrs. J.E. Pleasants; J.R. Finnell &amp; Sons Publishing Co, Los Angeles, CA; 1931 (FHL US/CAN Fiche 6209824 )

Immigration
Naturalization records, 1889-1944 Orange County (California). County Clerk, at FamilySearch.org

California, Southern District Court (Central) Naturalization Index, 1915-1976 at FamilySearch.org

Also see information in the California Emigration and Immigration wiki article.

Land and Property
Online Land Indexes and Records
 * 1889-1926 (*); Orange County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
 * 1889-1926 (*); Orange County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog - images
 * 1889-1926 Orange County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog - images
 * Index to Orange County Federal Land Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Maps
CA Neighboring Counties Intro


 * Maps of California (1850-1925)
 * Maps of Orange County
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Migration

 * 1906-1935 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index

Civil War

 * Civil War Veterans buried in Orange County is a project compiled by the Orange County California Genealogical Society.


 * Civil War Roundtable of Orange County California is a local organization interested in the study of the Civil War and preservation of its battlefields and historic sites with a particular interest in Orange County, California.


 * The site Santa Ana History includes additional information about Civil War Veterans Graves of Orange County, California.


 * Sedgwick Post No. 17, G. A. R. 1886 - Orange County Civil War Veterans. (USGenWeb Archives)

World War I

 * 1914-1918 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images

World War II

 * Index to Orange County World War II Army Enlistees (USGenWeb Archives)

Vietnam War

 * Index to Viet Nam Veterans Memorial (CAGenWeb Project)

Naturalization and Citizenship

 * 1831-1985 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images

Newspapers

 * 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
 * California Digital Newspaper Collection at UCR Center for Bibliographical Studies and Research

The County is served by:


 * Orange County Register
 * Orange County edition of the Los Angeles Times. The Orange Family History Center has a collection of Microfilmed L.A. Times archives (incomplete) and there are additional collections at the University of California, Irvine; California State University, Fullerton
 * Mission Viejo city library.

There are many community based newspapers as well some of which are available at Chronicling America. Orange County area newspapers are also available at Chronicling America for the years prior to 1900 under Los Angeles.

Saddleback News index to microfilm – Birth, marriages and deaths in south Orange County from 1969 – 1989: http://soccgs.org/saddleback-valley-news-vital-record-indexes-1969-1989/. Indexed by the South Orange County Genealogy Society (2013 - 2014). The images of the Saddleback News newspaper (no longer being published) are available on microfilm at the Mission Viejo, CA city library.

An excellent archive of newspapers is available at the Orange County Archives. Newspaper holdings at the Orange County Archives include,... Fullerton newspapers (1909-1925) Huntington Beach News (1908-1956) Laguna Life (1936-1938) Laguna Beach (News) Post (1949-1988) Santa Ana Journal (1935-1938) Santa Ana Register (1925-1929, 1936-1939) South Coast News (1930-1967) Laguna Hills Leisure World News (1965-1987) Other South Orange County newspapers (1965-1988)

Obituaries

 * 1969 - 1989 Saddleback Valley News Vital Record Indexes 1969-1989 – Birth, marriages and deaths in south Orange County from 1969 – 1989]. Indexed by the South Orange County Genealogy Society (2013 - 2014).   Images of the Saddleback News are available on microfilm at the Mission Viejo, CA Library.
 * Orange County Obituaries (Genealogy Trails)
 * Orange County Obituaries (USGenWeb Archives)

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records


 * 1782 – 1999 California Wills and Probate Records 1782-1999 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
 * 1833 – 1991 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; images

Archives, Libraries and Museums
For records prior to 1960:

Orange County Archives Old Orange County Courthouse Room 101 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd. Santa Ana, CA, 92701 Phone: (714) 834-2536

Huntington Beach Central Library 7111 Talbert Ave Huntington Beach, CA 92648 Phone: (714) 842-4481 Ext. 2227 GENEALOGY DEPARTMENT The Library’s collection of over 18,000 genealogical books is maintained by the Orange County California Genealogical Society (OCCGS). The Genealogy collection is housed at the Central Library and is for reference use only (items cannot be checked out). The public is welcome to attend general membership meetings which are held the first Saturday of each month (except for June and December) at the Central Library. For more information, please visit http://www.occgs.com

Anaheim Heritage Center 241 S. Anaheim Blvd 714-765-6453

Jane K. Newell, Heritage Services Manager

digital ANAHEIM

County Courthouse

 * Orange County California Government

The Courthouse (Superior court) is not a recommended source for Genealogical Data.

The County Recorder is where most vital record and land records are housed, but most of the vital records are now protected by California law, and the Recorder would be of little help except to immediate relatives.

Orange County Clerk-Recorder, 630 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701. (714) 834-2500

For records prior to 1960:

Orange County Archives Old Orange County Courthouse Room 101 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd. Santa Ana, California, 92701 714-834-2536

Family History Centers

 * Anaheim California Family History Center
 * Cypress California Family History Center
 * Garden Grove California Family History Center
 * Huntington Beach California Family History Center
 * Huntington Beach California North Family History Center
 * Irvine California Family History Center
 * Laguna Niguel California Family History Center
 * Long Beach California Family History Center
 * Mission Viejo California Family History Center
 * Newport Beach California Family History Center
 * Orange County California FamilySearch Library
 * Orange Coast College California Family History Center
 * Palos Verdes California Family History Center
 * Santa Margarita California Family History Center
 * Torrance California Family History Center


 * Huntington Beach Public Library - an affiliate library
 * South Orange County California Genealogical Society Public Library

Genealogy and Historical Societies

 * Orange County California Genealogical Society- OCCGS
 * Genealogical Society of North Orange County, California-GSNOCC
 * South Orange County California Genealogical Society-SOCCGS
 * Native American Institute
 * Society of Hispanic Historical and Ancestral Research (SHHAR)

A digital archive of nearly 2,000 photographs of the City of Anaheim. 

The Anaheim Historical Society

Vital Records
Due to identity theft, California Law now restricts vital records access to immediate family. The Orange Regional Family History Center has access to state-wide databases of Births, Deaths, Marriages and voter registrations. These were compiled before the change in California law, and are not complete. Birth is available to 1986 Death to 1993 Voter registration to 1993 There are also marriage records available at The Western States Marriages at Brigham Young University-Idaho.


 * Orange County RootsWeb Vital Records; Orange County RootsWeb Vital Records (Rootsweb)


 * Ancestry.com $ has the following collections of vital records that include Orange County.


 * California Birth Index, 1905-1995
 * California Marriage Index, 1960-1985
 * California Death Index, 1940-1997


 * Marriages, Births, and Deaths from the Santa Ana Register (CAGenWeb Project)

Birth

 * 1800 - 1994 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1812 - 1988 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1905 - 1995 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at: MyHeritage($)
 * Also at: MyHeritage($
 * 1905 Orange County, California Genealogy Trails Births for the year 1905

Marriage

 * 1800 - 2007 California, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index $
 * 1850 - 1945 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection index
 * 1850 - 1952 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images. Also at: MyHeritage($)
 * 1854 - 1885 Western States Marriage Index.
 * 1925 Orange County Marriage Licenses, July 1925 (Genealogy Trails)
 * 1960 - 1985 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images. Also at: MyHeritage($)

Divorce

 * 1966 - 1984 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index

Death

 * 1776 - 2000 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, some images
 * 1800 - 1994 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1905 - 1939 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1940 - 1997 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at: MyHeritage($)

Voting Registers
1890: The California 1890 Great Register of Voters Index, compiled by the California State Genealogical Alliance, is available at the Orange County Family History Center
 * 1866-1898 California, U.S., Voter Registers, 1866-1898 at Ancestry.com - index ($)
 * 1866-1910 California, Great Registers, 1866-1910 at MyHeritage - index, ($)
 * 1892 - 1896 Orange County Great Register of Voters - Transcription in progress. (Genealogy Trails)

Also available on fiche at the same location are:


 * 1993 Orange County Voters Index
 * 1996 Orange County Voters Index
 * 1981-1982 Ownership Index
 * 1989-1990 Address Register
 * 1991-1992 California Property Owners

Available at Ancestry ($)

California Voter Registrations, 1900-1968

Genealogy Societies, Archives and Libraries
Orange County California Genealogical Society c/o Huntington Beach Central Library 7111 Talbert Avenue Huntington Beach, California 92648 Phone: 714-536-5549 Website

GSNOCC P.O. Box 706 Yorba Linda, CA 92885-0706 email:[mailto:GSNOCC@GMAIL.COM] Website

Orange County California Genealogical Society P.O. Box 1587 Orange 92668 Website

Orange County Historical Commission 2002 North Main Santa Ana 92706

Orange County Historical Commission 211 West Santa Ana Blvd Santa Ana, CA 92701 Phone: 714-973-6609

Orange County Jewish Genealogical Society Telephone: 949-423-3746 PO Box 7141 Newport Beach, CA 92658 Email:[mailto:info@ocjgs.org] Website

South Orange County California Genealogical Society (SOCCGS) PO Box 4513 Mission Viejo, CA 92690-4513 Email:[mailto:info@soccgs.org] Website


 * List of California Archives, Libraries, Publications, Historical &amp; Genealogical Societies

Websites

 * Orange County, CA History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * California Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * Orange County CAGenWeb
 * Linkpendium
 * USGenWeb Archives
 * Online Archive of California
 * FamilySearch Catalog
 * Orange County, California Genealogy Trails
 * Orange County CA Genealogy (ldsgenealogy.com)
 * Orange County Research (California State Genealogical Alliance)