This page of our website provides links to California ancestry and historical narratives about California. These genealogical records may include, vital records (birth, marriage and divorce, death), ethnic records (Native American), court records (land, probate and wills, criminal and civil), church records (Bibles, baptisms, marriages, burials and histories), cemeteries, census records, military records directories and yearbooks.
California Ancestry
Descendants of John and Mary Howes of Montgomery County, Maryland
John Howes of Montgomery County, Maryland, was born ” … after 1740, m. Mary_____, and d. between November, 1808 and March 1809. He is buried in Laytonsville, Maryland with his mother, his brother James and daughter Sarah. About a year after his death his widow, Mary, went to Bucks County, Kentucky.” Descendants and relatives lived in Maryland, Kentucky, New York, Michigan, Ohio, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Washington, D. C., Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, Maine, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere.
Descendants of Matthew Watson of Leicester, Massachusetts
Matthew Watson (d. 1720), of English lineage, married Mary Orr in 1695, and in 1718 the family immigrated from Ireland to Boston, Massachusetts and settled in Leicester, Massachusetts. Descendants and relatives lived in New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Nebraska, Rhode Island, California, Nevada, Michigan and elsewhere.
The Descendants of Franklin Mary Noyes Rowe of Humboldt County, Iowa
Some descendants resided in Los Angeles, California.
California Biographies
New Empire and Her Representative Men
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.
History of Alameda County California
Leslie J. Freeman’s “Alameda County: Past and Present” is a historical account of the development of Alameda County in California. The text also provides biographies of key figures in the county’s history, including William Heath Davis, Jose Joaquin Estudillo, and Anthony Chabot.
California Cemeteries
Amador County
Stanislaus County
Tulare County
California Census
California County History and Records
Chronological Record of Police Appointments City and County of San Francisco
This free collection contains three volumes of handwritten manuscripts which depict the chronological record of police appointments for the city and county of San Francisco from Oct 1853 – Nov 1947. They are set up in a ledger format with an index at the front of each volume. The volumes, since they are handwritten, are not searchable.
San Francisco Area Funeral Home Records
Name index and images of funeral home records from the Halsted N. Gray – Carew & English Mortuary Collection, located at the San Francisco Public Library. Images for all years in collection can be browsed, but name index currently covers only years 1896-1931. Collection includes a number of different funeral homes acquired over time by the Halsted N. Gray – Carew & English Mortuary company, most from the San Francisco area, but also including some from Burlingame, Stockton, and Sacramento. The collection includes funeral register books, burial registers, account books, case books, etc. Indexes appear at the beginning of some volumes.
California Directories
1861 Placer County, California Directory
1876-1878 Pacific Coast Business Directory
The triennial business directory, containing the name of each merchant, manufacturer, and professional in the States of California, Oregon, Nevada, the Territories of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Arizona, and Alaska, and the Colony of British Columbia.
1922 Householders’ Guide of the City of Watsonville
Alphabetical listing of names, including address
1948 Directory, Alturas, Modoc County
A listing as of June 1948 of the citizens of Alturas
California Genealogy Websites
California History
1921 California Automobile Registrations
A collection of 585,940 California automobile registrations for 1921 as published in 14 volumes, complete with name, address, type of auto and engine number
California Goldrush Most Wanted
This web site is dedicated to the CA-GOLDRUSH mailing list subscribers. It represents our Most Wanted (most elusive, brick wall) ancestors lost in California during the time of the Goldrush 1840s-1880s. The Webmaster of this page does not guarantee the accuracy of the data in the submitter’s queries. The conclusions of the authors are not necessarily those of the webmaster. The right to edit is reserved and in the interest of saving space, mailing headers will be deleted.
How to Research Mining Claims
This special article is published to help our readers conduct research into mining claims for themselves.
The Adventures of a Forty-niner
An Historic Description of California, with Events and Ideas of San Francisco and Its People in Those Early Days, By Daniel Knower. Daniel went to California in 1849 during the start of the gold-rush days. This manuscript provides sketches on events and ideas that he saw, as well as detailing his trek to the gold rush town of Coloma.
Old Mission Stories of California
Of the last six stories comprising the seven in this little collection of Stories of the Old Missions, all but one have, as a basis, some modicum, larger or smaller, of historical fact, the tale of Juana alone being wholly fanciful, although with an historical background. The first story of the series may be considered as introductory to the mission tales proper. In these quiet, unpretending stories the writer has attempted to give a faithful picture of life among the Indians and Spaniards in Nueva California during the early days of the past century.
Death Valley In ’49
Autobiography Of A Pioneer, Detailing His Life From A Humble Home In The Green Mountains To The Gold Mines Of California; And Particularly Reciting The Sufferings Of The Band Of Men, Women And Children Who Gave “Death Valley” Its Name.
The Forty-Niners
A Chronicle of the California Trail and El Dorado, by Stewart Edward White.
La Baja California
Very soon after the conquest of Mexico the attention of Cortez was attracted by certain stories told by some of the conquered tribes regarding a mysterious but wonderful country, lying far to the northwestward. This land they called Ciguatan, or The Realm of Women; and they declared that it abounded in gold, in pearls, rubies, garnets, turquoises, and many other products, rich and precious.
Missions of California and the Old Southwest
In musing over the history of the old Missions, the mind is led to inquire as to the benefits that have been conferred upon mankind by the labors, triumphs and defeat of the padres during their brief sojourn in the Southwest. Through their work was confined to a few heathen tribes, its pure and unselfish purpose and beneficent results cannot be questioned, for these are attested in the annals of those days.
New Empire and Her Representative Men
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.
Old Mexico and her lost provinces
A journey in Mexico, southern California, and Arizona by way of Cuba.
California Narratives: Men and Memories of San Francisco
Theodore Augustus Barry (1825-1881) and Benjamin Ada Patten (1825-1877) established their credentials as California pioneers by arriving in their adopted state before January 1, 1850. Men and memories of San Francisco (1873) gives later arrivals a detailed picture of the city as it existed a few months before California statehood. They describe the streets and the residences and business that lined each thoroughfare and alley as well as the men and women who owned those homes, boarding-houses, hotels, restaurants, saloons, stores, offices, and shops. They also chronicle the fire of May 1851 which destroyed so many of the structures they describe. While they focus on the city as it was in early 1850, their sketches of its residents extend further, often forming capsule biographies of their subjects.
Alameda County History
History of Alameda County California
Leslie J. Freeman’s “Alameda County: Past and Present” is a historical account of the development of Alameda County in California. The book covers a wide range of topics, from the native Indian tribes who inhabited the area to the Spanish Dons who claimed vast ranchos, and the early American settlers who established cities like Oakland and San Leandro. Freeman details the founding of missions, the development of transportation and industry, the evolution of social life, and the establishment of government institutions. Freeman emphasizes the importance of the Spanish Missions in the early development of California and describes the evolution of the county from a sparsely populated, agricultural area to a major center of industry and commerce.
History of Piedmont California, 1853-1953
“Queen of the Hills” is a historical account that explores the rich and detailed history of Piedmont, a picturesque city located in Alameda County, California. Authored by Evelyn Craig Pattiani, this book delves into the city’s development from its early days through various significant periods, providing a chronicle of its growth and transformation.
Del Norte County History
Pioneers of Elk Valley, Del Norte County, California
In the heart of Northern California lies a hidden gem steeped in history and natural beauty: Elk Valley in Del Norte County. This manuscript, titled “Pioneers of Elk Valley, Del Norte County, California: Fifty Years in the History of Elk Valley from 1850 to the Turn of the Century,” authored by Frances Turner McBeth, embarks on a vivid journey through the transformation of this enchanting valley over half a century. From the early days of exploration and settlement to the bustling activity of the turn of the century, McBeth’s narrative weaves together the lives of the pioneers who braved the unknown to establish a community in one of California’s most picturesque landscapes.
California Immigration Records
Alien Certificates Surrendered at San Francisco, California, 1912-1946
Alien Certificates Surrendered at San Francisco, California, by Aliens Who Had Arrived at San Francisco, California, 1912-1946; alternate title: Insular Index Form 546, Alien Certificates, Insular Territory, Arranged in Chronological Order, April 1912-February 1946.
California Land Records
U.S., Bureau of Land Management Tract Books, 1820-1908
3,907 land management tract books containing official records of the land status and transactions involving surveyed public lands arranged by state and then by township and range. These books indicate who obtained the land, and include a physical description of the tract and where the land is located. The type of transaction is also recorded such as cash entry, credit entry, homesteads, patents (deeds) granted by the Federal Government, and other conveyances of title such as Indian allotments, internal improvement grants (to states), military bounty land warrants, private land claims, railroad grants, school grants, and swamp grants. Additional items of information included in the tract books are as follows: number of acres, date of sale, purchase price, land office, entry number, final Certificate of Purchase number, and notes on relinquishments and conversions.
California Maps
American Geographic Society Library Digital Map Collection: California
American Memory (Library of Congress)
Includes images of over 900 historical California maps. Using “Search All Collection” enter “California maps” to browse all California maps in the collection or enter more specific keywords. Includes “bird’s eye” view maps for many keys cities in California.
Barry Lawrence Ruderman Map Collection
Includes over 550 historical California maps and images.
California Historical Maps and Atlases
Contains more than 6,500 maps from over 350 historical atlases spanning 1579 through 1964. Maps have a limited free view.
Calisphere: Maps
Includes over 2500 images of California historical maps selected from the University of California libraries and museums and from a variety of cultural heritage organizations. Browse or search by keyword.
David Rumsey Collection
Included within the 28,000 online historical maps are over 3500 maps and images of California and its regions and cities, dating mostly from the 19th century.
Historic Map Index
Indexes over 2000 digital historical maps on California available from 100 major map collections.
Historical Maps of California
Contains approximately 100 images of California historical maps selected from the University of Alabama Map Library and other sources.
Union Catalogue of Map Collections
Catalog of approximately 700 maps of California and the West from three collections: The Huntington Library, the Pasadena Museum of History and the Altadena Historical Society. Each entry includes an online image.
WPA Land Use Survey Maps for the City of Los Angeles, 1933-1939
Series of 345 hand-colored land use survey maps produced by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The maps resulted from a land use survey conducted from 1933 to 1939 for the city of Los Angeles, Department of City Planning that covered approximately 460 square miles.
California Military Records
California Forts
List of colonial forts, trading posts, named camps, redoubts, reservations, general hospitals, national cemeteries, etc., established or erected in the United States from its earliest settlement to 1902.
Register of Officers of the National Guard and Naval Militia of California
This book provides some insight into the National Guard and Naval Militia in California in 1917. We have listed only the people who served and not the structure of the military. In some cases there were blank lines where it was thought there should be another officer, they were removed. The book does not provide information as to the dates after the names, we can only guess it is the date of the start of their service.
Civil War Pensions Index Cards
Each card gives the soldier’s name, unit, the application number, the certificate number and the state from which the soldier served. In some cases, the soldier’s rank, terms of service, date of death and place of death are given. The index cards refer to pension applications of veterans who served in the U.S. Army between 1861 and 1917. The majority of the records pertain to Civil War veterans, but they also include veterans of the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, Indian wars, and World War I.
World War 1 Draft Registration Records
World War II Casualty List – Army and Army Air Corps
California World War II Casualty List – Navy, Marines and Coast Guard
California Native American Records
California Indian Reservations
California, Digger Land Patents
California, Mission Band Land Patents
Indians of California – Digger
Wrangell’s Trip Through the Russian River Valley
Big Sandy Rancheria History
In 1909, the Big Sandy Rancheria of Auberry became a sanctuary for the Western Mono Indians, thanks to the Bureau of Indian Affairs securing 280 acres in California. However, the 1958 California Rancheria Act, which aimed at terminating the trust status of lands for 41 Rancherias including Big Sandy, marked the beginning of a challenging period. The Rancheria’s subsequent struggle with termination and the loss of federal support led to socioeconomic hardships. In a significant turnaround, a 1983 court decision restored the Rancheria’s status, offering a fresh start towards self-sufficiency.
California Newspapers
Historical California Newspapers Online
These historical California newspapers were placed online in digital format by a variety of sources and are here collected for convenient usage. These papers are listed in alphabetical order and you will need to know the specific newspaper you are looking for.
California Obituaries
Monterey County Herald Obituary Index
The index includes obituaries from January 1, 1995 to June 30, 2014 and local news articles and features from January 1, 1995 to June 30, 2003. The Herald Archives indexes news articles beginning January 1, 2002. The Monterey County Herald index was created by staff and volunteers of Monterey Public Library and Pacific Grove Public Library.
San Mateo County Obituary Collection
This collection currently includes over 57,000 indexed and scanned obituaries as well as a large collection of obituaries that are indexed elsewhere. Included are the Redwood City/ Peninsula Times Tribune Obituary Morgue (1969-1992); The SMCHA obituary Collection which includes obituaries culled from the historical societies biographical files; The Daily Post; The Daily Journal; The Daily Post; The San Mateo County Times (assorted); Veteran’s Memorials; and a collection of obituaries of former San Mateo County residents from other papers. The scanned images include the Pacifica Times Tribune and the San Mateo Times from 1999, which were indexed by Chris Havanar on The Obituary Daily Times The original index was created by the SMCGS Computer Club. The original collection of obituaries is available in the SMCGS Library. See research to obtain copies of those as well as the added obituaries.
California Vital Records
Western States Historical Marriage Records Index
Over the past decade, the BYU-Idaho (formerly known as Ricks College) Family History Center has been extracting early marriage records from counties in the western part of the United States. Virtually all of the pre-1900 marriages are included in the index for Arizona, Idaho and Nevada. Many Idaho, Nevada and Utah counties have been extracted into the 1930’s and some, much later. A significant number of marriages from Wyoming, eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, western Colorado and selected counties in California are also included. For more details, see “List of Counties by State”.
Early California Population Project
The Early California Population Project (ECPP) provides public access to all the information contained in California’s historic mission registers, records that are of unique and vital importance to the study of California, the American Southwest, and colonial America. Within the baptism, marriage, and burial records of each of the California missions sits an extraordinary wealth of unique information on the Indians, soldiers, and settlers of Alta California from 1769 – 1850.
B. W. Coon Co. Funeral Home (covers 1922-1926)
Abstract of Records from the Funeral Register