California

Wrangell’s Trip Through the Russian River Valley

Admiral Ferdinand Petrovich Wrangel

In the summer of 1830, Ferdinand P. Von Wrangell made a long and difficult journey across Siberia accompanied by his wife and infant daughter, to cross the North Pacific to New Archangel (Sitka). This was Von Wrangell’s third visit to Russian-America. In 1836 he returned to Russia by way of Mexico. He tried unsuccessfully to negotiate and enlargement of Russian possessions in California. He visited the tribes of Northern California during this trip.

Luisefio Indians

Luisefio. From the name of the Mission of San Luis Rey de Francia. Also called: Ghecham or Khecham, from the native name of San Luis Rey Mission. Luisefio Connections. The Luiseno belonged to the Shoshonean division of the Uto-Aztecan linguistic family. Luisefio Location. In the southwest part of the state from the coast toward but wholly west of the divide that extends south from Mount San Jacinto; bounded northward by the cognate Juaneno, Gabrielino, and Serrano and south by the Diegueno. Luisefio Villages Ahuya, near the upper course of San Luis Rey River. Akipa, near Kahpa. Alapi, south of the … Read more

Maidu Indians

The Maidu, whose name means “person,” were an indigenous group native to the drainage areas of the Feather and American Rivers in California. Once thought to be an independent linguistic stock, the Maidu have been classified as part of the Penutian language family. The Maidu were divided into three main dialectic groups: the Southern Maidu (Nishinam), the Northeastern Maidu, and the Northwestern Maidu, each occupying distinct geographic regions. Their villages were spread across areas including present-day Sacramento, Chico, and Oroville. The Maidu population, estimated at around 9,000 in the late 18th century, drastically declined over time, with only 93 recorded individuals by 1930. Despite their reduced numbers, the Maidu left a significant cultural legacy in the region.

Miwok Indians

The Miwok Indians, whose name means “people,” were historically divided into three geographically distinct groups: the Sierra Miwok along the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, the Coast Miwok near the San Francisco Bay area, and the Lake Miwok around Clear Lake. Originally classified as an independent language family, the Miwok language has since been categorized as part of the Penutian linguistic family. The Miwok were further divided into multiple dialectic and tribal groups, each occupying specific territories. Notable for their numerous villages and intricate social structure, the Miwok population was estimated at around 11,000 in 1770 but had significantly declined by the 20th century, with only 491 individuals recorded in the 1930 census.

California Indian Tribes

The territory of the present State of California was discovered in 1542 by a Portuguese navigator in the Spanish service, J. R. Cabrillo. In 1578 Sir Francis Drake landed at Drake’s Bay, opened communication with the natives, and took possession of the country in the name of England, calling it New Albion. It was explored by the Spaniard S. Viscayno in 1602, but no attempt was made at colonization until the Franciscan Fathers established a mission at San Diego in 1769. Within the next 50 years they founded 21 missions and gathered 20,000 Indians about them, but the number of … Read more

Chumash Indians

The Chumash Indians, initially known as the Santa Rosa islanders and often referred to as the Santa Barbara Indians, are part of the larger Hokan linguistic family. They inhabited the northern islands of the Santa Barbara group and the coastal regions from Malibu Canyon to Estero Bay, extending inland to the coastal ranges. The Chumash were divided into several subdivisions, including the Barbarefio, Cuyama, Emigdiano, Island, Obispefio, Purisimeiio, Santa Ynez, and Venturefio Chumash, each occupying distinct territories. Numerous villages, such as A’hwai, Ala-hulapun, and A’ash, among many others, were scattered across these regions. Historical estimates of the Chumash population in 1770 place it at around 10,000, but by the early 20th century, their numbers had dramatically dwindled, with only 38 individuals recorded in the 1910 census and 14 in 1930.

Costanoan Indians

The Costanoan Indians, derived from the Spanish term “Costanos” meaning “coast people,” were a group within the Penutian linguistic stock. They inhabited the coastal region between San Francisco Bay and Point Sur, extending inland to the Mount Diablo Range. The Costanoans were divided into several subdivisions, including the Monterey, Saclan, San Francisco, San Juan Bautista, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Soledad groups, each occupying distinct territories. Their villages, such as Ahala-n, Altah-mo, and Aulin-tak, were spread throughout these regions. Historically, the Costanoan population was estimated to be around 7,000 in 1770, but by the early 20th century, only a few mixed-blood descendants remained, with the 1910 census recording just 10 individuals and none in 1930.

Diegueño Indians

The Diegueño Indians, named after the Mission of San Diego, are part of the Central division of the Yuman linguistic group and are closely related to the Kamia and Kiliwa, forming a branch of the Hokan stock. They are divided into two main groups: the Northern Diegueño, located in the eastern part of San Diego County and extending into Baja California, and the Southern Diegueño, found in areas such as Campo, La Posta, Manzanita, Guyapipe, and La Laguna, along with some Baja California territories. Their villages were spread across various locations, including notable ones like La Laguna, San Dieguito River, Carrizo, and the headwaters of San Diego and Sweetwater Rivers. Historical population estimates indicate around 3,000 Diegueño and Kamia individuals in 1770, which had declined to between 700 and 800 by 1925, with the 1930 census recording 322 individuals.

Gabrielino Indians

The Gabrielino Indians, named after the San Gabriel Mission in Los Angeles County, were also known as Kizh, Playsanos, Tobikhars, and Tumangamalum. Their closest relatives were the Fernandeno, and both groups were part of the California branch of the Shoshonean Division of the Uto-Aztecan stock. The Gabrielino inhabited the drainage area of the San Gabriel River, the Los Angeles region, and southward into Orange County, including Santa Catalina Island and likely San Clemente Island. They established numerous villages, such as Ahau near the Los Angeles River, Akura near San Gabriel Mission, and Pimu on Santa Catalina Island. In 1770, their population, including the Fernandeno and Nicoleno, was estimated at around 5,000, but by 1922 were nearly extinct.

Hupa Indians

The Hupa Indians, named after the Yurok term for their valley, Hupo, are also known by various names such as Cha’parahihu by the Shasta, Hich’hu by the Chimariko, and Kishakevira by the Karok. Their own name, Natinnoh-hoi, refers to their homeland along the Trinity River. The Hupa belonged to the Athapascan linguistic stock and shared close linguistic ties with the Chilula and Whilkut. They primarily resided along the middle course of the Trinity River, especially in the Hupa Valley and on New River. The Hupa established numerous villages, including Aheltah, Cheindekotding, and Haslinding. Historically, their population was estimated at 1,000 in 1770, decreasing to 500 by 1910 and slightly increasing to 575 by 1937. Today, their legacy continues in places like the village named Hupa in Humboldt County.

Native Burials in Mendocino County, California

The following is a collection of known burials in Mendocino County, California which were of Native American families and their descendants. If there is no source letter then the data came from family research and I was not able to verify it by a tombstone. Source: T=Tombstones, O=Obituaries, M=Mortuary Records. Phil Carnahan, Ukiah, CA shared this information with AccessGenealogy.

Cahuilla Indians of California

This account of the Cahuilla, one of the largest surviving tribes in southern California, represents the work of Lucile Hooper as University of California research fellow in anthropology in 1918. There is a considerable body of published literature on the Cahuilla and other Indian tribes of southern California, but no intensive monograph upon any one tribe nor a satisfactory comprehensive treatment of the region. The literature being so scattered, its citation would have resulted in innumerable detailed cross-references in foot notes, which the ethnological specialist in this field would scarcely need, and which would not be of much aid to the novice. The list of the more important works given at the end of this paper will probably meet the requirements of most readers.

Biography of Alexander Owens

June 17, 1830, near Belfast, Ireland, the subject of this sketch was born. He was the son of Archibald and Mary (McMaster) Owens, both lifelong residents of the Emerald Isle. Their children were Jane, Mary, Alexander, Margaret, Anna, William and Jennie, all of whom became citizens of the United States, and all of whom, with the exception of Jennie and the subject of this review, are now deceased. Alexander came to America when but sixteen years of age and settled at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. There he earned the carpenter’s trade, which he has followed the greater part of his life. At … Read more

Biographies of San Mateo County California

The Woodside Store San Mateo County California

San Mateo County’s History with its exposition of contemporary local conditions, resources and advantages, would be incomplete without the following 140 biographical sketches of pioneers and leading business and professional men. These supplement the history and add that intimate and personal touch, without which no work of this kind could be truly interesting. A collection of biographies of this kind is always interesting; but their greatest value lies in the fact that they chronicle much that might otherwise be forgotten, thereby becoming of greater value as time goes on.

1861 Placer County, California Directory

Auburn California in 1857.

This Placer County directory is a great resource for anyone searching for ancestors who were in California in 1861, people are listed by town or settlement, occupation and some with street address.

California Census Records

The first federal census conducted in California was taken in 1850, while the Gold Rush was in full swing. Adventurers were pouring into the state, and they were very mobile in their search for the next paydirt. As a result, the accuracy of the count was questionable. Also, records for the counties of Contra Costa, San Francisco, and Santa Clara were lost or destroyed. To obtain a more reliable picture of the population, the State of California conducted its own census in 1852, the only one in the state’s history. The original census is housed at the State Archives, but … Read more