Search billions of records on Ancestry.com
   
State of   CALIFORNIA -   (The Golden State)
Genealogy & History Resources


Click Flag for Official State Web Site
 State Files of Interest - -      
Genealogical & Historical Societies
Newspapers
Public Libraries
Vital Records
California Gateway Resource Links -
Cemeteries   Flag, Seal & Symbols  Map  Native Americans   Ports   Railroads

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
Page 3 of 5:  (County Information)
Broken links? Contact us 		Casual Contributor Indicator
Click when viewed after an active link


  • Kern County, California —
    Information Updated:  Feb 11, 2013
    • Formed from:  portions of Tulare and Los Angeles Counties.
    Established:  xx-xxx-1866
    County Seat:  Bakersfield, California

    County history - Kern County took its name from the Kern River, which in turn, was named for Edward Kern, cartographer for General John C. Fremont's 1845 expedition.

    Kern Courthouse
    GHLL Kern County Package:
    1. American History & Genealogy Project - Kern County AHGP
    2. Cemetery Listings - may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    3. Cities/Towns/Townships - compiled by Wikipedia
    4. Genealogy Forum - Kern County, CA Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
    5. Society/Museum/Assn - (Kern County Historical Society / Bakersfield, CA)
    6. Society/Museum/Assn - (Taft Genealogical Society / Taft, CA)
    7. US/CAGenWeb site - Kern County Archives
    8. US/CAGenWeb - Kern County Genealogy & History
    9. Vital Records - Kern County Assessor-Recorder, Attn: Vital Statistics, 655 Chester Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301.
    Additional Local History/Genealogy:
        Adjacent counties (GHLL listings):
             Tulare County (north), Inyo County (northeast), San Bernardino County (east),
             Los Angeles County and Ventura County (south), Santa Barbara County
             (southwest), San Luis Obispo County (west), Monterey and Kings Counties
             (northwest).

                      enlarge


  • Lassen County, California —
    Information Updated:  Apr 24, 2010
    • Formed from:  portions of Plumas and Shasta Counties.
    Established:  01-Apr-1864
    County Seat:  Susanville, California

    County history - Lassen County is named in honor of Peter Lassen (1800-1859), a Danish naturalist and explorer.

    Lassen Courthouse
    1. Lassen County - American History & Genealogy Project (None found online at the time of this update.)
    2. Lassen County - Cities/Towns/Townships:  From Wikipedia
    3. Lassen County - Genealogical/Historical Society (None found online at the time of this update.)
          Lassen County Historical Society
          P.O. Box 321
          Susanville, CA 96130
    4. Lassen County - US/CAGenWeb site:  (Archives)
    5. Lassen County - US/CAGenWeb site:  Genealogy & History
    6. Lassen County - Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
      Additional Local History/Genealogy:
    7. Lassen County Cemeteries - Listings (county & cemetery); may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    8. Lassen County Vital Records - Lassen County Recorder, 220 South Lassen Street, Suite 5, Susanville, CA 96130.
      Census Information:
    9. 1920 Census (T) - Federal Census, Lassen County, ED-27 (Text: 2 pages).


  • Los Angeles County, California —
    Information Updated:  Feb 11, 2013
    • Formed from:  portions of lands belonging to Mexico, [original County].
    Established:  xx-xxx-1850
    County Seat:  County Los Angeles, California

    County history - The Spanish explorer "Gaspar de Portol" visited the site in 1769. On Sept. 4, 1781, the Mexican provincial governor, Filipe de Neve, founded "El Pueblo de Nuestra Se ora la Reina de Los Angeles", meaning The Village of Our Lady, the Queen of the Angels.  The pueblo became the capital of the Mexican province, Alta California, and it was the last place to surrender to the United States at the time of the American occupation in 1847. By the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, Mexico ceded California to the United States, and Los Angeles was incorporated as a city/county in 1850.

    Los Angeles Courthouse
    GHLL Los Angeles County Package:
    1. American History & Genealogy Project - Los Angeles County AHGP
    2. Cemetery Listings - may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    3. Cities/Towns/Townships - compiled by Wikipedia
    4. Genealogy Forum - Los Angeles County, CA Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
    5. Society/Museum/Assn - (Antelope Valley Genealogical Society / Lancaster, CA)
    6. Society/Museum/Assn - (Chatsworth Historical Society / Chatsworth, CA)
    7. Society/Museum/Assn - (Jewish Genealogical Society of Los Angeles / Sherman Oaks, CA)
    8. Society/Museum/Assn - (Los Angeles City Historical Society / Los Angeles, CA)
    9. Society/Museum/Assn - (Los Angeles Westside Genealogical Society / Los Angeles, CA)
    10. Society/Museum/Assn - (Los Angeles County (151 listings / multiple townships LA County, CA)
    11. Society/Museum/Assn - (San Fernando Valley Genealogical Society / Winnetka, CA)
    12. Society/Museum/Assn - (Whittier Area Genealogical Society / Whittier, CA)
    13. US/CAGenWeb - Los Angeles County Genealogy & History
    14. Vital Records - Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, Birth, Death & Marriage Records Section,
               12400 East Imperial Hwy., P.O. Box 53120, Norwalk, CA 90653.
    Additional Local History/Genealogy:
        Adjacent counties (GHLL listings):
             Kern County (north), San Bernardino County (east), Orange County (southeast),
             Santa Catalina Island (south over Pacific waters), Ventura County (west).

        Los Angeles County - 1908 Yearbook Los Angeles Highschool
        Los Angeles County - McKinley Avenue Intermediate School 1914, photos, etc..
        Tourist Information - What to do, to see, how to get around, etc..

                      enlarge
    Census Information:
        1850 Census (T) - Federal Census, Los Angeles County (Text: four pages).

    Please report errors or information that needs to be added:
        Correction or addition Report for this county - just copy/paste the URL for this page and the item which concerns you.


  • Madera County, California —
    Information Updated:  Oct 25, 2010
    • Formed from:  portions of Fresno County.
    Established:  16-May-1893
    County Seat:  Fresno, California

    County history - Madera County is named for the Spanish term for "wood". The county derives its name from the town of Madera, named when the California Lumber Company built a log flume to carry lumber to the Central Pacific Railroad there in 1876.

    Madera Courthouse
    GHLL Madera County Package:
    1. American History & Genealogy Project (None found online at the time of this update.)
    2. Cemetery Listings - may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    3. Cities/Towns/Townships - compiled by Wikipedia
    4. Genealogy Forum - Madera County, CA Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
    5. Society/Museum/Assn - (Madera County Genealogical Society / now defunct but with some listings)
    6. US/CAGenWeb site - Madera County Archives
    7. US/CAGenWeb - Madera County Genealogy & History
    8. Vital Records - Madera County Clerk Recorder Division, 209 West Yosemite Avenue, Madera, CA 93637-3534.
    Additional Local History/Genealogy:
        Adjacent counties (GHLL listings):
             Fresno County (south & west), Merced County (northwest), Mariposa County
             (north), Tuolumne County (northeast), Mono County (northeast).

                      enlarge

    Please report errors or additions:
        Correction or addition Report for this county - just copy/paste the URL for this page and the item which concerns you.


  • Marin County, California —
    Information Updated:  Apr 24, 2010
    • Formed from:  portions of territorial lands [an original County].
    Established:  18-Feb-1850
    County Seat:  San Rafael, California

    County history - Marin County is named in honor of a famous chief of the Lacatuit Indians, who originally occupied this part of the country. After having vanquished the Spaniards in several skirmishes that took place between the years 1815 and 1824, he was finally captured by his enemies. Making his escape, Marin took shelter on a small island in the bay of San Francisco, and which, being afterward called after him, communicated its name to the main land adjacent. This chief having fallen into the hands of his foes a second time, barely escaped being put to death, through the interference of the priests at the mission of San Rafael, who subsequently enjoyed the satisfaction of seeing him converted to the "true faith". He died at the mission in 1834.



    Marin Courthouse
    GHLL Marin County Package:
    1. American History & Genealogy Project (None found online at the time of this update.)
    2. Cemetery Listings - may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    3. Cities/Towns/Townships - compiled by Wikipedia
    4. Genealogy Forum - Marin County, CA Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
    5. Society/Museum/Assn - (Marin County Genealogical Society / Novato, CA)
    6. Society/Museum/Assn - (Marin County Historical Society / San Rafael, CA)
    7. US/CAGenWeb site - Marin County Archives
    8. US/CAGenWeb - Marin County Genealogy & History
    9. Vital Records - Marin County Assessor - Recorder, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Rm 234, San Rafael, CA 94903.
    Additional Local History/Genealogy:
        Adjacent counties (GHLL listings):
             Sonoma County (north and northeast), Contra Costa County (east), Alameda County
             (southeast), San Francisco County (south).

                      enlarge
    Census Information:
        1850 Census (T) - Federal Census, Marin County (Text: 1 page).
        1870 Census (I) and (T) - Federal Census, Marin County (Index: 1 page / Text: 10 pages; listed areas).
        1870 Census (I) - Federal Census, Marin County, San Rafael Township (Index: 1 page)


  • Mariposa County, California —
    Information Updated:  May 1, 2010
    • Formed from:  portions of lands of the Mexican Republic [an original County].
    Established:  04-Jan-1850
    County Seat:  Mariposa, California

    County history - Mariposa County took its name from Mariposa Creek. The area was so named by Spanish explorers in 1806 when they discovered great clusters of butterflies ("mariposas" in Spanish) in the foothills of the Sierras. Some say these butterflies were really butterfly lilies.

    Mariposa Courthouse
    1. Mariposa County - American History & Genealogy Project (None found online at the time of this update.)
    2. Mariposa County - Cities/Towns/Townships:  From Wikipedia
    3. Mariposa County - Genealogical/Historical Society (None found online at the time of this update.)
    4. Mariposa County - US/CAGenWeb site:  (Archives)
    5. Mariposa County - US/CAGenWeb site:  Genealogy & History
    6. Mariposa County - Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
      Additional Local History/Genealogy:
    7. Mariposa County Cemeteries - Listings (county & cemetery); may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    8. Mariposa County Vital Records - Mariposa County Recorder and Assessor's office, P.O. Box 35, Mariposa, CA 95338
    9. Mariposa County - Mariposa County is known as Mother of Counties.


  • Monterey County, California —
    Information Updated:  May 10, 2010
    • Formed from:  portions of lands of the Mexican Republic [an original County].
    Established:  18-Feb-1850
    County Seat:  Salinas, California

    County history - Monterey County derived its name from the Bay of Monterey. The word Monterey is composed of the Spanish words monte and rey, and literally means "king of the forest." The Monterey Bay was named by Sebastian Vizcaino in 1602 in honor of the Conde de Monterey, the Viceroy of New Spain.
             Monterey was the original capitol of "Alta California" throughout both Spain and Mexico's rule (1777-1849). Shortly after the United States took possession of California, the capitol was moved to San Jose, then on to Sacramento where it remains today.


    Monterey Courthouse
    1. Monterey County - American History & Genealogy Project (None found online at the time of this update.)
    2. Monterey County - Cities/Towns/Townships:  From Wikipedia
    3. Monterey County - Genealogical/Historical Society  (Monterey County Historical Society / Salinas, CA)
    4. Monterey County - US/CAGenWeb site:  (Archives)
    5. Monterey County - US/CAGenWeb site:  Genealogy & History
    6. Monterey County - Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
      Additional Local History/Genealogy:
    7. Monterey County Cemeteries - Listings (county & cemetery); may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    8. Monterey County Vital Records - Monterey County Recorder, 240 Church Street, Rm #305, P. O. Box 29, Salinas, CA 93902.


  • Napa County, California —
    Information Updated:  May 2, 2010
    • Formed from:  portions of lands of the Mexican Republic [an original County].
    Established:  04-Jan-1850
    County Seat:  Napa, California

    County history - Napa County is named in honor of a local Native American tribe, the Napans. The word napa is of Native American derivation and has been variously translated as "grizzly bear", "house", "motherland", and "fish". Of the many explanations of the name's origin, the most plausible seems to be that it is derived from the Patwin word napo meaning house, although local residents will often cite an urban legend that gives the translation as "you will always return".
             Napa County, once the producer of many different crops, is known today for its wine industry, rising in the 1960s to the first rank of wine regions with France, Italy, and Spain..

    Napa Courthouse
    1. Napa County - American History & Genealogy Project (None found online at the time of this update.)
    2. Napa County - Cities/Towns/Townships:  From Wikipedia
    3. Napa County - Genealogical/Historical Society  (Napa Valley Genealogical & Biographical Society / Napa, CA)
    4. Napa County - Genealogical/Historical Society  (Napa County Historical Society / Napa, CA)
    5. Napa County - US/CAGenWeb site:  (Archives)
    6. Napa County - US/CAGenWeb site:  Genealogy & History
    7. Napa County - Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
      Additional Local History/Genealogy:
    8. Napa County Cemeteries - Listings (county & cemetery); may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    9. Napa County Vital Records - Napa County Recorder, 900 Coombs Street, Rm 116, P.O. Box 298, Napa, CA 94559.
      Census Information:
    10. 1850 Census (T) - Federal Census, Napa City/County (Text: 24 pages).


  • Nevada County, California —
    Information Updated:  Apr 18, 2011
    • Formed from:  portions of Yuba County.
    Established:  xx-xxx-1851
    County Seat:  Nevada City, California

    County history - Nevada County is named after the mining town of Nevada City, a name derived from the term "Sierra Nevada." The word nevada, in Spanish, means "snowy" or "snowcovered." The County (area) is a part of what is known by locals as "Gold Country".

    Nevada Courthouse
    GHLL Nevada County Package:
    1. American History & Genealogy Project (None found online at the time of this update.)
    2. Cemetery Listings - may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    3. Cities/Towns/Townships - compiled by Wikipedia
    4. Genealogy Forum - Nevada County, CA Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
    5. Society/Museum/Assn - (Nevada County Genealogical Society / Nevada City, CA)
    6. Society/Museum/Assn - (Nevada County Historical Society / Nevada City, CA)
    7. US/CAGenWeb site - Nevada County Archives
    8. US/CAGenWeb - Nevada County Genealogy & History
    9. Nevada County Vital Records - Nevada County Recorder, Rood Center Administration Bldg, 950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, CA 95959. (Enter "Vital Records" in the search box).
    Additional Local History/Genealogy:
        Adjacent counties (GHLL listings):
             Placer County (south), Yuba County (west), Sierra County (north), Washoe County,
                Nevada     (east).

        Nevada County - Nevada City town history

                      enlarge


  • Orange County, California —
    Information Updated:  Feb 11, 2013
    • Formed from:  portions of Los Angeles, County.
    Established:  11-Mar-1889
    County Seat:  Santa Ana, California

    County history - Orange County takes it's name from the citrus fruit widely grown in the region at the time the county was formed.

    Orange Courthouse
    GHLL Orange County Package:
    1. American History & Genealogy Project - Orange County AHGP
    2. Cemetery Listings - may include photos, records, name lists, etc..
    3. Cities/Towns/Townships - compiled by Wikipedia
    4. Genealogy Forum - Orange County, CA Genealogy Forum (Genealogy.com)
    5. Society/Museum/Assn - (Costa Mesa Historical Society & Museum / Costa Mesa, CA)
    6. Society/Museum/Assn - (Genealogical Society of North Orange County / Yorba Linda, CA)
    7. Society/Museum/Assn - (Irvine Historical Society & Museum / Irvine, CA)
    8. Society/Museum/Assn - (Mission San Juan Capistrano & Museum / San Juan Capistrano, CA)
    9. Society/Museum/Assn - (Orange County Genealogical Society / Huntington Beach, CA)
    10. Society/Museum/Assn - (Orange County Historical Society / Santa Ana, CA)
    11. Society/Museum/Assn - (Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society / Santa Ana, CA)
    12. Society/Museum/Assn - (Tustin Area Historical Society / Tustin, CA)
    13. US/CAGenWeb site - Orange County Archives
    14. US/CAGenWeb - Orange County Genealogy & History
    15. Orange County Vital Records - Orange County Clerk-Recorder, Attn: Vital Records, P.O. Box 238, Santa Ana, CA 9270.
    Additional Local History/Genealogy:
        Adjacent counties (GHLL listings):
             Los Angeles County (north & west), San Bernardino County (northeast),
             Riverside County (east), San Diego County (southeast.

                      enlarge

    * When you tell us about your Surname(s) quest, by posting your Surnames on our Message Board, we will gladly set out to find as many listings, within time, for your particular SURNAME(S). If you wish, we will also be happy to provide you with your own Ancestors listing.

    ||— Contact GHLL —||— Policy Statements —||— Site Map —||
    Go to: GHLL Home


















    May 2, 2002— Aug, 13, 2012 = 1,517,267 visitors.

    New Visitors:        Free Web Counter    since Aug 14, 2012
    Free Counters