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California Archives, Historical
& Genealogical Societies

It is wise to acquaint yourself with any repository which you might visit by writing to the appropriate archive or library in advance. Every repository has published materials that introduce its collections and research policy. State archives and historical agencies also have Internet sites that provide the same information. Some even have downloadable databases for some or parts of their collections.

  • California State Library, 914 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814
    This is the parent organization of the Sutro Library with a fine collection of its own. Microfilms of the federal censuses are housed here as well as a number of state-wide research materials. Some of the important collections include the following:
    • The California Information File: about 640,000 index cards covering 1.2 million items in such things as newspapers, manuscripts, periodicals, and county histories. Microfilmed county histories are available on interlibrary loan.
    • Pioneer Record File: biographical material on Californians who came before 1860—information submitted by the actual pioneers or by their descendants.
    • Biographical files: California artists, authors, actors, and musicians along with material on California political leaders may also be of interest.
    • Directories: a large collection of city, county (from 1850s) and telephone directories (from 1897). See also Nathan C. Parker's Personal Name Index to the 1856 City Directories of California. Vol. 10 of Gale Genealogy and Local History Series. Detroit, Mich.: Gale Research, 1980.
  • California State Archives, Office of Secretary of State, 1020 O Street, Room 130, Sacramento, CA 95814; Reference Desk: (916) 653-2246; General Information: (916) 653-7715; FAX: (916) 653-7363; E-Mail:ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov
    The California State Archives has microfilm of selected county records, 1850–1919.
  • Sutro Branch of the California State Library, 480 Winston Drive, San Francisco, CA 94132
    This library is a branch of the California State Library but differs from the main library in Sacramento in its holdings in that its focus is on genealogical research outside of California; although the collection includes many California materials (census, local newspapers, periodicals). The Sutro collection is available to the public either at the library or through interlibrary loan. Both the Genealogy Catalog and Local History Catalog (the index to the bulk of the library's holdings) can be obtained on microfiche and are supplemented on a regular basis by the publication of additional titles as they arrive.
    There are many genealogical and historical societies and institutions catering to people with various research problems. Only a few are listed below. Since the largest portion of California residents active in local history and genealogy may themselves be recent migrants to the state, local organizations focus may be on research problems in other locations.
  • Presidio Army Museum, Corner Lincoln and Funston Streets, San Francisco, CA 94129-5502
    Collection: nineteenth century
  • University of California and California State University Libraries
    There are excellent special collections at universities throughout the state including the Bancroft collection at the University of California at Berkeley, the Wyles collection of Civil War materials at the University of California at Santa Barbara, the Mandeville collection at the University of California at San Diego, the Western Association of Map Libraries at University of California at Santa Cruz, and the California State Library at Chico and Turlock.
  • The National Archives-Pacific Region maintain three facilities in California
    • Laguna Niguel (Archival Research Room, Microfilm Research Room)
    • Riverside, CA; (Records Center Research Room - requires originating agency approval)
    • San Francisco; (Archival Research Room, Microfilm Research Room, Records Center Research Room - requires originating agency approval)
    These offices work together to preserve and make available the documents created by Federal agencies in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Guam, the Pacific Trust Territory, and American Samoa.
  • Ronald Reagan Library, Simi Valley
  • Richard Nixon Library, Yorba Linda
  • The Los Angeles Public Library, History and Genealogy Department, 433 South Spring Street (location), 630 West Fifth Street (mailing address), Los Angeles, California 90071, has been reopened to the public and is rebuilding its excellent collection for genealogical research.
  • The Glendale Branch of the Family History Library, 1130 East Wilson Avenue, Glendale, California 91206; has a large collection of printed and microfilm source material in addition to access to the extensive collection available by mail service from the Salt Lake City collection.

California Historical Records - Databases include California Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; California Birth, Marriage & Death Records; California Voter Lists & Census Records; California Immigration & Emigration Records; California Obituary Records; California Military Records; California Family Tree Records; California Pictures; California Stories, Memories & Histories; California Directories & Member Lists and much more....

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California Historical & Genealogical Societies

For almost every state there is a state genealogical society, a state genealogical council, or both. In addition to their own work, state-level groups sometimes help coordinate the efforts of local societies within the state. Their publications, newsletters and quarterlies, supplement those produced by the local societies.

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