California
California genealogy
California genealogy combines Spanish and Mexican colonial history, Gold Rush migration, Indigenous history, Asian American immigration, African American migration, western expansion and enormous twentieth-century population movement.
California vital records
State-level records begin in 1905. Earlier research generally requires county-level sources.
California Department of Public Health →State preservation and indexing begins in 1905; county records are essential for earlier events.
Vital Records →California maintains statewide marriage records beginning in 1905, with gaps in current certified-copy availability by year.
Marriage records →Library of Congress explains when to use county versus state records.
Research timeline →California county-by-county
Use the county as the next research layer. Search the county for vital records, deeds, probate, courts, newspapers, cemeteries and local history.
California historical research
Mission records, presidios, land grants and Mexican-era communities.
Research guide →Land ownership and federal land history are essential for early California families.
Land records →Migration, newspapers, mining communities, cemeteries and county records.
Search collections →Major California genealogy centers
Immigration, Mexican American, African American and twentieth-century urban genealogy.
Gold Rush, Chinese American, immigration, maritime and urban records.
Gold Rush, state government and Northern California research.
Spanish/Mexican borderlands and later military and migration history.
Bay Area migration, African American and Asian American communities.
Santa Clara Valley, agricultural migration and Silicon Valley-era families.
Ethnic & community research
Native Californian communities and federal/agency records.
Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Korean and other Asian American migration and community records.
Migration to California, military communities and urban history.
Mexican American and broader Latino family history.
California genealogy databases
Historical records including census, naturalization, probate, newspapers and local collections.
Search →California census, vital, immigration, military and local records.
Search →California vital-data query resources from CDPH.
Open →Historic California newspapers.
Search →Continue your California research
Choose a county first. Then identify the historical jurisdiction, record type and community before moving to DNA evidence.
DNA Academy - Quick Answers
What formats are your free templates available in?
Our templates are available as downloadable Excel/Google Sheets files (for digital tracking).
How do I use a research log effectively?
A research log helps you track which records you’ve searched, what you found, and what’s still missing. We recommend filling it out as you go, it prevents duplicate searches and helps you identify patterns. Our template includes columns for date, source, location, and findings.
Are the templates available in languages other than English?
Currently, our templates are in English only. We are exploring translations into Swedish, Spanish, and German based on user requests. If you need a specific language, contact us and we’ll prioritize it.