Learn about key records and repositories to support your research of eighteenth and nineteenth century ancestors from present-day California and nearby regions. We will also cover important historical events and context to help identify additional resources for your research.
Learn about key records and repositories to support your research of eighteenth and nineteenth century ancestors from present-day California and nearby regions. We will also cover important historical events and context to help identify additional resources for your research.
Worth More than Gold or Silver – MyHeritage’s U.S. Naturalization Records, Northern California, 1852-1989 Collection
This Index is all about immigrants – over 544,000 of them – and spans 137 years! They came to California for various reasons and took a chance for a new life as a US citizen. Finding an immigrant is easier due to multiple search options. Minimal info is not a problem!
This Index is all about immigrants – over 544,000 of them – and spans 137 years! They came to California for various reasons and took a chance for a new life as a US citizen. Finding an immigrant is easier due to multiple search options. Minimal info is not a problem!
Settlers in California’s Sacramento Delta – History and Resources
Upon completion of the Transcontinental and other railroads throughout the American West, many Chinese immigrant railroad workers went to work building levees in the Sacramento River delta. This process reduced flooding and created rich farmland. Many ethnic groups have farmed in this area and their children had to attend segregated schools for a number of years. Learn about this fertile ground, the people who lived there, and what they left behind.
Upon completion of the Transcontinental and other railroads throughout the American West, many Chinese immigrant railroad workers went to work building levees in the Sacramento River delta. This process reduced flooding and created rich farmland. Many ethnic groups have farmed in this area and their children had to attend segregated schools for a number of years. Learn about this fertile ground, the people who lived there, and what they left behind.
Few events in America have had the impact of the California Gold Rush and the desire to have a better life; an event that lasted seven short years. The Gold Rush swelled the population of California by the hundreds of thousands. And, it was all for the little flecks of…
Few events in America have had the impact of the California Gold Rush and the desire to have a better life; an event that lasted seven short years. The Gold Rush swelled the population of California by the hundreds of thousands. And, it was all for the little flecks of…
What resources are available for researching your California ancestress? California women received the right to vote in 1911 which results in records nonexistent in some other states but other activities like club memberships, church activities, and work leave even more. Periodicals, directories, cookbooks, and organizational records leave…
What resources are available for researching your California ancestress? California women received the right to vote in 1911 which results in records nonexistent in some other states but other activities like club memberships, church activities, and work leave even more. Periodicals, directories, cookbooks, and organizational records leave…
The story of California is the story of its diverse ethnic population. Rich records exist to trace the citizens of California in archival, library, museum, historical and genealogical collections. Learn more about these collections documenting the lives of the Chinese, Japanese, Mexicans, African Americans, and Native Americans in California. We
The story of California is the story of its diverse ethnic population. Rich records exist to trace the citizens of California in archival, library, museum, historical and genealogical collections. Learn more about these collections documenting the lives of the Chinese, Japanese, Mexicans, African Americans, and Native Americans in California. We
Not all California courthouse records are at the courthouse. And for most courthouses, the researcher must rely on paying for a search which may or may not result in the records they need. Knowing the structure of the California court system and how to access records is important in order…
Not all California courthouse records are at the courthouse. And for most courthouses, the researcher must rely on paying for a search which may or may not result in the records they need. Knowing the structure of the California court system and how to access records is important in order…
In this webinar we look at the printed word. Newspapers provide us with the details of everyday life that are hard to find anywhere else. Digitized books span the realm of the local history and biography which helps to tell the story of places and people. Where can you find…
In this webinar we look at the printed word. Newspapers provide us with the details of everyday life that are hard to find anywhere else. Digitized books span the realm of the local history and biography which helps to tell the story of places and people. Where can you find…
Counting California: Censuses, Directories, and Voter Records
One of the first things we do as family history researchers is to track our ancestor in the federal census. This provides us with a time and place for our family. But there are other records that can also provide that information. Aside from the federal census, it's important to…
One of the first things we do as family history researchers is to track our ancestor in the federal census. This provides us with a time and place for our family. But there are other records that can also provide that information. Aside from the federal census, it's important to…
California land ownership has changed over time starting with Spanish land grants. Understanding where the records are depends on the historical time period. A good map of California is a must and over time the map of this state has evolved from showing California as an island to the California…
California land ownership has changed over time starting with Spanish land grants. Understanding where the records are depends on the historical time period. A good map of California is a must and over time the map of this state has evolved from showing California as an island to the California…
Researching in California – Libraries, Archives and Online
Have California ancestors? Where do you start looking? Trying to figure out what is available can be intimidating and time consuming. In this webinar we look at what you need to know to start your California research. We'll explore repositories for research starting with archives, libraries, and museums and then…
Have California ancestors? Where do you start looking? Trying to figure out what is available can be intimidating and time consuming. In this webinar we look at what you need to know to start your California research. We'll explore repositories for research starting with archives, libraries, and museums and then…
To Live and Die in California: Researching Vital Records
Birth, marriage, death, and a final resting place. These are all important events in documenting our ancestor's life. California officially started recording BMD events in 1905 but what counties started the process earlier? What alternative sources exist for vital records when a government issued certificate is not available? Once you…
Birth, marriage, death, and a final resting place. These are all important events in documenting our ancestor's life. California officially started recording BMD events in 1905 but what counties started the process earlier? What alternative sources exist for vital records when a government issued certificate is not available? Once you…
Sorting DNA Matches with MyHeritage’s Theory of Family Relativity
Wed, January 28 2026: 1:00 UTC
This webinar looks at 43 Theory of Relativity matches for my mother’s DNA on MyHeritage. With a detailed paper trail, Shauna is looking for some unexplained ethnicity that is in both MyHeritage and FamilyTree DNA. What is the explanation for her Welsh and Germanic ancestry passed down on her mother’s side? Join Shauna and see if she can solve the puzzle, or is that, dig up yet another family skeleton?
This webinar looks at 43 Theory of Relativity matches for my mother’s DNA on MyHeritage. With a detailed paper trail, Shauna is looking for some unexplained ethnicity that is in both MyHeritage and FamilyTree DNA. What is the explanation for her Welsh and Germanic ancestry passed down on her mother’s side? Join Shauna and see if she can solve the puzzle, or is that, dig up yet another family skeleton?
Turn genealogical facts into captivating videos. This session will empower family historians who have only modest tech skills to create short, shareable videos that resonate with all ages. Using Animoto, Canva, iMovie, or Camtasia, learn to blend photos, music, and narration. The result will be magic! Discover how to digitize artifacts, and source public-domain images from places like the New York Public Library’s scanned books. Use AI transcription tools for. Attendees will leave excited to produce a 2–3-minute video story. No video editing skills are needed. This session will draw upon real examples created with the simplest of tools.
Turn genealogical facts into captivating videos. This session will empower family historians who have only modest tech skills to create short, shareable videos that resonate with all ages. Using Animoto, Canva, iMovie, or Camtasia, learn to blend photos, music, and narration. The result will be magic! Discover how to digitize artifacts, and source public-domain images from places like the New York Public Library’s scanned books. Use AI transcription tools for. Attendees will leave excited to produce a 2–3-minute video story. No video editing skills are needed. This session will draw upon real examples created with the simplest of tools.
Advanced Census Research: Understanding Census Enumerators and Their Instructions
Wed, February 4 2026: 16:30 UTC
The census is one of our basic research tools, but basic doesn’t equal simple. Often a census record can raise as many questions as it answers, and some of those questions may seem unanswerable. Learn how an understanding of who the enumerators were, what their instructions prescribed, and some of the many ways they deviated from the instructions can answer many of the questions raised by census research.
The census is one of our basic research tools, but basic doesn’t equal simple. Often a census record can raise as many questions as it answers, and some of those questions may seem unanswerable. Learn how an understanding of who the enumerators were, what their instructions prescribed, and some of the many ways they deviated from the instructions can answer many of the questions raised by census research.
The Many Faces of the Census: Beyond the Population Schedule – Agricultural, Mortality, and Industry Records
Wed, February 4 2026: 17:45 UTC
Most researchers stop at the population schedule, but census records also include valuable schedules that document farms, businesses, deaths, and community life. This session explores agricultural, mortality, and industry schedules, showing how they can be used to add depth to family history.
Most researchers stop at the population schedule, but census records also include valuable schedules that document farms, businesses, deaths, and community life. This session explores agricultural, mortality, and industry schedules, showing how they can be used to add depth to family history.
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