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…
Scattered Leaves: Reconnecting family branches with DNA
Thu, December 11 2025: 1:00 UTC
When our families scattered across the globe, they often left close family behind. The family connections were lost over the subsequent generations. Now through family history research and DNA we are reconnecting with the branches of our family tree as shown in these case studies.
When our families scattered across the globe, they often left close family behind. The family connections were lost over the subsequent generations. Now through family history research and DNA we are reconnecting with the branches of our family tree as shown in these case studies.
Ancêtre militaire : de carrière ou appelé ? (XIXe-XXe siècles) – Explorer des parcours uniques
Tue, December 16 2025: 14:00 UTC
Les archives militaires sont une véritable mine d’or pour les recherches généalogiques et biographiques. Grâce à elles, chaque généalogiste peut redonner vie aux parcours de ses ancêtres, qu’ils aient été soldats de carrière ou appelés du service militaire. Si la numérisation massive des fiches matricules de la Première Guerre mondiale a largement facilité les recherches, elle ne doit pas occulter la richesse des autres périodes. Du XIXe au XXe siècle, chaque époque — en temps de paix comme en temps de guerre — offre des pistes passionnantes et complémentaires. Au Service historique de la Défense, aux Archives départementales, ou encore en ligne, les sources sont nombreuses. Il s’agit surtout de connaître les bonnes méthodes pour avancer avec succès. Ce webinaire vous guidera pas à pas pour découvrir, comprendre et exploiter pleinement ces ressources, afin de retracer des parcours militaires uniques et d’enrichir votre histoire familiale.
Les archives militaires sont une véritable mine d’or pour les recherches généalogiques et biographiques. Grâce à elles, chaque généalogiste peut redonner vie aux parcours de ses ancêtres, qu’ils aient été soldats de carrière ou appelés du service militaire. Si la numérisation massive des fiches matricules de la Première Guerre mondiale a largement facilité les recherches, elle ne doit pas occulter la richesse des autres périodes. Du XIXe au XXe siècle, chaque époque — en temps de paix comme en temps de guerre — offre des pistes passionnantes et complémentaires. Au Service historique de la Défense, aux Archives départementales, ou encore en ligne, les sources sont nombreuses. Il s’agit surtout de connaître les bonnes méthodes pour avancer avec succès. Ce webinaire vous guidera pas à pas pour découvrir, comprendre et exploiter pleinement ces ressources, afin de retracer des parcours militaires uniques et d’enrichir votre histoire familiale.
Incorporating social context in a Kinship-Determination Project isn’t just about weaving historical events and descriptions of daily life into a family narrative. Community and culture shape behavior and relationships. To understand and document our ancestors, we need to understand the society in which they lived. When we estimate a marriage date based the birth of a couple’s first child (or that the birth of a child implies a marriage), we base those assumptions on context. This lecture will explore social context and illustrate how to research and write about it within a Kinship-Determination Project.
Incorporating social context in a Kinship-Determination Project isn’t just about weaving historical events and descriptions of daily life into a family narrative. Community and culture shape behavior and relationships. To understand and document our ancestors, we need to understand the society in which they lived. When we estimate a marriage date based the birth of a couple’s first child (or that the birth of a child implies a marriage), we base those assumptions on context. This lecture will explore social context and illustrate how to research and write about it within a Kinship-Determination Project.
Alcina Furkey’s birth name and her parents’ identities were unknown in 19C Vermont. Alcina had many forenames: Alcenia, Arsena, Christina, Elcena, Elena, Jane, Josephine, Julia, Lucy, and Reusta, and Rosanna. But none of them was her baptismal name. Reconstructing her birth family, together with a connection found in deeds and the clues in Catholic records, led to her real identity.
Alcina Furkey’s birth name and her parents’ identities were unknown in 19C Vermont. Alcina had many forenames: Alcenia, Arsena, Christina, Elcena, Elena, Jane, Josephine, Julia, Lucy, and Reusta, and Rosanna. But none of them was her baptismal name. Reconstructing her birth family, together with a connection found in deeds and the clues in Catholic records, led to her real identity.
Learn how to use artificial intelligence to help find important family information, understand old documents, and craft compelling family stories to support your family history research. This webinar will introduce you to the best uses of AI in genealogy today and give a peek behind the curtain of what genealogists can look forward to from AI advancements in 2026.
Learn how to use artificial intelligence to help find important family information, understand old documents, and craft compelling family stories to support your family history research. This webinar will introduce you to the best uses of AI in genealogy today and give a peek behind the curtain of what genealogists can look forward to from AI advancements in 2026.
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