San Mateo County, California Genealogy
Guide to San Mateo County, California ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
San Mateo County, California | |||||||
Map | |||||||
![]() Location in the state of California, United States Genealogy | |||||||
![]() Location of California in the U.S. | |||||||
Facts | |||||||
Founded | February 18, 1856 | ||||||
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County Seat | Redwood City | ||||||
Courthouse | |||||||
Address | Hall of Justice and Records 400 County Center Redwood City, California, 94063 650) 363-4711 | ||||||
Website: www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/portal/site/SMC | |||||||
Named for: Saint Matthew | |||||||
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Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
1866 | 1866 | 1866 | 1856 | 1856 | 1856 | 1850 |
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
San Mateo County Courthouse
400 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94603
Ph. 650.363.4712
County Clerk Recorder has birth, marriage and death record from 1866,
divorce, court and land records from 1880 and probate from 1856[2]
Historical Facts[edit | edit source]
Parent County[edit | edit source]
18 February 1856: San Mateo County was created from San Francisco County, with additional territory added in 1868 from Santa Cruz County. County seat: Redwood City [3]
Description[edit | edit source]
The county was named for Saint Louis of Toulouse. The county seat Redwood City and the county was created 1856.[4] The County is located in the west central area of the state.[5]
Boundary Changes [edit | edit source]
1868 - Land from Santa Cruz County
"Rotating Formation California County Boundary Maps" (1850-1925) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
Places/Localities [edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
- San Mateo County Places SMCGS
- San Mateo County - Wikipedia
- San Mateo County Places sfgenealogy
History[edit | edit source]
- Atherton town 1923
- Belmont town 1926
- Brisbane
- Broadmoor unincorporated
- Burlingame
- Camp Fremont World War I Training Camp
- Colma town 1924
- Crystal Springs
- Daly City
- East Palo Alto City 1983/1987
- El Granada Unincorporated
- Fair Oaks (Menlo Park / Atherton)
- Foster City City 1971
- Hillsborough City 1910
- Half Moon Bay City 1959
- La Honda unincorporated
- Menlo Park 1874-1876/ 1923
- Millbrae City 1948
- Miramar unincorporated
- Montara unincorporated 1908
- Moss Beach - unincorporated 1881
- Pacifica City 1957
- Pescadero Unincorporated
- Portola Valley Town 1964
- Princeton by the Sea
- Purissima abandoned
- Redwood City City 1868 - County seat
- Ravenswood (East Palo Alto)
- San Benito (Half Moon Bay / Spanishtown), 1841
- San Bruno City 1914
- San Carlos City 1926
- San Gregorio
- San Mateo 1894
- Searsville Abandoned 1891 when Searsville Dam was built
- South San Francisco 1908
- Spanishtown (Half Moon Bay)
- Westlake
- Woodside
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[6]
Cities | ||
Towns | ||
Unincorporated communities | ||
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Census-designated places | ||
Neighboring Counties[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
FamilySearch Historical Record Collections[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biography[edit | edit source]
- San Mateo County Biographies (Genealogy Trails)
- Index to San Mateo County Biographies (USGenWeb Archives)
- Schellens Collection of Historical Materials - Names
- Schellens Collection of Historical Materials - Businesses
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
Census[edit | edit source]
Historical populations | ||
---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± |
1860 | 3,214 | — |
1870 | 6,635 | 106.4% |
1880 | 8,669 | 30.7% |
1890 | 10,087 | 16.4% |
1900 | 12,094 | 19.9% |
1910 | 26,585 | 119.8% |
1920 | 36,781 | 38.4% |
1930 | 77,405 | 110.4% |
1940 | 111,782 | 44.4% |
1950 | 235,659 | 110.8% |
1960 | 444,387 | 88.6% |
1970 | 556,234 | 25.2% |
1980 | 587,329 | 5.6% |
1990 | 649,623 | 10.6% |
2000 | 707,161 | 8.9% |
2010 | 718,451 | 1.6% |
Source: "Wikipedia.org". |
For tips on accessing San Mateo County, California Genealogy census records online, see: California Census.
- 1860 - San Mateo Township - Partial (Genealogy Trails)
Church History and Records[edit | edit source]
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about California denominations, view the California Church Records wiki page.
- 1864-1985 California, Church Records, 1864-1985 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Ward and Branch Records
- Burlingame
- Redwood City
- San Mateo
Roman Catholic
- Archives 320 Middlefield Road Menlo Park, CA 94063 email: sfarchiv@concentric.net telephone: (650) 328-6502
- San Mateo County Parishes
- History of Diocese on Wikipedia
List of Churches and Church Parishes
County Records[edit | edit source]
- 1851-1991 California, San Mateo County Records, 1851-1991 at FamilySearch - [[California, San Mateo County Records - FamilySearch Historical Records
|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Crime and Criminals[edit | edit source]
Index to Sheriff's Office Booking Registers
Directories[edit | edit source]
- 1881 - Directory of the Grape Growers and Wine Makers of California (USGenWeb Archives)
- 1898 - List of Subscribers of the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Co. and Sunset Telephone and Telegraph Co. (USGenWeb Archives)
Ethnic, Political, or Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
Germans[edit | edit source]
Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Genealogy[edit | edit source]
History[edit | edit source]
Local histories are available for San Mateo County, California Genealogy. County histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see the Wiki page section California Local Histories.
- Family History Library San Mateo History.
- San Mateo History Museum
- WorldCat
Land and Property[edit | edit source]
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See California Land and Property for additional information about early California land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse and where records are currently housed.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- 1851-1924 California, San Mateo County, Land Records, 1851-1924(*); San Mateo County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1856-1967 California, San Mateo County, Deed Records, 1856-1967(*); San Mateo County Clerk at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1856-1991 California, San Mateo County Records, 1856-1991 at FamilySearch, images - How to Use this Collection.
- Index to San Luis Obispo County Land Records (USGenWeb Archives)
The Spanish and Mexican Governments distributed the bulk of San Mateo County lands to those who had served the government or military. Most of the Rancho owners also had residences around Mission Dolores in the current San Francisco.
Patents were recorded in San Mateo County in Patent Books 1-3. SMCGS has Indexed the records and images are available in the San Mateo County Record collection on FamilySearch.
Maps[edit | edit source]
for more resources
County of San Mateo - Mappery
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
- 1906-1935 California, Pioneer Migration Index, Compiled 1906-1935 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
Military History and Records[edit | edit source]
- 1856-1965 California, Military Discharge Records, 1856-1965 at FamilySearch - How to use this collection, index
- 1883 - San Mateo County – List of Pensioners on the Roll, January 1, 1883 (Genealogy Trails)
Civil War[edit | edit source]
- 1886 - San Mateo County Civil War Veterans Roster, Fred. Steele Post No. 70, G. A. R. 1886 (USGenWeb Archives)
World War I[edit | edit source]
- 1914-1918 California, Geographical and Name Index of Californians who served in WWI, 1914-1918 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and images
World War II[edit | edit source]
- Index to San Mateo County World War II Army Enlistments (USGenWeb Archives)
- San Mateo County Wworld War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel (Genealogy Trails)
Naturalization and Citizenship Records[edit | edit source]
All naturalization records produced by San Mateo County Courts are held by the San Mateo County Recorders Office. This appears to be a complete set of all the Declarations of Intention to become a citizen and Petitions for the entire time the local courts handled naturalizations. The last record is from the year 1983. The earliest records are in an envelope file, and many records have Declarations attached which were filed elsewhere.
The San Mateo County Genealogical Society has indexed these volumes through 1945.
SMC Naturalization Indexes
There are references to early naturalizations in the Court Docket books which are located in the San Mateo County Historical Society Archives. All names found in these volumes are also found in the Records office records.
The Naturalizations for Camp Fremont are contained in volumes dated May 1917 to March 1918. The special military naturalization required no Declaration of Intention, therefore the complete record will be contained in one volume. Naturalized soldiers were from all over the United States. Originals are located in the SMC Recorder's Office offsite storage facility. SMCGS has also indexed those volumes.
Camp Fremont Naturalization Index
Naturalizations filed by San Mateo County in the California Northern District court are located at the National Archives in San Bruno.
SMCGS also transcribed a card file of naturalized voters, which is also located in the Recorders Office.
Naturalized Voter Card File
All Naturalization Records after 1906 can be ordered from USCIS
Online Records[edit | edit source]
- 1852-1989 California, Northern U.S. District Court Naturalization Index, 1852-1989 at FamilySearch - [[California, Northern U.S. District Court Naturalization Index - FamilySearch Historical Records
|How to Use this Collection]]; index and images
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
- California Digital Newspaper Collection at UCR Center for Bibliographical Studies and Research
Additional newspapers abstracts can sometimes be found using search phrases such as San Mateo County, California Genealogy newspapers in online catalogs like:
- WorldCat (For instructions see WorldCat Online Catalog).
- Do a San Mateo County, California Genealogy Place-name search for these and other records in the FamilySearch Catalog. Do NOT use the word County. (For instructions see FamilySearch Catalog Places Search).
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
- San Mateo County Obituaries, from various sources: USGenWeb Archives, Genealogy Trails, San Mateo County Genealogical Society (SMCGS), GenealogyBank, and others (CAGenWeb Project).
- SMCGS Obituary Collection. Thousands of indexed obituaries from local newspapers and other sources. Copies of obituaries may be obtained from SMCGS for a small fee (refer to website).
- San Mateo County Obituaries (Genealogy Trails)
- San Mateo County Obituaries (USGenWeb Archives)
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate[edit | edit source]
The county clerk is usually the custodian of probate records. The records include wills, fee books, claim registers, legacy records, inheritance records, probate ticklers, and dockets.
Content: Probate Records may give the decedent's date of death, names of his or her spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, associates, relatives, and their place of residence.
You can obtain copies of the original probate records (such as wills and estate files) by writing to the county clerk at the county courthouse.
The FamilySearch Catalog lists films of probate records. To find the records for this county, use the Place Search for California - San Mateo - Probate records.
Unfortunately, FamilySearch has no probate files for San Mateo County. Some early probate ledgers are available in the San Mateo County Historical Association Archives, the rest are available from the Superior Court not the County Recorder.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1782 – 1999 California Wills and Probate Records 1782-1999 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
- 1833 – 1991 California Probate Estate Files 1833-1991 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; images
Repositories[edit | edit source]
Archives, Libraries and Museums[edit | edit source]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local Family History Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Fremont California Family History Center
- Hayward California Family History Center
- Los Altos California Family History Center
- Menlo Park California Family History Center
- Pleasanton California Family History Center
- San Francisco California Family History Center
- San Francisco California West Family History Center
- San Jose California Family History Center
- San Mateo California Family History Center
- Santa Clara California Family History Center
Schools[edit | edit source]
Sequoia High School - Redwood City - 1st High School in County
Societies[edit | edit source]
Belmont Historical Society
1225 Ralston Avenue
Belmont, CA 94002-1902
Website
Burlingame Historical Society
PO Box 144
Burlingame CA 94011
Website
Facebook
Millbrae Historical Society
P.O. Box 511
420 Poplar Avenue
Millbrae, CA 94030
Phone: 650-692-5786
Website
Facebook
San Mateo County Genealogical Society
PO Box 5569
Redwood City, CA 94063-5569
Phone: 650.306.3423
Website
San Mateo County Historical Association
777 Hamilton Street
Redwood City, CA 94063
Website
South San Francisco Historical Society, Inc
Website
Taxation[edit | edit source]
California tax records complement land records and can supplement the years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the tax records of some counties. For more information, see the wiki page California Taxation.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. See the CDC Where to Write website for information on acquiring copies of these records. The State office has records since July 1905. For earlier records, contact the County Recorder.
You can get informational copies of birth and death certificates from the San Mateo County Clerk. Print and complete an Application for Certified Copy of Vital Record. As with other California counties, requests for an Official Certified Copy of either birth or death records must be notarized. Requests for an Informational Certified Copy do not need to be notarized.
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1800 - 1994 California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1812 - 1988 California Births and Christenings, 1812-1988 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1905 - 1995 California Birth Index, 1905-1995 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at: MyHeritage($)
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1800 - 2007 California, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index $
- 1850 - 1945 California Marriages, 1850-1945 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection index
- 1850 - 1952 California, County Marriages, 1850-1952 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images. Also at: MyHeritage($)
- 1853 - 1948 San Mateo County Marriage Index
- 1854 - 1885 Western States Marriage Index.
- 1960 - 1985 California Marriage Index, 1960-1985 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images. Also at: MyHeritage($)
- Research Guide - San Mateo County Birth and Marriage Records
Divorce[edit | edit source]
- 1966 - 1984 California Divorce Index, 1966-1984 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1776 - 2000 California Deaths and Burials, 1776-2000 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, some images
- 1800 - 1994 California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
- 1905 - 1939 California Death Index, 1905-1939 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1940 - 1997 California Death Index, 1940-1997 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at: MyHeritage($)
Voting Registers[edit | edit source]
- 1866-1898 California, U.S., Voter Registers, 1866-1898 at Ancestry.com - index ($)
- 1866-1910 California, Great Registers, 1866-1910 at MyHeritage - index, ($)
Websites[edit | edit source]
- San Mateo County Genealogical Society
- San Mateo County CAGenWeb
- Linkpendium
- USGenWeb Archives
- FamilySearch Catalog
- San Mateo County, California Genealogy Trails
- San Mateo County CA Genealogy (ldsgenealogy.com)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), San Mateo County, California. Page 84-88 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 81-83.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), San Mateo County, California. Page 87At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “San Mateo County, California Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/cal/smateo/ 05/08/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, " San Mateo County," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, http://genealogytrails.com/cal/smateo/ 05/08/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "San Mateo County, California," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Mateo_County,_California, accessed 23 September 2019.