California, County Birth and Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
The collection consists of images of registers, records, and certificatesof county birth and death records acquired from county courthouses. This collection contains some delayed birth records, as well. Some city and towns records are also included. Records have not been acquired for the following counties:

For a list of records by localities and dates currently published in this collection, select the Browse.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the data and images published on FamilySearch.org Historical Records. It may include the author, custodian, publisher and archive for the original records.

Information about creating source citations for FamilySearch Historical Collections is found in the wiki article Help:How to Create Source Citations For FamilySearch Historical Records Collections.

Record Content
The key genealogical facts found in the Birth Records may include the following information:


 * Full birth date
 * Place of birth
 * Name of Child
 * Gender
 * Race or Color
 * No. in Family
 * Living or Stillborn
 * Names of Parents
 * Color of Parents
 * Occupation of Father
 * Birthplace of parents
 * Age of parents
 * Residence
 * Maiden Name of Mother
 * Is child legitimate

The key genealogical facts found in the Death Records may include the following information:


 * Death date
 * Place of death
 * Age at death
 * Gender
 * Race or color
 * Married or Single
 * Cause of Death
 * Birthplace
 * Duration of Illness
 * Name of Parents
 * Residence
 * Color of Parents

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know the following:


 * Name
 * Date of the event
 * Place of the event

Search the Collection
To search the collection select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page. Next select the county and then the Record Type, Date Range and Volume which takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Make a photocopy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors.

The following examples show ways you can use the information:


 * Use the names and relationships as a basis for compiling family groups.
 * Use the names, date, and residence or place to locate the individual or family in the census.
 * Use the names and places to locate additional records about the individual or family such as church and land records.
 * Use ages listed to determine approximate birth dates.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * You may need to compare the information of more than one family or person to make this determination.
 * If the record is a death record look for burial and probate records in the same location.
 * If the record is a birth record look for records of the parents.

If you are unable to find the ancestors you are looking for, try the following:


 * Check for variant spellings of the names.
 * Search the records of neighboring counties.
 * Search for an index. Local historical and genealogical societies often have indexes to local records.

Related Websites
California Department of Public Health

Related Wiki Articles
California Vital Records

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
"California, County Birth and Death Records, 1849-1989," images, FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org: accessed 14 June 2012), Orange &gt; Birth Certificates 1915-1921 &gt; Image 15 of 706, Lena Elizabeth Makela, born 12 March 1915; citing California, County Birth and Death Records, Various county clerks throughout California.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.