California Genealogy Queries

Conducting California genealogy queries is a good way to locate all the information you need for your family history research. If you are creating a family tree, genealogy charts or other type of historical documentation, you can benefit from a range of sources that can be found in a variety of places. The best way to be successful in your data hunt is to have an idea of where to look and what to look for.

Starting Your California Genealogy Queries

More than likely, you will want to do searches online and offline. Using the internet to track down records, names, addresses and other details can help you know what to look for, as well. You can also use your online search to locate details such as addresses for courthouses or other places you may want to visit in person to conduct a search.

Remember, the more details you can pinpoint, the easier it will be to do a search, especially in person. So, for example, if you are going to need to use California cemetery records for your California genealogy queries, you want to be able to narrow it down so you know which county to look in.

Online, use databases for genealogy, forums, discussion boards and government websites, just to name a few, to try to find records. In person, you will want to try libraries and courthouses to look for certain California vital records. Some of the material you want or need may be obtained by email, faxing or phoning in a request. Check with the office you contact and see if they can do this to help you save time and effort.

What You Can Find

California vital records are one of the best ways to obtain the data you may need for your California genealogy queries. You can use birth records, marriage records and death records, all of which date back to at least 1905 for the state of California. Keep in mind though, that in 2003, Sacramento closed the office to obtain death or birth records in person. So, you must request these by mail. In some cases, you may use divorce or adoption records to get more information for your research.

Other Resources

The California census can be another helpful tool for your California genealogy queries. For this state, you can obtain census records that start as early as 1790. Also, in some cases, you may need to contact the health department to request certain types of documentation.

There are also organizations you could try to help with your search, such as volunteer genealogy groups. Members of these groups can often help with research, offer tips or even obtain records for you in person if you cannot. Track down the county you need to look in, whenever possible, to make your search easier, especially if you are going to request help from someone else who is donating their time.

Hunting an entire state database for your California genealogy queries can take a lot more time and effort than simply looking through county records.