Inyo County, California Genealogy
Inyo County, California genealogy and family history research page. Identify links to record collections, history, and genealogy resources to help you locate your own Inyo Co., ancestors. Get going by constructing a Free Family Tree.
Inyo County Quick Facts
- Government Website: http://www.co.imperial.ca.us/
- County Seat: Independence
- Created Date / Origin: March 22, 1866 from Mono County and Tulare County
- Boundary Changes:
- Territory in Mariposa County from 1850 to 1856, and in Fresno County from 1856 to 1861, was in Mono County from 1861 to 1870, when it was moved to Inyo County.
- Territory in Mariposa County from 1850 to 1852, in Tulare County from 1852 to 1856, and in Fresno County from 1856 to 1861, was in Mono County from 1861 to 1870 when it was added to Inyo County.
- Territory in Mariposa County from 1850 to 1852, in Tulare County from 1852 to 1856, and in Fresno County from 1856 to 1861, was in Mono County from 1861 to 1866 when it was moved to Inyo County.
- Territory in Mariposa County from 1850 to 1852, and in Tulare County from 1852 to 1861, was in Mono County from 1861 to 1870, when it was added to Inyo County.
- Much of the county was in Mariposa County from 1850 to 1852, then in Tulare County from 1852 to 1866 when it was moved to Inyo County.
- Territory in San Diego County from 1850 to 1851, and in Mariposa County from 1851 to 1852, was in Tulare County from 1852 to 1866 when it was moved to Inyo County.
- Territory in San Diego County from 1850 to 1851, and in Los Angeles County from 1851 to 1853, was in San Bernardino County from 1853 to 1872, when it was added to Inyo County.
- Territory in Mariposa County from 1850 to 1851, and in Los Angeles County from 1851 to 1853, was in San Bernardino County from 1853 to 1872, when it was added to Inyo County.
- Territory in Mariposa County from 1850 to 1851, and in Los Angeles County from 1851 to 1866, was in Kern County from 1866 to 1872 when it was added to Inyo County.
- Named After: derived its name from the Indian name for the mountains in its area. The meaning of the word inyo is “dwelling place of the great spirit.”
- Bordering Counties: San Bernardino County (south), Kern County (southwest), Tulare County (west), Fresno County (west), Mono County (north), Esmeralda County, Nevada (northeast), Nye County, Nevada (east), Clark County, Nevada (southeast).
- Cities & Towns: Big Pine, Bishop, Calavada Springs, Cartago, Darwin, Deep Springs, Dixon Lane-Meadow Creek, Furnace Creek, Homewood Canyon, Independence, Keeler, Lone Pine, Mesa, Olancha, Pearsonville, Round Valley, Shoshone, Tecopa, Valley Wells, West Bishop, Wilkerson
- CDPs ( census-designated place) Include: Big Pine, Cartago, Darwin, Dixon Lane-Meadow Creek, Furnace Creek, Homewood Canyon-Valley Wells, Independence, Keeler, Lone Pine, Mesa, Olancha, Pearsonville, Round Valley, Shoshone, Tecopa, West Bishop, Wilkerson
- Other Communities: Ballarat, Death Valley Junction, Laws, Panamint Springs
Inyo County Genealogical & Historical Societies and Family History Resources
A list of Inyo County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Forums, Message Boards, Libraries, Archives. See Also California Archives, Genealogical and Historical Societies for statewide Addresses and links.
- California State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Bishop Museum & Historical Society, P.O. Box 363, Bishop, CA 93514; Phone: (760) 873-5950
- Friends of the Eastern California Museum, P.O. Box 206, 155 N. Grant Street Independence, CA 93526; Phone: (760) 878-0364, or (760)878-0258
- Searles Valley Historical Society, P.O. Box 630, 13193 Main Street, Trona, CA 93592-0630; Phone (760) 372-5222
- Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert, P.O. Box 2001, 230 W Ridgecrest Blvd. Ridgecrest, CA 93555; (760) 375-8456
- Pioneers of Inyo County
- Inyo County, California Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com) read and post messages about your ancestors in Inyo County
- Inyo County, California Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com) read and post messages with other genealogy researchers for Inyo County
- USGenWeb Archives for Inyo County (usgwarchives.net)
Inyo County Courthouse and Government Records
Researchers often overlook the advantages of Inyo County court, probate, and land files as a useful resource of genealogical details. Hidden away in California courthouses and archives everywhere tend to be the dreams and frustrations of the many California inhabitants.
The possibilities are great that your potential forefathers have left a detailed document of at least a number of facets of their lives in the Inyo County court records. Even if your ancestors is not mentioned in a Court case, contemplate all of the other methods that could have lead to her or him showing up in court records.
Courthouse History - After three previous courthouses were lost to earthquake and fire, Inyo's fourth and current courthouse was built to resist both. The region's only example of monumental Neoclassical Revival public architecture, this courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998 in recognition of its "integrity of feeling and association." It was here in Independence that 24 members of the Manson Family were jailed in 1969 for possession of stolen vehicles and property. Within days of his preliminary hearing, Charles Manson was indicted in the Tate murders and transferred to Los Angeles.
Remember to get in touch with the clerk's dept to verify hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics prior to visiting or seeking information because of in some cases changing contact details. The Department Offices DO NOT DO RESEARCH. The data files are readily available to interested parties, barring private issues. A good number of employees will assist persons in obtaining the materials, but it's up to the person to do the research.
Some counties encompass land settled in the eighteenth century; their records pre-date county formation. Land transactions and vital records recorded in the county are at the county recorder's office. The county clerk general has probate books and files from the county's superior court, civil court records, and naturalizations. Divorces may be in either place, depending on how filed.
The following facts indicates whatever marriage, birth, death, land, wills, and court records will be in Inyo County. The years indicated below are considered the first widely known records for this county. Land was later added from counties Mono (1870), San Bernardino (1872), and Kern (1872). Courthouse was destroyed by an earthquake March 26, 1872. On June 30, 1886 a fire broke out in a vacant building in Independence and destroyed thirty-eight buildings. Although the county records and most of the furniture were saved, the courthouse was one of the buildings destroyed.
- Inyo County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
- Inyo County Recorder-Clerk is s responsible for examination and recording of all documents presented for recording that deal with establishing ownership of land in the County or as required by statute; administers the real property transfer tax law and maintains a permanent record and indexes of all documents for public viewing plus providing certified copies requested by the public; recording of all lawful documents such as deeds, deeds of trust, judgments, liens, affidavits, Uniform Commercial Code Financial Statements, etc; and the filing of Births, Deaths, and Marriages.
- Phone: (760) 878-0222
- Birth / Death Records: 1905
- Marriage Records: 1873
- Land Records: 1866
- Inyo County Clerk of Superior Court has probate books and files from the county's superior court, civil court records, and naturalizations. Divorces may be here or in the Recorders Office, depending on how it was filed.
- Probate Records: 1866
- Court Records: 1866
- Inyo County County Treasurer / Tax Collector
- California Office of Vital Records has copies of birth, marriage, divorce and death records. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in California for current fees and application process. Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.
California Historical Records - Databases include California Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; California Birth, Marriage & Death Records; California Voter Lists & Census Records; California Immigration & Emigration Records; California Obituary Records; California Military Records; California Family Tree Records; California Pictures; California Stories, Memories & Histories; California Directories & Member Lists and much more....
Inyo County Genealogy Links
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources relevant to Inyo County. A majority of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Business Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some require a payment. This is basically a listing which has been gathered or submitted. I do not recommend or promote one genealogy site above another. Feel free to suggest your own preferred Inyo County genealogy or family history associated sites.
Inyo Co. CA Books, Newspapers & Publications
- See Also Statewide Newspapers, Books & Publications Links for California
- Historical Newspapers from California (1813 - 1978) (genealogybank.com) Easily identify names and keywords in over 450 million articles, obituaries, marriage notices, birth announcements along with other items written in over 2,800 historical U.S. newspapers. Completely new content added each month!
- Inyo County, California Books (amazon.com)
- California Newspapers
- Search California Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com) Over 28 million obituaries containing helpful information such as names, dates, places of birth, death, marriage and family information make this the most complete collection from the 20th and 21st centuries - 1,100 U.S. newspapers.
- Inyo County California Genealogy Books (books.google.com)
Inyo Co. CA Birth, Marriage & Death Records
Inyo Co. CA Court, Probate Land and Tax Records
Inyo Co. CA Census Records
Inyo Co. CA Cemeteries & Graveyards
Inyo Co. CA Church & Bible Records
Inyo Co. CA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
- California Pioneer Project - The California Pioneer List (CPL) is a list of settlers to California who migrated to or were born in California prior to 1880 (included in the 1880 California Census) and obtained from those sent (e-mailed) directly from individuals doing genealogical research.
Inyo Co. CA General and History Websites
Inyo Co. CA Immigration & Naturalization
Inyo Co. CA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
Inyo Co. CA Military Records
Inyo Co. CA Schools & Directories