Marin County, California Genealogy

∣ Societies and Family History Resources ∣ Government Records ∣ Genealogy Links ∣ Publications ∣ Census Records ∣
∣ Court, Probate, Land and Tax Records ∣ Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records ∣
∣ Cemeteries & Graveyards ∣ Church & Bible Records ∣ County History ∣ Military Records ∣ Schools & Directories ∣

Marin County, California genealogy and family history research page. Identify links to record collections, history, and genealogy resources to help you locate your own Marin Co., ancestors. Get going by constructing a Free Family Tree.

Marin County Quick Facts

Marin County
  • Government Website: http://www.marincounty.org/
  • County Seat:  San Rafael
  • Created Date / Origin:  February 18, 1850 as one of the original 27 counties
  • Named After: One story says that the county was named for Chief Marin, of the Licatiut tribe of Indians who inhabited that section and waged fierce battle against the early Spanish military explorers. The other version is that the bay between San Pedro and San Quentin points was named Bahia de Nuestra Senora del Rosario la Marinera by Ayala in 1775, and it is quite possible that Marin is simply an abbreviation of this name.
  • Bordering Counties:  San Francisco County (south), Contra Costa County (east), Sonoma County (north)
  • Cities & Towns: Belvedere, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Novato, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito, Tiburon
  • CDPs ( census-designated place) Include Black Point-Green Point, Bolinas, Dillon Beach, Inverness, Kentfield, Lagunitas-Forest Knolls, Lucas Valley-Marinwood, Muir Beach, Point Reyes Station, San Geronimo, Santa Venetia, Stinson Beach, Strawberry, Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, Tomales, Woodacre
  • Other Communities: Bel Marin Keys, Dogtown, Greenbrae, Inverness Park, Marin City, Marshall, Nicasio, Olema, Paradise Cay, San Quentin, Sleepy Hollow
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Marin County Genealogical & Historical Societies and Family History Resources

A list of Marin County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Forums, Message Boards, Libraries, Archives. See Also California Archives, Genealogical and Historical Societies for statewide Addresses and links.

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Marin County Courthouse and Government Records

Researchers often overlook the advantages of Marin 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 Marin 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 - Marin's first civic center was a converted group of adobe buildings situated in downtown San Rafael. A bond issue for a new courthouse was finally passed in 1872, and construction was begun. The new, Neoclassical courthouse accommodated all of the county offices for nearly a century. By the 1950s, the growth of the county, spurred since 1937 by the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, required the construction of a new complex. The county retained Frank Lloyd Wright to design the Marin County Civic Center, the famed architect's last project.

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 Marin County. The years indicated below are considered the first widely known records for this county.

  • Marin County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
  • Marin 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.
    • Address: 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 232, San Rafael, CA 94903
    • Phone: (415) 499-6092
    • Birth / Death Records: 1868 / 1873
    • Marriage Records: 1857
    • Land Records: 1834
  • Marin 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: 1850 
    • Court Records: 1850 
  • Marin 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....
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Marin County Genealogy Links

The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources relevant to Marin 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 Marin County genealogy or family history associated sites.

Marin Co. CA Books, Newspapers & Publications

Marin Co. CA Birth, Marriage & Death Records

Marin Co. CA Court, Probate Land and Tax Records

Marin Co. CA Census Records

Marin Co. CA Cemeteries & Graveyards

Marin Co. CA Church & Bible Records

Marin 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.

Marin Co. CA General and History Websites

Marin Co. CA Immigration & Naturalization

Marin Co. CA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Marin Co. CA Military Records

Marin Co. CA Schools & Directories

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