Mono County, California Genealogy
Mono County, California genealogy and family history research page. Identify links to record collections, history, and genealogy resources to help you locate your own Mono Co., ancestors. Get going by constructing a Free Family Tree.
Mono County Quick Facts
- Government Website: http://www.monocounty.ca.gov/
- County Seat: Bridgeport
- Created Date / Origin: April 24, 1861 primarily from Calaveras County, Fresno County, and Mariposa County
- Boundary Changes:
- A large territory was in Calaveras County from 1850 until its 1861 transfer to Mono County.
- Territory in Calaveras County from 1850 to 1854, and in Amador County from 1854 to 1864, was then "unattached"* until 1866 when it was placed in Mono County.
- Territory in Calaveras County from 1850 to 1856, was in Fresno County from 1856 to 1861 when it moved to Mono County.
- Territory in Mariposa County from 1850 to 1856, was then "unattached"* until 1861 when it was assigned to Mono County.
- Another large territory in Mariposa County from 1850 to 1856, was in Fresno County from 1856 to 1861 when it was moved to Mono County.
- Territory in Mariposa County from 1850 to 1852, and in Tulare County from 1852 to 1856, was in Fresno County from 1856 to 1861 when it was moved to Mono County.
- Territory which at one time was in Mono County is now in Alpine County and Inyo County
- Named After: Mono Lake, which, in 1852, was named for an Indian tribe that inhabited the Sierra Nevada from north of Mono Lake to Owens Lake. The tribe’s western neighbors, the Yokuts, called them monachie, meaning “fly people,” because the pupae of a fly was their chief food staple and trading article.
- Bordering Counties: Inyo County (south), Fresno County (southwest), Madera County (southwest), Tuolumne County (west), Alpine County (northwest), Douglas County, Nevada (north), Lyon County, Nevada (northeast), Mineral County, Nevada (east), Esmeralda County, Nevada (southeast).
- Cities & Towns: Aspen Springs, Benton, Bridgeport, Chalfant, Coleville, Crowley Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining, Mammoth Lakes, McGee Creek, Mono City, Paradise, Sunny Slopes, Swall Meadows, Topaz, Walker
- Other Communities: Bodie, Bridgeport, Chalfant, Coleville, Lee Vining, Swall Meadows
Mono County Genealogical & Historical Societies and Family History Resources
A list of Mono County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Forums, Message Boards, Libraries, Archives. See Also California Archives, Genealogical and Historical Societies for statewide Addresses and links.
Mono County Courthouse and Government Records
Researchers often overlook the advantages of Mono 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 Mono 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 a survey of state boundaries, in 1863 citizens of Mono were alarmed to learn that their county seat, Aurora, lay three miles inside the Territory of Nevada. It was reported that upon hearing the news, the presiding judge immediately closed the court and announced that he would try no further cases there. Voters selected Bridgeport as the new center of government and built a landmark Italianate building that remains in use as one of the state's oldest operating courthouses. The courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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 Mono County. The years indicated below are considered the first widely known records for this county. Land from Amador County was added in 1866.
- Mono County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
- Mono 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.
- Birth / Death Records: 1873 / 1877
- Marriage Records: 1862
- Land Records: 1861
- Mono 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: 1864
- Court Records: 1864
- Mono 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....
Mono County Genealogy Links
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources relevant to Mono 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 Mono County genealogy or family history associated sites.
Mono 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!
- Mono 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.
- Mono County California Genealogy Books (books.google.com)
Mono Co. CA Birth, Marriage & Death Records
Mono Co. CA Court, Probate Land and Tax Records
Mono Co. CA Census Records
Mono Co. CA Cemeteries & Graveyards
Mono Co. CA Church & Bible Records
Mono 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.
Mono Co. CA General and History Websites
Mono Co. CA Immigration & Naturalization
Mono Co. CA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
Mono Co. CA Military Records
Mono Co. CA Schools & Directories