Santa Clara 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 ∣

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

Santa Clara County Quick Facts

Santa Clara County
Back to top

Santa Clara County Genealogical & Historical Societies and Family History Resources

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

Back to top

Santa Clara County Courthouse and Government Records

Researchers often overlook the advantages of Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara 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 - During California's first 15 years of statehood, Santa Clara had no fewer than five courthouses, beginning with an adobe juzgado, or Mexican courthouse, and ending with this Roman Corinthian landmark on St. James Park. The building withstood numerous earthquakes and fires, including a disastrous blaze in 1931 that gutted the building. Damage sustained in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake nearly led to its demolition, but after a $12.4 million seismic retrofit and restoration project the building was reopened in 1994 and is still in use today.

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 Santa Clara County. The years indicated below are considered the first widely known records for this county. On May 18, 1931, a fire quickly spread through the courthouse, causing extensive damage.

  • Santa Clara County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
  • Santa Clara 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: County Government Center, East Wing, First Floor, 70 West Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95110
    • Phone: Office (408) 299-2481 (General), Office (408) 299-5669 (Recording)
    • Birth / Death Records: 1873
    • Marriage Records: 1846
    • Land Records: 1850
  • Santa Clara 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 
  • Santa Clara 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....
Back to top

Santa Clara County Genealogy Links

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

Santa Clara Co. CA Books, Newspapers & Publications

Santa Clara Co. CA Birth, Marriage & Death Records

Santa Clara Co. CA Court, Probate Land and Tax Records

Santa Clara Co. CA Census Records

Santa Clara Co. CA Cemeteries & Graveyards

Santa Clara Co. CA Church & Bible Records

Santa Clara Co. CA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Santa Clara Co. CA General and History Websites

Santa Clara Co. CA Immigration & Naturalization

Santa Clara Co. CA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Santa Clara Co. CA Military Records

Santa Clara Co. CA Schools & Directories

Back to top
Site Map | Copyright © 2013 GenealogyInc.com,