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

Santa Cruz County Quick Facts

Santa Cruz County
  • Government Website: http://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/
  • County Seat:  Santa Cruz
  • Created Date / Origin:  February 18, 1850 as one of the original 27 counties
  • Boundary Changes:
    1. Territory which at one time was in Santa Cruz County is now in San Mateo County
  • Named After: In the original act, the county was given the name of Branciforte after the Spanish pueblo founded there in 1797. Less than two months later, the name was changed to Santa Cruz. Established in 1791 and completed in 1794, the Santa Cruz Mission was destroyed by earthquake in 1857, but a smaller-scale replica was erected in 1931. Santa Cruz signifies “holy cross.”
  • Bordering Counties: San Mateo County (northwest), Santa Clara County (northeast), San Benito County (southeast), Monterey County (southeast & south)
  • Cities & Towns: Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Watsonville
  • CDPs ( census-designated place) Include Amesti, Aptos, Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley, Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek, Corralitos, Day Valley, Felton, Freedom, Interlaken, Live Oak, Opal Cliffs, Rio del Mar, Soquel, Twin Lakes.
  • Other Communities: Bonny Doon, Brookdale, Davenport, Mount Hermon, Swanton
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Santa Cruz County Genealogical & Historical Societies and Family History Resources

A list of Santa Cruz 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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Santa Cruz County Courthouse and Government Records

Researchers often overlook the advantages of Santa Cruz 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 Cruz 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 - This much-admired brick, Romanesque Revival courthouse was rebuilt after the Great Earthquake of 1906 and served the county until 1967, when court offices moved to a new location. The building was remodeled and opened in 1972 as the Cooper House, a mix of offices and retail businesses. It was later demolished after sustaining serious damage in the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989.

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

  • Santa Cruz County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
  • Santa Cruz 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
    • Marriage Records: 1851
    • Land Records: 1847 (Alcalde records included from 1779. See Land Records.)
  • Santa Cruz 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 Cruz 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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Santa Cruz County Genealogy Links

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

Santa Cruz Co. CA Books, Newspapers & Publications

Santa Cruz Co. CA Birth, Marriage & Death Records

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

Santa Cruz Co. CA Census Records

Santa Cruz Co. CA Cemeteries & Graveyards

Santa Cruz Co. CA Church & Bible Records

Santa Cruz 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.

Santa Cruz Co. CA General and History Websites

Santa Cruz Co. CA Immigration & Naturalization

Santa Cruz Co. CA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Santa Cruz Co. CA Military Records

Santa Cruz Co. CA Schools & Directories

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