Created page with "__NOTOC__ '''California''' Image:Gotoarrow.png '''Step-by-step research 1905--present''' <br> <div style="width:150%"> *'''A suggested approach to..."
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'''[[California Genealogy|California]]''' [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''Step-by-step research 1905--present''' <br>
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*'''A suggested approach to genealogy research in California family history records.'''
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! style="color:darkblue" | <br><center>'''Step-by-step California<br> Research 1905--to the present<br> <br>'''
Table of Contents
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:'''[[Step-by-Step California Research, 1905-Present#Step_1._Find_out_everything_you_can_from_living_relatives_and_their_family_records:|1. Contact living relatives.]]''' <br>
:'''[[Step-by-Step California Research, 1905-Present#Step 2. Find your ancestors in every possible census record, 1910-1940, online.|2. Online census records.]]'''
:'''[[Step-by-Step California Research, 1905-Present#Step 3: Find online birth, marriage, and death certificates for your ancestors and their children.|3. Births, marriages, and deaths online]]'''
:'''[[Step-by-Step California Research, 1905-Present#Step_4:_Using_all_the_death_date_information,_try_to_find_additional_details_about_your_ancestors_in_Social_Security_records, obituaries,_and_cemetery_records_online.|4. Obituary and cemetery records online]].'''
:'''[[Step-by-Step California Research, 1905-Present#Step 5: Search military records: World War I draft cards.|5. Military records online.]]
:'''[[Step-by-Step California Research, 1905-Present#Step_6:_If_your_ancestor_was_an_immigrant, _search_immigration_and_naturalization_records_online.|6. Immigration and naturalization records online.]]'''
:'''[[Step-by-Step California Research, 1905-Present#Step_7:_Study_each_record_for_other_possible_searches.|7. Study clues.]]'''
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| style="background:Wheat; padding:15px" | '''What sets this era in California genealogy apart from earlier time periods are the advent of civil registration (state birth, marriage, and death certificates) and the possibility that you have older living relatives who can provide memories and family records. In addition, U. S. census records (occurred every 10 years--1900-1940), Social Security collections, obituary and cemetery records make it possible to find a lot of genealogical information in just a few rich record types.'''
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===== See also, [[How to use "record hints"|How to use "record hints".]] =====
----
=== '''Step 1. Find out everything you can from living relatives and their family records:''' ===
Every good genealogy project starts with finding all the clues you can gather from [[Finding Living Relatives (National Institute)|living relatives]] — both from their [[Gather Family Information|memories]] and from [[Gather Family Information#Family_Records|documents or memorabilia]] in their homes. <br>
==== '''What should you ask?''' ====
In order to extend your research on your ancestors, you are looking for '''names, dates, and places'''. ''Everything you learn that tells you about when and where a relative lived is a clue to a new record search''. Be sure to ask questions that lead to that information, including about their occupations, military service, or associations with others, such as fraternal organizations. See also:
*[http://genealogy.about.com/cs/oralhistory/a/interview.htm Fifty Questions for Family History Interviews What to Ask the Relatives]
*[http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865595932/Genealogy-150-questions-to-ask-family-members-about-their-lives.html?pg=all Genealogy: 150 questions to ask family members about their lives]
*[[Creating Oral Histories|Creating Oral Histories]]
==== '''What [[Gather Family Information|documents]] should you look for and ask to copy?''' ====
{|
|- style="width:110%"
|
*Announcements of births, weddings, <br>and anniversaries
*Baby and wedding books
*Certificates
*Deeds, and property records
*Family Bibles
*Family reunion notices and records
*Fraternal or society records
*Insurance policies
|
*Journals and diaries
*Letters and cards
*Licenses (business, marriage, <br>fishing, driving)
*Naturalization documents
*Newspaper clippings and obituaries
*Medical records
*Military service and pension documents
*Occupational awards
|
*Passports
*Personal histories and biographies
*Photograph albums
*Printed Notices and Announcements
*Programs (graduation, award ceremonies, funerals)
*School records
*Scrapbooks
*Wills and trusts
|}
[[File:CA Family Bible.png|thumb|right|350px]] [[File:CA obituary.png|thumb|left|250px]]
==== '''Using the clues to lead to census record searches.''' ====
Here are two documents you might find in a home search: a newspaper clipping and a family Bible record. Notice how the clues in them let us know other records to search:
*In the obituary on the left, notice that Herman G. Gauger died in 1975 at age 89, giving him a birth year of 1885-1886. Although he was born in Ohio, it appears that he lived in California for most of his life. We can look for census records 1910, [http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=1920usfedcen&h=5846860&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&rhSource=7884 1920], [http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=1930usfedcen&h=92835778&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&rhSource=6061 1930], and 1940 in California to find more details and identify his wife and all of his children.
*The family Bible on the right shows several children from the Ball family being born in Napa, California, during the time of the 1910, [http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=1920usfedcen&h=5525775&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&rhSource=5247 1920], [http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=1930usfedcen&h=91429254&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&rhSource=6061 1930], and [http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=1940usfedcen&h=72217680&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&rhSource=6224 1940 census]. We can search each census for the family. Finding all these children living together will help identify their parents.
*Click on the links in each example to see how these searches turned out. Notice the new information found. Later, these clues will help us find them in more records.
----
==='''Step 2. Find your ancestors in every possible census record, 1910-1940, online.'''===
A census is a count and description of the population of a country, state, county, or city for a given date. A census took a "snapshot" of a family on a certain day. For each person living in a household you might find (depending on the year) their name, age, birthplace, relationship to head of household, place of birth for father and mother, citizenship status, year of immigration, mother of how many children and number of children living, native language, and whether they were a veteran of the military.
To learn more about census records, including search strategies, see [[United States Census Records for Beginners|'''United States Census Records for Beginners''']].
Look at the samples of census records below. You should find your family members in every possible census, using these convenient links:
{|
|-
|
*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1727033 '''1910 U.S.''']
|
*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1488411 '''1920 U.S.''']
|
*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1810731 '''1930 U.S.''']
|
*[https://familysearch.org/1940census '''1940 U.S.''']
|}
==== '''United States census records''' ====
*Here is a sample of a 1910 United States census record. You can see all the different information you can glean from this record once you find your family in the census. [[Image:1910 United States Census.jpg|thumb|center|800px|1910 United States Census.jpg]]
*You will want to find and keep notes on census records from every census during each ancestor's lifetime. For example, if your ancestor was born in 1897 and died in 1945, you will want to find them in the 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 censuses.
*With the census records, you will then be able to estimate approximate birth dates and marriage dates. These records will lead you to new searches because you will find the names of other members of the family. You will find clues to other states and countries your family lived in before coming to California.
*'''You can use what you learned from the census records to help you search for birth, marriage, and death records. Possibly the clues you find in the certificates will lead you back to the census records again for new names of family members.''' <br>
*'''For example, remember Herman F. Gauger from the obituary sample above. We found him with his family in the [http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=1920usfedcen&h=5846860&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&rhSource=7884 1920 census] and the [http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=1930usfedcen&h=92835778&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&rhSource=6061 1930 census.] Based on the information we have, we can look for his [http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=CAdeath1940&h=2607526&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&rhSource=6224 death record], [http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=CAdeath1940&h=2607548&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&rhSource=6061 his wife's death record], and even [http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=CAdeath1940&h=2607494&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&rhSource=6224 his son, Custer's, death record].'''
==== '''Using the census clues to lead to a birth certificate.''' ====
*We know from his obituary that Herman and Nettie Gauger had children named Custer, Fred, Hazel, and [http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=cabirth1905&gss=angs-d&new=1&rank=1&msT=1&gsln=Gauger&gsln_x=0&MSAV=1&uidh=7h4&pcat=34&fh=5&h=1294129&recoff=9&ml_rpos=6 '''Dorothy''']. When we found the family in census records, we learned when those children were born. Some were born before the family moved to California. The census helps us know whether we can look for the [http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=cabirth1905&h=867991&tid=&pid=&usePUB=true&rhSource=6224 '''birth records of his children'''] in California.
==== '''Using the census clues to lead to a marriage certificate.''' ====
*The census records show that G. Nelson Ball, the first entry in the family Bible record, is George Nelson Ball, and the father of the others listed there. The census records show that the family remained in California at least until 1940. We would expect to find all their marriage records in California.
----
=== '''Step 3: Find online birth, marriage, and death certificates for your ancestors and their children.''' ===
States, counties, or even towns in some states recorded births, marriages, and deaths. You have probably seen these types of certificates and have your own. In addition to the child's name, birth date, and place of birth, a birth certificate may give the birthplaces of the parents, their ages, and occupations. A death certificate may give the person's birth date and place, parents' names and birthplaces, and spouse's name.
==== '''Studying what you have found:''' ====
[[File:Cycle icon.jpg|left|100px]]
*Review what you have found to see if there is missing information that could be found in a birth, marriage, or death certificate for your ancestors and their children.
*If you are missing the names of parents, find a person's death certificate. It may contain the names of the deceased's parents, which would extend your pedigree back one more generation.
*If you find a child listed in a census record, try to find their actual birth certificate to learn their full birth date.
*If a married couple is shown in the census records and you need the wife's maiden name, search for their marriage record or her death record. The mother's maiden name should also be given in her children's birth certificates.
==== '''Obtaining the certificates''' ====
*There are basically two ways to find these certificates, or the information from them: by finding them in an online database, and by by [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/california.htm'''purchasing them through the mail'''] .
==== '''Online databases, usually indexes, with some images''' ====
*This chart gives links to some California online databases for these records:
{| width="100%" border="1" align="center" style="font-size: 13.600000381469727px;"
|-
| style="background:#c3e49d; font-size:12pt" |
*'''Search Sites for California Birth Records and Indexes'''
**[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2001287 California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994]. Images.
**{{RecordSearch|1674703|California, Births and Christenings, 1812-1988}} Index only
**[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60239 California, Select Births and Christenings, 1812-1988] ($)
**{{RecordSearch|2001287|California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994}} Index and images
**[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60240 California, County Birth and Death Records, 1849-1994], ($). Images.
**[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8834 California, Birth Records from Select Counties, 1872-1987], ($). Images.
**{{RecordSearch|2001879|California, Birth Index, 1905-1995}}
**[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5247 California Birth Index, 1905-1995] ($)
'''Also, see [[How to Find California Birth Records|How to Find California Birth Records]].'''
|-
| style="background:#c3e49d; font-size:12pt" |
*'''Search Sites for California Marriage Records and Indexes'''
**[http://abish.byui.edu/specialCollections/westernStates/search.cfm Western States Marriages]
**[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7848 California Marriages, 1850-1877] Index ($)
**{{RecordSearch|1674735|California, Marriages, 1850-1945}} Index only
**[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60241 California, Select Marriages, 1850-1945] Index ($)
**{{RecordSearch|1804002|California, County Marriages, 1850-1952}} Index only
**[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8797 California, Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1850-1941], ($). Images.
**[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5186 California, Marriage Index, 1949-1959], ($).
**{{RecordSearch|1949339|California, Marriage Index, 1960-1985}}
'''Also, see [[How to Find California Marriage Records|How to Find California Marriage Records]].'''
|-
| style="background:#c3e49d; font-size:12pt" |
*'''Search Sites for California Death Records and Indexes'''
**[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2001287 California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994]. Images.
**{{RecordSearch|2001287|California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994}} Index and images
**[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8835 California, Death and Burial Records from Select Counties, 1873-1987], ($). Images.
**{{RecordSearch|1932433|California, Death Index, 1905-1939}} Index and images
**{{RecordSearch|2015582|California, Death Index, 1940-1997}}
**[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5187 California, Death Index, 1905-1939] ($)
'''Also, see [[How to Find California Death Records|How to Find California Death Records]].'''
|}
==== '''Samples of index entries''' ====
{|
|-
| style="vertical-align:top" | [[File:California birth index.png|thumb|500px]]
| [[File:California marriage index.png|thumb|500px]]
|-
|[[File:California death index.png|500px|thumb|center]]
|
|}
==== '''Ordering certificates through the mail''' ====
*[http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/birthdeathmar/Pages/CertifiedCopiesofBirthDeathRecords.aspx Click here] for information on how to order birth records. This will require an [http://www.cdph.ca.gov/pubsforms/forms/CtrldForms/VS111.pdf application], a [http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/birthdeathmar/Pages/Fees.aspx fee], and proof of your identification. Ask for an '''informational copy''' . Provide as many details as possible on the application, but you may leave some fields blank.
*[http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/birthdeathmar/Pages/CertifiedCopiesofMarriageandDivorceRecords.aspx Click here] for information on how to order marriage records. This will require an [http://www.cdph.ca.gov/pubsforms/forms/CtrldForms/vs113a.pdf application], a [http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/birthdeathmar/Pages/Fees.aspx fee], and proof of your identification. Ask for an '''informational copy'''. Provide as many details as possible on the application, but you may leave some fields blank.
*[http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/birthdeathmar/Pages/CertifiedCopiesofBirthDeathRecords.aspx Click here] for information on how to order death records. This will require an [http://www.cdph.ca.gov/pubsforms/forms/CtrldForms/VS112.pdf application], a [http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/birthdeathmar/Pages/Fees.aspx fee], and proof of your identification. Ask for an '''informational copy'''. Provide as many details as possible on the application, but you may leave some fields blank.
===== '''Samples of records''' =====
Here are some samples of California certificates. Notice the types of information available in each, particularly the identity of the parents, which adds another generation to your research.
[[File:California birth certificate.jpg|thumb|center|600px|California Birth Certificate]]
[[File:California marriage certificate.jpg|thumb|center|600px|California Marriage Certificate]] <br>
[[File:California death certificate.jpg|thumb|center|600px|California Death Certificate]] <br>
=== '''Step 4: Using all the death date information, try to find additional details about your ancestors in Social Security records, obituaries, and cemetery records online.''' ===
==== '''U.S. Social Security Death Index and Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007''' ====
The U.S. Social Security program began in 1935 but most deaths recorded in the index happened after 1962. The '''Social Security Death index''' includes those who had a Social Security number and/or applied for benefits. The index entries give the person's full birth date, last known residence, and residence at the time they first enrolled. Women are listed under their married name at the time of their death. You can search these records online at {{RecordSearch|1202535|'''United States Social Security Death Index'''}}. Also at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3693 '''Ancestry.com'''], ($), index.
The [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60901 '''Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007'''] picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process, including valuable details such as '''birth date, birth place, and parents’ names.''' Unless the deceased would be at least 75 years old today, the parents' names are not published. ''You will not find everybody who is listed in the SSDI, as criteria for inclusion differs.''
If you find your ancestor in the SSDI index, you can order a copy of their original Social Security application (SS-5). If you can prove the individual has died (by sending an obituary or copy of their cemetery headstone), the application will also give the deceased's parents' names, if listed.
[[File:California ss application.png|thumb|center|400px|California Social Security Application]]
==== '''Obituaries and cemeteries''' ====
===== '''Obituaries''' =====
*Frequently, a death is announced in the newspaper with an obituary.
*These obituaries may supply missing birth or death dates and name the parents of the deceased.
*Obituaries may also name family members, their spouses, their current residences, and whether they died before the person or are still surviving, especially in obituaries written in the last half of the 20th Century.
*Try these California links:
:*[http://www.deathindexes.com/california/ '''Online California Death Records and Indexes: A Genealogy Guide for Finding Obituaries, Cemetery Burials and Death Records'''] by county.
===== '''Cemeteries''' =====
*Cemetery records may only give the names and dates stated on the tombstone, but as in the case of FindAGrave, sometimes pictures of the deceased and their tombstone, children's or parents' names and links to their graves, and marriage information have been added. Always verify information added by others.
*Frequently family members are buried in the same cemetery often in neighboring plots.
*Try these California links:
NOTE: Each database covers different cemeteries, although some may overlap. Don't be discouraged if you do not locate your individual in the first database. '''Check each collection.'''
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2054 California, Mortuary and Cemetery Records, 1801-1932] Index and images ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2118 California, San Francisco Area Funeral Home Records, 1895-1985] Index and images ($)
*{{RecordSearch|1985807|California Cemetery Transcriptions, 1850-1960}} Images only.
*[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi California Cemetery Records at Findagrave.com]
*[http://www.interment.net/us/ca/index.htm California Cemetery Records at Interment.net]
*[http://billiongraves.com/pages/search/#country=United+States&state=California&county=0&search_text=&action=search_cemetery BillionGraves California Cemeteries]
*[http://www.usgwtombstones.org/california/californ.html USGenWeb Tombstone Transcription Project]
*[http://california-genealogy.com/California-Cemetery-Records.cfm California Cemetery Records]
*[http://www.daddezio.com/cemetery/junction/CJ-CA-NDX.html Californian Cemetery Records] at D'Addezio
This example of an online cemetery record is from [http://www.findagrave.com/ FindAGrave] [[File:California FindAGrave.png|center|600px]]
----
=== '''Step 5: Search military records: World War I draft cards.''' ===
*There are many different types of military records, some covered in online collections, some microfilmed, and some requiring you to order them from government repositories with a fee. For more information, read the [[U.S. Military Records Class Handout|'''U.S. Military Records Class Handout''']]. Information in military records can vary from a simple lists of name, age, and residence, to more detailed records including name, residence, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace, physical description, number of dependents, pensions received, disabled veterans, needy veterans, widows or orphans of veterans, and other information.
==== World War I Draft Registration ====
[[File:California WWI draft.png|thumb|800px]]
*One of the most helpful military records is the '''draft registration of 1917-1918'''. During three separate registrations, men born between 1873-1897 were required to register in the draft for World War I. Cards may give birth date, birth place, residence, occupation, employer, physical description, next of kin (usually the wife or mother), and number of dependents. Search for your male relatives born in this time period at {{RecordSearch|1968530|'''U.S. WW I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918'''}}.
[[File:California World War II draft.png|thumb|500px]]
===World War II Draft Registration===
Likewise, the World War II draft in 1942 may give birth date, birth place, residence, occupation, employer, and other family members as contacts. Search for your male relatives born in this time period at [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1861144 '''U.S. WW II Draft Registration Cards, 1942'''].
<br>
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=== '''Step 6: If your ancestor was an immigrant, search immigration and naturalization records online.''' ===
The census records may show that your ancestor was born in another country. It will be necessary to try to find the town or city they were born in to continue research in the country of origin. Searches of immigration records (usually passenger lists) and naturalization (citizenship) records are the next goal. Immigration refers to people coming into a country, such as the United States, and emigration refers to people leaving a country to go to another. Usually these records are passenger lists of the ships they sailed on. A typical record will show name, age, and country of origin, but in ship lists after 1906 you can find the actual town of birth, the next of kin still living in the old country and their residence, and the names of relatives in the place they are traveling to.
==== Census clues to Immigration records ====
Census records can provide important clues about nationality and immigration. This chart lists data that can be found in each of the census records. Gather the information in the census records specifically about immigration, as it will help narrow down your search.
{| style="border:3px solid green; width:70%; align:center"
|-
| colspan="2" style="border:1px solid green; align:center" | <center>'''Immigration and Naturalization Found in the U.S.Census by Year'''<br> (other information also given but is not listed here)</center>
|
|-
! style="border:1px solid green; text-align:center; width:25%" | <center>Year of census</center>
! style="border:1px solid green; text-align:center; width:75%" | <center>Immigration and Naturalization Information </center>
|-
| style="border:1px solid green; text-align:center" | 1870
| style="border:1px solid green;" |
*Whether father and mother are of foreign birth
|-
| style="border:1px solid green; text-align:center" | 1880
| style="border:1px solid green;" |
*Place of birth for father and mother
|-
| style="border:1px solid green; text-align:center" | 1900
| style="border:1px solid green; align:center" |
*Place of birth for father and mother
*Naturalization status: alien, papers submitted, or naturalized
*Year of immigration to U.S.
*How many years lived in U.S.
|-
| style="border:1px solid green; text-align:center" | 1910
| style="border:1px solid green; align:center" |
*Place of birth for father and mother
*Naturalization status: alien, papers submitted, or naturalized
*Year of immigration to U.S.
|-
| style="border:1px solid green; text-align:center" | 1920
| style="border:1px solid green; align:center" |
*Place of birth for father and mother
*Naturalization status: alien, papers submitted, or naturalized
*Year of immigration to U.S.
*Year of naturalization
*Native language
*Native language of father and mother
|-
| style="border:1px solid green; text-align:center" | 1930
| style="border:1px solid green; align:center" |
*Place of birth for father and mother
*Naturalization status: alien, papers submitted, or naturalized
*Year of immigration to U.S.
*Native language
|-
| style="border:1px solid green; text-align:center" | 1940
| style="border:1px solid green; align:center" |
*Naturalization status: alien, papers submitted, or naturalized
|}
==== '''Immigration records''' ====
This two page illustration is of a 1917 San Francisco passenger arrival list:
[[File:California passenger list page 1.png|1100px]]
[[File:California passenger list page 2.png|1100px]]
Passenger lists and border crossing lists are the most common immigration records.
There are many immigration records available. Click [[United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records|'''here''']] to see a complete list of available immigration records online. Notice that they are listed by state, but under the letter "U" there is a long list of records that cover all of the United States. Unless family information tells you the port where family arrived, you will need to search all of the [[United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records|'''United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records''']] for the time period when your ancestors arrived.
There are also many immigration records unique to California:
*[http://www.stevemorse.org/ One Step Webpages by Stephen Morse] Links to free and $ online passenger lists
*[http://www.sfgenealogy.com/californiabound/cb188.htm California Bound] Passenger list of those bound from NY to CA for the Gold Rush.
*[http://www.ndgw.org/PRosterIndex/mainindex.html Native Daughters of the Golden West, Index to the Roster of California Pioneers]
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=49329 San Francisco Ship Passenger Lists Vol. I (1850-1864)], [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=49066 Vol. II (1850-1851)], [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=49330 Vol. III (November 7, 1851 to June 17, 1852)] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7949 California, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1882-1959] Index and images ($)
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/california-los-angeles-san-pedro-and-wilmington-passenger-lists-1900-1948 California, Los Angeles, San Pedro, and Wilmington Passenger Lists, 1900-1948], ($). Index.
*{{RecordSearch|1916078|California, San Francisco Passenger Lists, 1893-1953}} Images
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1082 Border Crossings:From Mexico to U.S., 1895-1964] Index and images ($)
*{{RecordSearch|1916084|California, Los Angeles Passenger Lists, 1907-1948}} Images
*{{RecordSearch|2427227|California, Chinese Partnerships and Departures from San Francisco, 1912-1943}}
*{{RecordSearch|2427230|California Immigration Registers of Japanese, Filipinos, and Hawaiians at San Francisco, 1928-1942}}
*{{RecordSearch|2442742|California, San Diego Passenger Lists, 1904-1952}}
*{{RecordSearch|2465054|California, San Diego, Airplane Passenger and Crew Lists, 1929-1954}}
*{{RecordSearch|2443335|California, San Diego, Chinese Passenger and Crew Lists, 1905-1923}}
*{{RecordSearch|2442743|California, San Francisco Airplane Arrival Card Index, 1936-1949}}
*{{RecordSearch|2299683|California, San Francisco Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving, 1954-1957}}
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3378 San Francisco Chinese Exclusion List] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2249 San Diego, California, Airplane Passenger and Crew List Arrivals, 1929-1954] Index and images ($)
==== '''Naturalization (Citizenship) Records''' ====
[[File:California naturalization record.png|1000px|thumb]]
Naturalization is the process of becoming a citizen. Records can include the immigrant's declaration of intent to become a citizen, petitions for citizenship, and final certificate of naturalization. Naturalization records after 1906 can show birth date and place, spouse's name, marriage date and place, and lists of children with their birth dates.
California naturalization records could be recorded at the county court or the Federal District or Circuit Court. You must look for them in both locations. Try searching first in any county where the person lived, unless the census tells you the year they were naturalized, and you have evidence of where they lived that year. If you cannot locate them in the county records, try searching for them in the Federal courts.
==== '''California Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records''' ====
*[http://www.germanroots.com/california.html Online California Naturalization Records and Indexes]
*{{RecordSearch|2125028|California County Naturalizations, 1849-1949}} Browse only images
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3998 California, Naturalization Records, 1887-1991] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8839 California, State Court Naturalization Records, 1850-1986] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1192 U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for California, Northern District, 1851-1904 - U.S. District Court Declarations] ($)
*{{RecordSearch|1849982|California, Northern U.S. District Court Naturalization Index, 1852-1989}} Free! <br>
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=6099 Shasta county, California, Naturalization Records: 1852 - 1932] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1192 U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for California, Northern District, 1853-1867- U.S. District Court] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1192 U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for California, Northern District, 1854-1906- U.S. District Court, Certificates of Naturalization] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1192 U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for California, Northern District, 1855-1912 - U.S. Circuit Court Certificates of Citizenship] ($)
*{{RecordSearch|1840471|California, San Diego Naturalization Index, 1868-1958}} <br>
*[http://www.fold3.com/title_97/ca_san_diego/ Naturalization Index Cards from the Superior Court of San Diego, CA, 1868-1958] ($)
*[http://www.fold3.com/title_108/ca_los_angeles/ Naturalizations - Naturalization Records of the Superior Court of Los Angeles, CA, 1876-1915] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1554 Selected U.S. Naturalization Records - Superior Court of Los Angeles, California, 1876-1915] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1193 U.S., Naturalization Records - Original Documents, (World Archives Project) for California, 1876-1940 - U.S. District and Superior Courts] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1192 U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for California, Northern District, 1879-1903- U.S. Circuit Court] ($)
*[http://www.fold3.com/title_109/ca_san_diego/ Naturalization Records in the Superior Court of San Diego, CA, 1883-1958] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1554 Selected U.S. Naturalization Records - Superior Court of San Diego, California, 1883-1958] ($)
*[http://www.fold3.com/title_110/ca_southern/ Naturalization Petitions for the Southern District Of California, 1887-1940] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1554 Selected U.S. Naturalization Records - U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, Central Division (Los Angeles), 1887-1940] ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2980 San Francisco, California, Surrendered Alien Certificates, 1906-1946], ($).
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1192 U.S. Naturalization Records Indexes for California, Northern District, 1906-1928- U.S. District Court, Declarations and Petitions] ($)
*{{RecordSearch|1849628|California, Southern District Court (Central) Naturalization Index, 1915-1976}}
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=== '''Step 7: Study each record for other possible searches.''' ===
[[File:Cycle icon.jpg|left|100px]]
You can now go through a process of working back and forth between all the different record types. Most researchers find clues in the census records that alert them to new certificates to obtain. The certificates then give them ideas of new facts to look for in the census. For example, when a marriage certificate gives you a wife's maiden name, you will then want to look for her in earlier censuses listed with her family as a child. When the census shows you her parents' names, you may then search for their death records. The death records might show their patents' names and take you back to the census to search for them. A naturalization record listing children's names might lead you back to birth certificate searches, and so on.
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[[Category:California]]
[[category:California]]