Free Records for Researching Family Ancestry in California (2024)

a proud memberof the
Genealogy Trails History Group

Welcome to California!

This state site is hosted byBrenda Wiesner

Our goal is to help you track your ancestors through time by transcribing genealogical and historical data and placing it online for the free use of all researchers. Join us in our efforts by becoming a host of one of our county sites. View our Volunteer Information Page for details and then contact us.We regret that we have no time to perform personal research for anybody. All data is placed on our websites as we come across it, so please continue to checkour county sites.

** Don't miss an Update! Join our Genealogy Trails Pacific Coastal StatesMailing List to get email notices when our county sites are updated. **

CALIFORNIA HISTORY

Becoming a state in 1850, California boasts an impressive history. Thehistory ofCaliforniacan be divided into: theNative Americanperiod (about 10,000 years ago until 1542), theEuropean explorationperiod (1542–1769), theSpanish colonialperiod (1769–1821), theMexicanperiod (1821–1848), andUnited Statesstatehood (September 9, 1850–present). California was one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse areas inpre-Columbian North America. After contact withSpanish explorers, most of theNative Americans died out from European diseases. After thePortolá expeditionof 1769–70, Spanish missionaries began setting up 21California missionson or near the coast ofAlta (Upper) California, beginning with theMission San Diego de Alcalanear the location of the modern day city of San Diego, California. During the same period, Spanish military forces built several forts (presidios) and three small towns (pueblos).

Two of the pueblos would eventually grow into the cities ofLos AngelesandSan Jose. After Mexican Independence was won in 1821, California fell under the jurisdiction of theFirst Mexican Empire. Fearing the influence of the Roman Catholic church over their newly independent nation, the Mexican governmentclosed all of the missionsand nationalized the church's property. They left behind a small "Californio" (white Hispanic) population of several thousand families, with a few small military garrisons. After theMexican–American Warof 1846–48, Mexico was forced to relinquish any claim to California to the United States.

TheCalifornia Gold Rushof 1848–1855 attracted hundreds of thousands of ambitious young people from around the world. Only a few men struck it rich, and many returned home disappointed. Most appreciated the other economic opportunities in California, especially in agriculture, and brought their families to join them. California became the 31st US state in theCompromise of 1850and played a small role in theAmerican Civil War. Chinese immigrants increasingly came under attack fromnativists; they were forced out of industry and agriculture and intoChinatownsin the larger cities. As gold petered out, California increasingly became a highly productive agricultural society. The coming of the railroads in 1869 linked its rich economy with the rest of the nation, and attracted a steady stream of migrants. In the late 19th century, Southern California, especially Los Angeles, started to grow rapidly. Even to this day, California is one of the largest melting pots of culture. Many people traveled through and left little trace unless caught on a census. Some never left and have left a legacy of generations of families. Although when asked what California is most known for they will say "Hollywood" or "Disneyland", but it is the rich history and beautiful landmarks through out the state. From Yosemite to Gold rich foothills. From the Sequoias to the pristine lake of Lake Tahoe. California truly is known for its diversity and natural beauty. (some excerpts taken from wikipedia)

***We are in need of volunteers to host and to transcribe data. Contact us today!***