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Contra Costa County, California
Genealogy, History & Facts
County Vital Records ∣ County Census Records ∣ County Courthouse and Government Records ∣
County Societies, Family History Resources and County Genealogy Links
Contra Costa County, California Facts
When was Contra Costa County, CA Created?
Contra Costa County was established on February 18, 1850. This county name signifies “opposite coast,” because of its situation opposite San Francisco, in an easterly direction, on San Francisco Bay. In 1853, Alameda County was formed from territory originally included in this county.
What is the County Seat of Contra Costa County, CA?
The County Seat is located in Martinez also, the county government website is http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/
What counties are adjacent to Contra Costa County, CA?
Bordering Counties are Alameda County, Marin County, Solano County, Sacramento County, San Joaquin County, San Francisco County .
Contra Costa County, CA Vital Records
Where can find Contra Costa County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Contra Costa County vital records can be found at the California Office of Vital Records has copies of birth and death records from July 1905, marriage records that occurred from 1949-1986 and 1998-1999, divorce records that occurred between 1962 and June, 1984. 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.
You can search online for Contra Costa County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for California Birth Certificate, Marriage or Divorce Certificate, Death Certificate Applications to mail.
Vital Records can also be found in the Local Registrar of Births and Death, 10 Douglas Drive, Suite 220, Martinez, CA 94553; Office (925) 313-1125
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- Social Security Death Index
- USGenweb Archives California Marriage Project
- California Birth Index 1905 to 1995 from the California Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics
- California Birth Index, 1905-1995
- California Marriage Records 1960 to 1985 from the California Department of Health
- California, County Marriages, 1850-1952
- California Marriages, 1850-1877
- California, Marriage Index, 1960-1985
- California Divorce Index, 1966-1984
- Western States Marriage Index, 1809-2011
- California Death Index 1940 to 1997
- California Death Index, 1940-1997
- California, World War I Death Announcements, 1918-1921
- California Biographical Collection: Responses to Vital Record Inquiries, 1822-1964
Contra Costa County, CA Census Records
What Contra Costa County, CA census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Contra Costa County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.
Contra Costa Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Contra Costa Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Contra Costa Co. Union Veterans Schedules is available for 1890.
Another California census is the California State Census in 1852. One can find free online and printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also California Census Records Research Guide.
Contra Costa County, CA Courthouse and Government Records
What genealogical records can I find in the Contra Costa County Courthouse?
Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Contra Costa County court, probate, and land records data as a useful resource of ancestry and genealogy information. Buried away in California courthouses and archives everywhere are the ambitions and frustrations of countless California residents.
The possibilities are excellent that your forefathers have left a comprehensive document of at least a number of facets of their lives in the Contra Costa County court records. Even if your forebears is not referred to in a Court case, contemplate all of the other procedures that could have lead to him or her to appear in court records. See Also California Corthouse Records Research Guide.
- Contra Costa County Courthouse (Completed 1931, all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
- Address: 651 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553
- Phone: (925) 335-1080
- Contra Costa County Recorder-Clerk
- Address: 555 Escobar St. , Martinez, CA 94553
- Phone: (925) 335-7900
- Birth / Death Records: 1850
- Marriage Records: 1850
- Land Records: 1850
- Contra Costa County Clerk of Superior Court
- Probate Records: 1850
- Court Records: 1850
- Early California Wills
- BLM Land Records
Contra Costa County, CA Societies and Family History Resources
What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Contra Costa County, CA?
A list of Contra Costa County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Californiia Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.
- Antioch Historical Society, 1500 W. 4th St., Antioch, California 94509
- Contra Costa County Genealogical Society, Concord/Walnut Creek Family History Center, 3700 Concord Blvd, Concord, CA 94519-1808; Phone: 925-686-1766
- Contra Costa :County Historical Society, 610 Main Street, Martinez, California 94553; Phone: 925.229.1042
- East Contra Costa Historical Society and Museum, 3890 Sellers Ave., Brentwood, California 94513; 925-625-3553
- El Cerito Historical Society, PO Box 304, El Cerrito, CA 94530; 510-526-7507
- Lafayette Historical Society, Lafayette Library & Learning Center, 3491 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA 94549; 925-283-1848
- Martinez Historical Society, 1005 Escobar Street, Martinez, California
- Moraga Historical Society, Post Office Box 103, 1500 St. Mary’s Rd., Moraga, CA 94556-2099; ( 925 ) 377-8734
- Point Richmond History Society, 139 1/2 Washington Avenue, Point Richmond, CA ; 510-234-5334, 510-235-1336
- Richmond Museum of History, P.O. Box 1267, 400 Nevin Avenue, Richmond, California 94802; Phone: (510) 235-7387
- San Ramon Valley Genealogy Society, P.O. Box 305, Diablo, CA 94528-0305
- San Ramon Valley Historical Society, P.O. Box 39 Danville, CA 94526; (925) 837-3750
- Walnut Creek Historical Society, 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road , Walnut Creek, California; Phone: (925) 935-7871
- California State Archives, Office of Secretary of State, 1020 O Street, Room 130, Sacramento, CA 95814
- California State Library, 914 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814
- California Historical Society, 678 Mission Street, San Francisco 94105
- California Genealogical Society And Library, 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland 94612-3017
Where can I connect with other Contra Costa County, CA Researchers through message boards and forums?
- California Genealogy Community (plus.google.com)
- California State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Contra Costa County, California Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com)
- Contra Costa County, California Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
What other genealogical resources are available in Contra Costa County, CA?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Contra Costa 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
Contra Costa Co. CA Books, Newspapers & Publications
- California Newspapers Books & Publications Research Guide
- California historical newspaper archives online (newspapers.com)
- Historical Newspapers from California (1813 – 1978) (genealogybank.com)
- Contra Costa County, California Books (amazon.com)
- Search California Obituaries (1985 to current) (genealogybank.com)
- Contra Costa County California Genealogy Books (books.google.com)
Contra Costa Co. CA Cemeteries & Church Records
- Contra Costa Co., California Graves (findagrave.com)
- Contra Costa County Tombstone Transcription Project (usgwtombstones.org)
- Contra Costa Co., California Cemeteries (Internment.net)
- Contra Costa Co., California Cemetery Books (amazon.com)
- Contra Costa County, California Church Books (amazon.com)
Contra Costa Co. CA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
- Create a Free Family Tree (ancestry.com)
- 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.
Contra Costa Co. CA General and History Websites
- See Also State History for California
- Contra Costa County History (rootsweb.ancestry.com) The History of Contra Costa County, California 1917
- History of Contra Costa County, California (search.ancestry.com)
- The History of Contra Costa County, California (search.ancestry.com)
- History of Contra Costa County (search.ancestry.com)
- Contra Costa County, California Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)
- Contra Costa County, California Wiki (familysearch.org)
- Contra Costa Co. CA Genealogy (kindredtrails.com)
- Family History Library (familysearch.org)
- Contra Costa County, California (linkpendium.com)
- Cyndi’s List – United States – California – Counties – Contra Costa (cyndislist.com)
- Contra Costa County California (genealogytrails.com)
- Contra Costa Co. CAGenweb (cagenweb.com)
- Contra Costa County Genealogy Queries (cousinconnect.com)
- Contra Costa Co. Data Collections (search.ancestry.com)
Contra Costa Co. CA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
- See Also Map of California Links and Information
- 1895 Contra Costa County Map (livgenmi.com)
Contra Costa Co. CA Military Records
- California Military Records Research Guide
- California Military Records (fold3.com) gives you easy access to military records, stories, photos, and personal documents of the California individuals that served. Great for Contra Costa County genealogists, researchers, historians and more.