Search For Your Ancestors

CA RESOURCES

STATE QUICKLINKS

AL AZ AR CA CO CT
DE FL GA ID IL IN
IA KS KY LA MA MD
ME MI MN MS MO MT
NE NV NH NJ NM NY
NC ND OH OK OR PA
RI SC SD TN TX UT
VT VA WA WV WI WY

OTHER GENEALOGY RESOURCES

TOP FREE ANCESTRY DATABASES

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

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

Contra Costa County Courthouse

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, 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.

Where can I connect with other Contra Costa County, CA Researchers through message boards and forums?

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

Contra Costa Co. CA Cemeteries & Church Records

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

Contra Costa Co. CA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Contra Costa Co. CA Military Records