Humboldt County, California Genealogy

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Humboldt County, California genealogy and family history research page. Find links to record collections, history, and genealogy resources to help you trace your California ancestors. Get started by building a Free Family Tree.

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

Humboldt County Quick Facts

Humboldt County
  • Government Website: http://co.humboldt.ca.us/
  • County Seat:  Eureka
  • Created Date / Origin:  May 12, 1853 from Trinity County
  • Boundary Changes:
    1. Most of its territory was in Trinity County until the 1853 transfer to Humboldt County.
    2. A large territory in Trinity County from 1850 to 1851, was in Klamath County from 1851 to 1875 when Klamath County was disbanded and part of that county transferred to Humboldt County.
    3. Territory in Trinity County from 1850 to 1851, and in Klamath County from 1851 to 1857, was then in Del Norte County from 1857 to 1901 when it was added to Humboldt County.
    4. Territory in Trinity County from 1850 to 1851, in Klamath County from 1851 until its death in 1875, and in Siskiyou County from 1875 to 1887, was in Del Norte County from 1887 to 1901 when it was added to Humboldt County.
    5. Territory in Trinity County from 1850 to 1853, and in Humboldt County from 1853 to 1859, was in Mendocino County from 1859 to 1860 when it was added to Humboldt County.
    6. Territory which at one time was in Humboldt County is now in Del Norte County.
  • Named After: derived its name from Humboldt Bay, which was entered by a sea otter party in 1806, but was not rediscovered until 1849. In 1850, Douglas Ottinger and Hans Buhne entered the bay, naming it Humboldt in honor of the great naturalist and world explorer, Baron Alexander von Humboldt.
  • Bordering Counties: Del Norte County (north), Mendocino County (south), Siskiyou County (northeast), Trinity County (east)
  • Cities & Towns: Eureka, Arcata, Fortuna, Rio Dell, Ferndale, Blue Lake, Trinidad
  • CDPs (census-designated place) Include: Bayview, Cutten, Humboldt Hill, Hydesville, McKinleyville, Myrtletown, Pine Hills, Redway, Westhaven-Moonstone, Willow Creek.
  • Other Communities: Alderpoint, Alton, Bridgeville, Carlotta, Fernbridge, Fieldbrook, Garberville, Honeydew, Hoopa, Loleta, Miranda, Myers Flat, Orleans, Pepperwood, Petrolia, Phillipsville, Redcrest, Samoa, Scotia, Shelter Cove, Weott, Whitethorn
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Humboldt County Genealogical & Historical Societies and Family History Resources

A list of Humboldt 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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Humboldt County Courthouse and Government Records

Researchers often overlook the importance of Humboldt County court, probate, and land records as a source of genealogy and family history information. Buried away in California courthouses and archives everywhere are the dreams and frustrations of many California citizens. The chances are great that your ancestors have left a detailed record of at least some aspects of their lives in the Humboldt County court records. Even if your ancestor is not mentioned in a Court case, consider all of the other procedures which could have lead to him or her appearing in court records.

Courthouse History - Thirteen zinc statues adorned the perimeter of the roof and the tower of this grand Italianate building in Eureka. Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, was placed at the top of the tower, surrounded by four statues of Justice and others representing Flora, Ceres, Fortuna, and Juno. Minerva tilted in the 1906 earthquake, after which the statues were removed. The courthouse survived a fire in 1924, but another quake in 1954 cracked the building and the courthouse was vacated. In 1956, the condemned courthouse was demolished to make room for a more modern facility.

Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information.  The Clerk's Office DOES NOT DO RESEARCH.  The documents are available to interested parties, barring confidential issues.  Most staff will assist people in finding the materials, but it is up to the individual 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 indicates whatvital, land, probate, and court records are in Humboldt county. The dates indicated below are the first known records for this county which may include records of land, estates, taxes, vital records, divorces, naturalizations, voter registration, court records, and so forth. Land was later added from counties Mendocino (1860), Klamath (1875), and Del Norte (1901).

  • Humboldt County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
  • Humboldt 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.
    • Phone: (707) 445-7382
    • Birth / Death Records: 1873
    • Marriage Records: 1864
    • Land Records: 1874
  • Humboldt 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: 1853 
    • Court Records: 1853 
  • Humboldt 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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Humboldt County Genealogy Links

The following are links to Genealogy, Records and Resources relating to Humboldt County. These genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Commercial Sites, Personal Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some require a payment.  This is just a list that has been collected or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site above another. Feel free to submit your own favorite genealogy or family history related sites.

Humboldt Co. CA Books, Newspapers & Publications

Humboldt Co. CA Birth, Marriage & Death Records

Humboldt Co. CA Court, Probate Land and Tax Records

Humboldt Co. CA Census Records

Humboldt Co. CA Cemeteries & Graveyards

Humboldt Co. CA Church & Bible Records

Humboldt 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.

Humboldt Co. CA General and History Websites

Humboldt Co. CA Immigration & Naturalization

Humboldt Co. CA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Humboldt Co. CA Military Records

Humboldt Co. CA Schools & Directories

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