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Kern County, California
Genealogy, History & Facts

Kern County, California Facts

When was Kern County, CA Created?
Kern County was established on April 2, 1866 from Tulare County and Los Angeles County . This county derived its name from the Kern River, which was named for Edward Kern, topographer of General John C. Fremont’s 1845 expedition.

What is the County Seat of Kern County, CA?
The County Seat is located in Bakersfield also, the county government website is http://www.co.kern.ca.us/

What counties are adjacent to Kern County, CA?
Bordering Counties are Los Angeles CountyVentura CountySanta Barbara CountySan Luis Obispo CountyKings CountyTulare CountyInyo CountySan Bernardino County.

Kern County, CA Vital Records

Where can find Kern County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Kern 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 Kern County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for California Birth CertificateMarriage or Divorce CertificateDeath Certificate Applications to mail.

Vital Records can also be found in the Local Registrar of Births and Death, 1800 Mt. Vernon Ave., 1st Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93306; Office (661) 868-0335

Kern County, CA Census Records


What Kern County, CA census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Kern County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 18701880 (free index)1890 (fragment)19001910192019301940.

Kern Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1870 and 1880. Kern Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1870 and 1880. Kern 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.

Kern County, CA Courthouse and Government Records

Kern County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Kern County Courthouse?

Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Kern 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 Kern 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.

Kern County, CA Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Kern County, CA?
A list of Kern County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Californiia Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.

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

What other genealogical resources are available in Kern County, CA?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Kern 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.

Kern Co. CA Books, Newspapers & Publications

Kern Co. CA Cemeteries & Church Records

Kern Co. CA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Kern Co. CA General and History Websites

Kern Co. CA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Kern Co. CA Military Records