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Orange County, California
Genealogy, History & Facts

Orange County, California Facts

When was Orange County, CA Created?
Orange County was established on March 11, 1889 from Los Angeles County .

What is the County Seat of Orange County, CA?
The County Seat is located in Santa Ana also, the county government website is egov.ocgov.com

What counties are adjacent to Orange County, CA?
Bordering Counties are Los Angeles County (north & west), San Bernardino CountyRiverside CountySan Diego County .

Orange County, CA Vital Records

Where can find Orange County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Orange 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 Orange 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 Deaths, 1200 N. Main St. #100-A, Santa Ana, CA 92701; Phone (714) 480-6710

Orange County, CA Census Records


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

Orange 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.

Orange County, CA Courthouse and Government Records

Orange County Courthouse

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

Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Orange 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 Orange 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.

Orange County, CA Societies and Family History Resources

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

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

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

Orange Co. CA Books, Newspapers & Publications

Orange Co. CA Cemeteries & Church Records

Orange Co. CA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Orange Co. CA General and History Websites

Orange Co. CA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Orange Co. CA Military Records