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San Mateo County, California
Genealogy, History & Facts

San Mateo County, California Facts

When was San Mateo County, CA Created?
San Mateo County was established on April 19, 1856 from the southern portion of San Francisco County . This county bears the Spanish name for Saint Matthew. As a place name, St. Matthew appears as early as 1776, and the arroyo, the point and the settlement at the unofficial San Mateo Mission are all so designated on the early maps. Until about 1850, the name appeared as San Matheo. .

What is the County Seat of San Mateo County, CA?
The County Seat is located in Redwood City also, the county government website is www.co.sanmateo.ca.us

What counties are adjacent to San Mateo County, CA?
Bordering Counties are San Francisco CountyAlameda CountySanta Clara CountySanta Cruz County

San Mateo County, CA Vital Records

Where can find San Mateo County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
San Mateo 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 San Mateo 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, 225 West 37th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403; Office (650) 573-2395

San Mateo County, CA Census Records


What San Mateo County, CA census records are available?
There are many types of census records for San Mateo County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 186018701880 (free index)1890 (fragment)19001910192019301940.

San Mateo Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1860, 1870 and 1880. San Mateo Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1860, 1870 and 1880. San Mateo 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.

San Mateo County, CA Courthouse and Government Records

San Mateo County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the San Mateo County Courthouse?

Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of San Mateo 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 San Mateo 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.

San Mateo County, CA Societies and Family History Resources

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

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

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

San Mateo Co. CA Books, Newspapers & Publications

San Mateo Co. CA Cemeteries & Church Records

San Mateo Co. CA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

San Mateo Co. CA General and History Websites

San Mateo Co. CA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

San Mateo Co. CA Military Records