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Merced 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

Merced County, California Facts

When was Merced County, CA Created?
Merced County was established on April 19, 1855 from Mariposa County. This county name derived its name from the Merced River of El Rio de Nuestra Senora de la Merced (River of Our Lady of Mercy); named in 1806 by an expedition, headed by Gabriel Moraga, which came upon it at the end of a hot dusty ride.

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

What counties are adjacent to Merced County, CA?
Bordering Counties are San Benito County, Santa Clara County, Stanislaus County, Mariposa County, Madera County, Fresno County .

Merced County, CA Vital Records

Where can find Merced County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Merced 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 Merced 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, 260 East 15th Street, Merced, CA 95341-0471; Office (209) 381-1013

Merced County, CA Census Records


What Merced County, CA census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Merced County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.

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

Merced County, CA Courthouse and Government Records

Merced County Courthouse

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

Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Merced 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 Merced 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.

Merced County, CA Societies and Family History Resources

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

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

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

Merced Co. CA Books, Newspapers & Publications

Merced Co. CA Cemeteries & Church Records

Merced 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.

Merced Co. CA General and History Websites

Merced Co. CA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Merced Co. CA Military Records