Santa Cruz County is one of the original 27 countiesCreated on February 18, 1850 and later gained no territory. Territory which at one time was in Santa Cruz County is now in San Mateo County. The County name in the original act, was given the name of Branciforte after the Spanish pueblo founded there in 1797. Less than two months later, the name was changed to Santa Cruz. Established in 1791 and completed in 1794, the Santa Cruz Mission was destroyed by earthquake in 1857, but a smaller-scale replica was erected in 1931. Santa Cruz signifies "holy cross." The County Seat is Santa Cruz . See also County History for more historical details.
Santa Cruz County Cities Include Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Watsonville. CDPs(A census-designated place (CDP) is a type of place or area identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes)Include Amesti, Aptos, Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley, Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek, Corralitos, Day Valley, Felton, Freedom, Interlaken, Live Oak, Opal Cliffs, Rio del Mar, Soquel, Twin Lakes. Unincorporated Communities Include Bonny Doon, Brookdale, Davenport, Mount Hermon, Swanton
PLEASE READ FIRST!! 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. All Departments below can be contacted by clicking the link.NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time.
Santa Cruz County Clerk-Recorder's Officehas Birth Records from 1850, Marriage Records from 1850, Death Records from 1850 and , Land Records from 1850. Alcalde records included from 1779. See Land Records. The County Recorder-Clerk is 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.
Santa Cruz County Clerk of Superior Court has Probate Records from 1850 and Court Records from 1850. The county Superior Court clerk 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.
Some early court records from the various courts may have been sent to the California State Archives. Besides court minutes and judgements, these records include tax lists, wills, deeds, estate inventories, and marriage bonds. The California State Archives has microfilm of selected county records, 1850–1919.
Below is a list of online resources for Santa Cruz County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Santa Cruz County Court Records by clicking the link below:
California Voter Registrations, 1900-1968: This database contains indexes to voter registration lists from various counties in California from 1900-1968. Information listed in these records includes: name of voter, age, address, occupation, and political affiliation.
California Passenger and Crew Lists, 1893-1957: This database is an index to passenger and crew lists of ships and some airplanes arriving at Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Pedro, and Ventura in the U.S. state of California, between 1893 and 1957. Information contained in the index includes name of passenger, their age, gender, ethnicity, nationality or last country of permanent residence, arrival date, port of arrival, port of departure, and ship name. If a name of a friend or relative whom the passenger was going to join with, or place of nativity was provided, that information is included as well.
San Francisco Ship Passenger Lists Vol. I [1850-1864]: The volume offered here is a reprint of the first volume in a series dealing with passenger arrivals at the port of San Francisco between 1850 and 1875, though this first volume contains a selection of passenger lists extending only though 1864.
San Francisco Ship Passenger Lists Vol. II [1850-1851]: Volume II is based on completely different sources than the first volume in the series, which covered the years 1850-1864, and it encompasses an additional 16,500 passenger arrivals at San Francisco Bay during the 20-month period from April 1850 to November 1851.
San Francisco Ship Passenger Lists. Vol. III: November 7, 1851 to June 17, 1852: Volume III covers a seven-month period during which approximately 25,000 persons arrived at the port of San Francisco--nearly 50% more than the number of arrivals for the preceding 18-month period covered in Volume II. The year 1852 witnessed a surge in migration to California, and this volume reflects the initial thrust of that surge.
Click Here to Search California Birth, Marriage & Death Records! - Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information. Look also for baptism, christening, and burial records in this collection.
California Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records,
MS 5103, P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410; (916) 445-2684. They have the following records:
Birth & Death Certificates: The state of California began issuing certificates for births and Deaths in July 1905. Birth and death records for current year events and one year prior are available from the county health department; records for all years are maintained by the county recorder.
If not, you should submit your request to the County Recorder’s Office in the county where the birth or death took place or order the birth / death certificate online through VitalChek.
Cost: $14.00 per birth certificate & $12.00 per death certificate.
Processing Time: 12-14 weeks when ordered by mail (Application for Birth or Death Certificate) or 2-5 Days when you order online
Marriage Certificates: The state of California began issuing certificates for marriages since July 1905, except for 1987 to 1995 (The state does not have indexes for the years 1987-1995 so you must request these from the county). Certified copies of public marriage records are available from both the California Office of Vital Records and the County Recorder’s Office in the county where the public marriage license was issued. However, the Office of Vital Records is limited in its ability to search the records, and it can take up to 2-3 years to obtain a certified copy from thier office. Therefore, we recommend that certified copies of public marriage records be requested directly from the County Recorder’s Office or online.
Cost: $13.00 per certificate.
Processing Time: 2-3 years when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order online
Divorce Certificates: Certified copies are not available from State Health Department. Certified copies of actual divorce decrees are only available from the Superior Court in the county where the divorce was filed. The Office of Vital Records issues a Certificate of Record that includes only the names of the parties to the divorce, the county where the divorce was filed, and the court case number – it is not a certified copy of the divorce decree and does not indicate whether the divorce was ever finalized in court. The Office of Vital Records only has information for divorces that were filed with the court between 1962 and June 1984, and our processing times can take up to 2-3 years or Online with VitalChek.
Cost: $12.00 per certificate. Fee is for search and identification of county where certified copy can be obtained.
Processing Time: 2-3 years when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order online
PLEASE READ!! A certified copy fee must accompany all requests for copies of vital records. Requests received without the appropriate fee will be returned to the sender. Make your check or money order payable to the Office of Vital Records. Checks must be drawn on a United States bank. Money orders must be drawn on a United States bank or issued by the United States Postal Service. Do not send cash. If no record is found, they will issue a Certificate of No Public Record and retain the fee for the search according to State law. Before submitting your application to the Office of Vital Records, please view the processing times to make sure they are acceptable for your needs.
Order On-Line: To obtain a certified copy of a vital record by on-line purchase with a credit card, please link to VitalChek
Below is a list of online resources for Santa Cruz County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Santa Cruz County Vital Records by clicking the link below:
California Birth Index, 1905-1995: This database is an index to over 24.5 million births occurring in California between 1905 and 1995.
California Death Index, 1940-1997: his database is an index to the death records in State of California, USA, from 1940 through 1997. The database provides such valuable information as first, last and middle names of the descendants, birth dates, mother's maiden name, father's last name, sex, birth place, death place, residence at time of death, death date, social security number (when available), and the age of the individual when they died.
California Divorce Index, 1966-1984: This database is an index to over 3.5 million divorces that were filed in California (U.S.A.) from 1966-1984. Information that may be found in this database includes spouses' names, divorce date, and divorce county or city.
California Marriage Index, 1960-1985: This database contains a statewide index to over 4.8 million marriages that were performed in California between 1960 and 1985. Information that may be found in this database includes the bride's and groom's names, their ages, the marriage county, and the marriage date.
California Marriages, 1850-1877: This database contains information on individuals who were married in select areas of California between 1850 and 1960. Note that not all counties are included in this index and within the counties that are included not all years within the date range...
Below is a list of online resources for Santa Cruz County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Santa Cruz County Census Records by clicking the link below:
California Census, 1790-1890: This collection contains the following indexes: 1790 Census Substitute; 1850 Federal Census Index; 1860 Federal Census Index; 1870 Federal Census Index (excluding San Francisco County); 1870 San Francisco County Census Index; 1834 Census Index of Santa Barbara; 1890 Veterans Schedule; 1890 Naval Veterans Schedule.
California Antique Maps & Atlases has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for California and other states.
You can view rotating animated maps for California showing all the county boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps
You can view rotating animated maps for California showing all the county boundary changes for each year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries . You can view a list of maps for other states and State Department of Transportation Maps at County Maps.
Below is a list of online resources for Santa Cruz County Maps. Email us with websites containing Santa Cruz County Maps by clicking the link below:
Click Here to Search California Military Records! - Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.
The uses and value of military records in genealogical research for ancestors who were veterans are obvious, but military records can also be important to re-searchers whose direct ancestors were not soldiers in any war. The fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and other close relatives of an ancestor may have served in a war, and their service or pension records could contain information that will assist in further identifying the family of primary interest. Due to the amount of genealogical information contained in some military pension files, they should never be overlooked during the research process. Those records not containing specific genealogical information are of historic value and should be included in any overall research design. A list of Wars fought on American.
Below is a list of online resources for Santa Cruz County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Santa Cruz County Military Records by clicking the link below:
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service Assessment List for California, 1862–66, is available on thirty-three microfilm rolls at the California State Library in Sacramento. The lists include names, location and description of business, and tax rate for individuals taxed.
Similar to tax records in their yearly listing of residents are the “Great Register” of California, which are miscellaneous county voting registers that exist from the mid-nineteenth century. The registers were compiled and printed about every two years. Before 1900, they show name, address, and age (but the age may remain the same after a man's first entry). From about the mid-1800s, physical descriptions are included, but after the 1898 register, only the name, address, party affiliation, and sometimes occupation are listed.
Before 1892, the lists are county-wide, but usually alphabetical only by first letter or surname. They are particularly valuable for foreign-born voters, as the date and court of naturalization are listed. Copies of the "Great Registers," (1866–1944) are at the California State Library, which also has alphabetical card file abstracts for some of the earlier registers for San Francisco. Records from 1946 are with the individual county registrars of voters.
Below is a list of online resources for Santa Cruz County Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Santa Cruz County Tax Records by clicking the link below:
The Repositories
in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical
and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical
Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly,
quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies
should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are
usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived
materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be
more generalized and over look the smaller details that local
societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to
look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy
section and may have some resources that are not located at
archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums
in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years
gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All
these places are vitally important to the family genealogist
and must not be passed over.
Below is a list of online resources for Santa Cruz County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Santa Cruz County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:
The California Historical Society, 678 Mission Street, San Francisco, California 94105; 415-357-1848 — voice; 415-357-1850 — fax; info@calhist.org — e-mail
California State Genealogical Alliance, 19765 Grand Avenue, Lake Elsinore, CA 92330
One way to access many local and county genealogical and historical societies is through the Alliance, which publishes its own newsletter.
California State Archives, Office of Secretary of State, 1020 O Street, Room 130, Sacramento, CA 95814; Reference Desk: (916) 653-2246; General Information: (916) 653-7715; FAX: (916) 653-7363; E-Mail:ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov
California Newspapers & Periodicals Records - Newspapers and periodicals are the diaries of local communities. They are excellent sources of family history details - often recorded nowhere else. Look for obituaries, marriages, legal notices, and more found in our Historical Newspaper Archives.
Click Here to Search California Obituary Records! - This database is a compilation of obituaries published in U.S. newspapers, collected from various online sources. Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.
There are no centralized repositories dealing with church records in California. Scattered records can be found in genealogical publications, the DAR compilations, and on microfilm. The Spanish missions have played a central role in California's religious history.
Printed secondary sources of transcribed cemeteries exist for most California counties. The California State Society of the DAR has collected hundreds of such records. Transcripts are housed both at the national DAR and with some local chapters and libraries.
Below is a list of online resources for Santa Cruz County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Santa Cruz County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:
Click Here to Search Califonia Family Tree Records! - The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.
When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Santa Cruz County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Santa Cruz County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:
Genealogy Encyclopedia: General Abbreviations, Early Illnesses, Nickname Meanings, Worldwide Epidemics, Early Occupations, Common Terms, Censuses Explained, Free Genealogical Forms
Nichols and Related Families of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virgina.
California Family & Local History Records - The Family & Local Histories Collection lets you read journals, memoirs, and other first-hand historical narratives right on your computer. Gathered from some of the world's finest libraries, these materials may provide hard-to-find town, county, and state information; tax records and wills; military, church, and court records; as well as photographs, stories, and maps.
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.
This much-admired brick, Romanesque Revival courthouse was rebuilt after the Great Earthquake of 1906 and served the county until 1967, when court offices moved to a new location. The building was remodeled and opened in 1972 as the Cooper House, a mix of offices and retail businesses. It was later demolished after sustaining serious damage in the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989
n 1769 the Spanish explorer Don Gaspar de Portola discovered the land area which is now known as the City of Santa Cruz. When he came upon the beautiful flowing river, he named it San Lorenzo in honor of Saint Lawrence. He called the rolling hills above the river Santa Cruz, which means holy cross.
Twenty-two years later, in 1791, Father Fermin de Lasuen established a mission at Santa Cruz, the twelfth mission to be founded in California. Across the San Lorenzo River, in what is now known as East Santa Cruz, Villa de Branciforte was established It was founded by the Spanish as one of three civil settlements or pueblos in California. The other pueblos were San Jose and Los Angeles. Villa de Branciforte later merged with the Mission Santa Cruz community across the river.
By the 1820's Mexico had assumed control of the area and within the next twenty years, Americans began to arrive in great numbers. California became a state in 1849, and Santa Cruz County was created in 1850 as one of the twenty-seven original counties.
By the turn of the century logging, lime processing, agriculture, and commercial fishing industries prospered in the area. Due to its mild climate and scenic beauty Santa Cruz also became a prominent resort community.
LighthouseSanta Cruz was incorporated in 1866 as a town under the laws of the State of California and received its first charter as a city in 1876. At that lime the city was governed by a Mayor and Common Council consisting of fourmembers.
In 1907, the citizens voted for a new charter designating a Mayor as chief executive and a City Council consisting of seven members. Subsequent charters gave a Mayor and four Commissioners both executive and administrative powers. At that time the city was divided into five departments: Public Affairs, Revenue and Finance, Public Health and Safety, Public Works, and Streets and Parks.
The Casino In 1948, the City of Santa Cruz adopted a new City Charter. This charter established a Council-Manager form of government, with a Mayor and six Councilmembers setting policy for the city and a city manager serving as the chief administrator of those policies. The Charter, with amendments, is still in existence today.
CHAPTER I. - THE EARLY HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY - Possible Origin of the Aztec Civilization—First Discovery of the Bay of Monterey—Reference to Father Crespi's Diary of the First Journey of Europeans in California—Arrival of Father Junipero Serra, Rediscovery of the Bay of Monterey, and Establishment of San Carlos Mission—Founding of the Santa Cruz Mission—Mission Life as Told by the Records--Secularization and Decay of the Missions—The Civilization Established by the Franciscans Contrasted with the Civilization of the Puritans—Is It a Survival of the Fittest—The Transition Period Immediately Preceding the Days of '49
CHAPTER II.- THE EARLY HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY - Chinese Vessels Seen on This Coast in 1541—Data from the "Hackluyt Society" of London—Cabrillo's and Viscaino's Voyages—How Monterey Was Named—Supposition That California Was an Island—Queer Animals Described—A Wreck off Point Reyes 1595—In 1606 the King of Spain Directed That Another Voyage Be Made to California; No Record That It Was Ever Made—Discovery of Gold in California 200 Years before the Beginning of This Century—Other Matters of Interest in the Decree of 1606---The Portola Overland Expedition of 1796—Translation of Father Crespi's Diary of the Trip through What Is Now Santa Cruz County—They Mire in the Swamps of Castroville—Discovery and Naming of the Pajaro River—First Discovery of California Redwood—They Cross Aptos and Soquel Creeks—They Cross and Name the Lorenzo River, and Camp Where Santa Cruz Now Stands—Description of Their Journey Northward—The Expedition Discovers the Bay of San Francisco—They Return and Again Pass the Bay of Monterey without Recognizing It—Government Orders for the Establishment of Branciforte—The Place Is Named after the Viceroy of Spain—Population of Branciforte in 1835.
CHAPTER III.- NARRATIVE OF A MISSION INDIAN, ETC - Born and Educated in the Mission—A Member of the Choir—How They Worked—Indian Tribes and Indian Terms—Reminiscences—A Chapter from the Work of Perouse—Description of the Country and Mission San Carlos—Natural History of the Country—Pious Conduct of the Monks—Description of the Indians and Their Habits—Religious Belief of the Aborigines
CHAPTER IV. - RECOLLECTIONS OF FORTY YEARS IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY - Population of the Country in 1850—Characteristics of the Natives—Lumber at $200 a M and Potatoes at Sixteen Cents a Pound—Social, Political, and Religious Customs, etc.—The Growth and Progress of the County in 1860—Land Titles—Improvements and Manufacturing—Condition of the Public Buildings—Paper Mills, Powder Mills, and Tanneries—Railroads—Santa Cruz County Loses a Part of Her Territory—Population of the County in 1870—Watsonville Thrives—The Public Schools Then and Now—Growth of the County Since 1880—The Pioneers and the Romans—The Gilt Rubbed off Bret Harte's Romances—The Days of Old, the Days of Gold, the Days of '49
CHAPTER V.- REMINISCENCES, ANECDOTE, AND INCIDENT - Tales from the Alcalde's Record—Humorous Incidents in Judge Gaffey's Court—Judge Watson Successfully Defends a Horse Thief—Some of Wm. F. White's Anecdotes—Johnnie James and "Old Potter"—An Early Game of Monte—Felipe Gonzales and the "Path Finder"—One Night in a Barroom—Some First Events—The First Poll List—Officers of Santa Cruz County from 1850 to 1891—Nomenclature of the County—A Rodeo—Relic of Early Days—Journalism in Santa Cruz County
CHAPTER VI. - GEOLOGY OR THE ANCIENT HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ - Leaves of the Ancient Book: Granite, Metamorphic, Limestone, Sandstone, Shale, Conglomerate or Drift; Description of Each—How and Where to Study Them—The Ice Age—Ancient Relics—"Speak to the Earth and It Shall Teach Thee"
CHAPTER VII.- THE GARDENS OF THE SEASHORE - Organic Forms, and the Beginnings of Life in the Sea—The Cell, and Forms of Plants—Their Ancient Existence in the Older Rocks—Their Modes of Growth—The Profusion of Life in the Sea in Early Times—Transformations and Minds of Plant Life—System, Beauty, and Poetry of Nature—How to Become Acquainted with the Things That Grow in These Gardens—Where and When to Find Them—Description of Algae—Origin of the Word—The Four Groups of Algae, and Where They Grow—Classification and Description of Some of the More Common Kinds under Each Group or Genus—A Five O'clock Morning Visit to One of These Gardens at Low Tide —How and When and Where to Enjoy Such a Visit to the Gardens and That Wonderful and Ancient Gardener Nerus
CHAPTER VIII. - THE FISHES OF MONTEREY BAY - Some of the More Important Fishes Used as Food—The Great Number and Variety—Physical Character of this Bay —Elements for Sustaining a Large Number of Fish and Other Animals—A List of Names with Notes
CHAPTER XII. - OUR FEATHERED SONGSTERS - Bird Language—The Shooting of Birds—Want of Attention to Their Notes and Language—Law for Their Protection—Selection of a Bird Choir—Some of the Most Noted Singers—Their Common Names, with Reference by Number to McGregor and Fiske's List
CHAPTER XIII. - GENERAL DESCRIPTION - Geography and Topography of Santa Cruz County—The City of Santa Cruz—Its Leading Enterprises—Capitola‑--The Big Basin—Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek, and Felton—Big Trees, Highland, and Skyland—Soquel—Aptos—Twin Lakes—Pajaro Valley—Watsonville—Camp Goodall—Wild Flowers—Railroads of the County
CHAPTER XIV. - GENERAL DESCRIPTION - Agriculture - Viticulture - Santa Cruz Mountain Winery - Ben Lomond Wine Company - Union Vineyard - Horticulture - Olives in Santa Cruz County - Lake Farm - The Owen Cherry Orchard - Hops - D. D. Wilder's Dairy - Stock Raising - The Thompson Stock Ranch - Manufacturing - Loma Prieta Lumber Co. - The Aptos Mill - White & De Hart's Mill - Grover & Co. - Cunningham & Co. - Santa Cruz Lumber Co. - Western Beet Sugar Co. - South Coast Paper Mill - The Corralitos Paper Mill
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