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Genealogy Toolkit: Research Resources
(Part of the U.S. GenWeb Project and the California GenWeb Project)
This page is established to provide information on how & where to find certain resources for your genealogical hunt. Though intended to be Contra Costa County specific, often you will want to consult state-wide sources. Many of these are discussed in the NorCal Genealogy Index, an indispensable resource for California genealogical searchers.
(This page will continue grow as more source information becomes available. We invite you to contribute both questions and answers)
Cemeteries
A listing of cemeteries in the county and links to some cemetery indices are available.
Naturalization
For a general view of Naturalization documents, be sure to check the section on Naturalization Documents in the NorCal Genealogy Index.Original naturalization documents for Contra Costa County covering the period 1852 to 1988 are held by the Contra Costa County Historical Society at The History Center. They have never been microfilmed or made available through any known database source. In most cases the file for an individual consists of the DECLARATION OF INTENT, APPLICATION FOR NATURALIZATION and the DECREE.
The History Center will take e-mail and give you a copy of whatever is in the case file. They will even include a copy of any "pretty" certificates on framable paper, full size and mailed flat so that the copy may be framed.
The fee for this service is $10.00, including regular postage. (Speedier delivery can be negotiated for an extra charge).
You can contact the research desk directly at:
The History Center ATTN: Susan
610 Main Street
Martinez, CA 94553-1129
Phone: [925] 229-1042 FAX [925] 229-1772
e-mail: cchistry@ix.netcom.com
Visit their website: http://cocohistory.comThe above information was taken from an e-mail announcement by the History Center, you should contact them directly to confirm the extent of research service and prices.
Vital Records
Vital records are those covering births and deaths (and sometimes marriage).
Be sure to check the NorCal index on Vital Records for California sources.A transcription of the California Death Index (CADI) covering the years 1940 - 1995 can be found on-line at http://userdb.rootsweb.com/ca/death/search.cgi.
It is important to remember that this is a transcription of an index and is therefore prone to error and omission. There is no substitute for getting a copy of the death certificate itself. Information on obtaining death certificates from Contra Costa County can be found at: http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/depart/elect/clerk/vitalinfo.html
Vital and other records (including some marriage indices) can be browsed at Vital Search http://www.vitalsearch-ca.com
Obituaries & Death Notices
You may request obituaries & death notices from the Contra Costa library via phone or email. Details on their genealogy resources page.
Images from around Contra Costa County County are available at the "Penny Post Cards" site on the Rootsweb/Genweb site
This page was last modified on 18 February 2007.
C. 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003; 2005, 2007
Although believed to be correct as presented, if you note any corrections, changes, additions, or find that any links provided on this page are not functioning properly please contact the Webmaven for prompt attention to the matter.