The California USGenWeb ProjectThe California USGenWeb Project
If you have information on Tulare County families I am starting, on a test basis, a Family Group Sheet database to which you can contribute in hopes of preserving information on Tulare County families. I would prefer computer generated group sheets which are footnoted or cited to the applicable source information. I will obviously accept non-computer generated sheets, i.e. hand written or typed, but prefer those which come from a computer for clarity and ease of use.
In addition I would like to create a GEDCOM database of the information. Therefore if you have the family's information in a software program which can generate a GEDCOM file please send that as well. If you desire to have the disk sent back to you must also include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The hope is to import the information into the Ultimate Family Tree Software Program (so if you use that program a copy of the "Project File" would be best for merger purposes) to create a useable database of the family group sheet information. Likewise, I have a copy of Family Tree Maker and can therefore accept files in that format as well.
The county, with vast mountain masses covering nearly half of its area on the eastern side and the balance of its expanse a level and remarkably fertile plain, originally extended from Mariposa County, on the north, to the Los Angeles County line, on the south, and from the summit of the Coast Range Mountains, on the west, to the summit of the Sierra Nevadas on the east.
Created on July 10, 1852 at the same time Siskiyou and Sierra counties were designated, the large area was maintained until 1856, when Fresno County was created from territory taken from Tulare, Mariposa and Merced counties. In 1861 part of the eastern territory was cut off and joined with parts of Fresno, Mariposa and Calaveras in forming Mono County. Kern County, cut from the southern part of Tulare, was originated as Buena Vista County in 1855, but was not officially termed Kern until 1866. All that portion of Tulare lying east of the Sierras, with a portion of Mono, was set apart for Coso County in 1864, the name being changed to Inyo County in 1866. In 1872 the southern boundaries of Tulare and Inyo were changed by placing them on the sixth standard parallel south of Mount Diablo, thus drawing a direct line across the state, which still forms the northern boundary of San Luis Obispo, Kern and San Bernardino counties. In 1874 the Fresno-Tulare line was re-formed, placing the boundary along township and section lines rather than along the mountain ridges as theretofore. In 1875-76 another slight change in the Fresno-Tulare line was made, returning to Fresno five square townships, this boundary continuing to the present time. In 1893 Kings County was created from the western part of Tulare.
Within the confines of Tulare County are now 4,935 square miles, or 3,158,400 acres. Were the state of Connecticut lifted bodily from the Atlantic Seaboard and transported westward, it could be set down in California, but it would not quite succeed in covering Tulare County.
The county has an interesting historical aura which dates back to 1770. The first Americans to visit the valley came after 1800. The settling of the country about Visalia, the creation of the county, the struggles of the early settlers, the wars with the Indians, and the growth and development of the country present an interesting story which can be found in a number of the published histories for the county.
The library boasts about 6,000 books, 5,500 microfilms, 18,000 microfiche, and 70 CDs. Over half of the microfilm collection is the Genealogy and Local History Collection of Microfilm Corp. of America, mostly for New England. In addition, the library has recently acquired the 16-volume set of the Confederate Compiled Service Records Index called The Roster of Confederate Soldiers 1861-1865, edited by James B. Hewlett. It also houses the PERSI Index on CD-ROM.
Every month, the library adds a number of new acquisitions. These are paid for by SGS, the Tulare City Library, various patrons, SGS's Committee of Fifty, and patrons using SGS's Co-op Program. Committee of Fifty members donate a specific amount of money monthly. Under the Co-op Program, patrons share acquisition costs with SGS.
The society's Newsletter is printed nine times a year with a current circulation of 300. It lists genealogical events, library acquisitions, and genealogical data, mostly local. The Newsletter is exchanged with other newsletters which are available in our library.
SGS meetings are lively and interesting. They are held the first Thursday of March through November, inclusive, at Tulare City Library's Centennial Room at 7:00 p.m. In addition to regular meetings, classes, seminars, special interest groups and fairs are offered from time to time. Typically one meeting each year is held at a member's house for a potluck, check at the library for details.
The Sequoia Genealogical Society invites you to become a member. Your membership will help support the organization, entitle you to a year's subscription to the newsletter, and make you eligible for generous discounts at SGS's genealogy classes and seminars.
Memberships, which include a subscription to a newsletter and discounts on classes and other activities, are as follows: single, $20; couple, $22; and life memberships, $200. All memberships cover the period of June 1 to May 31. Memberships starting in mid-year (December 1 to May 1) are at half the annual rate.
The library is located at 113 North "F" Street, Tulare, CA 93274. Phone (559) 685-2342. Library hours are as follows:
Monday: Entire Library closed
Tuesday: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday: Entire Library closed
The Genealogy Room at the library will be closed for the holidays between December 26th and 30th.
Research services are available at the following rates:
Photocopies: $.20 per copy
Newspaper Articles: $3.50 per article plus copies plus postage
Research: $10.00 plus copies plus postage
Obituaries: $3.50 per obituary (give date of death or publication)
Make all checks payable to the Sequoia Genealogical Society
P. O. Box 820
Tulare, CA 93275
You can contact the Society here.
Steve Williams/ 2222 West Main Street, Visalia, California 93291/ Steve Williams