Lake County, California

Vital Records


and Other Information Sources

Lake County Records

(The original courthouse burned February 15, 1867, taking all of the records with it)



  • Birth, Death & Marriage Index record books are no longer available for the public to look at, because of

    California law SB1614.
  • With this new law, the rules have changed about getting copies of vital records.
    There is SOME information available from Indexes that were transcribed by members of the Genealogy
    Society several years ago.

    Please understand that it was not REQUIRED for Births, Deaths and Marriages to be recorded in California until about 1905. And many (before 1900) were not recorded, especially births and deaths.


  • To order vital records from the State

    Marjorie Ingebretsen compiled the Index of Births, Marriages and Deaths from Lake County Newspapers of 1863 to 1949.
    As she compiled the Index, she filled out cards on each person, and is willing to do look-ups for pertinent information within these dates. (she doesn't live in Lake County, so don't ask for anything after 1949) (Please realize that not all of the early newspapers were available, so the date you need may not be there.) There are a few other newspapers that were in business for a few years at various times. She didn't have access to some of them. (If she can't help you, contact Kathi Alvey, or Anita Crabtree, to see if they have anything in the other Indexes.)
    E-mail her by clicking on her name above, or her mailing address is 3355 N. Delta Highway, #137, Eugene, OR 97408. Please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you request information by mail.



    To get copies of Birth, Marriage and Death certificates, contact:

  • Lake County Recorder
    255 N. Forbes St.
    Lakeport, CA 95453
    (707)263-2293

  • They do not take orders over the phone; they do not handle credit cards.
  • They WILL NOT tell you whether a record exists before you commit money. You have to send the check and if they do not have the certificate they keep the check because they say by law they can keep all money sent to them.
  • COSTS:
    Marriage records & Death Certificates 13.00
    Birth certificates $15.00
    HOWEVER, there are many regulations about obtaining Birth records; you should CALL them first to learn what is required

    • Courthouse Records include:

    Deeds: grantor/grantee
    Birth records
    Patents & Homesteads
    Probate records
    Death records
    Marriage Records



    LAKE COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

    MUSEUMS

  • Lake County Historic Courthouse Museum
    255 North Main St.
    Lakeport, CA 95453
    (707)263-4555
    Fax-(707)263-7918
    E-mail

    Curator - Linda Lake


    The County Museum at Lakeport has copies of many of the older county records.  Unfortunately, most are NOT indexed, and they don't have the personnel to do the lengthy search. These books are more for you to search personally.

    LAKE COUNTY MUSEUM RESOURCES:

    Marriage Application Book 1896 - 1935 (Indexed)
    Great Registers - 1867 (Indexed)
    Will Index
    Naturalizations - 1881 on
    Old Maps
    1881 Tax Assessments (Indexed)
    Coroner's Book
    Miscellaneous Minutes Books
    Cattle Brands
    Mauldin Lake Co. History Collection
    Superior Court Judgements
    Jail Records
    Hunting Licenses
    Medical Certificates
    Attorney's Book
    Kelseyville Land Claimants

      IMPORTANT!!


    Be sure to check with the Museum in advance if you plan to visit to do research. They don't always have staff on duty that is knowledgable about county research.


  • Lower Lake Historical Schoolhouse Museum
    16435 Morgan Valley Road
    Lower Lake, CA 95457
    (707)995-3565
    FAX (707) 995-2618
    E-mail

    Curator - Linda Lake

  • Old Stone House Museum

    Also, at the southern end of Hidden Valley (near Middletown) is the Old Stone House Museum, originally built in 1854. It is a California Historical Landmark and the Stone House Historical Society welcomes visitors. Call for an appointment. (707) 987-3138

  • Lake County Library
    1425 N. High Street
    Lakeport, CA 95453

    (707) 263-8817

    Located at the Main Library in Lakeport, are microlfims of nearly all of the newspapers published in the county since the late 1800s, although there are some of the older issues missing. An index of people named in the newspapers for Births, Deaths and Marriages is available at the Library and at the Genealogy Society, also.



  • OTHER SOURCES -

  • History of Napa and Lake Counties - 1881 Index
  • Look-Ups from Books and other resources The NORCAL Library
  • Another Look-Up Source Books We Own
  • Biographical History of Northern Calif. - 1891  Index
  • Biographical History of Northern Calif.- 1891 - Vol. 2 Index
  • History of Mendoncino & Lake Counties - 1914 Index
  • Kelseyville Cemetery Lookups Reta
  • Lower Lake Cemetery Lookups Richard
  • Upper Lake Cemetery Lookups Anita Crabtree

    Return to Lake County Page
    Return to California USGenWeb Project Page

    E-mail Anita Crabtree Anita Crabtree
    anitajc@pacific.net
    Last Updated 04/13/2008

    Some Graphics by Debbie' Graphics Collection

    Rhio's Sampler

    © 1996-2008; This Web page is sponsored on behalf of the California portion of The USGenWeb Project by Richard S. Wilson. 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 Webmaster for prompt attention to the matter.
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