Census Records
San Mateo County was established in 1856, so the first federal census taken in San Mateo County was the 1860 census. Prior to 1856, San Francisco County encompassed what is now San Mateo County. While the 1850 federal census for San Francisco County is lost, the 1852 California State census can be used as a substitute. The 1852 census is especially valuable because it states the "previous residence" of each person.
Our resources
- Do you have records you'd like to donate to our archives? You can submit your records online. Please email us if you have questions about submitting records.
Other online resources
- 1860 Census
Full transcription at sfgenealogy.com. - 1870 Census
Full transcription at sfgenealogy.com. - 1880 Census
Full transcription at Family Search. - California Historical Counties
This is an interactive map viewer that allows you to view historical county boundaries. You can choose the date for which you want to see boundaries and overlay the modern county boundaries onto the historical boundaries. The site also provides a chronology of San Mateo County boundary changes.
Offline resources
- 1852 California State Census
This was the only census ever taken by the State of California. The original census manuscripts as well as a typescript copy and index created by the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), California Chapter, are available on microfilm at the California State Library in Sacramento and at Family History Centers. The Family History Library microfilm numbers that include San Francisco County, which included present day San Mateo County, are 909231 and 909232 (original manuscript) and 558286 (DAR typescript and index).
