Madera County, California Genealogy
Guide to Madera County, California ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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County Information
Description
Madera County was created 16 May 1893[1] and was named for the town of Madera (Madera is the Spanish term for wood), named when the California Lumber Company built a log flume to carry lumber to the railroad there in 1876.[2] Its county seat is Madera. It is located in the central area of the state.[3]
County Courthouse
Madera County Courthouse
200 South G Street
Madera, CA 93637
Phone: 559-416-5599
Madera County Website
County Clerk has birth, marriage, death, divorce, probate court and land records from 1893 and some voting records.[4]
Madera County, California Record Dates
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1893 | 1893 | 1893 | 1893 | 1893 | 1893 | 1850 |
Record Loss
For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see:
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Boundary Changes
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Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[7]
| Cities | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| American Indian Communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
- Index to Madera County Biographies - Scroll down to "Biographies" (CAGenWeb Project)
- Madera County Biographies (USGenWeb Archives)
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
Census Records
For online censuses (state and federal) and for more information, see California Census.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1900 | 6,364 | — |
| 1910 | 8,368 | 31.5% |
| 1920 | 12,203 | 45.8% |
| 1930 | 17,164 | 40.7% |
| 1940 | 23,314 | 35.8% |
| 1950 | 36,964 | 58.5% |
| 1960 | 40,468 | 9.5% |
| 1970 | 41,519 | 2.6% |
| 1980 | 63,116 | 52.0% |
| 1990 | 88,090 | 39.6% |
| 2000 | 123,109 | 39.8% |
| 2010 | 150,865 | 22.5% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
- Madera County Census Records - Scroll down to "Census Records."
Church Records
Church records vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. Usually listed on the town level, they may contain ages, dates (baptism, christening, birth, marriage, death), maiden names, and more. See also California Church Records.
- 1864-1985 California, Church Records, 1864-1985 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
List of Churches and Church Parishes
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Court Records
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
Funeral Homes
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Genealogies
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
Land and property records provide exact location of land, often reveal family relationships, and give names of witnesses and neighbors. They include deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents. See California Land and Property for online resources, including early land grants.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- Madera County Index to Federal Land Patents (USGenWeb Archives)
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Madera County. Histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see California Local Histories.
- Madera County History (CAGenWeb Project)
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- Maps of California (1850-1925)
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration
- 1906-1935 California, Pioneer Migration Index, Compiled 1906-1935 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Military Records
- Madera County War Memorial (CAGenWeb Project)
World War I
- 1914-1918 California, Geographical and Name Index of Californians who served in WWI, 1914-1918 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
World War II
- Madera County Surname Index to World War II Army Inductees (USGenWeb Archives)
- Madera County World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing (Genealogy Trails)
Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- Madera County Naturalizations - Declarations of Intent (CAGenWeb Project)
- Madera County Naturalizations - Petitions for Citizenship (CAGenWeb Project)
Newspapers
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
- California Digital Newspaper Collection at UCR Center for Bibliographical Studies and Research
- California, U.S., Newspapers.com Stories and Events Index at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Obituaries
- Index to Madera County Obituaries (Genealogy Trails)
- Madera County Obituaries (USGenWeb Archives)
Other Records
Voting Records
- 1866-1898 California, U.S., Voter Registers, 1866-1898 at Ancestry - index ($)
- 1866-1910 California, Great Registers, 1866-1910 at MyHeritage - index($)
- 1871, 1872, 1880, 1894, 1900, 1898, 1920 Great Registers of Voters for Madera County - Scroll down to "Great Registers of Voters." (CAGenWeb Project)
Periodicals
Probate Records
Probate records include wills, fee books, claim registers, legacy records, inheritance records, probate ticklers, and dockets. They may give the decedent's date of death, names and residences of spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, and others. For online records and more information, see California Probate Records.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1782-1999 California Wills and Probate Records 1782-1999 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch — How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
California tax records complement land records and can supplement the years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years in the tax records of some counties. For more information, see California Taxation.
Vital Records
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. The state has records since July 1905, although county records may start earlier. See California Vital Records for more information.
- 1800-1994 California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Birth
- 1812-1988 California Births and Christenings, 1812-1988 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1878-1905 Madera County Births (CAGenWeb Project)
- 1905-1995 California Birth Index, 1905-1995 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at: MyHeritage($)
- 1905-1915 Madera County Births (CAGenWeb Project)
Marriage
- 1800-2007 California, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index ($)
- 1850-1945 California Marriages, 1850-1945 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1850-1952 California, County Marriages, 1850-1952 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images. Also at: MyHeritage($)
- 1855-1897 [https://cagenweb.org/madera/FresnoMarriages1855.htm Fresno County Index to Marriage Licenses, Vol. 1, 1855-1897
- 1893-1905 Madera Marriages (CAGenWeb Project)
- 1960-1985 California Marriage Index, 1960-1985 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at: MyHeritage($)
- Western States Marriage Index at BYU-Idaho
Death
- 1776-2000 California Deaths and Burials, 1776-2000 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1850 1850 Mariposa County, California Mortality Schedule (Includes Madera County) (CAGenWeb Project)
- 1892-1905 Madera County, CA Record of Deaths (CAGenWeb Project)
- 1905-1939 California Death Index, 1905-1939 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1912-1913 Jay Chapel Funerals - Small Cemeteries (CAGenWeb Project)
- 1940-1997 California Death Index, 1940-1997 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at: MyHeritage($)
Divorce
- 1966-1984 California Divorce Index, 1966-1984 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Madera County. For state-wide facilities, see California Archives and Libraries.
FamilySearch Centers
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Fresno California East FamilySearch Center
- Fresno California FamilySearch Center
- Fresno California West FamilySearch Center
- Madera California FamilySearch Center
- Oakhurst California FamilySearch Center
- Fresno County Public Library - an affiliate library
- Madera County Library - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Madera County. For state-wide library facilities, see California Archives and Libraries.
Madera County Library
121 N. G Street
Madera, CA 93637
Phone: 559-675-7871
Website
Multiple branches
Museums
Societies
Listed below are societies in Madera County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see California Societies.
Madera County Historical Society
P.O. Box 478
210 West Yosemite Avenue
Madera, CA
Phone: 559-673-0291
Madera Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 495
Madera, CA 93639
Phone: 559-673-0291
Website
Coarsegold Historical Society
P.O. Box 117
Coarsegold, CA 93614
Phone: 559-642-4448
Websites
- Madera County CAGenWeb
- USGenWeb Archives
- Madera County, California Genealogy Trails
- Madera County, CA Genealogy
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides
- Madera Research Guide at California State Library
References
- ↑ Individual County Chronologies, https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/CA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm
- ↑ Genealogy Trails History Group, “Madera County, California Genealogy and History”, http://genealogytrails.com/cal/madera/#.WQtU0DEzqM8 05/04/2017.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Madera County, California," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Madera_County,_California&oldid=1194046686 (accessed January 22, 2024).
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Madera County, California. Page 85 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Madera County, California. Page 84-88 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 81-83.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002).At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Madera County, California," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madera_County,_California#Communities, accessed 16 September 2019.