Nevada County, California Genealogy
Guide to Nevada 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
Nevada County was created 25 Apr 1851[1] and was named for Nevada City, which is named after the Spanish word for "snow-covered." Its county seat is Nevada City. It is located in the west-central area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse
Nevada County Courthouse
201 Church Street
Nevada City, CA 95959
Phone: 530-362-4309
Nevada County Courthouse
County Clerk has birth and death records from 1873, marriage and land records from 1856, probate and court records from 1880.[3]
Nevada 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 |
| 1873 | 1856 | 1873 | 1880 | 1856 | 1880 | 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:[6]
| Cities | ||
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| American Indian Communities | ||
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| Census-designated places | ||
| Townships | ||
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| Ghost towns | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
- Nevada County Biographies (Genealogy Trails)
- Index to Nevada County Biographies (USGenWeb Archives)
- Selected Nevada County Biographies (CAGenWeb Project)
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
Census Records
For online censuses (state and federal) and for more information, see California Census.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1860 | 16,446 | — |
| 1870 | 19,134 | 16.3% |
| 1880 | 20,823 | 8.8% |
| 1890 | 17,369 | −16.6% |
| 1900 | 17,789 | 2.4% |
| 1910 | 14,955 | −15.9% |
| 1920 | 10,850 | −27.4% |
| 1930 | 10,596 | −2.3% |
| 1940 | 19,283 | 82.0% |
| 1950 | 19,888 | 3.1% |
| 1960 | 20,911 | 5.1% |
| 1970 | 26,346 | 26.0% |
| 1980 | 51,645 | 96.0% |
| 1990 | 78,510 | 52.0% |
| 2000 | 92,033 | 17.2% |
| 2010 | 98,764 | 7.3% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
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
Ward and Branch Records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Grass Valley
List of Churches and Church Parishes
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Court Records
Directories
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
- 1856-1921 Nevada County, California, Deeds, 1856-1921; Indexes, 1856-1921(*); Nevada County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1856-1922 Alphabetical General Index to Records of Nevada County, Cal. 1856-1922(*); by Charles W. Kitts at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1856-1926 Nevada County, California, Mortgage records, 1856-1926; Index, 1856-1922(*); Nevada County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1856-1929 Nevada County, California, Leases, 1856-1929; Index, 1856-1921(*); Nevada County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1860-1929 Nevada County, California, Homesteads, 1860-1929; Index(*); Nevada County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1862-1879 Assessors Records, 1862-1879(*); Nevada County Assessor at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1866-1916 Nevada County, California, Tax Deeds, 1866-1916; Index, 1866-1911(*); Nevada County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1869-1929 Certificates of Sheriff Sales of Real Estate, 1869-1929; Index, 1869-1921(*); Nevada County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1872-1917 Nevada County, California, Water Rights, 1872-1917; Index(*); Nevada County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1875-1936 Nevada County, California State Tax Deeds, 1897-1936; Index, 1875-1913(*); Nevada County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- Alphabetical Index of Mining Claims (CAGenWeb Project)
- Original Nevada City Lot owners--1869 CAGenWeb Project)
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Nevada County. Histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see California Local Histories.
- 1867 Bean’s History and Directory of Nevada County, 1867 (USGenWeb Archives)
- 1891 Memorial And Biographical History Of Northern California (USGenWeb Archives)
- Nevada County Pioneers (CAGenWeb Project)
- Nevada County Pioneer Diaries - available at the Searls Historical Library in Nevada City. (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
Early migration routes to and from Nevada County for emigrant settlers included:[7][8]
- 1844-1869 California Trail 1844 to 1869 from western Missouri to northern California
- 1844 Truckee (River) Trail 1844 crossed the Forty Mile Desert to the Truckee River to follow it west past Reno, Nevada to Donner Pass to Emigrant Gap to Sutter's Fort (Sacramento, California). The exact route varied over the years, the most used being the Nevada City Road and Auburn Emigrant Road combination.
- 1846 Roller Pass 1846 alternate to the Truckee Trail two miles south of Donner Pass through Emigrant Gap to Placerville, California
- 1850 Nevada City Road 1850 branched off the Truckee Trail through Emigrant Gap to Nevada City, California the most important mining area 1850-1851
- 1850 Auburn Emigrant Road 1850 believed to be from Nevada City to Auburn to Sacramento, California
- 1850 Henness Pass Road 1850 branched off the Truckee Trail at Verdi, Nevada headed for Camptonville and steamboat service at Marysville, California. In 1860 it became a major route to the Comstock Lode silver mines in Nevada.
- 1866 Central Pacific Railroad reached Nevada County in 1866. Tracks completed 1869 from Ogden, Utah to Sacramento, California[9]
- 1906-1935 California, Pioneer Migration Index, Compiled 1906-1935 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Military Records
- 1883 Nevada County List of Pensioners on the Roll, January 1, 1883 (Genealogy Trails)
- Nevada County Military Records - Includes veterans of the Civil War, Draft Registration for World War I, and Army Enlistees for World War II. (USGenWeb Archives)
Civil War
Civil War service men in Nevada County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (part of a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in this county:
- - 1st Regiment, California Infantry (Union), Company G
- - 4th Regiment, California Infantry (Union), Company I
- - 5th Regiment, California Infantry (Union), Company C
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
- Nevada County World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel (Genealogy Trails)
Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- Excerpts of Naturalization Record Cards at the Searls Historical Library (CAGenWeb Project)
- 1831-1985 California County Naturalizations, 1831-1985 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Newspapers
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
- California Digital Newspaper Collection at UCR Center for Bibliographical Studies and Research
- California, U.S., Newspapers.com Stories and Events Index at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- NewspaperArchive.com ($) has a collection of digitized Reno, Nevada newspapers going back to 1870 that may include residents from Nevada County. This database is sometimes free at libraries.
Obituaries
- Index to Nevada County Obituaries (Genealogy Trails)
- Index to Nevada County Obituaries (USGenWeb Archives)
Other Records
Voting Records
- 1866-1898 California, U.S., Voter Registers, 1866-1898 at Ancestry - index ($)
- 1866-1910 California, Great Registers, 1866-1910 at MyHeritage - index($)
Periodicals
Probate Records
Probate records include wills, fee books, claim registers, legacy records, inheritance records, probate ticklers, and dockets. They may give the decedent's date of death, names and residences of spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, and others. For online records and more information, see California Probate Records.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1782-1999 California Wills and Probate Records 1782-1999 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- Index to Selected Will Books at Searls Historical Library (CAGenWeb Project)
- 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.
Birth
- 1800-1994 California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1812-1988 California Births and Christenings, 1812-1988 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1905-1995 California Birth Index, 1905-1995 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at: MyHeritage($)
- Nevada County Birth Notices (Genealogy Trails)
Marriage
- 1800-2007 California, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index ($)
- 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($)
- 1960-1985 California Marriage Index, 1960-1985 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at: MyHeritage($)
- Nevada County Marriage Notices (Genealogy Trails)
- Western States Marriage Index at BYU-Idaho
- Early Nevada County Marriage Certificates (CAGenWeb Project)
Death
- 1776-2000 California Deaths and Burials, 1776-2000 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1800-1994 California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1905-1939 California Death Index, 1905-1939 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 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 Nevada 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
- Auburn California FamilySearch Center
- Nevada City California FamilySearch Center
- Doris Foley Library for Historical Research Nevada County Library - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Nevada County. For state-wide library facilities, see California Archives and Libraries.
- Searls Historical Library
161 Nevada City Hwy
Nevada City, CA 95959
Phone: 530-265-5910
Website - Doris Foley Library for Historical Research
211 N. Pine Street
Nevada City, CA 95959
Phone: 530-265-4606
Website
Museums
Societies
Listed below are societies in Nevada County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see California Societies.
- Nevada County Genealogical Society
PO Box 176
Cedar Ridge, CA 95924
Website - Nevada County Historical Society
P.O. Box 1300
Nevada City, CA 95959
Website - Truckee-Donner Historical Society
P.O. Box 893
Truckee, CA 96160
Website
Websites
- Nevada County CAGenWeb
- USGenWeb Archives
- Nevada County, Nevada Genealogy Trails
- Linkpendium
- Nevada County CA Genealogy (ldsgenealogy.com)
- 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
References
- ↑ Individual County Chronologies, https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/CA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Nevada County, California" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevada_County,_California 05/04/2017.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Nevada County, California. Page 86 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Nevada 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, "Nevada County, California," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevada_County,_California, accessed 18 September 2019.
- ↑ National Park Service, "California Trail" (map) in California National Historic Trail at http://www.nps.gov/cali/planyourvisit/upload/CALImap1-web.pdf (accessed 5 August 2011).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "California Trail" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Trail (accessed 5 August 2012).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "First Transcontinental Railroad" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Transcontinental_Railroad (accessed 2 August 2011).