Sacramento County, California Genealogy
Guide to Sacramento 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
Sacramento County was created 18 Feb 1850 [1] and was named after the Sacramento River, which forms its western border. Its county seat is Sacramento. It is located in the central area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse
Sacramento County Courthouse
720 9th St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-874-5522
Sacramento County Website
County Clerk has divorce, probate and court records from 1880.
County Recorder has birth, marriage, death and land records[3]
Sacramento 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 |
| 1858 | 1850 | 1850 | 1880 | 1848 | 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 | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
- Sacramento County Biographies (Genealogy Trails)
- Surname Index to Sacramento County Biographies (USGenWeb Archives)
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
In 1864, the First Transcontinental Railroad started from Sacramento California.
American Memory has an online map showing the railroads and each railroad station and post office.
Cemeteries
- 1900-1959 California, Sacramento Cemetery Records, 1900-1959 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- California, Sacramento Burials at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
Census Records
For online censuses (state and federal) and for more information, see California Census.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1850 | 9,087 | — |
| 1860 | 24,142 | 165.7% |
| 1870 | 26,830 | 11.1% |
| 1880 | 34,390 | 28.2% |
| 1890 | 40,339 | 17.3% |
| 1900 | 45,915 | 13.8% |
| 1910 | 67,806 | 47.7% |
| 1920 | 91,029 | 34.2% |
| 1930 | 141,999 | 56.0% |
| 1940 | 170,333 | 20.0% |
| 1950 | 277,140 | 62.7% |
| 1960 | 502,778 | 81.4% |
| 1970 | 631,498 | 25.6% |
| 1980 | 783,381 | 24.1% |
| 1990 | 1,041,219 | 32.9% |
| 2000 | 1,223,499 | 17.5% |
| 2010 | 1,418,788 | 16.0% |
| 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
Sacramento County Churches Alphabetical Index lists the names of churches.After you click on a name, on the next screen, you need to click on the name again in 'Search for' in the right column.The address, phone number and a map appear.
Church histories may be on the county level. In the FamilySearch Catalog Place Search on FamilySearch, for Sacramento, California, look at the list of records for Church history. Films can be sent to FamilySearch centers. Public libraries may have copies of the books or can obtain them through Interlibrary Loan.
Ward and Branch Records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Arcade
- Carmichael
- Homestead
- Sacramento
List of Churches and Church Parishes
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Court Records
Online Court Indexes and Records
Sacamento County Court Directory gives addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers and links to the courts websites and online resources..
In the FamilySearch Catalog Place Search on FamilySearch, for Sacramento, California, look at the list of records for Court records and Court records - Indexes. Films can be sent to FamilySearch centers. Public libraries may have copies of the books or can obtain them through Interlibrary Loan.
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
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
- 1848-1924 Deed Records, 1848-1924(*); Sacramento County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1849-1910 General Index to Deeds, 1849-1910(*); Sacramento County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1849-1921 Sacramento County, California, Mortgages, 1852-1921; Index, 1849-1909(*); Sacramento County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1850 Sacramento County, California, Deed Books, 1850(*); Sacramento County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1850-1900 Assessment Rolls, 1850-1900(*); Sacramento City Assessor at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1850-1900 Assessment Rolls (Sacramento County, California), 1850-1900; Index, 1850-1900(*); Sacramento County County Assessor at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1850-1900 Recorder Map Index, 1850-1900(*); Sacramento County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1850-1900 Sacramento, Sacramento County, California, Lessee and Lessor Indexes, 1850-1900(*); Sacramento County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1851-1930 Separate Property of Married Women, and Sole Traders, 1851-1930(*); Sacramento County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1852-1883 Sacramento County, California Land Patents, v. 1, 1858-1870; Pre-emption Claims, 1852-1883(*); Sacramento County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1855-1899 Map Books, 1855-1899(*); Sacramento County County Assessor at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1860-1904 Sacramento County Recorder Cemetery Deed Indexes, 1892-1904, 1850-1860(*); Sacramento County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1860-1925 Register of Homesteads, 1860-1924; Index, 1860-1925(*); Sacramento County County Clerk at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1860-1935 Declarations of Homesteads, 1860-1894; Abandonment of Homesteads, 1860-1935(*); Sacramento County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1870-1900 County Map Books, 1870-1900(*); Sacramento County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1904-1921 Record of Deeds, 1904-1921(*); Sacramento County Recorder at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
- 1965-Current County Register for Deeds in Sacramento County
- Index to Federal Land Office Records, Sacramento County (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 Sacramento County. Histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories, see California Local Histories.
Google Books has some books about the history and people in Sacramento County, California. Try various search terms, including the names of people.Books designated with "Full view" can be read online.
In the FamilySearch Catalog Place Search on FamilySearch, for Sacramento County, California, look at the list of records for History and History - Indexes. Films can be sent to FamilySearch centers. Public libraries may have copies of the books or can obtain them through Interlibrary Loan.
- 1891 Sacramento County 1891 (USGenWeb Archives)
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- For historical maps of Sacramento County,search the following free sites: • Maps of California (1850-1925)
- Maps-Historical-Sate of California, the Carlifornia government's site. Links to American Memory (Library of Congress), California Missions, and the State Library
- Historical Maps of California
- California Maps - HSU Library, also lists and links to gazetteers
- Perry-Castaneda Map Collection for California
- For topographical maps of California mountains, rivers, etc., try the sites listed at USGS Topographic Maps of California.
- For current maps, search Google Maps or MapQuest or other map services online.
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration
Online Records
- 1906-1935 California, Pioneer Migration Index, Compiled 1906-1935 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Early migration routes to and from Sacramento 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
- 1846 Applegate Trail 1846 (avoided the Forty Mile Desert) by leaving the Humboldt River in Nevada early at present-day Rye Reservoir, Nevada and passing through the Black Rock Desert to Fandango Pass past Goose Lake on to the Lost River and eventually the Willamette Valley in Oregon.
- 1848 The Lassen Cutoff 1848 was established by gold rushers from Oregon going to California. It branched off the Applegate Trail at Davis Creek, went through Devil's Garden to the Pit River passing east of Mt. Lassen, and turning west to Lassen Rancho, California, and from there to Sacramento. In some years as much as 1/3 of emigrants mistakenly took the Applegate Trail-Lassen Cutoff, a much longer and more difficult trail than the Truckee or Carson routes.
- 1848 Carson (River) Trail 1848 (aka Mormon Emigrant Trail) crossed the Forty Mile Desert past the west side of the Carson Sink to pick up the Carson River near Fallon, Nevada up to Hope Valley and Red Lake. The Devil's Ladder then climbed 700 feet (210 m) in half a mile so ropes, chains, and pulleys were required to lift the wagons. Carson Pass was followed by the relatively easy West Pass (Kirkwood, California) and then on to Pollock Pines, Placerville, and Sutter's Fort, California
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- 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.
- 1850 Beckwourth Trail 1850 left the Truckee Trail near present-day Sparks, Nevada going to Oroville and Marysville, California
- 1850 Daggett Pass 1850 (aka Georgetown Pack Trail) Carson Valley, Nevada to Johnson's Cutoff near South Lake Tahoe, California
- 1850-1851 Johnson's Cutoff 1850-1851 (aka Placerville Route, Lake Tahoe Route and Day's Route) from Carson City, Nevada past the south end of Lake Tahoe going south and then west to Placerville, California and Sacramento
- 1851 Nobles Road 1851 from the Applegate Trail at Rabbithole Springs in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada to Shasta City, California
- 1851 Big Tree Road (Ebbetts Pass) 1851 from western Nevada to Markleeville, Murphys, Sonora, and Stockton, California
- 1852 Grizzly Flat Road 1852 an extension of Carson Trail down the middle fork of the Consumnes River to Grizzly Flat and Placerville, California
- 1852 Volcano Road 1852 from Coral Flat (Pioneer) on the Carson Trail to Volcano, California
- 1852-1854 Sonora Road 1852-1854 from the Carson Trail south to the Walker River along the base of the Sierra Nevada until it ascends to Sonora Pass and then down to Strawberry and Sonora, California
- 1854 Luther Pass Trail 1854 connected the Carson Trail and Johnson's Cutoff and allowed travelers to avoid Lake Tahoe. It became one of the routes to the Comstock Lode in Nevada
- 1869 Central Pacific Railroad since 1869 from Sacramento, California to Ogden, Utah and Omaha, Nebraska[9]
Military Records
The California State Military Museum has a great deal of historical information and links to other military websites.
Civil War
- 1883 Sacramento County – List of Pensioners on the Roll, January 1, 1883 (Genealogy Trails)
- 1886 Index to Rosters of Sacramento County G.A.R. Posts (USGenWeb Archives)
Ancestry.com has Records of California men in the War of the Rebellion, 1861 to 1867
Civil War service men in Sacramento 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 Battalion, California Native Cavalry (Union), Company A
- - 1st Battalion, California Native Cavalry (Union), Company B
- - 1st Regiment, California Cavalry (Union), Company F
- - 1st Regiment, California Infantry (Union), Company E
- - 2nd Regiment, California Cavalry (Union), Company F
- - 5th Regiment, California Infantry (Union), Company E
- - 6th Regiment, California Infantry (Union), Company D
- - 7th Regiment, California Infantry (Union) , Company I
- - 8th Regiment, California Infantry (Union), Company B
- - 8th Regiment, California Infantry (Union), Company K
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
- Index to Sacrament County World War II Army Enlistees (USGenWeb Archives)
Vietnam War
- Sacramento County Vietnam War Casualties (Genealogy Trails)
Afghanistan War
- Sacramento County Casualties of the War in Afghanistan (Genealogy Trails)
Iraq War
- Sacramento County Casualties of the War in Iraq (Genealogy Trails)
Naturalization and Citizenship
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1831-1985 California County Naturalizations, 1831-1985 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- The California State Archives has records of Sacramento County for the years 1850 to 1903.
- The FamilySearch Library also has Declarations of Intention for the years 1859 to 1906 in Sacramento County.
Newspapers
- 1800s-1999 U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index ($)
- 1848-1922 The California Digital Newspaper Collection has newspapers from 1848-1922. Search by keyword, including names, and/or by date.
- 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 ($)
Obituaries
- Sacramento County Obituary Collection (Genealogy Trails)
- Surname Index to Sacramento County Obituaries (USGenWeb Archives)
- Obituaries for Sacramento County (CAGenWeb Project)
Other Records
Voting Records
- 1866-1898 California, U.S., Voter Registers, 1866-1898 at Ancestry - index ($)
- 1866-1910 California, Great Registers, 1866-1910 at MyHeritage - index ($)
- 1866-1871 Extracts from the Sacramento records for 1866-1871 are available on the RootsWeb site, by clicking here.
California county clerks were to keep voting registers every other year from 1866 and well into the 20th century. These large books, called Great Registers, listed the men who registered to vote in that county. Besides name and age, the record may show place of birth, address, occupation, naturalization date and sometimes even a physical description.
These records are at the California State Library (1866-1944), and microfilmed copies are available through FamilySearch Centers (1866-1910). Ancestry ($) has a searchable database of Sacramento Great Registers from 1867-1898.
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 ($)
- 1833-1991 California Probate Estate Files, 1833-1991 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; 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.
In the FamilySearch Catalog Place Search on FamilySearch, for Sacramento, California, look at the list of records for Taxation. Films can be sent to FamilySearch centers.
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.
In the FamilySearch Catalog Place Search on FamilySearch, for Sacramento, California, look at the list of records for Vital records and Vital records - Indexes. Public libraries may have copies of the books or can obtain them through Interlibrary Loan.
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($)
- Sacramento County Birth Notices by year (Genealogy Trails)
The FamilySearch Catalog Place Search on FamilySearch, for Sacramento, California, look at the list of records for Vital records and Vital records - Indexes. Public libraries may have copies of the books or can obtain them through Interlibrary Loan.
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($)
- Western States Marriage Index at BYU-Idaho
The FamilySearch Catalog Place Search on FamilySearch, for Sacramento, California, look at the list of records for Vital records and Vital records - Indexes. Public libraries may have copies of the books or can obtain them through Interlibrary Loan.
Death
- 1776-2000 California Deaths and Burials, 1776-2000 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1800-1994 California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1905-1939 California Death Index, 1905-1939 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1940-1997 California Death Index, 1940-1997 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at: MyHeritage($)
- Sacramento County Death Records (Genealogy Trails)
The FamilySearch Catalog Place Search on FamilySearch, for Sacramento, California, look at the list of records for Vital records and Vital records - Indexes. Public libraries may have copies of the books or can obtain them through Interlibrary Loan.
Divorce
- 1966-1984 California Divorce Index, 1966-1984 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Sacramento County. For state-wide facilities, see California Archives and Libraries.
- Center for Sacrament History
551 Sequoia Pacific Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: (916) 808-7072
Email: csh@cityofsacramento.org
Website
Online Collections Database
- By appointment to use the records.
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
- Elk Grove California FamilySearch Center
- Lodi California FamilySearch Center
- Sacramento California FamilySearch Library
- Woodland California FamilySearch Center
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Sacramento County. For state-wide library facilities, see California Archives and Libraries.
California Genealogical Society and Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2
Oakland, CA 94612-3031
Phone: 510-663-1358
Email: Library@californiaancestors.org
Website
Golden Nugget Library
Website
Established to furnish California databases for genealogical research
Sacramento Central Library
828 "I" Street (9th & I), 2nd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Website
Houses collection donated by the Genealogical Association of Sacramento.
Museums
Societies
Listed below are societies in Sacramento County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see California Societies.
Genealogical Association of Sacramento
P.O. Box 292145
Sacramento, CA 95829-2145
Email: askus@gensac.org
Website
Association's collection now housed at the Sacramento Central Library, 828 "I" Street (9th & I), 2nd Floor, Sacramento, CA
Root Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 265
Citrus Heights, CA 95611-0265
Their library is located at the:
California State Archives
1020 O Street, 4th floor
Sacramento, CA
Website
Sacramento German Genealogy Society
P.O. Box 660061
Sacramento, CA 95866-0061
Phone: 916-717-5421
Website
Sacramento Historical Society
Mailing address:
1081 38th Street
Sacramento, CA 95816
Website
Sacramento Regional Genealogical Council
Website
Sacramento River Delta Historical Society
The Jean Harvie Community Center
14273 River Road
P.O. Box 293
Walnut Grove, CA 95690
Email: srdhshs@gmail.com
Website
Contact us
Websites
- Sacramento County CAGenWeb
- Linkpendium
- USGenWeb Archives
- Online California Death Records and Indexes links to California sites and Sacramento County sites
- Sacramento County, California Genealogy Trails
- Sacramento 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
- Sacramento Research Guide at California State Library
References
- ↑ Individual County Chronologies, https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/CA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Sacramento County, California," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sacramento_County,_California&oldid=1215738923 (accessed April 1, 2024).
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Sacramento 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), Sacramento 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, "Sacramento County, California," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento_County,_California#Communities, accessed 20 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 5 August 2011).