California History: Difference between revisions

''[[United States|United States]] > [[Portal:California|California]] > California History''  

== Historical Content ==

*Parents' names

*Maiden names of women

*Place of birth, death, or marriage

Some of the most valuable sources for family history research are local histories. Published histories of towns, counties, and states usually contain accounts of families. They describe the settlement of the area and the founding of churches, schools, and businesses. You can also find lists of pioneers, soldiers, and civil officials. Even if your ancestor is not listed, information on other relatives may be included that will provide important clues for locating your ancestor. A local history may also suggest other records to search. Local histories are extensively collected by the [[Family History Library|Family History Library]], public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies. Three useful guides are:

*''California Local History: A Bibliography and Union List of Library Holdings'' is a bibliography of local histories for California <ref> Margaret M. Rocq, California Local History: A Bibliography and Union List of Library Holdings, 2nd ed. (Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press, 1970; FHL book 979.4 H23r; supplement, 1961 to 1970, is 979.4 H23r Supp.; 1950 ed.  is on film 1000136 item 3 [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&title=California+Local+History%3A+A+Bibliography+and+Union+List+of+Library+Holdings&pretitle=California+Local+History%3A+A+Bibliography+and+Union+List+of+Library+Holdings is on film 1000136 item 3]).</ref>

*''A Bibliography of American County Histories'' <ref> Filby, P. William. ''A Bibliography of American County Histories''. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1985. ([http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&title=A+Bibliography+of+American+County+Histories&pretitle=A+Bibliography+of+American+County+Histories FHL book 973 H23bi])</ref> <ref> [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/12356760&referer=brief_results Worldcat] </ref>

*''United States Local Histories in the Library of Congress'' <ref> Kaminkow, Marion J. ''United States Local Histories in the Library of Congress''. 5 vols. Baltimore: Magna Charta Book, 1975-76. ([http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=252458&disp=United+States+local+histories+in+the+Lib%20%20&columns=*,0,0 FHL book 973 A3ka].) </ref> <ref> [http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=United+States+Local+Histories+in+the+Library+of+Congress&qt=results_page Worldcat] </ref>

Good genealogists strive to understand the life and times of their ancestors. In this sense, any history is useful.

But certain kinds of state, county, and local histories, especially older histories published between 1845 and 1945, often include biographical sketches of prominent individuals. The sketches usually tend toward the laudatory, but may include some genealogical details. If these histories are indexed or alphabetical, check for an ancestor's name. The Family History Library has numerous state and local histories by James M. Guinn and other authors. Sources for studying the history of California include:

*''History of California.'' <ref> Bancroft, Hubert H. ed. ''History of California.'' Six Volumes. San Francisco, California: A. L. Bancroft and Company, 1884-90. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=171337&disp=History+of+California%20%20&columns=*,0,0 979.4 B4b Volumes 1-6; film 982473 items 1-2, Volumes 1-2; items 3-5, Volumes 4-6; film 1321070 item 4, Volume 3].) </ref> There is an index in 979.4 B4b which covers 1542 to 1859.  

*''A History of California: The Spanish Period'' <ref> Chapman, Charles E. ''A History of California: The Spanish Period''. New York, New York: Macmillan, 1921. (Family History Library fiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=997&disp=A+history+of+California%20%20&columns=*,0,0 6051216].) </ref>  

*''California and Californians'' <ref> Hunt, Rockwell Dennis. ''California and Californians''. Four Volumes. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company, 1932. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=117370&disp=California+and+Californians%20%20&columns=*,0,0 book 979.4 H2h; film 1000092 items 1-4].) </ref> Volumes 3 and 4 contain biographical material. All four volumes are online at [http://www.ancestry.com Ancestry.com]. ($)

==United States History==

*''The Almanac of American History'', <ref> Schlesinger, Jr., Arthur M. ''The Almanac of American History.'' Greenwich, Conn.: Bison Books, 1983. ([http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&title=The+Almanac+of+American+History.&pretitle=The+Almanac+of+American+History. FHL book 973 H2alm]) </ref> <ref> [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/9392978&referer=brief_results Worldcat] </ref> This provides brief historical essays and chronological descriptions of thousands of key events in United States history.

*''Dictionary of American History, Revised ed'' <ref>'' Dictionary of American History, Revised ed., 8 vols''. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1976. ([http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=76529&disp=Dictionary+of+American+history%20%20&columns=*,0,0 FHL book 973 H2ad].)</ref> <ref> [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2507380&referer=brief_results Worldcat] </ref> This includes historical sketches on various topics in U.S. history, such as wars, people, laws, and organizations. A snippet view is available at [http://books.google.com/books?id=Lz9WC9EyF08C&q=9780684138565&dq=9780684138565&ei=F4GxSbisHpDMlQSW3Z36BQ&pgis=1 Google books].

*''Webster's Guide to American History: A Chronological, Geographical, and Biographical Survey and Compendium'' <ref>'' Webster's Guide to American History: A Chronological, Geographical, and Biographical Survey and Compendium''. Springfield, Mass.: G&C Merriam, 1971. ([http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&title=Webster%27s+Guide+to+American+History%3A+A+Chronological%2C+Geographical%2C+and+Biographical+Survey+and+Compendium&pretitle=Webster%27s+Guide+to+American+History%3A+A+Chronological%2C+Geographical%2C+and+Biographical+Survey+and+Compendium FHL book 973 H2v]) </ref> <ref> Limited view at [http://books.google.com/books?id=MVU6DS6Re8gC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Webster%27s+Guide+to+American+History:+A+Chronological,+Geographical,+and+Biographical+Survey+and+Compendium%27&ei=Vn-xSeS6FJDUlQSby81v#PPP13,M1 Google Books] </ref> <ref> [http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Webster%27s+Guide+to+American+History&qt=owc_search Worldcat] </ref> This includes a history, some maps, tables, and other historical information.

*''Writings on American History'' <ref>''Writings on American History'' By American Historical Association, Library of Congress, United States National Historical Publications Commission, Published by KTO Press, 1921 [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=244514&disp=Writings+on+American+history%20%20&columns=*,0,0 FHL book 973 H23w] </ref> <ref> [http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Writings+on+American+History&qt=owc_search  Worldcat] </ref> Has the full text available at [http://books.google.com/books?id=mgEPAAAAYAAJ&dq=United+States+Local+Histories+in+the+Library+of+Congress&ei=N3yxSd6pI4K0kATC-qRu Google Books]

::CALIFORNIA- HISTORY

::CALIFORNIA. [COUNTY] - HISTORY

*[http://www.californiahistory.net/ California Historical Society]

*[http://www.californiahistory.org/ California History]

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_California History of California - Wipedia]

==Sources==

<references/>

[[Category:California]]