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''[[United States|United States]] > [[California|California]] > California History'' | ''[[United States|United States]] > [[California|California]] > California History'' {{Adoption_CA_State_Genealogical_Alliance}} | ||
== Timeline == | == Timeline == | ||
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*'''1884-1885:''' A railroad rate war (1884) and a California real estate boom (1885) caused a new wave of overland immigration. | *'''1884-1885:''' A railroad rate war (1884) and a California real estate boom (1885) caused a new wave of overland immigration. | ||
== Local Histories == | == Local Histories == | ||
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: | 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> | *''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&amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;title=California+Local+History%3A+A+Bibliography+and+Union+List+of+Library+Holdings&amp;amp;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> | *''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&amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;title=A+Bibliography+of+American+County+Histories&amp;amp;pretitle=A+Bibliography+of+American+County+Histories FHL book 973 H23bi])</ref> <ref> [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/12356760&amp;amp;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> | *''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&amp;amp;titleno=252458&amp;amp;disp=United+States+local+histories+in+the+Lib%20%20&amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 FHL book 973 A3ka].) </ref> <ref> [http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=United+States+Local+Histories+in+the+Library+of+Congress&amp;amp;qt=results_page Worldcat] </ref> | ||
== State Histories Useful to Genealogists == | == State Histories Useful to Genealogists == | ||
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: | 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: | ||
The Family History Library has numerous state and local histories by James M. Guinn and other authors. Sources for studying the history of [[California|California]] include: | The Family History Library has numerous state and local histories by James M. Guinn and other authors. Sources for studying the history of [[California|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. | *''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&amp;amp;titleno=171337&amp;amp;disp=History+of+California%20%20&amp;amp;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> | *''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&amp;amp;titleno=997&amp;amp;disp=A+history+of+California%20%20&amp;amp;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]. ($) | *''California and Californians'' <ref> Hunt, Rockwell Dennis. ''California and Californians''. Four Volumes. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company, 1932. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&amp;amp;titleno=117370&amp;amp;disp=California+and+Californians%20%20&amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 book 979.4 H2h; film 1000092 items 1-4].) </ref> Volumes 3 and 4 contain biographical material. All four volumes are online at [http://www.ancestry.com Ancestry.com]. ($) | ||
== United States History == | == United States History == | ||
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The following are only a few of the many sources that are available: | The following are only a few of the many sources that are available: | ||
*''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&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;title=The+Almanac+of+American+History.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;pretitle=The+Almanac+of+American+History. FHL book 973 H2alm]) </ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/9392978&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;referer=brief_results Worldcat] </ref>This provides brief historical essays and chronological descriptions of thousands of key events in 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&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;title=The+Almanac+of+American+History.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;pretitle=The+Almanac+of+American+History. FHL book 973 H2alm]) </ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/9392978&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;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&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=76529&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Dictionary+of+American+history%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 FHL book 973 H2ad].)</ref> <ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2507380&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;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]. | *''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&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=76529&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Dictionary+of+American+history%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 FHL book 973 H2ad].)</ref> <ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2507380&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;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]. | ||
*''The Pony Express''<br>Pony Express riders carried the U.S. Mail on horseback. There were approximately 80 of them. There were support personnel as well that numbered over 400. The Pony Express Route Covered Parts of: California, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Utah and Wyoming. <br>[http://www.xphomestation.com/frm-riders.html Pony Express Riders Biographies]: <br>By Name Include Some Photos | *''The Pony Express''<br>Pony Express riders carried the U.S. Mail on horseback. There were approximately 80 of them. There were support personnel as well that numbered over 400. The Pony Express Route Covered Parts of: California, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Utah and Wyoming. <br>[http://www.xphomestation.com/frm-riders.html Pony Express Riders Biographies]: <br>By Name Include Some Photos | ||
*''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&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;C Merriam, 1971. ([http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;title=Webster%27s+Guide+to+American+History%3A+A+Chronological%2C+Geographical%2C+and+Biographical+Survey+and+Compendium&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;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&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;dq=Webster%27s+Guide+to+American+History:+A+Chronological,+Geographical,+and+Biographical+Survey+and+Compendium%27&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;ei=Vn-xSeS6FJDUlQSby81v#PPP13,M1 Google Books] </ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Webster%27s+Guide+to+American+History&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;qt=owc_search Worldcat] </ref>This includes a history, some maps, tables, and other historical information. | *''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&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;C Merriam, 1971. ([http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*%2C0%2C0&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;title=Webster%27s+Guide+to+American+History%3A+A+Chronological%2C+Geographical%2C+and+Biographical+Survey+and+Compendium&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;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&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;dq=Webster%27s+Guide+to+American+History:+A+Chronological,+Geographical,+and+Biographical+Survey+and+Compendium%27&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;ei=Vn-xSeS6FJDUlQSby81v#PPP13,M1 Google Books] </ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Webster%27s+Guide+to+American+History&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;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&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=244514&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Writings+on+American+history%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 FHL book 973 H23w] </ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Writings+on+American+History&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;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] | *''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&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;titleno=244514&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;disp=Writings+on+American+history%20%20&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;columns=*,0,0 FHL book 973 H23w] </ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Writings+on+American+History&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;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] | ||
<br>To find more books and articles about California's history use the Internet [http://www.google.com/ Google] search for phases like "California history." [[Family History Library Catalog Surname Search|Family History Library Catalog Surname Search]] lists many more histories under topics like: | <br>To find more books and articles about California's history use the Internet [http://www.google.com/ Google] search for phases like "California history." [[Family History Library Catalog Surname Search|Family History Library Catalog Surname Search]] lists many more histories under topics like: | ||