Santa Clara City Library Genealogy & Local History Services

The Santa Clara City Library, with the assistance of the Santa Clara County Historical and Genealogical Society, maintains a Genealogy & Local History Collection in the Heritage Pavilion of the Central Park Library. 

Our genealogy and local history collection includes:

• Genealogy "how to" books including guides to research in specific countries and for specific ethnic groups
• State of California 1852 Census microfilm
• Historical atlases and maps
• Immigration resources including indexes to ship passenger lists
• National, state and county histories and vital record extractions
• Early Settler Files, cemetery headstone index, land records, and vital records for Santa Clara County prior to 1905 (Note: After 1905, contact the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder's Office.)
• San Jose Mercury News microfilm from August 1869 - December 2011 (some dates missing, see inventory list updated 08/23)

This extensive collection is included in the Library's online catalog. You will find many titles by doing a subject search in our catalog using the following terms: "genealogy," "United States genealogy handbooks," "probate records," "register of births," "wills," "marriage records," "church records and registers," "obituaries," "death notices," and "cemeteries."

Microforms, CD-ROMs, periodicals, and audiotape materials that are not listed in the online catalog are available in the Genealogy Room.

You can also search the "Online Indexes" on the SCCHGS website to find more materials available in the Heritage collection.

Check the Santa Clara County Historical and Genealogical Society website for information on consultant services, information-sharing meetings, and beginning genealogy instruction offered at the Central Park Library for the general public.

• Genealogy Volunteer Schedule 
• Internet Resources (Some useful free genealogy websites)
• Genealogy Databases (Ancestry Library Edition, Heritage Quest, American Ancestors, FindMyPast, and Historical San Jose Mercury)

Events and services:

Join us on select days at the Genealogy Consultant Desk in the Heritage Pavilion for one-on-one assistance! Please check the SCCHGS consultant calendar for the most up-to-date consultant schedule. Start your genealogy research journey with us!

To learn about genealogy-related events around Santa Clara and beyond, check the Bay Area Genealogy Calendar, which is maintained by the Sutro Library in San Francisco.