GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES FOR RESEARCHING IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY (CA) Version: 1 File Last Updated: 20 Feb 1995 Send Updates and Corrections to: ChrisE365@AOL.com ***** GOVERNMENT ARCHIVES/VITAL RECORDS IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICEDistrict Office 300 N. Los Angeles StreetLos Angeles, CA 90012 FEDERAL INFORMATION CENTER300 N. Los Angeles StreetLos Angeles, CA 90012 VETERANS ADMINISTRATION REGIONAL OFFICE Federal Building 1100 Wilshire Blvd. West Los Angeles, CA 90024 (310) 479-4011; (800) 352-6592 LOS ANGELES COUNTY - REGISTRAR RECORDER COUNTY CLERK 12400 E. Imperial Hwy. (at the 5, 605 freeways) Norwalk, CA Mon-Fri 8-4:30 free parking (310) 462-2137 24-hour recorded messages gives the following menu after selecting: 1-English info; 1-more: 1-Birth Certificates 2- Adoption/Name Changes 3-Death Certificates over 60 days ago 4-repeat this menu 5-Marriage Certificates 6-Confidential Marriage Certificate (no blood test) 9-Records for Public Review For Births, Marriages, Deaths that occurred in L.A. County, certificates can be obtained by sending a written request with name, date, city, parents names (for births) to L.A. Registrar Recorder, P. O. Box 120, Los Angeles CA 90053. Include SASE and $16 (birth), $13 (marriage), $9(death) per copy in check (to Registrar Recorder County Clerk) or money order. Allow 20 working days if requesting by mail or 5 days if requesting in person. (Recording tells where other in-person requests can be made.) You may go in and pull the record yourself to look at it (up to 5 documents for free), but the copying fees are the same. To prevent an abstract being sent instead of the full record, specify full record. Additional documentation is required to obtain a confidential marriage certificate. The following indexes are available for public inspection: births (before 1905 or after 1964), deaths (after 1877), and marriages (after 1852). They also have some statewide indexes: births 1956-1984, deaths 1940-1977, 1980-1989, and marriages 1949-1977. For adoptions and name changes, send a written request for a birth certificate to State Dept. of Health, P.O. Box 73041, Sacramento, CA 94244-0241 (916) 445-2684. Enclose $13 check to the State Registrar. Give the full name, date, city, parentsÕ names, incl maiden. For Fictitious Business Names, call (310) 462-2177. For Real Estate Records, call (310) 462-2133 for a 24-hour recording. This will tell you how to obtain real estate records by mail: send the title of the document, names listed on it, and year recorded with a check for $2.00 for the first page and .50 each additional page. If the number of pages is unknown, they suggest sending a blank check indicating Ònot to exceed $10Ó. Send to Registrar-Recorded Co. Clerk, Real Estate Records, P.O. Box 195, Los Angeles, 90053. These can also be viewed at the Norwalk office. No phone orders accepted. ***** LIBRARIES There are about 100 cities in Los Angeles county. Many of them have their own city library which often has some materials devoted to the history of their city. Check a phone book for their addresses and phone numbers. There is also a county library system. The Rosemead branch contains the Californiana collection. The college libraries do not collect genealogy as such, but many of their items used to support research and teaching would be of value to genealogists. Parking is usually difficult at them, especially when school is in session. LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY History and Genealogy Dept. 630 West Fifth St. (at Flower) Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213) 612-3317; (213) 228-7400 History/Genealogy; (213) 228-7125 Intl Languages Mon 10-5:30, Tues-Wed 12-6, Thu-Sat 10-5:30, Sun 1-5 (hours subject to change due to budget, call (213) 228-7000 for current info) Has largest public library genealogical holdings in So. Calif. with one whole floor devoted to history and genealogy. It has over 150,000 titles in this collection with 45,000 classified as genealogy. With the exceptions of how-to books and baby name books, genealogy books are reference only and must be used in the library. It has Census Records (1790-1850 all, 1860-1870 partial, 1880 all, 1900 all, 1910-1920 partial); 1,200 paper city directories for the U.S. and 3,000 microfilms of U.S. cities 1861-1935; 10,000 family histories (20% of which are not in the Library of Congress); large Heraldy and Coats of Arms collection (including ÒEnciclopedia Heraldica y Genealogica Hispano - AmericanaÓ, an 87 vol. set on Hispanic heraldry and ÒJ SiebmacherÕs Grosses und Allgemeines WappenbachÓ, an 82 vol. set on German heraldry); Passenger Arrival Lists for San Francisco, Boston, and Philadelphia, and 1820-1846 New York; Naturalization records for U.S. District Court for So. Calif.; Local Histories at the county, cemetery, and town levels. It has a Map collection with complete set of USGS topographical maps with all names on these maps indexed on CD ROM ÒPlace Names IndexÓ, contemporary and historical atlases of coutries and states; Military Records including rosters of solderiers who served in Revolutionary, 1812, and Civil Wars, military unit histories for WWI, WWII, Korean, and Vietnam Wars; Newspapers on microfilm including ÒLos Angeles TimesÓ (1881- ), ÒHerald ExaminerÓ, ÒNew York TimesÓ (1851- ), ÒTimes of LondonÓ (1785- ), ÒSan Francisco ChronicleÓ (1869- ) and ÒChicago TribuneÓ (1849- ), and shorter runs of other newspapers such as the ÒBoston GlobeÓ and ÒDenver PostÓ; 600 periodicals in the genealogy collection, many which are indexed individually or in PERSI; U. S. Telephone Directories on ÒPhoneficheÓ since 1976 and many paper directories prior to 1976, and L.A. phone directoreis since 1900; Indexes to vital records for California Death Index (1940-1992), California Marriage Index (1960-1985), and death and marriage indexes for Nevada, Texas, and selected states, and 200 book indexes to vital records at county or city levels. Get off the Red Line metro at 4th & Hill or 7th and Figueroa. If driving, there is underground parking with 1 hour free validation available. Evening and Weekend rates are lowest. See the Appendix at the end of this file for how to access the LAPL Catalog via Internet. LOS ANGELES FAMILY HISTORY CENTER of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 10741 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 474-2202 or (310) 474-9990 Mon, Fri, Sat 9-5; Tue, Wed, Thur 9-9 This library has over 50,000 microfiche, 80,000 rolls of microfilm, and 18,000 books. These include: Calif. Marriage and Death Indexes (1940-1983); Canada Census (1841-1871); EnglandÕs census (1841-1891), street indexes, and Civil Registration Indexes; Hamburg Passenger Lists and Indexes; Library of Congress Family card file; New York (and some other ports) Passenger Arrival lists and indexes (1820-1920); Sutro Library Catalogue; U.S. Census (1790-1920) (but not all 1920 lists available). CAL STATE L.A. LIBRARY 5151 State College Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90032 CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 18111 Nordhoff St. Northridge, CA 91330 CLAREMONT COLLEGE LIBRARY 800 Dartmouth St. Claremont, CA 91711 LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY 101 Pacific Ave (at Ocean Ave.) Long Beach, CA 90822-11097 (310) 437-2949 Mon 10:00-8:00; Tue-Sat 10:00-5:30; Sun 12:00-5:00; volunteer hours: Wed & Sat 1:00-5:00 Their collection has 2,700 books and other items. 300 microfilms of newspapers. PACIFIC TELEPHONE DIRECTORY ARCHIVES 3470 Wilshire Blvd (at Normandy) Los Angeles, CA 90010 (213) 415-5412 -not working (unable to verify if this source is still available) Pacific Telephone maintains a library of telephone books, mostly from California, which date back many years. This library is open to the public. POMONA PUBLIC LIBRARY 625 South Garey Ave. PO Box 2271 Pomona, CA 91766 (909) 620-2026 Has census indexes, FilbyÕs Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, Civil War Records, California History, Soc. Sec. Death Index. SONS OF THE REVOLUTION LIBRARY 600 South Central Ave. Glendale, CA 91204 (818) 240-1775 $1 donation required; DAR lineage books, 1700 family histories, 10,000 town, county and state histories; rich in Virginia and New England materials. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY LIBRARY P. O. Box 4377 122 So. San Fernando Rd. Burbank, CA 91503 (818) 843-7247 6,000 books on genealogy/local history. 16 drawers on manuscripts arranged geographically, 20 drawers by surname; Strong in regional periodicals. SOUTHWEST MUSEUM 234 Museum Dr. (at Marmion Way) Los Angeles, CA (213) 221-2163 Tue-Sun 11-5 This houses Native American art and artifacts. The permanent collection focuses on Indians of the Southwest but also has examples of cultures of the Great Plains, Northwest Coast, Alaska, California, So. American pre-Columbian, Hispanic folk and decorative arts. They have a research library. UNIVERSITY OF CALIF-LOS ANGELES University Research Library 405 Hilgard Ave West Los Angeles, CA 90024 (310) 825-4934 Recording for general hours of operation. Parking Structure #5 is generally filled 8-4 Mon-Thurs. It is recommended that you arrive before 7 or after 4 on weekdays or on Friday. Enter from Sunset Blvd. Stop at Information Booth #1 to obtain a campus map and $5 parking token. From North #5 Parking Structure, climb stairs to top and walk east to the University Research Library. Phone (310)825-3618 for parking info. Open Shelves or Stacks-on all 5 floors. Reference Dept.-ground floor has newspaper union lists, newspapers on microfilm books, directories and computer reference services using many databases. Phone (310)825-1323 or (310)825-7143 for information. Special Collections-in basement. Look in card catalogue, fill out request and wait 1/2 to 3 hrs for retrieval. Special collections has old, rare, poor condition materials, old maps, atlases, files of early California newspapers and city directories. Open Mon-Sat 9-5. Phone (310)825-4879 to verify hours of operation. Microforms Room-must use before noon-on 2nd floor. Has microfilms of newspapers and city directories. Phone (310) 825-4003 for hours of operations. Gift Room-2nd floor-used books for sale. Open Tues 10-7, Wed-Thu 10-3. Map Library-was in the basement of Bunche Hall, but was scheduled to be moved to the University Research Library in 1994. Modern, historical, topographical maps, atlases, gazetteers and related cartographic material for all areas of the world. Mon-Fri 10-3 (310)825-3526 to verify hours. There are specialists (Selectors) who can be phoned to obtain reference and research assistance with different collections such as Germanic and Scandinavian Studies. Consult the ÒUCLA Library GuideÓ at the Information Desk for the large list of Selectors or phone (310)825-1201 or (310)825-1324 for a referral to the appropriate Selector. Southern Regional Library Facility (not part of UCLA) Little used materials are transferred to this facility on the west side of campus. The ORION catalog computer terminal display will indicate if the material is here. You must obtain a separate $5 parking token from Information Booth #1 to park on the north side of the building or walk or take a campus bus from North #5 Parking Structure. Open Mon-Fri 9-5. Phone (310)206-2012 to verify hours. UNIVERSITY OF LA VERNE Wilson Library 2040 Third St. La Verne, CA 91750 (909) 593-3511 x 4300 academic year: Mon-Fri 8-5 summer: Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30 except as posted WHITTIER COLLEGE LIBRARY 7031 Founders Hills Road Whittier, CA 90602 ***** HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETIES ANTELOPE VALLEY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY PO Box 1049 Lancaster, CA 93534 (805) 942-46676 Pub. ÒProspector QuarterlyÓ; ÒAntelope Valley Genealogical Society Surname IndexÓ THE AUGUSTAN SOCIETY 1510 Cravens Ave. PO Box P Torrance, CA 90501 (310) 320-7766 Tue-Fri 10:00-4:00; Sat 11:00-4:00 Pub. ÒThe Augustan Society Omnibus, An International Journal of Things Historical, Heraldic and GenealogicalÓ; ÒGenealogical Library QuarterlyÓ; ÒChivalryÓ; ÒHeraldryÓ [these may be published irregularly] Library has 15,000 titles. BRITISH ISLES FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY OF LOS ANGELES 2531 Sawtelle Blvd #134 Los Angeles, CA 90064-3163 Meetings are held on the second Wed (except August and Dec) at 7pm at the L.A. Family History Center, 10741 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Members receive 6 bimonthly newsletters and quarterly journals. CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY P.O. Box 8442 Los Angeles, CA 90008-0442 (213) 636-8947 or (213) 296-6792 Meetings are on the 3rd Sat 9-1 (except June and Aug.) at Martin Luther King United Methodist Church, 6625 4th Ave., L.A. 90047 CHATSWORTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY PO Box 3102 Chatsworth, CA 91313 Pub. ÒSmoke SignalÓ CONEJO VALLEY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. 2331 Borchard Road, Newbury Park-location PO Box 1228-mailing address Thousand Oaks, CA 91358 (805) 497-8293 Hours: Thousand Oaks Library, Newbury Park Branch Mon-Wed 12-9; Thur 10-6; Sat 10-5 Pub. ÒRabbit TracksÓ; ÒGenealogistÓ (includes U.S., British, Irish, German) CONEJO VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PO Box 1692 Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 Pub. ÒStage LinesÓ DOWNEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY/DOWNEY HISTORY CENTER 12540 Rives Ave. PO Box 554 Downey, CA 90241 (310) 862-2777 Wed-Thur 9-2; third Sat 10-3; and by appt. EL MONTE HISTORICAL SOCIETY PO Box 6307 El Monte, CA 91734 Pub. ÒLandmarkÓ GLENDORA GENEALOGY GROUP PO Box 1141 Glendora, CA 91740 HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF POMONA VALLEY 1569 North Park Ave. Pomona, CA 91768 HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 200 East Ave 43 Los Angeles, CA 90031 Pub. ÒSouthern California QuarterlyÓ; ÒSouthern CaliforniaÓ IMMIGRANT GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY 1310-B West Magnolia Blvd.-location P.O. Box 7369-mailing address Burbank, CA 91510-7369 (818) 848-3122 This society specializes in German immigrants. The library is open to the public on Wed and Sun 12-5 and on Sat 10-5. Use of the library is free to members and $2 donation for non-members. They present genealogical speakers at general meetings the first Friday each month and have a monthly newsletter and periodical. LONG BEACH HISTORICAL SOCIETY 418 Pine Ave. Long Beach (310) 495-1210 Tu-Sat 10-2 (call on day of visit to see if open) They specialize in Long Beach and the South Bay (Palos Verdes, San Pedro, rancho) history. They have some city directories, platt maps, and listings for local cemeteries. Does not specialize in genealogy. LOS ANGELES CITY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PO Box 41046 Los Angeles, CA 90041 hours: So. Calif. Genealogical Society Library; Mon & Wed-Sat 10-4; Tue 10-9; first & second Sun 10-4 Pub. ÒNewsletterÓ (not genealogical in content) LOS ANGELES WESTSIDE GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY PO Box 10447 Marina Del Rey, CA 90291 Pub. ÒLos Angeles Westside Genealogical Society NewsletterÓ PASADENA GENEALOGY SOCIETY PO Box 94774 Pasadena, CA 91109-4774 (818) 794-7973 Pub. ÒNewsletterÓ PASADENA HISTORICAL SOCIETY RESEARCH LIBRARY 470 West Walnut St. (at N. Orange Grove Blvd.) Pasadena, CA 91103 (818) 795-3002 (818) 577-1660 Tue & Thur 1-4 (closed Aug), first & last Sun 1-4 1,600 titles related to genealogy/local history. POLISH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA PO Box 713 Midway City, CA 92655 This group meets at the L.A. Family History Center at 10741 Santa Monica Blvd. on the 4th Sat. of Jan., March, May, July, Sept., Nov. Pub. ÒBulletinÓ POMONA VALLEY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY PO Box 286 Pomona, CA 91768 Pub. ÒPomona Valley Genealogical Society BulletinÓ QUESTING HEIRS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. PO Box 15102 Long Beach, CA 90815-0102 Pub. ÒQuesting Heirs Genealogical Society, Inc, NewsletterÓ SAN FERNANDO VALLEY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY 2042 Socrates Ave. Simi, CA 93065 SAN FERNANDO VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 10940 Sepulveda Blvd. Mission Hills, CA 91345 Pub. ÒValleyÓ SANTA MONICA HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM 1539 Euclid St. (at Broadway) Santa Monica, CA (310) 394-2605 2nd and 4th Sun 1-4:40 Visitors will find antique medical and office equipment, pioneer tools, vintage fashions, war memorabilia, saddles, household items and 19th-century kitchen gadgets. The museum offers a reference library, films, and groups tours by appt. SOUTH BAY CITIES GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY PO Box 6071 Torrance, CA 90504 Tue & Thur 10-2, third Wed 5:30-7:30 Pub. ÒNewsletterÓ SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. 122 So. San Fernando Blvd-location PO Box 4377-mailing address Burbank, CA 91503 (818) 843-7247 Mon & Wed-Sat 10-4; Tue 10-9, first & second Sun 10-4 Pub. ÒThe SearcherÓ UNIVERSAL GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF BELLFLOWER 9251 Cedar St Bellflower, CA 90706 WHITTIER AREA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY PO Box 4367 Whittier, CA 90607 (310) 695-5431 Hours: Santa Fe Springs Public Library: Mon-Thur 10-9; Fri 10-6; Sat 10-5 Pub. ÒWhittier Area Genealogical Society NewsletterÓ WHITTIER HISTORICAL SOCIETY 6755 Newlin Ave. Whitter, CA (310) 945-3871 ***** USED BOOKSTORES WITH GENEALOGY SECTIONS BERKELOUW BOOK DEALER 830 N. Highland Ave. Los Angeles, CA (213) 466-3321 Specializes in Art, Literature, History, Travel, rather than genealogy, per se. ACRES OF BOOKS 240 Long Beach Blvd. Long Beach, CA (310) 437-6980 Mon.-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-5pm This is the largest used bookstore in the county (and probably the state). They are strong in history and various countries but the genealogy shelf contains primarily personal family histories. ***** OTHER GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH DIRECTORY 3324 Crail Way Glendale, CA 91206 (818) 952-3462 FAX Pub. ÒGenealogical Research DirectoryÓ ORAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION 1093 Braxton Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90024 Pub. ÒOral History Association Annual Report and Membership DirectoryÓ MUSEUM OF THE HOLOCAUST 6505 Wilshire Blvd. (east of San Vicente Blvd.) Los Angeles, CA (213) 852-3242 Mon-Thu 9-5, Fri 9-3, Sun 1-5 free Family photgraphs, diaries and oral testimonies fill this photo-narrative history museum that documents the Holocaust. Permanent and temporary exhibits shed light on this tragic chapter of modern history. The museum hosts lectures, conferences and films. MUSEUM OF TOLERANCE 9786 W. Pico Blvd (at Roxbury Dr.) Los Angeles, CA (310) 553-9036 (310)553-8403 Mon-Fri 10-5, Sun 11-5, call for evening hours ===== VISITORS ARE REQUIRED TO VIEW THE MUSEUM BY GUIDED TOUR WHICH LASTS 2 1/2 HOURS; CALL AHEAD FOR TOURS. The Simon Wiesenthal CenterÕs Beit-Hashoah--Museum of Tolerance offers an in-depth study of the Holocaust with films, exhibits, oral histories and photographs. The museum houses displays focusing on personal prejudice, group intolerance, civil rights struggles and 20th-century genocide. Outside, a memorial plaza contains a wall with the names of concentration camps etched on it and a 20-foot high, stylized menorah. RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUESUM Simi Valley, CA (805) 522-8444 Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5 Adults $4, Seniors $2, Children (under 16) free ROSE HILLS MEMORIAL PARK 3900 S. Workman Mill Rd. Whittier 90601 (310) 699-0921 8-5 daily WorldÕs largest cemetary and home of the famous Pageant of Roses Garden. (There are over 50 other cemetaries in the county.) ***** LOCAL TRANSPORTATION Many of the cities in the county have their own bus system, which often overlaps into adjoining cities. The largest bus system is the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) [formerly the RTD] which covers Los Angeles and areas without local buses. Call (310) 639-6800 6am-10pm for fares and schedules. It helps if you know the main intersections you are traveling, from and to, when you call. They are also responsible for the metro rail system that is being built. At present, only a few miles of the Red Line in downtown L.A. and the Blue Line from downtown Long Beach to downtown Los Angeles are open. There are many local taxicab companies. Consult a phone book for their numbers. ***** OUT-OF-AREA RESOURCES PERTAINING TO THIS AREA tbd *********************** APPENDIX INTERNET ACCESS TO THE LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY (LAPL) CATALOG You can now access the LAPL catalog through Internet. There is no charge to search the libraryÕs catalog, though you may have to pay telecommunication or other charges to access the Internet. Direct dial access to the library is not yet available. There are two ways to reach the catalog: Telnet and Hytelnet. TELNET: At the Unix % prompt, type TELNET PAC.CARL.ORG then press . You can also use the numeric address: TELNET 192.54.81.128 . * You will receive a return message WELCOME TO CSI.CARL.ORG. Type PAC . The next message asks for a terminal identifier. Most telecommunications software uses a VT100 emulation. If yours does, select 5 on the menu. Otherwise, use the indicated terminal or 8 (HARDCOPY). Press to start the program. At the next menu, CARL CORPORATION OFFERS ACCESS... select 4. OTHER LIBRARY SYSTEMS . At the OTHER LIBRARY SYSTEMS menu, select 43. CARL CORPORATION NETWORK LIBRARIES--WESTERN U.S. (MENU 2). At the LIBRARY CATALOGS--WESTERN UNITED STATES (menu 2) select 131. LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY . Follow the screen instructions to search the catalog. To exit the system, type //EXIT at any prompt in the LAPL catalog. This will return you to the CARL menu. Type //EXIT again, and you will return to your Unix % prompt. HYTELNET: Hytelnet is a menu system to access library catalogs available on many Internet servers. If it is available, select Hytelnet from your menu, then successively select LIBRARY CATALOGS, then THE AMERICAS, then UNITED STATES, then CONSORTIA, then COLORADO ALLIANCE OF RESEARCH LIBRARIES, then . Hytelnet will then request permission to perform a telnet operation. Type Y to proceed. Follow the remaining telnet instructions asterisked (*) above to access the LAPL catalog.