Clovis Genealogy Records Search

Genealogy records for Clovis are maintained through Fresno County offices as this agricultural community of over 120,000 residents continues growing in the San Joaquin Valley. Birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses for Clovis residents go through Fresno County Recorder offices in downtown Fresno about ten miles west. Founded in 1891 as a freight stop along the San Joaquin Valley Railroad, Clovis developed from farming center to Fresno suburb with families drawn to agriculture, logging, and valley industries across generations. Start Clovis genealogy research at Fresno County offices, then explore local library resources, historical society collections, and specialized materials about valley agriculture that employed many ancestors from the 1890s through today.

Fresno County Vital Records for Clovis

All Clovis vital records are kept at Fresno County offices in Fresno. The Recorder handles birth, death, and marriage documents at the Hall of Records at 2281 Tulare Street. This office processes records for events anywhere in Fresno County including Clovis.

Birth certificates cost thirty one dollars. Death records run twenty six dollars. Marriage certificates are nineteen dollars as of 2026. The Fresno County Recorder can search databases by name and date range if you lack exact information about Clovis ancestors. Call 559-600-3476 for vital records assistance.

Fresno County maintains records from 1873 when the county was created. Clovis area records before 1912 incorporation appear under township designations or simply Fresno County. County staff can guide you to the right indexes for pre-incorporation searches. Processing times for Clovis records vary by method. In person visits may provide same day service. Mail requests take one to two weeks.

Records created before 1905 exist only at the county level. California had no statewide vital records until that year. Some Clovis events between 1905 and 1915 were never registered because state law did not require filing until 1915. Church records, cemetery logs, and newspapers help fill these gaps.

Clovis Library Local History

Clovis Regional Library maintains local history materials useful for genealogy research. The library holds city directories, high school yearbooks, historical photographs, and Clovis newspaper archives. Staff can guide you to resources about early settlers, business owners, and community development.

The library provides free access to genealogy databases on public computers. Ancestry Library Edition includes California census records and vital record indexes. This subscription requires in library use. No remote access is available. The library also has microfilm readers for viewing old newspapers and documents.

Clovis Independent newspaper has documented city life for decades. Earlier Clovis news appeared in Fresno County papers. The library has issues on microfilm and some digitized. Obituaries provide family details. Wedding announcements name both families. Social columns mention community activities that place ancestors in context.

Fresno County Public Library Genealogy

The Fresno County Public Library operates a Heritage and Genealogy Center at their main branch in Fresno. This specialized collection includes books, microfilm, and digital resources covering San Joaquin Valley families. Holdings include county histories, cemetery records, and family files compiled by researchers.

The center maintains extensive newspaper collections on microfilm. Fresno Bee archives go back over a century. These papers covered Clovis extensively and provide obituaries, wedding announcements, and news items about residents. Staff can show you how to search indexes and microfilm for your Clovis ancestors.

Fresno County Genealogical Society meets at the library and maintains research files there. Society members share expertise about local records and research methods. Membership provides access to surname files and newsletters featuring valley family histories. Monthly meetings offer networking with experienced researchers.

Clovis Historical Society Archives

The Clovis Big Dry Creek Museum preserves local history including family papers, business records, and photograph collections. Located in Old Town Clovis, the museum documents the city's railroad origins, agricultural development, and growth into a major Fresno suburb. Researchers can contact the museum for access to archival materials.

Collections include materials about Clovis schools, churches, businesses, and civic organizations. If your ancestors were prominent in local affairs, museum resources may document their activities. Photograph collections show Clovis streets and events across decades. These images provide context for family stories.

Online Clovis Genealogy Databases

FamilySearch offers free California vital record indexes including Clovis residents. The California Birth Index covers 1905 to 1995. Death indexes span 1905 to 1939. Search by name to confirm records exist before ordering certificates from Fresno County.

Census records track Clovis families from 1920 forward after incorporation. Earlier census lists the area under Fresno County township names. Federal census from 1900 through 1950 provides household snapshots with ages, birthplaces, and occupations for valley families.

The California Digital Newspaper Collection includes digitized papers from Fresno County. Search for Clovis names to find obituaries, wedding announcements, and news items. Even brief mentions help place ancestors in time.

Clovis Cemetery Records

Clovis Cemetery on Villa Avenue has burials from the early 1900s forward. This public cemetery holds remains of founding families and longtime residents. Gravestones provide birth and death dates plus family groupings. The cemetery office maintains records showing plot locations and burial dates.

Find A Grave has photographed Clovis Cemetery headstones. Search this free website by name to view graves without visiting. Volunteers continue adding photos and transcriptions. You can request a photo if your ancestor's stone is not documented.

Other area cemeteries include Mountain View Cemetery in Fresno and various denominational cemeteries throughout Fresno County. Each maintains separate records. Contact facilities if ancestors belonged to specific communities.

Clovis Family Research Tips

Start with Fresno County vital records. Order birth, death, and marriage certificates for known Clovis events. These provide official dates and family relationships.

Visit both Clovis and Fresno libraries. Clovis library has local materials. Fresno library has county-wide collections and genealogy center. Use both resources for complete research.

Agricultural employment records may exist for ancestors who farmed in the valley. Crop reports, water district records, and agricultural census data document farming families. These sources add context beyond vital records.

Many Clovis families came from Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas during the Dust Bowl. If your family migrated in the 1930s, research their origins before California. Migration records and previous residences help complete family stories.

Nearby Research Locations

Fresno lies directly west of Clovis. The two cities have grown together. Sanger sits to the east. Families moved between valley communities following agricultural work.

All Fresno County cities use the same recorder office in Fresno. You do not need to visit multiple locations for vital records.