Concord Genealogy and Family Records

Concord genealogy records are maintained by Contra Costa County offices for this city of over 125,000 residents in eastern Contra Costa County. Birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses for Concord residents go through Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder offices in Martinez about ten miles west. Founded in 1869 and incorporated in 1905, Concord developed from agricultural settlement to major East Bay suburb with families drawn to farming, industry, and military employment at nearby bases across generations. Start your Concord genealogy research at Contra Costa County offices in Martinez, then explore Concord Library collections, historical society archives, and specialized resources about the region's Spanish land grant heritage and twentieth century suburban growth that shaped family settlement patterns.

Contra Costa County Records for Concord

The Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder in Martinez handles all Concord vital records. Birth, death, and marriage documents are filed with the county at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez. This office processes records for events anywhere in Contra Costa County including Concord.

Birth certificates cost thirty one dollars. Death records are twenty six dollars. Marriage licenses run nineteen dollars. The Contra Costa County Recorder can search databases by name and date range if you lack exact details about Concord ancestors. Call 925-335-7900 for assistance.

Contra Costa County maintains records from the 1850s when the county was created. Concord area records before 1905 incorporation appear under township designations. County staff can guide you to the right indexes. Records from 1969 forward are electronic. Earlier records require microfilm searches which add processing time.

Processing for Concord records varies by method. In person visits may provide same day service. Mail requests take one to two weeks. Records before 1905 exist only at the county level since California had no statewide vital records until that year.

Concord Library Genealogy Resources

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

Ancestry Library Edition is available on library computers. Search California census records, vital record indexes, and city directories. This subscription requires in library use. The library also has microfilm readers for viewing old newspapers and documents on file.

Concord newspapers date back decades with coverage of births, deaths, marriages, and local events. The library has issues on microfilm and some digitized editions. Obituaries provide family details. Wedding announcements name both families. Social columns mention community activities that place ancestors in context.

Historical Society Archives

The Concord Historical Society preserves local history through archives and programs. Collections include family papers, business records, and photographs donated by residents. Researchers can contact the society for access to materials not on public display.

Society publications include newsletters and books about Concord history. Back issues feature articles about founding families, business development, and community events. These may mention your ancestors or provide context about the Concord they knew.

The society maintains materials about Concord's agricultural period, suburban development, and connection to nearby military installations. If your ancestors worked at Naval Weapons Station Concord or other bases, society resources may document their employment or community involvement.

County Historical Resources

The Contra Costa County Historical Society in Martinez offers research services. Their library contains books, maps, and documents about county history including Concord materials. Holdings include property records, school records, and business directories.

County probate records reveal family structures when residents died. These files list heirs, describe property, and sometimes include birth dates. When a Concord resident's estate went through probate, the court created records now held by county archives.

Naturalization records show when immigrants became citizens. Many Concord residents came from Italy, Portugal, Mexico, and other countries. Naturalization papers list birthplaces, arrival dates, and sometimes family members. They help trace ancestors back to origin countries.

Online Concord Genealogy Databases

FamilySearch provides free California vital record indexes including Concord 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.

Census records track Concord families from 1910 forward after incorporation. Earlier census lists the area under Contra Costa County township names. Federal census from 1860 through 1950 provides household snapshots with ages, birthplaces, and occupations.

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

Concord Cemetery Records

Concord Memorial Park on Concord Boulevard has burials from the mid-twentieth century. This cemetery holds remains of many longtime residents. Gravestones provide birth and death dates. The cemetery office maintains records showing plot locations and burial dates.

Find A Grave has photographed many Concord area 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 Catholic and other denominational facilities throughout Contra Costa County. Each maintains separate records. Contact facilities if ancestors belonged to specific communities.

Concord Family Research Tips

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

Visit Concord Library for local resources. City directories track families when available. Newspapers add personal details. Historical society materials provide context about neighborhoods and occupations.

Military base employment records may exist for ancestors who worked at Naval Weapons Station or other facilities. Base newspapers, employment records, and security clearance files document workers. National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis holds federal employment files.

Concord's growth as a suburb brought families from across California and other states. Census records help track when families arrived in Concord. Use this information to research their previous locations. Migration patterns often followed job opportunities in manufacturing and services.

Join Contra Costa County Genealogical Society to connect with other researchers. The society serves the entire county including Concord. Members share resources and expertise about local research methods.

Research in Nearby Cities

Walnut Creek lies south of Concord. Pleasant Hill sits to the west. Antioch is east. Families moved between these communities for work and housing.

All Contra Costa County cities use the same clerk-recorder office in Martinez. You do not need to visit multiple locations for vital records.