Fairfield Genealogy and Historical Records

Fairfield genealogy records trace family history through documents maintained by Solano County offices and local historical repositories. Birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses for Fairfield are filed with the county recorder in the same city since Fairfield serves as the Solano County seat. Founded in 1856 by clipper ship captain Robert Waterman and named for his Connecticut hometown, Fairfield has over 150 years of documented history. The city sits almost exactly halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento making it a crossroads for families moving through Northern California. Libraries and historical societies supplement vital records with city directories, newspapers, and photographs for genealogy research.

Solano County Vital Records in Fairfield

Solano County maintains all vital records for Fairfield at the Assessor Recorder office located in Fairfield itself. Since Fairfield is the county seat, the main government offices sit right in the city. This makes accessing records convenient for local researchers. The recorder processes birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses for the entire county.

Birth certificates cost thirty one dollars per copy. Death records are twenty six dollars. Marriage certificates run nineteen dollars. Solano County has statewide vital records from July 1905 forward. Earlier records exist for some events particularly marriages which counties kept from the 1850s. The recorder also maintains property deeds, probate files, and other documents useful for genealogy.

The Solano County Recorder office sits at 675 Texas Street in Fairfield. You can visit in person during business hours, mail requests, or order some documents online. Processing takes about two weeks for standard service. In person visits may provide faster results when records are readily available.

Ask for informational copies when doing genealogy research. These cost the same as certified copies but do not need notarized forms. They contain all the family history information you need even though marked not valid for identification purposes.

Fairfield Library Local History Collection

The Fairfield Civic Center Library maintains local history materials including city directories, newspapers, and photographs. City directories from past decades list residents by name, address, and occupation. These help confirm where families lived and what work they did. Telephone books provide additional listings.

Newspaper archives contain obituaries with death dates, survivor names, and burial information. Wedding announcements list both families. Birth notices appear for some residents. Community news mentions people at schools, churches, businesses, and organizations. All these items add color to bare vital record facts.

Old photographs show Fairfield streets, buildings, and events. Some identify individuals. Maps trace city growth over time. High school yearbooks document students and teachers. Cemetery records help locate burial plots. Library staff can guide you to materials relevant to your research timeframe.

Fairfield as Solano County Seat

Fairfield became the Solano County seat in 1858, just two years after its founding. Robert Waterman donated sixteen acres for county buildings as promised during the campaign to move the seat from Benicia. This early designation means county records have been kept in Fairfield since California's first decade of statehood.

County court records, property deeds, and government documents dating to the 1850s sit in Fairfield archives. Probate files from early families list heirs and property. Naturalization records show when immigrants became citizens. These documents supplement vital records for genealogy research. The county clerk maintains historical records along with current filings.

The California State Archives also holds Solano County materials. Their collection includes early county documents that may not be available locally. Court cases, land claims, and government files help research families from California's territorial and early statehood periods.

Note: Fairfield sits centered between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Suisun Marsh in a strategic location.

Solano County Historical Society Resources

The Solano County Historical Society preserves materials related to county history including Fairfield families. Their collection includes pioneer family papers, business records, and photographs. Organization membership lists, church registers, and cemetery records provide additional genealogy clues.

The society maintains files on surnames of early settlers and prominent families. Volunteer researchers may be able to help with lookups if you cannot visit in person. They publish a journal with articles on local history and genealogy. Contact them to ask what materials they have for specific families or time periods.

The Suisun Valley Historical Society also serves the Fairfield area with documents and artifacts. Both organizations work to preserve local history. Some families donated extensive collections. Others have minimal documentation. Check with both societies for maximum coverage.

Online Genealogy Databases for Fairfield

FamilySearch offers free indexes to California vital records. The California Birth Index covers 1905 to 1995. The California Death Index runs from 1905 to 1939. Search these to confirm Fairfield records exist before ordering copies. The indexes show basic information but not complete certificate details.

Ancestry.com has digitized census records, city directories, and other documents for Solano County. Federal census records from 1850 to 1950 are publicly searchable. They list household members, ages, birthplaces, and occupations. Many libraries provide free Ancestry access from their computers. Check with Fairfield library about on-site database availability.

The California Digital Newspaper Collection includes Solano County papers. Search for Fairfield to find articles, obituaries, and announcements. The collection grows as more newspapers are digitized. It supplements local library newspaper holdings.

Research Tips for Fairfield Families

Begin with living relatives. Interview them to gather names, dates, and stories about ancestors who lived in Fairfield. Write everything down even approximate information. Details that seem minor often become crucial clues. Focus on one generation at a time working backward from present to past.

Use census records to track families through the decades. The 1940 census is now public. It shows Fairfield during World War II. Earlier census years document city and county growth. Note neighbors since families often migrated together or formed community bonds. Fairfield's location between San Francisco and Sacramento meant many families passed through or stayed temporarily.

Order multiple types of records for each person. Birth certificates list parents. Death records show birthplaces and informants. Marriage licenses name both families. Probate files identify heirs. Each document type adds different pieces of information. Cross reference them to verify facts and catch errors made by clerks.

Travis Air Force Base has been a major employer since World War II. If your family has military connections, check base records and military service files. The National Archives has military records. Local newspapers often mention service members from Fairfield.

Nearby Cities for Genealogy Research

Vallejo in Solano County has historical societies and library collections. Sacramento offers extensive genealogy resources as the state capital. The California State Archives and State Library sit in Sacramento.

Oakland and San Francisco Bay Area cities have major genealogy collections. Families often moved between Fairfield and Bay Area communities. Napa in neighboring Napa County also has research resources.