Find Ontario Genealogy Records

Ontario genealogy records provide family history researchers with access to birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses maintained by San Bernardino County. All vital records for Ontario residents are processed through the county Assessor Recorder Clerk office because California keeps genealogy records at the county level rather than within individual cities. You can search for birth records from 1905 forward, death certificates dating back over a century, and marriage licenses issued in San Bernardino County. The county offers online ordering, in person visits to their San Bernardino office, and mail request options. Birth certificates cost thirty one dollars, death records are twenty six dollars, and marriage licenses run nineteen dollars per copy as of 2026. Ontario genealogy research benefits from the county's historical archives which hold additional materials beyond vital records.

San Bernardino County Vital Records for Ontario

San Bernardino County maintains all Ontario vital records. The Assessor Recorder Clerk office processes requests for birth, death, and marriage certificates. Visit their website at arc.sbcounty.gov/vital-records to find forms and ordering instructions.

The main county office sits in San Bernardino at 222 West Hospitality Lane. They also have a branch in Rancho Cucamonga that serves Ontario residents. Both locations process vital records requests in person. Call ahead to confirm hours and bring photo identification when you visit. Most requests are filled within two weeks but can take longer during busy periods.

Online ordering is available through the county website with credit card payment. Add processing fees for online orders. Mail requests should go to San Bernardino County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, 222 West Hospitality Lane, 1st Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0022. Include a completed application form, check or money order for fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

San Bernardino County has records dating back to the 1850s for some document types. Birth and death records from July 1905 forward are indexed at the state level. Earlier records exist only at the county level and may require manual searches. Contact the county to ask about availability of pre-1905 records for your Ontario ancestors.

Note: Allow extra time for records that are very old or from years when indexing was incomplete.

San Bernardino County Archives and Special Collections

The San Bernardino County Archives holds historical records beyond vital statistics. Located at arc.sbcounty.gov/archives, the collection includes land records, court documents, probate files, and naturalization papers. These materials help trace Ontario families through multiple record types.

Probate records show family relationships when someone died. Wills list heirs and their relationships to the deceased. Estate files sometimes include birth dates and places for all family members. Naturalization records document when immigrants became citizens. These papers list arrival dates, birthplaces, and family members who came with them.

The archives also maintains historical photographs, maps, and documents related to Ontario and other county cities. Some materials are available online through digital collections. Other items require in person visits to the archives reading room. Staff can guide you to relevant collections for your research.

Ontario City Library Genealogy Resources

Ontario City Library at 215 East C Street provides genealogy research tools. The library offers free access to Ancestry Library Edition and other subscription databases. You must use these resources inside the library on their computers. Reference staff can help you get started with searches.

The library's local history collection includes Ontario city directories, yearbooks from local schools, and newspaper archives. The Ontario Daily Report and other local papers published obituaries and family announcements. These provide details not found in official death certificates. Wedding notices, anniversary announcements, and birth announcements all help document family history.

San Bernardino County Library system connects all branches. Use interlibrary loan to request materials from other county libraries. The county genealogy collection includes cemetery transcriptions, military rosters, and family histories compiled by local researchers. These abstracts save time by pulling genealogy details from lengthy original documents.

Ontario Museum and Historical Society

The Ontario Museum maintains collections about local families and city development. While the museum does not hold vital records, they preserve photographs, documents, and artifacts showing Ontario's growth from a small agricultural community to a major Inland Empire city. The museum sits at 225 South Euclid Avenue.

Their archives include biographical files organized by family name. These files often contain newspaper clippings, photographs, and family histories donated by Ontario residents over the years. Contact the museum to ask about specific families or addresses. They may have materials that complement your official genealogy records research.

The museum also documents Ontario's role in agriculture and aviation. Many Ontario families worked in citrus groves or at the Ontario Airport. Employment records and company documents sometimes appear in museum collections. These provide context for understanding where your ancestors worked and lived.

Ontario Area Cemetery Records

Bellevue Memorial Park in Ontario maintains burial records for local residents. The cemetery office has files showing who is buried in each plot with birth and death dates, next of kin, and sometimes additional family information. Contact the cemetery directly at 1240 West G Street as these are private records.

Other nearby cemeteries include Hermosa Memorial Park and Montecito Memorial Park. Each maintains its own burial records. Death certificates from San Bernardino County list burial locations which helps you identify the correct cemetery to contact. Some cemeteries have transferred older records to local historical societies or archives.

Online databases like Find A Grave include Ontario cemetery records transcribed by volunteers. These provide basic information and sometimes photographs of headstones. Always verify online information against official records when possible. Cemetery records often include details not found in death certificates such as parents' names or exact birthplaces.

Free Online Genealogy Databases for Ontario

FamilySearch offers free access to California vital records indexes. The California Birth Index 1905 to 1995 includes Ontario births. The Death Index covers 1905 to 1939. County marriage records from 1850 to 1952 are also searchable. These indexes provide names, dates, and locations but not full certificate details. Use them to confirm records exist before paying county fees.

The California Digital Newspaper Collection includes San Bernardino County papers at cdnc.ucr.edu. Search for Ontario residents in historical newspapers. Obituaries, business news, and social announcements all help document family history. Newspapers provide context that vital records cannot capture showing how people lived and what they did.

Ancestry.com has California records including census data and city directories. Ontario City Library provides free access to Ancestry Library Edition. Census records show Ontario families every ten years from 1900 when the city was incorporated forward. City directories list residents by name and address helping track when families moved to Ontario or between different parts of the city.

Ontario Genealogy Research Strategies

Start with what you know and work backward one generation at a time. Interview living relatives before searching records. They may have documents, photos, or information that saves you time. Write down all names, dates, and places including uncertain details. Even approximate information helps narrow search results.

Order informational copies of vital records for genealogy work. These cost the same as certified copies but do not require notarized statements. California restricts certified copies to close family members. Informational copies work fine for family history and process faster because the application is simpler.

Cross reference multiple record types. Birth certificates list parents. Death records show birthplaces and sometimes parents' names. Marriage licenses name both sets of parents. Probate files list all heirs with relationships. Build your family tree by connecting information from different sources. Mistakes in one record might be corrected by details in another.

Nearby Cities for Genealogy Research

Ontario families often had connections to other Inland Empire cities. Check records in Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, San Bernardino, and Upland as well. Families moved frequently within San Bernardino County. Your ancestors might have been born in one city, married in another, and died in a third location. All vital records go through San Bernardino County Recorder regardless of city.