Pasadena Genealogy Records Research

Pasadena genealogy records trace family history through vital records maintained by Los Angeles County and extensive local archives at the Pasadena Museum of History. Birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses for all Pasadena residents are processed through Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder because California maintains genealogy records at the county level. The Pasadena Museum of History holds over one million historical photographs plus manuscripts, maps, and documents about Pasadena families dating back to the 1870s. You can search for birth records from July 1905 forward through state indexes or contact the county for earlier documents. Birth records cost thirty one dollars, death certificates are twenty six dollars, and marriage licenses run nineteen dollars as of 2026. Pasadena's rich history and well-preserved archives make it an excellent location for California genealogy research.

Los Angeles County Vital Records for Pasadena

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder maintains all Pasadena vital records. The county processes requests for birth, death, and marriage certificates for events that occurred anywhere in Los Angeles County. Visit lavote.gov for forms and information.

The county has records dating back to the 1850s for some document types. Birth and death certificates from July 1905 forward are indexed at the state level and searchable through county databases. Pasadena was incorporated in 1886 so the city's development is well documented in county records from that era forward.

Several methods exist for obtaining records. Visit the Norwalk office at 12400 Imperial Highway for in person service. Online ordering is available through apps.lavote.net/BDM with credit card payment. Processing takes about two weeks for most requests. Mail applications to Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, P.O. Box 1208, Norwalk, CA 90651. Include payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

County fees match state fees. Birth certificates cost thirty one dollars. Death records are twenty six dollars. Marriage licenses run nineteen dollars per copy. Add extra fees for rush service or online ordering through third party vendors. Most records arrive within two weeks unless special searches are needed for very old documents.

Pasadena Museum of History Archives

The Pasadena Museum of History holds one of California's finest local history collections. Over one million historical photographs document Pasadena families, buildings, and events from the 1870s forward. The archives also include manuscripts, maps, architectural drawings, and personal papers donated by Pasadena residents over the decades.

Researchers can access the archives by appointment. The collection includes family papers, business records, club and organization files, and biographical information about prominent Pasadena residents. City directories dating back to the 1880s show where people lived and what they did. Photograph collections help put faces to names in your family tree.

The museum staff can guide you to relevant collections for your research. Some materials are digitized and available online through their website. Other items require in person visits to the archives reading room. The museum also maintains collections about Pasadena architecture and neighborhoods which provide context for understanding where your ancestors lived.

Estate records and personal papers in the collection sometimes include family genealogies, correspondence, and biographical sketches. These materials supplement official vital records by providing personal details and family stories. The museum also documents Pasadena's role as a winter resort destination which brought many families to the city in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Pasadena Public Library Centennial Room

Pasadena Public Library maintains the Centennial Room with local history materials. The collection at cityofpasadena.net/library/pasadena-history includes books about Pasadena, city directories, yearbooks from local schools, and newspaper archives. The Pasadena Star-News published continuously for over a century providing rich genealogy resources.

The library provides free access to Ancestry Library Edition and other subscription databases. You must use these inside the library. Reference staff can help you search California vital records indexes and census data. The library also holds microfilm collections for Pasadena newspapers and other local materials.

Obituaries from the Star-News provide details beyond what appears in death certificates. Wedding announcements list parents and sometimes include photographs. Birth notices and anniversary announcements help document family milestones. The Centennial Room also includes published family histories and biographical directories for Pasadena residents.

Pasadena Historical Society Resources

The Pasadena Historical Society works closely with the Pasadena Museum of History. Together they preserve materials about Pasadena families and city development. The society publishes research about Pasadena history and maintains files organized by topic and surname.

Biographical files at the museum include newspaper clippings, photographs, and information donated by local families. Contact the society to ask about specific families or addresses in Pasadena. They may have materials that complement your official vital records research. The society also leads tours and presents programs about Pasadena history.

Pasadena's early development as a resort and retirement destination brought wealthy families from the East Coast and Midwest. Many built grand homes that still stand today. Estate records and social registers document these families. The museum archives include materials about country clubs, social organizations, and cultural institutions that show how Pasadena families lived.

Note: Always verify historical society information against official vital records from the county recorder.

Tournament of Roses Archives

The Tournament of Roses has been a Pasadena tradition since 1890. The organization maintains archives about the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game. While not focused on genealogy specifically, these records document Pasadena families who participated in the event as committee members, parade participants, or volunteers.

Tournament records include photographs, programs, and member lists. Many prominent Pasadena families have been involved with the Tournament of Roses over the decades. If your ancestors lived in Pasadena during the parade era, they may appear in Tournament records or photographs. Contact the Tournament of Roses Association to ask about archive access.

Newspaper coverage of the Rose Parade provides another source for finding Pasadena residents. The Star-News published special sections each year with photos and names of participants. These supplement official genealogy records by showing community involvement and social connections.

Pasadena Cemetery and Burial Records

Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena serves Pasadena families and has records dating back to the 1880s. The cemetery office maintains burial records showing who is buried in each plot with birth and death dates, next of kin, and sometimes additional biographical information. Contact the cemetery directly at 2400 North Fair Oaks Avenue as these are private records.

Other area cemeteries include Live Oak Memorial Park and San Gabriel Cemetery. Each maintains its own burial records. Death certificates from Los Angeles County list burial locations helping you identify which cemetery to contact. Some historic Pasadena families have plots at these cemeteries going back over a century.

Online databases like Find A Grave and BillionGraves include Pasadena cemetery records transcribed by volunteers. These provide names, dates, and often photographs of elaborate monuments erected by early Pasadena families. Always verify online information against official death certificates when possible. Cemetery records often include details not found elsewhere.

Online Genealogy Databases for Pasadena

FamilySearch offers free access to California vital records indexes. The California Birth Index 1905 to 1995 includes Pasadena births. The Death Index covers 1905 to 1939. County marriage records are also searchable. These indexes provide basic information but not full certificate images. Use them to confirm records exist before paying county fees.

The California Digital Newspaper Collection at cdnc.ucr.edu includes Pasadena newspapers. Search for your ancestors in the Pasadena Star-News and other local papers. Obituaries, society pages, and business news all help document family history. Newspapers provide rich context showing how people lived in Pasadena.

Ancestry.com has California records including census data and city directories. Pasadena Public Library provides free access to Ancestry Library Edition. Census records show Pasadena families every ten years from 1890 when the city was incorporated. City directories list residents by name and address helping track movement within Pasadena over time.

Pasadena Genealogy Research Strategies

Start with recent records and work backward through generations. Interview living relatives before searching archives. They may have documents, photos, or stories that provide research clues. Write down all information including uncertain details. Small facts help narrow searches when multiple people share the same name.

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 research and process faster.

Cross reference multiple record types. Birth records list parents. Death certificates show birthplaces and parents' names. Marriage licenses name both sets of parents. Use the Pasadena Museum archives to add context and details. Build your family tree by connecting information from different sources.

Nearby Cities for Research

Pasadena families often had connections to other San Gabriel Valley cities. Check records in Glendale, Burbank, Los Angeles, and Arcadia as well. Families moved between these cities. Your ancestors might have been born in one location, married in another, and died in a third. All vital records go through Los Angeles County Recorder regardless of city.