Pomona Genealogy Records

Pomona genealogy records help trace family history through vital records maintained by Los Angeles County. Birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses for all Pomona residents are processed through the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder office because California keeps genealogy records at the county level rather than by individual cities. You can search for birth records from July 1905 forward through state indexes or contact the county for earlier documents dating back to the 1880s when Pomona was founded. Death certificates and marriage licenses follow the same county system with multiple ordering options including online requests, in person visits, or mail applications. Birth records cost thirty one dollars, death certificates are twenty six dollars, and marriage licenses run nineteen dollars per copy as of 2026.

Los Angeles County Records for Pomona

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder maintains all Pomona 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 ordering information.

Los Angeles County maintains one of the largest vital records collections in California. Records go 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. Pomona was incorporated in 1888 so the city's early years are well documented in county records.

Multiple 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 completed forms, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

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

Pomona Public Library Local History Collection

Pomona Public Library at 625 South Garey Avenue offers genealogy research tools. The library provides 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 search California vital records indexes and census data for Pomona families.

The library's local history collection includes Pomona city directories, yearbooks from local schools including Pomona High School dating back decades, and newspaper archives. The Pomona Progress Bulletin published local news and obituaries for over a century. These provide context and details beyond what appears in official death certificates.

Los Angeles County Library system connects all branches allowing you to request materials from other locations through interlibrary loan. The county genealogy collection includes family histories, cemetery records, and research guides compiled by local genealogists. These abstracts save time by pulling relevant information from lengthy original documents.

Historical Society of Pomona Valley

The Historical Society of Pomona Valley maintains collections about local families and city development. While the society does not hold vital records, they preserve photographs, documents, and artifacts showing Pomona's growth from an agricultural community to a major city. The society operates a museum and research library.

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

Pomona's early history centered on citrus agriculture. Many families worked in the citrus industry or related businesses. The historical society documents this heritage through employment records, company papers, and personal collections. These materials provide context for understanding where your ancestors worked and how they lived in Pomona.

The society also maintains materials about the Los Angeles County Fair which has been held in Pomona since 1922. Fair records include photographs and lists of participants, exhibitors, and workers. If your ancestors were involved with the fair, these records may provide additional genealogy information.

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

Cal Poly Pomona University Archives

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona maintains special collections related to the university and local area. The university library holds materials about Pomona development including maps, photographs, and documents. While focused on institutional history rather than genealogy specifically, these collections sometimes include information about Pomona families.

The W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center at Cal Poly Pomona sits on land that was once part of the Kellogg Ranch. Historical materials about the ranch and the Kellogg family may be available through university archives. The ranch played a significant role in Pomona area history.

Contact the university library to ask about access to special collections. Some materials are available to outside researchers by appointment. The university also hosts events about regional history that may help with understanding the context of your family research.

Pomona Cemetery and Burial Records

Pomona Cemetery District operates Pomona Valley Memorial Park which has served the community since 1920. The cemetery office maintains burial records showing who is buried in each plot with birth and death dates, next of kin, and sometimes additional family information. Contact the cemetery directly as these are private records not held by the city or county.

Other area cemeteries include Live Oak Memorial Park and Rose Hills Memorial Park in nearby Whittier which includes many Pomona residents. Death certificates from Los Angeles County list burial locations helping you identify which cemetery to contact. Some historic Pomona families have plots at these cemeteries going back over a century.

Online databases like Find A Grave and BillionGraves include Pomona cemetery records transcribed by volunteers. These databases provide names, dates, and sometimes photographs of headstones. Always verify online information against official death certificates when possible. Cemetery records often include parents' names or birthplaces not found in other sources.

Online Genealogy Databases for Pomona Research

FamilySearch offers free access to California vital records indexes. The California Birth Index 1905 to 1995 includes Pomona births. The Death Index covers 1905 to 1939. County marriage records from 1850 to 1952 are also searchable. These indexes provide basic information but not full certificate images. Use them to verify records exist before paying county fees.

The California Digital Newspaper Collection at cdnc.ucr.edu includes papers from Los Angeles County. Search for Pomona residents in historical newspapers including the Pomona Progress Bulletin. Obituaries, wedding announcements, and local news all help document family history. Newspapers show what people did, where they worked, and how they participated in Pomona community life.

Ancestry.com has California records including census data and city directories. Pomona Public Library provides free access to Ancestry Library Edition inside the library. Census records show Pomona families every ten years from 1890 after the city was incorporated. City directories list residents by name and address helping track when families moved to Pomona or between different parts of the city.

Tips for Pomona Genealogy Research

Begin with recent records and work backward through time. Talk to living relatives before searching archives. They may have documents, photos, or stories that provide research leads. Write down all names, dates, and places including uncertain information. Even approximate details help narrow search results when common names appear.

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

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

Nearby Cities for Genealogy Research

Pomona families often had connections to other San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire cities. Check records in Claremont, Ontario, Montclair, and La Verne as well. Families moved frequently 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 which city you research.