San Francisco Genealogy Research

Genealogy records for San Francisco help families trace their California roots through vital records, historical archives, and local collections. San Francisco County maintains birth and death certificates at the County Clerk's Office at City Hall. Marriage records and other vital documents are also available through county offices. The 1906 earthquake destroyed many early records, but researchers can find replacement documents, delayed birth certificates, and alternative sources through libraries and archives. San Francisco offers unique genealogy resources including the Sutro Library collection and National Archives facilities that serve the western United States.

San Francisco County Vital Records

San Francisco County handles all vital records for births, deaths, and marriages occurring within city limits. The San Francisco County Clerk's Office operates from Room 168 at City Hall on 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Place. You can request birth certificates for thirty one dollars, death certificates for twenty six dollars, and marriage certificates for nineteen dollars. These fees match statewide rates set by California law.

Records from before 1906 may not exist due to the great earthquake and fire that destroyed City Hall and most municipal records. Many families re-registered births after the disaster, creating delayed birth certificates. The county clerk maintains these replacement records. Some original records survived at the state level or in private collections. Genealogists should check multiple sources when researching pre-1906 San Francisco families.

The San Francisco County Clerk offers in person service during weekday hours. You can also mail requests or order online through their portal. Processing takes about two weeks for most requests. Informational copies work for genealogy research and do not require notarized applications.

Sutro Library Genealogy Collection

The Sutro Library on the San Francisco State University campus holds the largest genealogy collection west of Salt Lake City. This collection includes family histories, local history books, city directories, and genealogical society publications. The library specializes in California research but also covers other states and countries.

Telephone directories on microfiche span the 1970s through 2000s for San Francisco and other California cities. Court abstracts, property indexes, and vital record indexes supplement official county records. The library staff will perform lookups in specific books and scan pages at no charge for remote researchers. Email sutro@library.ca.gov with your request. The reading room welcomes visitors Tuesday through Thursday from ten in the morning until four in the afternoon, closing from half past noon to half past one for lunch.

National Archives at San Francisco

The National Archives and Records Administration facility in San Bruno serves genealogy researchers seeking federal records. Their holdings include naturalization records from Northern California federal courts, military service files, passenger arrival lists for San Francisco port, and federal census records. Chinese immigration files from the early 1900s help families trace ancestors who entered through Angel Island.

Land entry case files document homestead claims and land patents across Northern California. Military records cover Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel from the region. The archives maintain passenger lists for ships arriving at San Francisco from the 1890s through the 1950s. Call ahead to confirm hours and schedule research appointments.

San Francisco Public Library Resources

The Main Library at 100 Larkin Street houses genealogy resources in their History Center. The collection emphasizes San Francisco and Bay Area history. City directories list residents, occupations, and addresses from the 1850s forward. Newspaper archives include the San Francisco Chronicle, Examiner, and Call. Obituaries provide death dates, survivors, and burial information.

Special collections include photographs, maps, and manuscript materials related to San Francisco families and businesses. The library provides access to subscription databases like Ancestry.com and newspapers.com for use in the building. Reference librarians help researchers locate materials and suggest research strategies. Most materials do not circulate but can be viewed in the History Center during library hours.

The library also maintains records from San Francisco organizations, churches, and fraternal societies. These fill gaps left by the 1906 earthquake. Cemetery transcriptions, funeral home records, and burial plot maps help locate final resting places. Church registers record baptisms, marriages, and deaths for congregations across the city.

State Archives and San Francisco Records

The California State Archives in Sacramento holds some San Francisco County records that survived the 1906 earthquake. Their collections include pre-1906 probate files, marriage records, and naturalization papers. These records often exist only at the state archives since local copies were destroyed.

Court case files from San Francisco Superior Court and Supreme Court appeals provide evidence of family relationships, property ownership, and legal disputes. Prison registers from San Quentin include San Francisco residents convicted of crimes. Mental health records from state hospitals list patients from the city, though access restrictions apply to recent files. Military muster rolls identify San Francisco men who served in California militia units and National Guard companies.

Historical Societies and Archives

The California Genealogical Society in Oakland serves San Francisco researchers with its extensive library and education programs. Members access subscription databases, research guidance, and special collections focused on Bay Area families. The society publishes guides to local records and maintains indexes to California sources.

The San Francisco History Center preserves materials documenting city development, neighborhoods, and prominent families. The Society of California Pioneers maintains archives of early California families who arrived before 1850. Their library includes manuscripts, photographs, and published histories. The Chinese Historical Society of America documents Chinese immigrant families and their contributions to San Francisco.

Many San Francisco churches maintain their own historical records separate from municipal archives. Catholic Archdiocese records at the chancery office include baptisms, marriages, and deaths from parish registers. Jewish Community Archives preserve records from synagogues and Jewish organizations. These faith-based collections survived the 1906 disaster and provide vital evidence for family historians.

Note: Always verify repository hours and access policies before visiting.

San Francisco Research Tips

Start with what survived the 1906 earthquake. Focus on post-1906 vital records first. Then work backward using alternative sources like newspapers, church records, and cemetery inscriptions. Many families re-registered births after the fire. Look for delayed birth certificates filed years after the actual birth.

Check federal records at NARA. Census records list San Francisco residents every ten years. Ship passenger lists document immigrant arrivals. Naturalization papers prove citizenship. These federal sources often provide the only evidence for pre-1906 events.

Use city directories to track families over time. Directories list names, occupations, and addresses annually. Follow your ancestors through different neighborhoods as they moved. Cross reference with maps to understand where they lived and worked.

The California Digital Newspaper Collection includes San Francisco papers with searchable text. Search for your ancestor's name to find obituaries, wedding announcements, business notices, and legal advertisements. Obituaries often list surviving family members and burial locations. Marriage announcements name both sets of parents.

Nearby Cities for Genealogy Research

San Francisco families often had connections to neighboring cities and counties. Oakland across the bay offers its own genealogy resources through the California Genealogical Society and local libraries. San Jose served as an early California capital and maintains extensive historical records. San Mateo and other peninsula communities share close ties to San Francisco through commerce and family relationships.