Santa Clarita Genealogy Research

Genealogy records for Santa Clarita are maintained through Los Angeles County offices and archives. Birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses help families trace their Santa Clarita Valley roots. The modern city formed in 1987 from previously unincorporated communities including Newhall, Saugus, Valencia, and Canyon Country. Earlier generations lived in these distinct communities before consolidation. Los Angeles County has handled vital records for this area since the county's formation in 1850, creating a continuous record trail for researchers to follow.

Los Angeles County Vital Records

Los Angeles County processes vital record requests for Santa Clarita residents. The County Registrar-Recorder office in Norwalk handles all birth, death, and marriage certificates. Current fees are thirty one dollars for birth records, twenty six dollars for death certificates, and nineteen dollars for marriage documents.

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk offers multiple service options. You can visit their Norwalk headquarters or use one of several regional offices. Online ordering provides convenient access with additional processing fees. Mail requests work for those who prefer traditional methods. Most applications process within two to three weeks.

Records for the Santa Clarita Valley date back to the 1850s when Los Angeles County was established. Before the city incorporated in 1987, residents appeared in records under community names like Newhall, Saugus, Valencia, and Canyon Country. Search under these older place names when researching pre-1987 ancestors.

Santa Clarita Public Library Local History

The Santa Clarita Public Library system maintains local history materials at branches throughout the valley. The Old Town Newhall Library houses the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society research collection. This archive includes photographs, maps, oral histories, and documents related to valley families and communities.

City directories and phone books track residents from the early twentieth century forward. Newspaper collections include the Signal and earlier valley publications. High school yearbooks from Hart, Canyon, Saugus, and Valencia high schools document students and families. These yearbooks often provide the only photographs of ancestors from certain time periods.

The library provides access to genealogy databases for in library use. Ancestry.com and other subscription services help researchers find records beyond local holdings. Library staff can suggest resources and research strategies. The local history collection welcomes visitors during regular library hours.

Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society

The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society preserves materials documenting valley history from Native American settlement through modern times. Their archives include family papers, business records, and photographs. The collection emphasizes ordinary families rather than just prominent individuals.

Ranch records document the era when large land grants dominated the valley. Oil industry materials reflect petroleum development that brought workers to the area in the early 1900s. Movie ranch files show how Hollywood used the valley for filming, bringing temporary and permanent residents. Cemetery transcriptions help locate burials throughout the valley.

The society welcomes genealogy researchers and provides reference assistance. Many materials are unique to their collection. The society publishes a quarterly journal with articles on valley history that often feature families. Visiting the archives may uncover unexpected information about your Santa Clarita Valley ancestors.

Southern California Genealogy Archives

The California State Archives in Sacramento holds Los Angeles County records supplementing local collections. Census schedules list Santa Clarita Valley households from 1850 forward. Probate files and court records document family relationships and property transfers. Naturalization papers prove citizenship for immigrant families.

The Southern California Genealogical Society library in Burbank serves Santa Clarita researchers. Their collection includes published family histories, county records microfilm, and genealogical society publications. The society offers research services, educational programs, and consultation for those tracing Santa Clarita Valley families.

University archives throughout Southern California hold manuscript collections that may include Santa Clarita Valley materials. UCLA, USC, and other institutions maintain historical collections. These academic archives sometimes hold business records, personal papers, or organizational files relevant to valley families.

Church Records and Cemetery Information

Churches in the Santa Clarita Valley maintain historical records supplementing county vital records. Catholic parishes kept baptism, marriage, and death registers. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles holds records for local Catholic churches. Protestant congregations including Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches also have historical materials.

Eternal Valley Memorial Park in Newhall includes burials from multiple generations of valley families. Cemetery records list plot locations and burial dates. The cemetery office can search their database for specific individuals. Other valley cemeteries and church burial grounds hold additional burials. Many pioneer families were buried in small cemeteries that later disappeared as development occurred.

Online databases like Find A Grave include photographs and transcriptions of Santa Clarita Valley headstones. Volunteers have documented many local burials. These online resources help researchers identify burial locations before making cemetery visits. Cemetery records often provide death dates when official records are missing.

Note: Some valley families are buried in Los Angeles city cemeteries or other locations outside the immediate area.

Santa Clarita Valley Research Tips

Start with Los Angeles County vital records. Order informational copies for genealogy research. These work fine for family history and do not require notarized forms. Use birth records to identify parents. Death certificates show birthplaces. Marriage records list both sets of parents. Build your family tree systematically from these foundation documents.

Remember to search under old community names. Before 1987, the area was not called Santa Clarita. Look for Newhall, Saugus, Valencia, Canyon Country, and Castaic in historical records. City directories, newspapers, and census records use these place names. Maps from different eras show how community boundaries and names changed.

Check newspaper archives for family mentions. The Signal newspaper has covered valley news since 1919. Earlier papers like the Newhall Signal and Saugus Enterprise documented community life. Obituaries list survivors and burial information. Wedding announcements name parents. Social news mentions everyday activities and events.

Explore specialized records based on when ancestors lived in the valley. Ranch records exist for the land grant era. Oil company employment files may survive for petroleum workers. Movie industry materials document those who worked in or around film production. The valley's economic base changed over time, creating different record types for different periods.

Related Research Locations

Santa Clarita Valley families often had connections to other Los Angeles County communities. Some moved from Los Angeles city or other areas. Others relocated to places like Palmdale or Lancaster in the Antelope Valley. All Los Angeles County residents use the same county offices for vital records. The Southern California Genealogical Society library in Burbank serves researchers from throughout the region.