Vallejo Family History and Genealogy

Vallejo genealogy records document families through vital documents kept by Solano County offices in the county administration building in Fairfield. Birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses for Vallejo residents get filed with Solano County Assessor-Recorder since Vallejo is located in southern Solano County along the Carquinez Strait. Named after General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, the city served briefly as California's state capital in 1852 and developed as a major naval shipyard town with Mare Island Naval Shipyard operating from 1854 to 1996. Local historical societies, libraries, and military archives hold records about the diverse families who came to Vallejo for shipyard work, Navy service, and the opportunities this Bay Area port city offered.

Solano County Vital Records Office

Solano County maintains all vital records for Vallejo at the county administration building in Fairfield. The Assessor-Recorder office handles birth and death certificates plus marriage licenses. The vital records section serves all Solano County residents including those in Vallejo, Fairfield, Benicia, and other cities.

Birth certificates cost thirty one dollars per copy. Death records are twenty six dollars. Marriage certificates run nineteen dollars. These fees match California state requirements. The Solano County vital records office provides forms and instructions on their website. Processing takes about two weeks for mail requests.

Solano County records begin in 1850 when California achieved statehood. Vallejo has been an important city since the early days of California history. The city served as state capital briefly in 1852 and 1853 before the government moved to Sacramento. Mare Island Naval Shipyard brought thousands of families to the area starting in 1854.

For genealogy research, order informational copies instead of certified copies. Informational copies contain identical information but do not require notarized statements. They display a legend indicating they cannot establish identity. This does not matter for family history research. Only authorized persons under California Health and Safety Code Section 103526 can obtain unrestricted certified copies.

Vallejo Public Library Genealogy Resources

The Vallejo Public Library John F. Kennedy Library serves as the main branch with genealogy resources. Staff can guide researchers toward county offices and online databases. The library provides free access to subscription genealogy websites on public computers. Many databases are also available from home with a valid library card.

City directories, phone books, and local history books fill the reference collection. These materials help trace families through addresses and occupations over decades. Newspaper archives include the Vallejo Times-Herald and earlier publications. Obituaries, wedding announcements, and local news provide family history details.

Census records show Vallejo families from 1850 forward. The 1940 census is the most recent public census documenting the city during World War II when Mare Island Naval Shipyard employed thousands. Earlier census years show city development from capital city to naval town. Many residents worked at the shipyard or in related industries.

The California Department of Public Health handles statewide vital records requests for events from 1905 forward. The state maintains indexes for all California births, deaths, and marriages during that period. You can order from the state or from Solano County depending on your preference.

Mare Island Naval Shipyard Records

Mare Island Naval Shipyard shaped Vallejo's history from 1854 to 1996. The shipyard was the first United States Navy base on the Pacific coast. Thousands of families came to Vallejo for shipyard employment over nearly one hundred fifty years. Military and civilian personnel records help trace family connections to Mare Island.

The National Archives maintains military service records and some civilian employment files. Records for Navy personnel who served at Mare Island may include service dates, assignments, and family information. Civilian workers at the shipyard also appear in federal employment records. Request forms are available through the National Archives at San Francisco.

Local historical collections include photographs, documents, and oral histories about shipyard life. The Mare Island Historic Park Foundation preserves materials about the base and its role in Vallejo's development. Many Vallejo families have multiple generations who worked at Mare Island. Employment records, housing documents, and union files help trace these connections.

Note: Mare Island closed in 1996 ending an era in Vallejo history.

Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum

The Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum preserves local heritage through collections focused on Mare Island and city history. Archives include documents, photographs, and artifacts related to families who lived in Vallejo. Research files organized by topic and surname help genealogy inquiries.

Ship muster rolls, base directories, and shipyard employment records supplement official military files. The museum maintains materials about civilian life in Vallejo including schools, churches, businesses, and community organizations. Many documents came from families who donated personal papers and photographs.

Cemetery records from Vallejo burial grounds help trace family connections. The city's diverse population included immigrants from many countries who came for shipyard work. Church registers from different denominations document marriages, baptisms, and burials. These records fill gaps when official vital records are missing or incomplete.

Early Vallejo and State Capital Records

Vallejo briefly served as California's state capital in 1852 and 1853. General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo donated land for the capital hoping to establish a major city. The legislature met in Vallejo but soon moved to Sacramento. Early records from this period document who lived in the city during its brief time as capital.

Property records show land ownership from the rancho era through American settlement. Solano County maintains deed indexes from 1850 forward. The California State Archives holds land case files documenting Mexican land grants and their transition to American ownership. Several ranchos covered the Vallejo area originally.

Court records, naturalization files, and probate documents supplement vital records for genealogy research. Solano County Superior Court maintains files from the 1850s forward. These records reveal family relationships, property divisions, and legal matters that affected families. Probate files list heirs and describe estates.

Online Genealogy Resources for Vallejo

FamilySearch provides free California vital record indexes. The California Birth Index 1905-1995 includes Solano County births. Search by name and date to verify records exist before ordering copies. The index shows basic information but not complete certificate details.

Ancestry.com hosts census records, city directories, and military databases. Federal census records from 1850 to 1950 show Vallejo families. Directories list residents by name, address, and occupation. Military records document service at Mare Island and elsewhere. Many libraries provide free Ancestry access.

The California Digital Newspaper Collection at cdnc.ucr.edu includes Bay Area newspapers. Search for family names to find obituaries, articles, and announcements. The collection continues to expand. It provides convenient access to historical newspapers that document Vallejo history.

Vallejo Genealogy Research Strategies

Start with living relatives to collect names, dates, and family stories. Write down everything including approximate information and family traditions. Small details often solve research problems. Focus on one generation at a time working backward from the present.

Order multiple types of vital records for each ancestor. Birth certificates list parents and birthplaces. Death records show burial locations and informants. Marriage licenses name both families. Each document provides different details. Cross reference them to verify facts and identify recording errors.

Use census records to track families every ten years. Census listings show household members, ages, occupations, and birthplaces. The 1940 census documents Vallejo during World War II shipyard expansion. Earlier years show city development and population changes. Note neighbors since families often had connections.

Check military records if ancestors worked at Mare Island or served in the Navy. Service records, employment files, and pension applications contain genealogy information. The National Archives holds most military records. Local historical collections supplement federal files with photographs, documents, and oral histories about shipyard life.

Nearby Genealogy Research Locations

Fairfield is the Solano County seat holding the main vital records offices and county archives. Benicia served as California's state capital after Vallejo and shares regional history. Both cities offer genealogy resources.

Oakland in Alameda County sits across the bay with excellent genealogy collections at the California Genealogical Society. San Francisco offers major resources including Sutro Library and the National Archives at San Francisco.