Lassen County Family History Records

Lassen County genealogy records offer birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses for tracing family roots. The County Clerk-Recorder office in Susanville maintains vital records for events throughout the county. Researchers can request genealogy records by visiting the office, mailing applications, or calling for guidance on available records. The county has kept records since 1864 when Lassen County was established. California statewide vital records started July 1905, but earlier local records exist at the county level. Begin your family history search with Lassen County's recorder division to access birth, death, and marriage documents from Susanville and surrounding communities.

Lassen County Clerk-Recorder Division

The Clerk-Recorder division handles all genealogy records for Lassen County. This office keeps birth certificates, death records, and marriage licenses on file. You can visit the Susanville office during business hours or request records by mail. Staff assist researchers Monday through Friday at the county government center.

The Lassen County Recorder Division website provides contact information and forms. Download applications for birth, death, or marriage records. Call ahead to confirm current fees and office hours. The recorder can search files by name if you provide approximate dates.

In person service offers same day copies if records are on file. Bring photo ID and complete event details. The office is located in downtown Susanville near the courthouse. Parking is available on nearby streets and in public lots. Payment by cash, check, or money order is accepted.

Birth Records from Lassen County

Birth certificates cost thirty one dollars per copy. Lassen County has birth records from 1864 forward, though early compliance was poor. California did not require birth registration until 1915. Many births before that date were never officially recorded. Some families registered births voluntarily after the state system began in 1905.

Missing birth records can be supplemented with other sources. Census schedules list ages and birthplaces. Church baptism registers confirm births and name parents. Family bibles recorded births when government did not. School enrollment records sometimes provide birthdates. These alternate sources help prove births when official certificates do not exist.

Newborn certificates take three to four weeks to process and file. Recent births may not be available immediately. Request informational copies for genealogy purposes. These do not require notarized applications like certified copies. Informational copies contain all birth details but include a legend stating they cannot establish identity for legal purposes.

Birth certificates list parents' full names, ages, birthplaces, and occupations. Mother's maiden name appears on the record. These details help trace multiple generations and identify immigrant origins. Older certificates provide less information than modern ones but remain valuable for family history research.

Death Certificates and Records

Death certificates in Lassen County cost twenty six dollars. The county maintains death records for anyone who died within its boundaries. Death certificates list birthplace, parents' names, spouse, occupation, cause of death, and burial location. This information helps confirm identities and locate earlier records in other jurisdictions.

Historical death records contain less detail than modern ones. Pre-1950 certificates might lack parents' birthplaces or detailed medical information. Still, they provide valuable genealogy clues. Cause of death can reveal occupational hazards or health patterns. Burial location leads to cemetery records with additional family details.

Death records over fifty years old are public in California. Recent deaths require authorized person status for certified copies. Informational copies are available to any researcher regardless of relationship. These copies contain the same data as certified copies but cannot be used for legal identification purposes.

Marriage Licenses in Lassen County

Marriage certificates cost nineteen dollars from Lassen County. The county has marriage records dating back to 1864. Marriage licenses are filed in the county where issued, not where ceremonies took place. A couple who obtained a Susanville license but married elsewhere has their record in Lassen County.

Marriage records provide names, ages, birthplaces, parents' names, and occupations for both parties. Some older licenses note prior marriages and number of children. This makes marriage records extremely valuable for genealogy. One certificate can provide information about six people across three generations when parents are listed.

Confidential marriages performed after 1971 are sealed. Only the spouses can access those records. All other marriage licenses are public. Search the marriage index before ordering copies to confirm records exist. The clerk staff will search by name if you provide an approximate year. This saves money by confirming availability before you pay.

Note: Always contact the county that issued the license, not where the wedding ceremony occurred.

Local Genealogy Research Resources

Lassen County Library in Susanville maintains local history materials for genealogy research. The collection includes old newspapers on microfilm, city directories, cemetery records, and family histories compiled by local researchers. Library computers provide access to FamilySearch and other genealogy databases. Staff offer reference assistance during operating hours.

Lassen Historical Society operates a museum and research library in Susanville. Their archives contain photographs, maps, school records, and community organization files. Many of these materials mention local families and supplement official vital records. Contact the society to arrange research visits and access specific collections.

Cemeteries throughout Lassen County hold important genealogy information. Susanville Cemetery, Westwood Cemetery, and numerous small rural cemeteries have sections over one hundred years old. Walking cemeteries helps find family plots and photograph grave markers. Stone inscriptions fade over time, so document them soon. Findagrave.com has some Lassen County coverage but many rural cemeteries remain unphotographed.

Lassen County Historical Background

Lassen County formed in 1864 from parts of Plumas and Shasta counties. The county was named for Peter Lassen, an early California pioneer. Susanville became the county seat. Early settlers came for ranching, farming, and timber. The lumber industry dominated the economy for over a century and shaped population patterns.

Native American tribes lived in the region for thousands of years. Paiute, Maidu, and Washoe people maintained communities throughout the area. Genealogy research for Native American ancestors requires tribal records, mission records, and federal Indian agency documents. These supplement county vital records.

Railroad construction brought population growth in the late 1800s. The Fernley and Lassen Railway and later the Southern Pacific connected Lassen County to markets. Towns developed along rail lines. Check railroad employment records and local newspapers for mentions of ancestors who worked in transportation.

Military presence at Sierra Army Depot beginning in the 1940s brought many families to the area. Military records, base newspapers, and veterans organization files provide additional genealogy sources for families connected to the depot.

Requesting Lassen County Records

Multiple options exist for obtaining genealogy records from Lassen County. Visit the clerk-recorder office in Susanville. Mail a completed application with payment. Call the office to discuss record availability. Each method has different timelines and requirements.

In person visits provide immediate service if records are located. The office is in the county courthouse complex in Susanville. Bring government issued photo ID and exact event details including full names and dates. Staff will search files and provide copies the same day if possible. Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order at the counter.

Mail requests require proper application forms available on the county website or by calling the office. Complete all sections with required information. Include payment by check or money order made payable to Lassen County Clerk-Recorder. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail. Do not mail cash. Processing takes one to two weeks plus postal transit time.

Notarization is needed for certified copies but not informational copies. Request informational copies for genealogy work to avoid notary requirements. These copies contain identical information as certified copies but are marked as not valid for establishing identity. This marking does not affect their value for family history research.

California State Genealogy Resources

The California Department of Public Health Vital Records maintains statewide birth and death records from July 1905 to present. Order from the state if you are uncertain which county holds a record. State indexes cover all California counties. Processing takes approximately fifteen business days for recent birth and death records.

FamilySearch offers free access to California vital record indexes. The California Birth Index 1905-1995 includes Lassen County births. Search these free indexes before ordering certificates to confirm records exist. The index identifies the correct county, saving time and money in genealogy research.

The California State Archives in Sacramento holds broader genealogy collections. Their holdings include census schedules, court cases, military records, and government files mentioning Lassen County residents. The archives reading room is open weekdays for public research. Call ahead to confirm hours and discuss collections relevant to your research.

Adjacent Counties for Research

Lassen County borders Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, and Nevada counties in California, plus Washoe County in Nevada. Families frequently moved between these areas for work and land. Check neighboring county records if ancestors lived near borders or if Lassen County records are incomplete. Before 1864, the area was part of Plumas and Shasta counties.

Nearby counties: Modoc County, Plumas County, Shasta County, Nevada County