Your Guide to Researchinga
California Ancestors

Postal Code: CA Abbreviation: Calif.
Capital: Sacramento
First settled 1769 (Spanish)
1848 Mexico ceded California to the United States
Admitted as the 31st state in 1850.
Statewide birth, death and marriage records begin 1905.
Public land state.

There is nothing more helpful that a handy reference book with information specific to the area you are researching. I've listed below those that I know about.
(find in a library) will give you a link to help you find the book in the library closest to you. Most will show libraries near Ann Arbor... to change the location, type in your zip code and you can find libraries near you.

All of the three books listed below have a small section covering each state that includes maps, historical information, vital records coverage and a bibliography of resources for that state.

1. Handybook for Genealogists ( 11th edition) (find in a library) (note: some libraries may have earleir editions; those are perfectly usable)
2. Ancestry's Redbook (you'll want the 3rd edition) (find in a library)
3. The Family Tree Resource Book for Genealogical Research (find in a library)

Here are some books specific to California research.

Pompey. Genealogical Records of California (out of print)

Levine. Paper Trails: A Guide to Public Records in California. (intended as a guide to investigation, not genealogy, but still helpful.)

* FHL California Research Outline
* California Gen Web
* ALHN California Page
* California Genealogy
* California History and Genealogy
* California State Library -Genealogy
* California State Archives
* California Historical Society
* California Genealogical Society
* California Genealogical Society Directory
* California Newspaper Project
* California Vital Records (official)
* Vitalrec California Page
* California Black Sheep
* California in the Civil War
* California County History (includes maps)
* California Pioneeer Project
More Links
* Genealogy Today's State Gen Site: California
* Ancestors California Resource Guide
* Rootsweb: California
* Genealink's California Page
* Access Genealogy's List of California Links
* Cyndi's List California Page