Ventura County, California
Genealogy, History & Facts
Ventura County, California Facts
When was Ventura County, CA Created?
Ventura County was established on March 22, 1872 from Santa Barbara County . This county in 1782 the Mission San Buenaventura was founded as San Buenaventura (now known as Ventura). Buenaventura is composed of two Spanish words, buena meaning “good” and ventura meaning “fortune.”
Ventura County, CA Vital Records
Where can find Ventura County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Ventura County vital records can be found at the California Office of Vital Records has copies of birth and death records from July 1905, marriage records that occurred from 1949-1986 and 1998-1999, divorce records that occurred between 1962 and June, 1984. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in California for current fees and application process.
You can search online for Ventura County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for California Birth Certificate, Marriage or Divorce Certificate, Death Certificate Applications to mail.
Vital Records can also be found in the Local Registrar of Births and Deaths, 2240 East Gonzales Road, Suite 150, Oxnard, CA 93036; Office (805) 981-5172
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- Social Security Death Index
- USGenweb Archives California Marriage Project
- California Birth Index 1905 to 1995 from the California Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics
- California Birth Index, 1905-1995
- California Marriage Records 1960 to 1985 from the California Department of Health
- California, County Marriages, 1850-1952
- California Marriages, 1850-1877
- California, Marriage Index, 1960-1985
- California Divorce Index, 1966-1984
- Western States Marriage Index, 1809-2011
- California Death Index 1940 to 1997
- California Death Index, 1940-1997
- California, World War I Death Announcements, 1918-1921
- California Biographical Collection: Responses to Vital Record Inquiries, 1822-1964
Ventura County, CA Census Records
What Ventura County, CA census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Ventura County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.
Another California census is the California State Census in 1852. One can find free online and printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also California Census Records Research Guide.
Ventura County, CA Courthouse and Government Records
What genealogical records can I find in the Ventura County Courthouse?
Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Ventura County court, probate, and land records data as a useful resource of ancestry and genealogy information. Buried away in California courthouses and archives everywhere are the ambitions and frustrations of countless California residents.
The possibilities are excellent that your forefathers have left a comprehensive document of at least a number of facets of their lives in the Ventura County court records. Even if your forebears is not referred to in a Court case, contemplate all of the other procedures that could have lead to him or her to appear in court records. See Also California Corthouse Records Research Guide.
- Ventura County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
- Address: 3855 Alamo St, Simi Valley, CA 93063
- Phone: (805) 582-7526
- Ventura County Recorder-Clerk
- Address: 800 South Victoria Avenue, LN 1260, Ventura, CA 93009
- Phone: (805) 654-3666
- Birth / Death Records: 1872
- Marriage Records: 1873
- Land Records: 1871 (Alcalde records from 1782; county land records begin 1871)
- Ventura County Clerk of Superior Court
- Probate Records: 1873
- Court Records: 1873
- Early California Wills
- BLM Land Records
Ventura County, CA Societies and Family History Resources
What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Ventura County, CA?
A list of Ventura County Historical and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Californiia Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.
- Ventura County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 24608, Ventura, CA 93002; Archives
- Ventura County Historical Society, 100 East Main Street, Ventura 93001-2698; (805) 653-0323
- Moorpark Historical Society, PO Box 662, Moorpark, CA 93020; 805-529-1373
- California State Archives, Office of Secretary of State, 1020 O Street, Room 130, Sacramento, CA 95814
- California State Library, 914 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814
- California Historical Society, 678 Mission Street, San Francisco 94105
- California Genealogical Society And Library, 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland 94612-3017
Where can I connect with other Ventura County, CA Researchers through message boards and forums?
- California Genealogy Community (plus.google.com)
- California State Genealogy Network (facebook.com)
- Ventura County, California Message Boards (boards.ancestry.com)
- Ventura County, California Genealogy Forum (genforum.genealogy.com)
What other genealogical resources are available in Ventura County, CA?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Ventura County. A majority of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Business Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some require a payment. This is basically a listing which has been gathered or submitted. I do not recommend or promote one genealogy site above another.