The Contra Costa County History Center maintains custody of and provides access to a major archival collection documenting the history of the County.
Consisting of letters, diaries, manuscripts of writings, legal records, photographs, maps, newspapers, periodicals, and books, the collection is being cataloged, preserved, and made available to researchers according to approved archival methods as established by the Society of American Archivists, the Society of California Archivists, and other professional organizations.
CCCHS research materials also include, but are not limited to, the following: obituaries, newspapers, death notices, cemetery listings, court books and case files, county histories, biographies, tax assessment listings, photographs, genealogies of pioneer Spanish families, and numerous other miscellaneous items. The majority of the CCCHS collection relates to the time period 1850-1920.
Most of the documents in the History Center collections exist only in this repository. They are unique and of inestimable value. Because the entire staff of the History Center is knowledgeable concerning the use of sound archival methods, preservation for future generations of the material in its custody is assured to a degree found in few, if any, comparable county repositories.
Please use this index as a guide to the many resources available from the County History Center.
There are several database tables available on-line. In time we hope to have most or all available to you on this web site. For the best results, browse a table such as OBITS looking for names that may be in your research project. Remember, each table is only an index. Behind each entry is much more information. When you find a likely name, contact us by e-mail. Tell us which list you found the name in, provide other information if you have it to help us determine if the subject is actually who you hope it is. We will reply by e-mail and give you an estimate of costs for the material we have. Fees for copies are posted at the beginning of each Index along with other tips and details. Happy hunting!
The History Center's Computer Database available to researchers consists of the following:
Naturalization Index (11,185 entries)
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