Research
“Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose.”
- Zora Neale Hurston
The History Center is open to the public for research during regular business hours with a volunteer staff that is happy to assist you with your research studies.
Research services can be arranged by email (info@cocohistory.org), telephone (925-229-1042), mail (724 Escobar St., Martinez, CA 94553) or the online research form found at the bottom of this page.
Once your Research Query is received, a staff member will review the Society's research databases and collections and advise you if we can help. This initial consultation is free.
Research services are free for official representatives of Contra Costa County government agencies and departments; public schools and school districts within Contra Costa County and their teachers; public school students doing classwork for schools within the county.
For a complete list of services and fees, please refer to the Fee Schedule PDF in the next section.
Our archive covers a vast range of the County's life assembled from our collections of newspapers, obituaries, court, and judicial records (e.g. naturalization, probates), photos, maps, school histories, our library collection, and various special collections.
View our collections
On-Site Research
On-site research can be performed in all collections that are currently available to the public.
Individuals may begin their research on their own using our PACT computer OR they may have a CCCHS staff member do the research for them.
The PACT (Public Access Computer Terminal) is available to the general public at no charge and contains digitized records of photographs, 19th century newspapers and maps, several book-length Histories of Contra Costa County, Nilda Rego’s columns, as well as a general search of the History Center’s database.
CCCHS-performed research
For Personal use:
Member cost $20.00 per hour* / Nonmember cost $30.00 per hour*
For Commercial use:
Member cost $45.00 per hour* / Nonmember cost $60.00 per hour*
* There is a one-hour minimum charge. After one hour, research time is charged in increments of 30 minutes. Research fees include photocopies and/or scanning of documents.
Naturalization documents, including certified copies, and obituary research are priced per name. Please refer to the Fee Schedule PDF for pricing details.
Client-performed research
Clients performing their own research at the History Center will be provided with an orientation to familiarize them with the Center's resources.
Member cost: No charge
Nonmember cost: $20.00 per hour*
* There is a one-hour minimum charge. After one hour, research time is charged in increments of 30 minutes. Client-performed research fees include digital-camera notetaking.
Please note: Digital camera note-taking is permissible for text documents only. Digital cameras may not be used to take photographs of graphic images (maps, photographs, posters, artwork).
Plan a visit
Your research starts at the PACT Computer
Links
Online Databases
Photographs, probate files, immigration/naturalization, maps, and obituaries are collections which we have indexed that can be found on our website. Contact the History Center for copies by identifying the item by name and/or item number.
Explore our collections
Links
Collections
The Contra Costa County Historical Society’s History Center houses a large collection of historical materials pertaining to the history of Contra Costa County since its formation in 1850.
Explore our Collection
Property tax receipt books, 1911-1920
Research Inquiries
Research inquiries can be made by phone, email, or filling out the research question form below. Please be specific in your request, including the names, dates, and locations of your subject within Contra Costa County. Our researchers will check the collections first before responding with a quotation of any fees for research and copying.
Please be specific to names, dates or timeframes, and known locations in the county and the question(s) to be answered. The more we understand your needs, the better we can serve you. For example, “family research” is vague but “Jones Family Research", particularly "Jonas P. Jones” is better.
Research Fees
The Society charges fees for some of the services and products we offer. We charge these fees to recover our costs and help fund our continued operations. Some fees are lower for members of CCCHS and the full list of services and fees are listed here in our Fee Schedule.
If your research will involve fees, the exact amount will be determined by the staff person who assists you. Fees may be paid by cash, check or credit card. If you have further questions about the fees we charge, please contact us.