Orange County was created out of Los Angeles County in 1889. The Orange County Recorder has birth, marriage, death and land records. The Orange County Clerk has divorce, probate and Civil Court records from 1889. Prior to 1889, any records would be filed with the Los Angeles County Clerk and Recorder.

Includes Libraries, Newspapers, Gen and Historical Societies and Museums Please be aware that phone numbers may have changed. Links to sites have been updated but, you know the rest of the story.

Orange County Clerk and Recorder
P.O. Box 238, Santa Ana, CA 92702
Phone 714-834-2500 Fax 714-972-3950
See website for current prises and restrictions.

Libraries

Anaheim Public Library
500 West Broadway
Anaheim, CA
Hours: Mondays - 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
The History Room is located on the second floor of the Anaheim Central Library, and a partial listing of its holdings include: Los Angeles Vineyard Society records on microfilm * Mother Colony House Family papers of many of the "Colony Founders" * Anaheim Union Water Co. minutes on microfilm * Disney Archives * Books Anaheim Union High School District Yearbooks * Anaheim and Orange County Directories * Scrapbooks * Business and church ledgers * Photographs * Maps * Oral history transcripts of Anaheim residents * Biography and Information files * Anaheim Cemetary records on microfilm * Local Newspapers (1850 to present) on microfilm * Business Memorabilia * Municipal documents * College thesis relating to the local area * Business records and correspondence * Books by local authors *.
City of Santa Ana Public Library
PO Box 1988
26 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92702
phone (714) 647-5280
fax (714) 647-5356
Located on the corner of Civic Center/Ross. Hours: Mon-Thur 10a-8p, Fri-Sat 10a-6p, Sun closed. This facility holds a near complete set of OC directories from ca 1889 to Now. The librarians do not, however, respond to any research requests from these volumes, nor from any other of their resources EXCEPT the OC Register from 1890s to Now for obits at the cost of $15 per name, payable in advance whether something is found or not. You may want to hire one of the Orange County researchers to do research for you in this facility.

Orange County Public Libraries

Los Angeles Public Library - Downtown Branch
630 W. Fifth Street
Los Angeles, California 90071
(213) 228-7000 (213) 228-7069
Hours: M-Th 10:00am-8:00pm, Fr & Sat 10:00am-6:00pm, Sun 1:00pm-5:00pm
Carries extensive city directories from many locales in paper and on microfilm;
Contains online catalog, including online index to obits in their History, Geography & Genealogy Dept.

University of California at Irvine Library
P.O. Box 19557
Irvine, CA 92623-9557
(949) 824-6836
(has copies of earlier Orange County Register newspapers)

Heritage Park Library
Walnut & Yale
Irvine, CA
(I'm not sure if this is a city or county library, but it has copies of Orange County Register Newspaper)

Huntington Beach Library
(carries Orange County Register on film from Jan 1984 forward)
7111 Talbert Ave.
Huntington Beach, CA
Telephone 714-842-4481
To telenet into their online catalog dial 714-842-0763
Hours: M 1pm - 9 pm, Tu-Th 9am - 9pm, Fr - Sat 9am - 5 pm, Sun 1 pm - 5 pm
The Huntington Beach Central Library is not part of the Orange County Public Library system; instead, it is a city facility. One must be a resident of the city to borrow material or must pay a user fee The Orange County Genealogical Society uses the facility to house their private collection of genealogical material which is not loaned out; anyone may access the collection however, Huntington Beach resident or not. The library itself no longer carries [paper] phone directories; all info must be looked up on CD-ROM and it is only recent listings. The Genealogical Society collection there does contain a couple of city directories for a few cities but there are no City Directories collection per se (for this, try the Los Angeles Public Library, Downtown; they do carry extensive city directories from many locales in paper and on microfilm; their catalog is online). The HB Library catalog is not online, but the Orange County Genealogical Society has an online site and may have lookup volunteers.

California State University Library - Fullerton

Orange County Historical Societies, Genealogical Societies and Museums

Thanks to Eric Mark Segal for putting together the extensive following list of historical societies and resources!

Anaheim Historical Society
Anaheim Boulevard at Broadway
P.O. Box 927
Anaheim, CA 92815
714-778-3301

Brea Historical Society
401 South Brea Boulevard
(P.O. Box 9764
Brea, CA 92662
Contact: Inez Fanning, President (714-529-2993)

Buena Park Historical Society
6631 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park, CA 90621
Hours: 10:30-2:30, Thursday; 1-4 every 2nd Sun

California Genealogical Society and Library
2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland, CA 94612-3017
510-663-1358 fax: 510-663-1596
http://www.calgensoc.org/

Costa Mesa Historical Society
P.O. Box 1764
Costa Mesa, CA 92628

Civil War Round Table - Orange County

Cypress College Local History Association
Cypress College
Cypress, CA 90630

First American Title Insurance Historical Library
114 East 5th Street
Santa Ana, CA 92701
714-558-3211
We are an archives and/or manuscript repository with a photo and slide repository. Historical photographic exhibit assistance and research. Publish Orange County Historical Highlights and Rancho Map. Hours: 9 - 11:30 and 1 - 3:30 Mondays, by appointment only. Contact: Jacque Gates, Curator (ext. 6400)

Fountain Valley Historical Society
P.O. Box 8592
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
714-964-0814
We are a historical society and historical park. Annual membership roster; Fire house, gazebo used for public events and weddings. (714-962-3453) Hours: by appointment with curator Contact: James Dick, Curator 714-962-5157

Garden Grove Historical Society
12174 Euclid Street
Garden Grove, CA 92640
714-530-8871
We are a historical society, historical park and house museum Two acre site: office, house museum and 14 other buildings. Monthly meeting on 1st Tuesday, except Jul and Aug. Publish a monthly newsletter. Hours: 1: 30-4, Sunday and by appointment Contact: Denis Witcher, President

Genealogical Society of North Orange County, California (GSNOCC)
(formerly Yorba Linda Gen. Soc.)
PO Box 706
Yorba Linda, CA 92885-0706
For more information call: 714-528-4725 or 528-4977

Huntington Beach Historical Society
19820 Beach Boulevard
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714-962-5777
We are an archives and/or manuscript repository and house museum. Newland House Museum; oral history; archive and photo collection; publish Post Card Book of Huntington Beach historical sites. Call for archive appointment. Hours: House: afternoons, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday Contact: Maureen Rivers, House Chairman

Irvine Historical Society and Museum
5 Rancho San Joaquin
Irvine, CA 92717
We are a historical society and Museum. Museum in cooking wing of 1868 house (since destroyed.) Walking tour Old Town Irvine monthly, docent programs in Irvine public schools, publish newsletter. Hours: 1-5, Tuesday and Sun Contact: Judy Liebeck, Curator (714-786-5735)

La Habra Old Settlers Historical Society
2310 Vista Road
La Habra, CA 90631
We are a historical society. Restored the caboose at the Children's Museum at La Habra Contact: Esther Cramer, Historian

Leisure World Historical Society of Laguna Hills
P.O. Box 2220
Laguna Hills, CA 92654
We are an archives and/or manuscript repository and historical society. Usually four meetings per year; newsletters for each meeting; 25th Anniversary book Fulfilling Retirement Dreams. Hours: 10-12, Monday through Friday; also by appointment Contact: Claire Still, President (714-859-7678)

National Archives-Pacific Southwest Region
24000 Avila Road
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Newport Beach Historical Society
c/o Sherman Library
614 Dahlia Avenue
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
714-673-1880
We are an archives and/or manuscript repository and historical society. Plaque commemorative sites. Published Newport Bay: A Pioneer History. Annual meeting at Sherman Library Gardens. Hours: 9-5, Monday through Friday Contact: Bill Grundy, President

Old Towne Preservation Association
P.O. Box 828
Orange, CA 92666
714-639-684

Orange County California Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 1587
7111 Talbert Huntington Beach
Orange, CA 92668
Based at the Huntington Beach, California Central Library, the 892 members of the Orange County California Genealogical Society (OCCGS) welcome you to this world wide web page in your search for your family history. Information placed here changes, so please place a bookmark for future visits. Huntington Beach Library houses collection (1,200 books, 250 periodicals); monthly newsletter and meeting; research methods classes; fund-raisers; quarterly periodical. Hours: 1-9, Monday; 9-9, Tuesday-Thursday; 9-5, Friday-Saturday Contact: Joan Rambo, President (714-543-3811)

South Orange County Genealogical Society
SOCGS meeting on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Mission Viejo Family History Institute Building, 27978 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA. Founded in January of 1994 in Mission Viejo, California, the homepage was created 7/14/95 and features copies of the society's newletters as well as members projects such as the Muster Roll of Co. L 7th California Volunteer Infantry in the Spanish American War 1898 and the 1881-1891 Antigonish & Inverness County Nova Scotia Census Data. Other projects will be forthcoming . For more information, contact vice president Richard Faber.

Orange County Historical Commission
211 W. Santa Ana Boulevard
(P.O. Box 4048)
Santa Ana, CA 91702-4048
714-834-5560
Hours: 8-5, Monday through Friday Contact: Robert Selway, Executive Officer

Federation of Orange County Historical Organizations
P.O. Box 4048
Santa Ana, CA 92702
714-834-5560
We are a clearing house for county Historical groups. We gather and disseminate information regarding historical programs and sites. We publish a quarterly newsletter. Hours: 8-5, Monday through Friday

Orange County Historical Society
PO Box 10984
Santa Ana 92711
Office is located in the - Dr. Howe-Waffle House 120 Civic Center Drive - West Santa Ana, Ca. 92701 (714) 543-8282
Founded in 1919, the Orange County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving public interest in the history of both Southern California and Orange County itself. The society offers many lecture series throughout the year, and announces period tours of historical sites in Orange County. These tours are often the best way to learn about Orange County's early heritage. Call or write the Society for more information about upcoming local events and membership.

Orange County Pioneer Council
2320 North Towner Street
Santa Ana, CA 92706
Contact: Hattie Weber, Corresponding Secretary
(714-667-0511)

Orange County Railway Historical Society
P.O. Box 51
Balboa Island, CA 92662
Contact: Steve Donaldson, Secretary
(714-222-7014)

Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site
4600 Virginia Road
Long Beach, CA 90807

Saddleback Area Historical Society
P.O. Box 156
El Toro, CA 92630

Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society
120 Civic Center Dr.
West Santa Ana, CA 92701
714-547-964
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/6542
Web Site for Santa Ana Historical Society Formed in 1974 by Mrs. Weston Walker and her friends as a non-profit organization in order to preserve and restore the Dr. Howe-Waffle house. The house is a 12 room Queene Anne Victorian. Call the Orange County Historical Society at 714-543-8282. The OCHS holds the docent program, just call the OCHS at the number above for a tour or information about the house.

San Clemente Historical Society
415 Avenida Granada
San Clemente, CA 92672

San Juan Capistrano Historical Society
31831 Los Rios Street
(P.O. Box 81)
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
714-493-8444
We are a historical society and house museum. Sponsor walking tour, 20 minute video, essay contest, school program, BBQ, publish: recipe book, newsletter. Hours: 9-12 and 1-4, Tuesday-Friday; 12-3, Sunday Contact: Pamela Hallen Gibson, President

Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society (Don't miss this one!)

Seal Beach Historical and Cultural Society
Seal Beach, CA 90740
213-431-7435
We are a historical society. Newsletter plus art and photographic exhibits. Hours: 1:30-5, 2nd and 4th Sat each month; group tours by appointment Contact: Barbara Rountree, President

Tustin Area Historical Society
395 El Camino Real
(P.O. Box 185)
Tustin, CA 92681
714-731-5701
We are a historical society and local history museum. General meeting and newsletter Heritage, 5 times per year. Hours: 9-2, Tuesday and Thur; 10-3, 1st Sat each month Contact: David Nisson, President

Westminster Historical Society
714-891-1126
We are a historical society and house museum. Newsletter, special events, museum tours. Contact: Jean Brewseter, President

Historical Links - a web site full of links to historical places in Santa Ana, California.

Area Newspapers

Orange County Register - largest local newspaper.

Coastline Dispatch Newspaper - Per Rita Avila it is defunct now. Owner/editor was Frank Winterbourne. All Coastline Dispatch issues were kept in huge books in San Clemente @ their El Camino Real office, even well into the mid 1980s. The Orange County Register may have those old books & fantastic files.

Las Angeles Times - Orange County

Museums

Anaheim Museum - 1908 Landmark houses a pictorial history of Anaheim, one of the original Carnegie libraries. 714-778-3301.

Bowers Museum of Cultural Art - in Santa Ana, has exhibits of artworks of world cultures. Phone 714-778-3301.

Bradford House - 1890 home listed in National Register of Historic Places. 714-993-2470. In Placentia.

Bryant Ranch Museum and Garden, 5700 susanna Bryant Drive, Yorba Linda. Museum is open from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays. Tours can be arranged by calling (714) 694-0235. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children.

Brea City Gallery - In Brea. Exhibits and demos. 714-990-7730.

Costa Mesa Historical Society Museum - - This museum honors the history of the early settlers and events of Costa Mesa, a town originally known as Harper. Other important items chronicle the story of the Santa Ana Army Air Base. Address: 1870 Anaheim Ave, Costa Mesa

Discovery Museum of Orange County - restored 1898 Kellogg House and garden in Santa Ana. 714-540-0404.

Emery Borrow Pit Fossil and Museum - - More than 70,000 years ago, this site was a marsh inhabited by many forms oflife that are now extinct, including the ancient mammoth, ground sloth and ring-tailed cat. Paleontologists have discovered here the only known fragments of an unusual prehistoric camel in western North America and the largest collection of fossilized pond turtles in Southern California. The museum/park has prehistoric fossil beds and recreational and educational activities. Address: Clark Regional Park, 8800 Rosecrans Ave, Buena Park.

Fullerton Arboretum - in Fullerton. 714-278-3404.

Fullerton Museum Center - In Fullerton. 714-738-6545.

George Key Ranch - 1898 home, botanical garden and Orange grove. Placentia. 714-528-4260.

Helen Modjeska Historic House and Gardens - National Historic Land Landmark. In Modjeska Canyon. 949-855-2028.

Heritage Hill Historical Park - Lake Forest. Historically furnished buildings in park setting. 949-855-2028.

International Surfing Museum - Huntington Beach, surfing history and memorabilia. 714-960-3483.

Irvine Historical Museum - - The Irvine Historical Museum, operated by the Irvine Historical Society, is the chief repository for Irvine Ranch memorabilia. The museum building is the oldest structure on the original Irvine Ranch, built in the 1880s as a cooking wing for the first sheep and cattle camp on the ranch property. Address: 5 San Joaquin, Irvine, 949-476-2565.

Knott's Best of California Gallery - - Knott's first-ever permanent gallery features one-of-a-kind, California-themed art by Dennis Curry, Bill Churchill, Terry Thomsely, Richard Satava, JohnBarber, Tim Cotterill and Christopher Bell. Address: 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park.

La Habra Children's Museum - - This unusual museum for children (and Adults) introduces the younger generation to hands-on experiences where they are encouraged to touch and feel the exhibits. The mseum has the distinction of being the first attraction of itskind in Orange County. It is housed in a restored 1923 Union Pacific Railro ad Station. Adjacent to the depot's loading dock is a restored caboose filled with memorabilia, photographs and artifacts from La Habra's early days. Address: 301 S. Euclid St., La Habra.

Marconi Automotive Museum - In Tustin, 714-258-3001.

Mission San Juan Capistrano - Built 1776, one of Father Junipero Serra's historic missions known for the return of the swallows every March. San Juan Capistrano. 949-248-2048.

Movieland Wax Museum - Buena Park. 714-522-1154.

Muckenthaler Cultural Center - traveling exhibits and events in Fullerton. 714-738-6595.

New Saigon Cultural Court - In Westminster. 714-891-2122.

Newland House - Historic Victorian home in Huntington Beach. 714-962-5777.

Newport Beach Sports Collection Foundation - Sports memorabilia. Newport Beach. 949-721-9333.

Newport Harbor Nautical Museum - Floating museum featuring nautical artifacts. Newport Beach. 949-675-8915.

Old Orange Courthouse Museum - 1901 landmark used in numerous movies. Santa Ana. 714-834-3703.

Old Towne Orange - listed in National Register of Historic Places. In Orange. 714-536-6255.

Orange County Marine Institute - in Dana Point. 949-496-2274.

Pacific Electric Red Car Museum - - An old interurban work car has been converted into a museum featuring exhibits of early county history. It is located on the right-of-way the Pacific Electric obtained in the early 1900s to operate their 'Red Cars' between Los Angeles and the beach communities in Orange County. This method of transportation played a key role in the growth of Seal Beach and neighboring cities. Address: 707 Electric Ave., Seal Beach.

Parra Adobe - - Although some historians theorize the adobe may have served as a barracks for Mission San Juan Capistrano vaqueros (cowboys) in an earlier time, it was probably constructed in the 1860s. The adobe is associated with Miguel ParraJr., who built the adobe prior to its recorded ownership by Francois Riveri n, a Frenchman. Housed here is the Museum of Indian Artifacts run by the Capistrano Indian Council. Address: 27792 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano.

Ramon Peralta Adobe Historic Site - 6393 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road, Anaheim, 92807. 714-528-4260.

Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Birthplace - Includes farmhouse where he was born and the burial gardens of President and Mrs. Nixon. Yorba Linda. 714-993-3393.

Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum - Buena Park. 714-522-7045.

Sherman Library and Gardens - They are open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 to 4:30 p.m. but close for lunch from 1:00 to 2:00. The library's emphasis is on history of the Pacific Southwest. They have the L.A. Times back 100 years on microfilm but do not have a printer at this time. They have some voter registration records for the 1980's for Orange, San Diego & L.A. Counties. They have city directories dating back several decades for cities in Orange County & L.A. The library is a reference-only library - no copies may be made. The number for the library is (949) 673-1880 and they are in Corona Del Mar. botanical gardens with paths leading to living exhibits.

Stanley Ranch Museum - 2 acres of 100 year old buildings including where Walt Disney started his business. In Garden Grove. 714-530-8871.

Whitaker-Jaynes House - 1887 historic house. In Buena Park. 714-562-3570.