1852 California Census for Santa Clara County

Because the 1850 US Federal census faced immense logistical challenges tracking the Gold Rush population explosion, California conducted its own state census in 1852. This record is highly valuable for Santa Clara County researchers because it explicitly asks for each person’s previous state or country of residence, helping track pioneer migration.

How to Research

Illegible images and missing surnames can make finding individuals difficult. Use this research strategy:

1. Search Ancestry First

Search the California State Census,1852 database. If you are certain your ancestor lived in Santa Clara County, enter “Santa Clara County, California” in the “Lived In” field and check the “Exact” location box. Keep in mind that many individuals are listed without a surname and numerous have been transcribed incorrectly. If you do not have Ancestry access, you can visit the Santa Clara Central Park Library or a FamilySearch Center for free access to Ancestry.

2. Check the SCCHGS Index, then search Ancestry

If the Ancestry search yields no results, look for the individual in the SCCHGS 1852 Census Index below. Use the search field to find your ancestor by full name. If that fails, try searching by just the first name or just the surname. If you find your ancestor in the index, locate the corresponding image by searching Ancestry’s 1852 census database again, but without the name. Set the “Lived In” field to exactly “Santa Clara County, California, USA” and input specific details from the SCCHGS index, such as sex, birthplace, last residence, and calculated birth year (1852 minus age).

3. Alternative Browsing

As a last resort, browse through the 149 unindexed images directly on FamilySearch.

SCCHGS 1852 Census Index