Early Vitals Indexes
These indexes were created from a series of microfilms filmed by the Genealogical Society of Salt Lake City in 1981 at the Santa Clara County Clerk’s Office in San Jose, California.
Official California civil records did not begin until 1905. Prior to 1905 registration was voluntary, so this index does not include the entire population of the area. The majority of these records are from 1871 to 1905, but fully range from 1813 to 1979.
Most of the films have been digitized and are available on the Family Search website. The films are also available at the Santa Clara City Library with assistance of SCCHGS Consultants.
Please note that many entries in the Early Vital Indexes are merely indexes only and do not include original images. If an entry contains only a name, year, book, and page number, no further information is available. Ordering an image for these specific entries will provide only that same data.
If an entry in the Early Vital Indexes includes more detailed information, an image is likely available. To request a copy, please complete the Research Services Form. You must include the record type (birth, marriage, or death), the person’s name, and the film and section numbers if they are provided. Fees vary. Please send any corrections to Research Team.
As you search this index, please note:
- Spelling was NOT important at the time of these records. And legible handwriting was NOT a requirement for a job at the Clerk’s Office.
- Please use your imagination as letters “m” and “n” and sometimes “u” look alike. Capital “S” and “L” look similar in some handwriting.
- For the birth records, an attempt was made to collect records that appeared to be the same child, but the surname was spelled differently on each record. Forward slashes have been placed between the different spellings.
- Many entries were created from indexes and registers and do not contain any more information than what is listed.
Births
Last Updated: 5/31/2021
Marriages
Last Updated: 11/16/2019
Deaths
Last Updated: 5/21/2021