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Resources to Help with Your Research
In addition to the speakers at meetings and other activities, below is a list of local resources to aid your research, including links to various repositories containing a wide variety of genealogical and historical information. In addition, SJGS holds certain local resources compiled by our members that are not available elsewhere. (Some resources are accessible to members only, or are available for purchase in our library.)
Stockton-San Joaquin Public Library Genealogy Collection
- A non-circulating genealogy collection on the upper level includes family histories from across the country, genealogy books with records for nearly all 50 states, European countries, hereditary societies, and U.S, military and land records.
- Circulating genealogy books available for check-out in the regular collection
- Other materials include records including vital records and cemetery records published by the San Joaquin Genealogical Society and other authors. Certain digitized resources may be accessed through the library website upon logging in with your library account.
- 125 periodicals from genealogical and historical societies
- The Library edition of Ancestry.com can be accessed from library computers in any of the library's 17 branches.
Click here to access Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library genealogy resources and information
San Joaquin County Records and Vital Statistics
San Joaquin County Recorder and County Clerk
The Recorder’s office is responsible for the recording of deeds, deeds of trust, court decrees, and many other documents affecting title to real property in San Joaquin County. The County Clerk’s office files notary public oaths, issues and registers marriage licenses, vital statistics and other public documents.
Superior Court of California of San Joaquin County
Records Management is responsible for the court’s archived public records dating back to 1850. They house Superior Court records that date back to 1850 including probate files, divorce records, and records of civil and criminal court cases.
San Joaquin County Historical Societies
Escalon Historical Society and Museum
This society was formed in 1989 to preserve and protect the history of the City of Escalon and the surrounding rural area. Meetings are held at the Escalon Historical Museum.
Galt Area Historical Society
The society preserves, protects, and maintains the history of the Galt Area which includes those surrounding communities known as Arno, Clay, Colony, Elliott, Galt, Herald, Hicksville, Liberty and Thornton.
Lockeford Historical Society and Museum
The Lockeford Historical Society supports research of the cultural and natural heritage of Lockeford and the surrounding area, marks historic sites, and helps provide for the collection, preservation, and interpretation of Lockeford's history. The society maintains a small museum with limited hours in the Old Lockeford School at 19456 N. Jack Tone Rd.
Lodi Historical Society
The society is dedicated to preserving, protecting and maintaining the history of the City of Lodi; they do not provide research services.
Manteca Historical Society and Museum
Chartered in 1990, this museum's collection includes artifacts, documents, and photographs related to Manteca history, and there is a separate building for farming and dairy equipment. Admission is free.
San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum
Located in Micke Grove Park, Lodi, the society's Gerald K. Kennedy Reference Library includes historic records from the County as well as books, manuscripts, business and legal records, maps, photographs and ephemera pertaining to the history of the county. The research section of their website provides a list of valuable links to other research sites.
Tracy Area Genealogical Society and Tracy Historical Museum
The Tracy Area Genealogical Society (TAGS) is headquartered at the Tracy Historical Museum. TAGS also operates in partnership with the West Side Pioneer Association. The museum preserves and shares the history of Tracy and the surrounding area, known as the Tulare Township.
Bank of Stockton Archive of Historic Photos
The Bank of Stockton holds an extensive collection of historic photographs (more than 31,000), including the Covello Collection (over 21,000 historical photos from the Central Valley, the Mother Lode, and surrounding communities, dating back to 1850). The archives are open by appointment only, Monday-Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Contact archivist William "Bill" Maxwell to schedule an appointment via email at wmaxwell@bankofstockton.com, or by phone at (209) 929-1575.
