Libraries with Genealogy Holdings
There are many good libraries in the San Diego area with genealogy holdings. Be sure to check the current events page for holiday hours and special events.
- Chula Vista Public Library, Civic Center Branch
- Escondido Public Library
- Georgina Cole Library
- San Diego Genealogical Society Library.
- San Diego Central Library
- Los Angeles Public Library
- The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Pacific Region
4th & F Streets. Open Tuesday to Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Friday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.; Sunday and Monday closed.
Contact the Chula Vista Genealogy Society for times and details of familly research assistance.
Current as of 10 Jun 2011.
Mathes Building, Pioneer Room, located at 247 S. Kalmia St., next to main public library. (760) 839-4315.
Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Closed Monday, Friday and Sunday.
Current as of 10 Jun 2011.
1250 Carlsbad Village Dr, just east of I-5. Branch of the Carlsbad City Library. (760) 434-2931 (Genealogy Division).
Genealogy and Local History collection, entire 2nd floor. Outstanding collection. Open Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; and Sunday 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Small group help with your research every 1st Wednesday of the month, 10 am-noon. Their website has links to an online catalog. For genealogy databases, under Research, click Genealogy. Remote access is available to HeritageQuest Online and some ProQuest newspapers with your Carlsbad City Library card.
Current as of 10 Jun 2011.
7343 Ronson Road, Suite O, San Diego, CA 92111-1430. (858) 279-7347.
The library has 9,200+ book titles, plus 1,000+ periodical titles. Computers with high-speed Internet access. There is an online catalog and a number of "how to" books and periodicals. Open to the public from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Thursdays. For visitors who are not members of the San Diego Genealogical Society a minimum $3 donation is requested.
Current as of 10 Jun 2011.
8th & E Streets. Monday and Wednesday, noon-8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; closed Saturday.
California Room and Genealogy Room (619-236-5834): California Room has excellent San Diego County collection. Genealogy Room has 3,000+ books, mainly eastern states, military records, DAR collection, Filby's Passenger and Immigration Lists Index books, genealogy CDs, family histories; interlibrary loan.
Newspaper room (e-mail to speccoll@sandiego.gov, put Attn: Obit, for example, in subject line) has many old and current San Diego area newspapers as well as national newspapers on film. Remote access to ProQuest Newsstand (640+ national and international newspapers, mostly from 1980s-present), including the San Diego Union and the Tribune from 1983, and Historic New York Times (1851-2000); full text searchable; available with a current San Diego Public Library card. Ancestry.com (library edition) is available at all locations.
Current as of 10 Jun 2011.
Other Major Libraries and Archives in Southern California
Fifth and Grand Streets
. Open Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
The History and Genealogy Department is on Lower Level Four (LL4) of the Tom Bradley Wing. (213) 228-7400. Mailing address: 630 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles, CA 90071.
Current as of 10 Jun 2011.
The National Archives and Records Administration in Riverside houses both the Federal Records Center and the National Archives.
The Regional Archives (formerly at Laguna Niguel, CA) has been moved to a new facility in Riverside County, CA. This location will better preserve records for coming generations, at more affordable cost to the government and taxpayers.
The address for the new location is:
National Archives at Riverside, 23123 Cajalco Road, Perris, CA 92570. 
. (949) 448-4931.
Services for genealogists are listed in Archival Records.
Current as of 10 Jun 2011.
Listing compiled by Joan Lowrey, joanlowr@pacbell.net.