Genealogy   Tags: explore, family, genealogy, local, research  

Family Tree Magazine - Free Forms
Free worksheets and templates from Family Tree Magazine to help you keep track of all you find in your research.

Microsoft Office - Family Tree Templates
Download layouts and templates directly into your Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, or Excel program.

Gizmo's Best Free Genealogy Software - Reviewed
Reviews of free all-in-one software to record, track, and display your family history.

So you're going to research your family? Where do you start? What do you look for? Who do you talk to? We can help. Start with a short video on search engine tips. Then find out what's in your Library's collection, read the latest articles, and get in touch with researchers and their tools online. Monterey Public Library is here to get you started on the road to your family history.

In the California History Room:

Monterey County voting registers, 1867, 1879, 1890.

Genealogical Sources on Early California Families (to 1850):

Spanish-Mexican Families of Early California, 1769-1850

Some Alta California Pioneers and Descendants

Monterey city and county histories.

Extensive newspaper and article clipping file, including biographical clippings.

Early business directories for California and Monterey County, 1875, 1877, 1882-83, 1889.

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of Monterey. Large format maps, indicating city blocks and buildings, 1885-1926, with updates to 1962.  On microfilm; also originals available by appt. in California History Room Archives.

California Information File (bibliographic sources card index on microfiche).

Historic maps of Monterey and Monterey Region.

Monterey City Directories, 1905-1987.

Monterey and San Benito Counties telephone directories , 1906; 1943-current.

Haines directories (criss-cross), 1970-current.

Further Microfilm Resources:

Sanborn maps.

Monterey Newspapers.

Monterey County censuses, 1850-1930.

California State census of 1852 (transcribed).

Monterey High School El Susurro Yearbooks:

Monterey Public Library

Colton Hall

1913, 1929

Mayo Hayes O’Donnell Library

1919-1920; 1925

The Monterey California Family History Center serves the people of the Central Coast of California.  The center is open to the public, and there is no charge to use the facilities. Nominal fees are charged for film rental, computer printing and copy services.  

Center Contacts and Hours

Location & Map:

1. 1024 Noche Buena Street, Seaside, CA 93955.  Map it using Google 
2. The center is located at the corner of Noche Buena and Plumas Streets in Seaside. Please notice the signs on the outside of the left side of the building. Good parking is available near the back fence. Follow the sidewalk around the building to the first door. First-time visitors should call 831-394-1124 to reserve a computer, ask questions, or to check current hours.

Phone: 831-394-1124 (please call during open hours as given below)

Open Hours:  Tuesday and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Saturday (by appointment)

Holiday Schedule:  Closed over Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Please call in advance of other holidays to determine hours of operation. 

Try these tools for starting your obituary search. If you are unable to visit the Library in person to use our resources, contact us and we may be able to help you start your search by phone or e-mail.