SMCGS Databases: Abstract of Judgements

Abstract of Judgment is a copy or summary of a courts judgment. It is a document disclosing a monetary award issued by the court in favor of a person who won the lawsuit against a losing defendant. It includes the rate of interest to be paid on the judgment amount, court costs, and any specific orders for the losing defendant. An abstract of judgment is a public record and creates a lien on any real estate property owned by the defendant in the county in which the abstract of judgment is recorded. Issuance procedure and contents of abstract of judgment varies according to statutes. (USLegal.com)

This transcription of San Mateo Counties Index of Abstracts of Judgment appears to include  Judgments from Township courts in San Mateo County and a variety of courts in other counties.  It does not include Judgments made by the Superior Court of San Mateo County.   Most likely they are indexed in the Docket Books for the Superior Court.

Many of the earliest Judgments were not recorded into books, but rather filed.  Whether those filed record still exist is unknown, but it seems unlikely.  From 1856 until 1918 those Abstracts of Judgment that were recorded are found mainly in the Miscellaneous Books, with a few recorded in the Deed Books.  Starting in 1918 a separate set of Books called Transcript of Judgment was kept.  

Information in this transcription includes:
Fee Book Number, Page in Index, Debtor, Creditor, Judgment Notes, Judgment Amount, Costs, Date Recovered. Court of Recovery, When Filed, When Recorded, Record Set, Book, Page, Satisfaction Date, Notes.

Index to Abstracts of Judgement

Judgement Liens on Property in California - Nolo Press
Abstract of Judgement - Wikipedia