SMCGS Databases: San Mateo Times Gazette Index 1859-1899

One of the early indexes published by SMCGS is the San Mateo Times Gazette Index 1859-1899 compiled by Mary Lou Grunigen.

There are two parts to this index, which was originally published in 1996 in book form.  The first part is an index to vital records (births, marriages, deaths, probates, etc.) for the first forty years of this early publication.

The second part is an every name index to the paper from 1859-1867.  Here you might find entries for tax lists, memberships to social institutions, crime reports and much more.

The printed publication, like all SMCGS publications has been digitized and is available for public search on the SMCGS website.

San Mateo County Times Gazette Index

SMCGS Databases Online: Marriage Index 1853-1948

One of the earliest projects undertaken by SMCGS was an index of marriages through the year 1900. A few years ago we decided to create a database from that original index, add some details and perhaps add a few years.

Russ Brabec, Barry Goyette, Jo Rebuck, Walter Castor, Norma Sheehan, George Zinckgraf and Cath Trindle worked on the project adding residence, and adding the years 1901 through 1948.  This was no lightweight project, it took a few years.  The cutoff date coincided with the beginning of the statewide index of marriages which is available on microfilm and on various genealogical websites.

San Mateo County Marriage Index

FamilySearch subsequently scanned some of the Marriage License Applications for San Mateo county.  This is not the same record set, but used in conjunction with the index above you might be able to find the record by date.  San Mateo County Records on FamilySearch.

Records can be obtained from the San Mateo County Recorder's Office.

Check out the other SMCGS Databases and good luck with your research

Projects, Projects and more Projects

An occasional update on the status of SMCGS' Digitization and Indexing Efforts

Cath Madden Trindle

SMCGS Publications Chair 

1940 Census
Thanks to all of you who are helping with the 1940 census indexing project. I am happy to report that California is over 20% complete! Check the progress at  1940 Census.  If you haven't joined the indexing effort yet, it isn't too late.  Go to The1940Census and join the crew.  Be sure to indicate that you are a member of the SMCGS team and you will immediately be eligible for prizes.

San Mateo County Marriages
This long term project is nearing completion.  Barry Goyette, Russ Brabec, Jo Rebuck, George Zinckgraf  and Norma Sheehan  are down to just a few more volumes in the effort to index all San Mateo County marriages before 1 Jan 1949, the date the California State Marriage Index began.  Over the years others helped with this index, in particular Russ Brabec who moved on to other projects in the County Record Center. Check out the index at SMCGS Marriage Index.

San Mateo County Obits
This project needs help from members who have a scanner at home.  We have received a collection of obituaries from Chris Havenar.  They have been indexed on Obituary Daily Times.  In order to make them easier for our research team to access and fulfill requests for the obituaries we are digitizing them and uploading to our society account on Flickr.  If you have a scanner, a pair of scissors and a few hours email publications@smcgs.org.  

Aren't you excited when you find a record online?  Please consider giving back so someone else feels that excitement too.