TEHAMA COUNTY, CA HISTORY AND LOOKUP
Table of Contents
- In-Print County History Books
- Free Public Domain County History Books
- Related Books
- Concise County History
- Comments & Suggestion
In-Print City History Books
These titles are currently in print and selected for their relevance to local and county history. Click anywhere on the book listing below, each listing links directly to the book’s purchase page.
Book Title TBD
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Free City History Books
This section features a curated collection of county history books sourced from public domain archives. Each book provides valuable insights into local history and heritage. Click anywhere on the book listing below, each listing links directly to the book’s public domain resource.
Book Title TBD
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Related Books
This section highlights additional county and local history titles that complement the main collection. These books are selected for their relevance, historical value, and research usefulness. Click anywhere on the book listing below, and each listing links directly to the corresponding resource or purchase page.
Book Title TBD
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Tehama County, California: A Genealogical Overview
Located in the northern Sacramento Valley, Tehama county is a region of rich agricultural land, rolling foothills, and rugged mountains, with the Sacramento River flowing through its center. Its history is a blend of Native American heritage, Mexican-era land grants, the fervor of the Gold Rush, and the development of a robust agricultural economy.
I. County Formation and Evolution
For genealogists, Tehama county’s mid-19th century formation from three other counties is a critical fact, as records for ancestors living in the area before 1856 must be sought in its parent counties.
- 1856: County Formed: Tehama county was established on April 9, 1856.
- Parent Counties: It was created from portions of Butte, Colusa, and Shasta counties.
- Name Origin: The county was named after the city of Tehama. The origin of the name “Tehama” is uncertain, but it is believed to be of Native American origin, possibly meaning “high water” or “low land,” or it may have been the name of a local tribe.
- County Seat History: The city of Tehama served as the first county seat from 1856 to 1857. The seat was then moved to the larger, more centrally located city of Red Bluff in 1857, where it has remained.
II. Settlement and Early History
- Early Inhabitants: The area was the homeland of several Native American groups, most prominently the Nomlaki, Yana, and Wintu peoples.
- Mexican Land Grants and Gold Rush: Prior to statehood, the area was part of several large Mexican land grants, including Peter Lassen’s Rancho Bosquejo and William B. Ide’s Rancho Barranca Colorada. The California Gold Rush, beginning in 1848, brought a massive influx of people who traveled through the area along the Sacramento River on their way to the northern mines. Many stayed to establish farms and ranches.
- Ranching and Agriculture: The county’s economy was built on large-scale ranching of cattle and sheep. This was followed by the development of agriculture, with wheat being an early major crop. The county later became known for its fruit orchards, olives, and nuts. The arrival of the railroad solidified Red Bluff’s position as a major transportation and shipping hub for the agricultural and lumber products of the northern Sacramento Valley.
III. Genealogical Records and Resources
This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records specific to Tehama county.
- Courthouse:
- Tehama County Clerk and Recorder’s Office: Located at 633 Washington Street, Red Bluff, CA 96080. This office holds official records such as deeds, land records, and marriage licenses. The Tehama County Superior Court holds probate, divorce, and other court records. For records prior to 1856, researchers must consult the records of the parent counties: Butte, Colusa, and Shasta.
- Vital Records:
- Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in California began on July 1, 1905. Records from that date forward are held by the California Department of Public Health. Records of births and deaths that were voluntarily recorded at the county level before July 1905 are held by the Tehama County Clerk-Recorder.
- Marriage Records: Marriage licenses have always been recorded at the county level and are held by the Tehama County Clerk and Recorder’s Office from 1856 to the present.
- Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
- Tehama County Library: Located at 645 Madison Street, Red Bluff, CA 96080. The library has a local history collection. The Tehama County Genealogical & Historical Society, often working in partnership with the library, is an essential resource for researchers, maintaining local history files, cemetery records, and family histories.
- Bordering Jurisdictions:
- Butte county
- Glenn county
- Mendocino county
- Plumas county
- Shasta county
- Trinity county
This county history was generated by AI and may be inaccurate or incomplete; please verify important information independently.