The Library maintains a vital records index to local newspapers from 1854 through approximately 1897 at the Oroville Branch. Library volunteers can copy newspaper articles once the date of an event is known. To request an article, please fill out the request form and mail it to the Library with a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Butte County Vital Records Index, 1854-1897      ( Newspaper Abbreviations )

Last names beginning with:

A   B   C   D-E   F-G   H   I-J-K   L   M   N-O-P   Q-R   S    T-U-V  W-Y-Z

For deaths between 1940 and 1997, please check California Death Records .
The Social Security Death Index is also available online.

The Butte County Library collection also contains numerous local histories. Some of these books include biographies of prominent local residents. Due to the fragile condition of these books, articles will sometimes need to be typed rather than photocopied.

Other local links:

Historical Butte County City Directories , provided in partnership with California State University, Chico

Other organizations maintaining Butte County history/genealogy collections:

Butte County Historical Society
1749 Spencer Avenue
Mailing address: PO Box 2195
Oroville , CA 95966
(530) 533-9418 Archives Hours: Thursday - Friday, 8 am to Noon
Museum Hours: Saturday 11 am – 2 pm

Paradise Genealogical Society
5587 Scottwood Road
Mailing address: PO Box 460
Paradise, CA 95967
(530) 877-2330

PGS Library Hours:
Monday 10 am to 4 pm
Tuesday closed
Wednesday 4 to 8 pm
Thursday closed
Friday 10 am to 4 pm
Saturday 10 am to 2 pm

Free online genealogy resources helpful for family history researchers:

RootsWeb
Comprehensive set of free resources, including Social Security Death Index

WorldConnect Project
Search family trees, including 480 million names

USGenWeb
State by state resource listings

GenForum
Connect to others searching a surname or location

Cyndi's List
Categorized & cross-referenced index to genealogical resources

Search immigration records
Search Ellis Island and Castle Garden (pre-Ellis Island) immigration records.

Access Genealogy
Free genealogy resources

Interment.Net
Search for cemetery records

California Death Records
Search California death records from 1940 to 1997

Chronicling America
Library of Congress site about historic American newspapers

FamilySearch.org
Family history and genealogy records

U.S. Board on Geographic Names
Federal organization that maintains standard place names

National Archives and Records Administration
Archive of Federal documents, including census records – find locations and holdings of the National Archives