Research Tips

"A Research Journey with Ron Filion:  In Search of A.W. Barron"

• It all began with an old photograph of an unknown man that he found in a local antique bookstore.  Ron found himself wondering, "Who was this man?  Where did he come from?  Who and where were his family?"  Follow Ron through a fascinating trip among various records, resources and repositories as he sets out to learn all that he can about the mysterious man in the photograph, A.W. Barron.  Whether you're a beginner or an experienced genealogical researcher, you're bound to pick up some new research ideas and techniques as you read through this interesting article.

NORCAL Resource Center

• We also highly recommend that you take advantage of the information you'll find here. Please become familiar with this index and bookmark it! You'll definitely find yourself continually referring to this helpful guide, which not only lists Northern California indexes and sources, but gives helpful instructions on how to use them and lists the various locations where they can be found.

This is a miscellaneous and informal collection of research tips, helpful hints, and "secrets" shared by other researchers who have worked with specific Santa Clara County area records. By sharing their experiences and knowledge here, they've enabled all of us to pick up some useful "tricks" to finding and working with these records.

Bear in mind that these people do not all profess to be "experts"! These generous volunteers are merely sharing their observations, which may be different than your own experience.

If you have different information than what is given on this page, by all means, please share with us! If you have any hints or tips to share regarding San Mateo County records that you feel might help others, please let us know so that they can be included here.

This could help us all avoid needless time, expense, and frustration when searching for our Santa Cruz County ancestors!

"Thank you!" to all the volunteers who have submitted information for this page!