Source Information

Escobar, Lorraine. Monterey, California Census, 1850-60 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999.
Original data:

  • Escobar Database Index, 1850 Monterey County, 1850 U.S. Federal Census Schedule I.
  • Escobar Database Index, 1852 Monterey County, 1852 California State Census Schedule I.
  • Escobar/Lewis Database Index, 1852 San Diego County, 1852 California State Census Schedule I.
  • Escobar Database Index, 1860 Monterey County, 1860 U.S. Federal Census Schedule I.
  • About Monterey, California Census, 1850-60

    Situated in central California south of San Jose, Monterey County was formed when the territory became a state in 1850. This database is a collection of state and federal census records from the county in 1850, 1852 and 1860. It also contains state census information for San Diego County in 1852. Information provided, in addition to the resident's name, includes age, sex, race, township and post office of current residence, occupation, and birthplace. To aid the researcher in obtaining the original document, it includes the page and line number where the entry may be found. With over 12,000 persons named, this can be a tremendous source of information to those seeking early California ancestors.

    Records from which the federal census entries were taken may be found at the Pacific Region (San Francisco) of the National Archives. Records from which the state census entries were taken may be found at the Genealogical Society of Utah.

    The Monterey 1850 portion of this database was transcribed from GSU/LDS Microfilm #909230.

    The Monterey 1852 portion of this database was transcribed from GSU/LDS Microfilm #909230

    The San Diego 1852 portion of this database was transcribed from GSU/LDS Microfilm #909231.

    The Monterey 1860 database also includes information from Santa Cruz County (Pajaro/Watsonville).