This free collection contains three volumes of handwritten manuscripts which depict the chronological record of police appointments for the city and county of San Francisco from Oct 1853 – Nov 1947. They are set up in a ledger format with an index at the front of each volume. The volumes, since they are handwritten, are not searchable.
If you have any San Francisco ancestors you may wish to at least browse the appropriate index for each manuscript to insure none of your family ever worked for the police department. At the front of each volume is an index of names, each first letter of the last name on a page(s) and then in chronological order from there. The index will refer you to a specific page number in which you will find the following information if available:
- Name
- Date of Birth
- City or County of Birth
- State or Country of Birth
- Previous Occupation
- Married or Single
- No. of Family
- Date Appointed
- Age when Appointed
- Date Removed
- Remarks, Length of Service, etc.
Example of Information:
Vol. 1, Page 56
John MacLean, b. 1 Feb 1849 at Nova Scotia Canada. He previously was employed as a railroad man. He was married with no children. Appointed to service on 19 Oct 1883 at the age of 34 and removed from service on 16 Nov 1911. He retired under Article 8, chapter 10, Section 3 of Charter with 28 years and 27 days of service. He died 10 am on 6 Dec 1912 from bowel trouble.
Richard J. Falls, Jr., born in California. Previously employed as a farmer. He was married. No children reported. Appointed to service on 22 Oct 1883 at the age of 31, and removed from service on 31 Oct 1888. He resigned of ill health. On 4 Apr 1904 he was granted pension under Article 8, chapter 10, Section 3 of Charter.
Patrick F. Kearney, born in Ireland. Previously employed as a grocer. He was married, no children reported. Appointed to service 19 Nov 1883 at age 33 and dismissed from service on 20 Oct 1884 for intoxication and rescuing a prisoner.
John F. Kelly, born in Ireland. Previously employed as a grocer. He was married, no children reported. Appointed to service 28 Nov 1883 at age 34 and dismissed from service on 11 Jan 1887 for inefficiency.
Peter Rourke, born in Ireland. Previously employed as a teamster. He was married, no children reported. Appointed to service 19 Dec 1883 at age 38 and dismissed from service on 21 Sep 1885 for “unofficible” conduct [conduct unbecoming an officer].
Leroux Thomas, b. 27 Jan 1842 at Montreal Canada. He previously was employed as a sawyer. He was married, no children reported. Appointed to service on 3 Jan 1884 at the age of 41, and dismissed from service on 9 Nov 1891 for standing and talking on his beat for 45 minutes.
Bernard McManus, b. 22 Nov 1854 at Fermanaugh Ireland. Previously employed as a teamster. He was single. Appointed to service 9 Jan 1884 at age 29 and removed from service on 8 Jan 1921. He applied for sergeant 1 Dec 1895; for lieutenant 1 Aug 1902; for captain 31 Mar 1908. Granted pension, 36 years, 11 mos, 30 days of service.
Dennis Geary, born in Ireland. Previously employed as a soldier. He was married, no children reported. Appointed to service 25 Jan 1884 at age 37 and resigned from service 1 Sep 1886.
James O. McVey, born in Indiana. Previously employed as a teamster. He was married, no children reported. Appointed to service 13 Feb 1884 at age 38 and resigned (on charges) 7 Jan 1889.
Walter M. Tilton, born in California. Previously employed as a surveyor. He was married, no children reported. Appointed to service 20 Feb 1884 at age 26 and resigned (on charges) 23 Jan 1888.
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