Gilroy Genealogy and Local History Information

• Family History Centers/Family Search:

Operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints. The San Jose FHC is the Regional Center for the San Jose area. The San Jose Center has the 1850 Census for the entire United States, and many other resources.

Hollister:
1676 Cienaga Road; (831) 637-4917
Hours:
Tuesday to Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

San Jose:
4977 San Felipe Road; (408) 274-8592
Hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Santa Clara:
875 Quince Ave.; (408) 241-1449
Hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday:
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• Gilroy Historical Museum:

195 W. 5th Street at Church; (408) 846-0446.
Founded in 1958, the Museum is located in the historic Carnegie Library Building erected in 1920. The Museum houses exhibits, research facilities, archives and issues of Gilroy newspapers (including the Gilroy Dispatch), dating back to 1868. The Museum is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on the first Saturday of each month, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

• Gilroy History:

(From the City of Gilroy Web site)

• San Benito County Historical Society:

  498 Fifth Street, Hollister; (831) 645-0335
  Historical information about San Benito County and genealogical information on local families.

• San Juan Bautista Historical Society:

  Carl Martin Luck Memorial Library and Museum:
  Contact: San Juan Bautista Library:
  801 2nd Street, San Juan Bautista; (831) 623-4687
  Post-Mission era 19th century Mexican and American historic materials, as well as documents, photographs, maps, and artifacts from San Juan Bautista's early history. Resources also include 19th and 20th century newspapers, as well as historic survey records of the adobes and old buildings of San Juan Bautista. Luck Museum and Library hours are by appointment, only.

• Santa Clara County Historical and Genealogical Society:

3345 Lochinvar Avenue, Santa Clara, CA
Supports and maintains the genealogical collection of Santa Clara City Public Library, collects documents and manuscripts, passenger lists, local records, and preserves family histories. The Society has a collection of microfilm, including the Federal Census from 1790 to 1840, and the California Census from 1840 to 1900.

• The Santa Clara County Library Genealogy Page:

Explore our Genealogy page for links to many on-line resources and tips to better help you research your family history.