[PDF]Inventory of records, 1834-1986, Office of the Recorder, Sonoma County, California

SONOMA COUNTY

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RECORDS



SONOMA COUNTY RECORDE 09 .'04/87
INVENTORY OF" RECORD\NTY , CALIF
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INVENTORY OF RECORDS
J^8 3 4 - 1 9 8 6
OFFICE OF THE RECORDER
Sonoma County, California



Sonoma County Records Inventory Project
Reference Department
Ruben Salazar Library
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

1979

>\Sonoma County Recorder's Office
Sonoma County Historical Records Commission



Reprint 1987




I

I

J

J



PROJECT STAFF



Timothy M. Huston

Sandra D. Walton

Virginia L. Garnot

Nancy J. Cefalu

Barbara Bilslcy
Connie Braito
Virginia Garnot
Timothy Huston
Claire McCulloch
Eleanor Phillips
Marilyn Wicit
Glorianne Wong



Director

Consulting Archivist

Coordinator

Editor

Inventory Assistants



Ruben Salazar Library
Sonoma State University



Printed through the courtesy of the
Sonoma County Recorder's Office



Reprinted by the Sonoma County Recorder's Office

and the

Sonoma County. Historical Records Commission



TABLE OF CONTENTS



- i v

Preface

User ' s Guide k

Map of Sonoma County ix

Introduction. ' x

Inventory of Records

Property 1

Maps • 15

Mortgages and Liens 2 ^

Vitai Statistics 2®

Livestock 36

Business and Professional s8

Bonds 40

Fees. 42

Probate • 42

Mining

Miscellaneous 45

Administration ' 51

Numeric Listing of County Recorder's Records 53



PREFACE



The Sonoma County Records Inventory Project undertook in
1978 an item-by-item descriptive listing of the documents in all
county departments by beginning with the holdings of the Office of
the Recorder. The inventory provided the Recorder's Office with
the first complete survey of its documents. With the cooperation
of the Recorder's Office, the inventory will be available to those
of the public who have a continuing interest in local records;
among them, genealogists, historians, surveyors, attorneys, and
title searchers. The inventory also establishes the basis for a
sound archival program for the retention and preservation of local
documents .

Sonoma State University sponsored the Sonoma County Records
Inventory Project, under the direction of Timothy Huston and
Sandra Walton of the Reference Department of the Ruben Salazar
Library, and with the cooperation of Dr. Dennis Harris of the
Department of History. Other sources of support within the
University include the Community Involvement Program, which
arranged academic credit for field work., and the Ruben Salazar
Library, which provided office space and use of its facilities. A
CETA grant supplied staffing for the initiation and the continuing
supervision of the Inventory Project. A grant from the Public
Works Act, Title II, financed the preparation of the manuscript.

The Inventory Project was fortunate in the support received
from the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors through resolutions
adopted acknowledging the Project and encouraging the cooperation
of county agencies. Bernice Peterson, Sonoma County Recorder, and
her staff generously cooperated with both the planning and
execution of the inventory. The Sonoma County Genealogical
Society, the Sonoma County Historical Society, and the Sonoma
County Museum Foundation endorsed and encouraged the Project.

The revision and update of the original inventory was
compiled by Claire McCulloch, Chief Deputy Recorder, under the
direction of County Recorder, Bernice Peterson.

Inquiries or requests for copies of this inventory should be
sent to: Recorder's Office, County of Sonoma, P.O. Box 6124,
Santa Rosa, CA 95406.



i v



I




USER'S GUIDE



Definitions



Alcalde Spanish for a mayor or chief

magistrate.

Also Known As Indicates documents of the same

series group under the current or
latest title.

Breadboard Maps A type of map fastened to thin, pull

out drawers.

Chattel Mortgage A loan against personal property.

Expediente A Spanish or Mexican land grant title.

Indenture A deed or other document signed by

both parties.

Indexed in File Self-indexed in the volume, filing

drawer, etc.

Lis Pendens Notice that an action has been filed

in court.

Microfiche Microcopy on transparent film cards,

usually 3" x 5" or 6" x 9".

Microfilm Microcopy on film reels of 16 mm. or

3 5 mm .

Mylar A kind of plastic material used for

maps .

Official Records Since April 1, 1921 all recorded

documents have been combined into the
Official Records Index, which
includes the type of document, a
consecutive recording number assigned
to it, and a chronological sequence
for filing and microfilming.

Patent A grant of government land from the

United States or California.

Promiscuous Records .. Includes a variety of miscellaneous

recorded documents which did not fit
the established categories, ie. ,
Deeds, Mortgages, etc. Arranged
chronologically with access through a
variety of indexes. Replaced by
systematic indexing in Official
Records after April 1, 1921.

SPF Standard Printed Form.

Torrens Title A system of registering land

ownership with the Recorder, used
from 1914 to 1955.

Township A square parcel of land containing 36

sections, measuring six miles by six
miles.

U.C.C The Uniform Commercial Code in

California, in accordance with laws
• of other states governing personal
property transactions.



v



Titles



Through the use of the original Inventory since 1979 the
Recorder's staff has identified each record series more exactly
and in the revision many items that were described as a separate
record or type have been combined. For example, the index to a
record is now described as part of the record and not as a
separate record.

The original Inventory numbering systems has been kept
intact. The user is directed to the record series into which
records have been combined. In some cases records that were
identified as duplicates have been destroyed. This information is
noted for each record.

The revised Inventory contains a description of the
Recorder's administrative files. This is to provide the Recorder
with a complete record of all files and does not necessarily mean
this information is available to researchers.

Items carry the title that appears on the cover of the
document. Some titles are not fully descriptive of the contents.
It is recommended, therefore, that the user real the full
description of the item to use the inventory successfully.

Titles are always fully capitalized.

Parentheses around a number refer to a numbered item within
this inventory, i.e., Index to: ASSESSMENT MAPS (75).

Indexes

Access to all information in the Recorder's Office is
through the index files. Documents are indexed by the names of
the people in the documents. The indexes are chronological as
well as alphabetical, therefore, to find information you must know
the name of at least one of the people involved and approximately
when the event or transaction occurred.

Prior to April 1, 1921 documents were recorded in many
different books having many separate indexes. Each contained a
certain category of document, such as deed, mortgages, decrees of
distribution, etc. Unfortunately, in these older records there
seems to De little consistency as to where the documents were
recorded and indexed. Some indexes with a certain titles have
been found to contain many different kinds of documents. Thus, it
is advisable to check through the pages of the inventory in case a
particular document in question is listed under another title.



vi



Cross Reference to Recorder's Retention Schedules



The letters and numbers at the end o£ the title description
paragraphs refer to the item number in the Recorder's Records
Retention Schedules. The abbreviations used are:

READ ADMINISTRATION

REMP MAPS

REOR OFFICIAL RECORDS

REVS VITAL STATISTICS



Block. Books



These are old Assessor's records showing progressive
transfer of ownership.

To use the Block. Books which tie into the Breadboard Maps:

1. Locate the property on the Breadboard Maps.

2. The property owner's name is written in india ink. on the
map.

3. ' Go to the Block. Book, with the same title as the Map.

4. Find the property owner's name in the index.

5. The index refers to tne page within the volume where all
subsequent transfers of property are recorded.

Block. Books are read from left to right across both pages
and indicate: Deed Book and Page Number Owner or Person Bought
From, Date of Deed, Number of Page in Block Book Where Ownership
Transferred, Description of Land with New Owner's Name Above, and
Number of Acres (Acres Tillable, Acres Pasture, Acres Vines, Acres
Fruit, Acres Timber).

To use the Block Books which correspond to the large city
BIock. Books containing maps:

Look up the property in question in the blue, cloth bound
city BIock Books containing maps to determine the name of the
original addition at the front of the volume.

Then, with the aid of the additional index also at the front
of the volume, turn to the page showing the map of that addition.
Here you may be able to obtain an early owner's name. It not,
determine the block and lot number of the property, and using the
person's name from the original addition, go to the Block Book
alphabetical index to locate the page number of ownership
transfers for that property.

Be careful to check the description of the property to make
sure it is the same as indicated on the maps. From here, the
procedure is the same as for tne other Block Books.



vi i



Documents Formerly Recorded - Law Amended or Repealed



Architects' Certificates - Repealed 1945

Architects' Certificates, Revocation of - Repealed 1941

Brands - Now filed with State Director of Agriculture

Campaign and Election Statements - Now filed with County

Clerk

Certificate of Residence - Repealed 1949

Chattel Mortgage - Now filed under U.C.C.

Conditional Sales Contract - Now filed under U.C.C.

Local Subdivision Ordinance - Repealed 1961

Notice of Estray Animals - Now filed with State Director of

Agriculture

Roster Licensed Land Surveyors - Now filed with Secretary o
State

Wilis Admitted to Probate - Repealed 1957



vi i i




ix



INTRODUCTION



Sonoma County, California lies to the north of San Francisco
Bay its boundaries touching the Pacific Ocean on the west and
mountains of the coastal range on the east. Diverse in its
terrain and resources, Sonoma County's wealth derives from
agriculture, including orchards, vineyards, poultry, cattle, and
dairying; from timber and timber processing; mining; commercial
fishing; industry; and recreation.

Within the last two hundred years, seven flags have flown
over Sonoma County -- those of Spain, Britain, Russian, Empire of
Mexico, Republic of Mexico, Bear Flag Republic and the United
States Its variegated history includes the founding of Fort Ross
by Russian fur traders in 1812; the colonization of Mexican
settlers by General Vallejo in 1833; and the Bear Flaj [ Revolt of
American settlers in 1846. Following statehood m 1850 the first
California Legislature legally founded Sonoma County.

In 1850 the first County Recorder assumed his duties. Then,
as now, the chief function of the Recorder, under state law, is to
maintain a true record of all documents filed with the office.
The Recorder maintains all land records for property within Sonoma
County. . These records are continuous from 1834 to the present and
include Mexican land grants. Land maps nave been recorded since
October 1854. Vital statistics for Sonoma County are filed in the
Recorder's Office. Birth records begin in 1858, but are sketchy
until 1905. Death records begin in 1873 and are sketchy until
1905 Marriage records begin in 1846 and are quite complete.
Many other types of documents, such as Official Bonds, Powers of
Attorney, Military Discharges, and Partnerships are also recorded.



x



PROPERTY



1 EXPEDIENTES, 1841-1849, 2 volumes. Microfilmed. Also known
as EXPEDIENTES § GRANTS. REOR 190, 191, 192.

Record contains description of Deeds and Agreements; copies
of documents used by the U.S. Surveyor General's
representative to settle private land claims. Written
partly in Spanish.

Arranged chronologically by date recorded. Handwritten. Not
indexed. Used by permission of the Recorder.

2 EXPEDIENTES & GRANTS, 1846.
Combined with EXPEDIENTES (1).

3 FIRST BOOK B OF DEEDS AND ALCALDE RECORDS, 1846-1847. 1
volume. Microfilmed. REOR 240, 241, 242.

Record contains Transcript of Land Claims in the Military
District of the Post of Sonoma, Upper California, Deeds, and
Cattle Brands.

Arranged chronologically by date recorded. Handwritten.
Indexed in file. Used by permission of the Recorder.

4 LIBER A OF DEEDS - TRANSCRIBED RECORDS, 1847-1853.
Combined with DEEDS (9).

5 LIBER B OF DEEDS - TRANSCRIBED RECORDS, 1850-1856.
Combined with DEEDS (9).

6 GRANTS - SONOMA CITY, 1837-1850, 3 volumes (A, A No.l, and
B). Microfilmed. Also known as BOOK A OF ALCALDE RECORDS OF
SONOMA CITY LOTS and LIBRO DE ESPEDIENTOS DE SOLARES - ANO
DE 1844. REOR 240, 241, 242.

Record contains Grants of town lots - District of Sonoma and
copies of Grants of Town Lots.

Arranged chronologically by date recorded. Handwritten,
SPF-handwritten. Not indexed, indexed in file, and indexed
in GENERAL INDEX - GRANTEES (20) and GENERAL INDEX -
GRANTORS (21). Used by permission of the Recorder.

7 GRANTS - SONOMA CITY - BOOK A NO. 2, 1837-1850.
Combined with GRANTS - SONOMA CITY (6).

8 GRANTS - SONOMA CITY B, June 1, 1849.
Combined with GRANTS - SONOMA CITY (6).



1



9 DEEDS, 1835-1921, 416 volumes (Libers A and B, A, B,
B2, C-F, H, M-N, 6-408). Microfilmed. Original
documents, 1848-1918, 17 boxes. Also known as LIBER A
OF DEEDS and LIBER B OF DEEDS. Includes INDEX TO DEEDS
- GRANTOR, 1835-1921, 37 volumes (1-37). Microfilmed.
Includes INDEX TO DEEDS - GRANTEE, 1835-1921, 37
volumes (1-37). Microfilmed. REOR 160, 161, 162.

Liber A of Alcalde Records of Sonoma City Lots contains
volumes A, B, C, D, and E. Record contains Grants of
lots in Sonoma Township, and Deeds to Sonoma County-
lands .

No obvious arrangement. Handwritten. Not indexed.

Liber B contains volumes G-K and Grants to parcels of
land, Indentures, Quitclaims, Bond Agreements, Powers
of Attorney and Leases.

Arranged chronologically by date recorded. Handwritten.
Not indexed.

Other volumes contain Deeds, Indentures, Cattle Brands
and Ear Marks, Wills, handdrawn maps of individual
properties, Mortgages and Sheriff's Sale of Property,
and Sale of Real Property.

Arranged chronologically by date recorded. Handwritten,
typed, SPF-handwritten, SPF-typed. Indexed in file and
in INDEX TO DEEDS - GRANTOR, INDEX TO DEEDS - GRANTEE
and INDEX TO MAPS (78).

Index is to DEEDS, ASSIGNMENT MORTGAGES (88), BONDS AND
AGREEMENTS (174), LEASES (194), PATENTS (16), and
RELEASE OF MORTGAGES (82) and contains Name of Grantor,
Name of Grantee, Date of Deed, and Where Recorded
(Liber and Page) .

Index is arranged alphabetically by Name of Grantor and
Name of Grantee. Handwritten.

10 INDEX TO BOOK NO. 6 OF DEEDS, 1846-1865.

This record was copied into INDEX TO DEEDS. This has
been verified and this record has been destroyed.

11 INDEX TO LIBER NO. 6 OF DEED, 1855-1858.

This record was copied into INDEX TO DEEDS. This has
been verified and this record has been destroyed.

12 GRANTEES - GRANTORS , 1856-1857.

This record was copied into INDEX TO DEEDS. This has
been verified and this record has been destroyed.



2



INDEX - DEEDS - GRANTEES , 1849-1874.
Combined with DEEDS (9).
INDEX - DEEDS - GRANTORS, 1849-1874.
Combined with DEEDS (9).

INDEX NO. 8 1* INDEX NO. 9 OF DEEDS, 1848-1858.

This record was copied into INDEX TO DEEDS. This has
been verified and this record has been destroyed.

PATENTS, 1858-1958, 14 volumes (A, Al , A2, B-L).
Microfilmed. Original documents, 1870-1918, 1 box. Also
known as LAND PATENTS. Includes INDEX TO LAND PATENTS -
RANCHOS, 1858-1883, 1 volume (1). Microfilmed. Includes
INDEX TO LAND PATENTS, 1858-1921, 2 volumes (A and 2).
Microfilmed. REOR 410, 411, 412.

Volumes contain copies of land patent transcripts filed
with the General Land Office of the United States. The
transcripts are complete descriptions of parcels of
land, sealed by the U.S. Surveyor General. Many
transcripts include confirmed plat maps surveyed under
orders of the U.S. Surveyor General.

The large Volume A is a copy of the smaller Volume A
(two booKs) but is not an exact duplicated. It will
remain in the Recorder's Office because it is the only
one wnich is confirmed both by California and the
United States governments.

Arranged chronologically by date recorded. Handwritten,
typed, SPF-handwritten, and SPF-typed. Indexed in INDEX
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