California's first legislature, meeting in 1849–50, charged the Secretary of State to receive "…all public records, registered maps, books, papers, rolls, documents and other writings . . . which appertain to or are in any way connected with the political history and past administration of the government of California." The California State Archives, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State, continues to serve in the spirit of those early instructions, providing a repository for the state's permanent governmental records as well as other materials documenting California history. The California State Archives serves a wide variety of researchers whose interests range from legislative intent and public policy to genealogy and railroad history in California.

Research Room Hours:
Monday through Friday
9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Closed on state holidays

Reference Desk: (916) 653–2246
General Information: (916) 653–7715
Fax: (916) 653–7363
Email: ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov