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Finding aid of the Clerk-Recorder Records
2009-009 through 2009-164  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Descriptive Summary
  • Access
  • Publication Rights
  • Preferred Citation
  • Acquisition Information
  • Processing Information
  • Administrative History
  • Scope and Content of Collection
  • Arrangement
  • Indexing Terms

  • Descriptive Summary

    Title: Clerk-Recorder records
    Dates: 1840-1982
    Collection number: 2009-009 through 2009-164
    Creator: Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder
    Collection Size: 6735 bound volumes 168 archival boxes
    Repository: Santa Clara County Archives.
    San Jose, CA 95112-2527
    Abstract: This collection consists of groups of officially recorded documents maintained by the County Clerk and the County Recorder. These include real property records, licenses, certifications, registrations, notary public records, business records, court records, maps, bonds, cemetery records, wills, articles of incorporation, fictitious business names, assessments, military records, and other miscellaneous records.
    Physical location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult Archives staff.
    Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English Spanish

    Access

    Collection is open for research.

    Publication Rights

    The Archives can claim physical ownership only for some collections. Users are responsible for securing permission of the copyright holder for publication or quotation.

    Preferred Citation

    Clerk-Recorder records, Santa Clara County Archives.

    Acquisition Information

    These records were placed in the County Archives by the County Clerk-Recorder from 2006 to 2009.

    Processing Information

    This collection was processed by Michael Griffith and Trista Raezer working under NHPRC grant RA-10047-07, the Santa Clara County Archives Project. A fuller account of the grant project is available at the Archives website.

    Administrative History

    The office of County Recorder and County Clerk were established in 1850. The County Recorder maintained records relating to ownership of real property, vital statistics, and other matters. From 1850 until 1893, the recorder also served as county auditor. The recorder was elected until 1951 when the new county charter made the position appointive.
    The County Clerk created or maintained diverse and important records. The clerk's duties has changed over time. In Santa Clara County, the clerk acted as clerk of the board of supervisors from 1852 until 1951, when the county charter created a separate clerk of the board. In addition, the clerk acted as clerk of county courts until 1999. Records for which the clerk is responsible have included court records, files of the board of supervisors, marriage certificates, registers of licensed professionals, and business records.
    The Recorder's office and Clerk's office merged in 1973 as the office of County Clerk-Recorder.

    Scope and Content of Collection

    For the scope and content of this collection, see the entries for the major subdivisions.

    Arrangement

    For the arrangement of this collection, see the entries for the major subdivisions.

    Indexing Terms

    The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
    Architects
    Articles of incorporation
    Bonds
    Business names
    Chattel mortgages
    Chiropractors
    Deeds
    Deeds of trust--California
    Dentists
    Fictitious names
    Maps
    Midwives
    Mortgages
    Notaries public
    Oak Hill Cemetery (San Jose, Calif.)
    Optometrists
    Pharmacies
    Physicians
    Santa Clara County (Calif.) Genealogy
    Santa Clara County (Calif.) Recorder
    Santa Clara County (Calif.) Maps
    Land titles
    Surveyors
    Undertakers
    Wills