Lassen County, California Records

Table of Contents hide
Lassen County, California Courthouse Records
Lassen County, California Census Records
Lassen County, California Vital Records
Lassen County, California Resources
Lassen County, California External Links

Lassen County was established on April 1, 1864 from Shasta County and Plumas County. Lassen County's name was derived from Mount Lassen, which was named in honor of Peter Lassen.  He was a Danish immigrant who settled in Plumas County before coming to the Honey Lake Valley around 1855.  He had a small mill in the area, but mainly looked for gold.  He was killed in 1859 out in the Black Rock Desert.  It has never been determined who killed him.  He also had a ranch down toward Lassen Peak before coming here.

Lassen County Cities and Towns include Sierra County (southeast), Plumas County (south), Shasta County (west), Modoc County (north), Washoe County, Nevada (east).

Lassen County Cities and Towns include Bieber, Clear Creek Junction, Doyle, Herlong, Janesville, Johnstonville, Litchfield, Madeline, Milford, Nubieber, Patton Village, Ravendale, Standish, Spaulding, Susanville, Termo, Wendel, Westwood

Lassen County has had some Boundary Changes which include:

  • Territory was in Shasta County from 1850 to 1864 when it was moved to Lassen County.
  • Territory in Butte County from 1850 to 1854 was in Plumas County from 1854 to 1864 when it was moved to Lassen County.
  • Territory in Butte County from 1850 to 1854 was in Plumas County from 1854 to 1872 when it was added to Lassen County.

Lassen County, California Courthouse Records

Lassen County, California Courthouse
  • Save

Lassen County, CA Courthouse
Old Lassen County, California Courthouse
  • Save

Old Lassen County Courthouse

The Lassen County Courthouse is located in Susanville, California. Land from Plumas County was added in 1872. Learn More About State of California Court, Tax, Land and Probate Records.

Courthouse History - The first settlers of what was then known as Honey Lake Valley presumed that they were part of the Nevada Territory, though officials of Plumas County insisted that the valley belonged to California. After tensions on jurisdiction and taxation culminated in a shootout in February 1863, a survey of state boundaries determined that the valley was indeed part of California, and Lassen County was established. The Masonic Lodge and the Magnolia Saloon served as courthouses until a two-story wooden building was constructed in 1867. In 1915, residents approved a bond measure for a new courthouse built of native stone. It remains in use and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Clerk's Office DOES NOT DO RESEARCH. Most staff will assist people in finding the materials, but it is up to the individual to do the research. Some early court records from the various courts may have been sent to the California State Archives. Besides court minutes and judgements, these records include tax lists, wills, deeds, estate inventories, and marriage bonds. The California State Archives has microfilm of selected county records, 1850–1919.

The following dates indicates what vital, land, probate, and court records are in Lassen county. The date listed for each record is usually the earliest registration filed. The date does not indicate that there are alot records for that year and does not mean that all such events were actually filed with the clerk. Some counties encompass land settled in the eighteenth century; their records pre-date county formation. Land transactions and vital records recorded in the county are at the county recorder's office. The county clerk general has probate books and files from the county's superior court, civil court records, and naturalizations. Divorces may be in either place, depending on how filed.

  • Lassen County Recorder-Clerk has Birth / Death Records from 1864, Marriage Records from 1864 and Land Records from 1857. The County Recorder-Clerk is s responsible for examination and recording of all documents presented for recording that deal with establishing ownership of land in the County or as required by statute; administers the real property transfer tax law and maintains a permanent record and indexes of all documents for public viewing plus providing certified copies requested by the public; recording of all lawful documents such as deeds, deeds of trust, judgments, liens, affidavits, Uniform Commercial Code Financial Statements, etc; and the filing of Births, Deaths, and Marriages.
  • Lassen County Clerk of Superior Court has Probate Records from 1864 and Court Records from 1863. The County Clerk of Superior Court has probate books and files from the county's superior court, civil court records, and naturalizations. Divorces may be here or in the Recorders Office, depending on how it was filed.
  • Lassen County County Treasurer / Tax Collector
  • Local Registrar of Births and Deaths, 220 S. Lassen Street, Suite 5, Susanville, CA 96130; Office (530) 251-8234

Lassen County, California Census Records

Lassen County, California Vital Records

Lassen County, California Resources

  • Lassen County Historical Society, PO Box 321, Susanville, CA 96130; 530-257-2996
  • Lassen Historical Museum, 105 N. Weatherlow Street, P.O. Box 321, Susanville, CA 96130; Phone (530) 257-4584
  • Lassen County, California Message Boards

Lassen County, California External Links

genealogybank
  • Save
  • Save
fold3
  • Save
newspaper
  • Save
Amazon Books
  • Save