HISTORICAL SOCIETIES AND RESEARCH SOURCES
The Bancroft Library – University of California, Berkeley, CA
California Genealogical Society – Oakland, CA
California Historical Landmarks – From the California Office of Historic Preservation. Information on historic places in California by county.
California Historical Society – San Francisco, CA.
California Japantown Project – Terminal Island information and photos
California State Archives – Sacramento, CA
California State Dept. of Health Services, Vital Records – Sacramento, CA
California State University Northridge – Northridge, CA. Wide assortment of maps.
Find a Grave – Allows you to search thousands of records
Historical Society of Long Beach – Long Beach, California The Historical Society publishes books, holds regular meetings, and provides research services pertaining to the history of Long Beach, the port city adjacent to the Port of Los Angeles.
Historical Society of Southern California – El Alisal, CA_ Founded in 1883, it is the oldest historical society in California. They publish the Southern California Quarterly journal, a monthly newsletter, and a series of books. (socalhistory.org)
Immigrant Genealogical Society – Burbank, CA Founded in 1982 to help trace ancestor’s origins, particularly in the German speaking areas of Europe.
Immigration Stories http://sanpedrobayhistoricalsociety.tumblr.com/ -San Pedro, CA Nichole Cvitanovich’s Girl Scout Gold Award. A website featuring interviews with local San Pedro Immigrants.
Labor Archives & Research Center – San Francisco, CA
Lomita Historical Society – Lomita, CA
Los Angeles Almanac – Los Angeles, CA The first and longest-running online almanac dedicated to Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and surrounding areas. Launched in 1998, this website contains historical statistics, summaries, lists of public officials, site information, and more.
Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office – Los Angeles, CA This is the place to check maps and housing records.
Los Angeles County Recorder Registrar’s Office –
Los Angeles Historical Society – Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles Maritime Museum Archives – San Pedro, CA
Los Angeles Public Library – Regional History “Electronic Neighborhood” The Library’s Electronic Neighborhood includes indexes, documents, photographs, and other materials exploring California and regional history.
National Archives and Records Administration
Online Archive of California – Brings together historical materials from a variety of California institutions, including museums, historical societies, and archives. Over 120,00 images; 50,000 pages of documents, letters, and oral histories; and 8,000 guides to collections are available.
Palos Verdes Library Local History Collection – Palos Verdes Estates, California The Local History Collection of the Palos Verdes Library District is maintained for the use of the public in researching the history, culture, people, and natural wonders of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, California. It is housed at the Malaga Cove branch of the Palos Verdes Library District.
Port of Los Angeles History – www.portoflosangeles.org/idx_history.asp
Port of Los Angeles Virtual Tour Take an interactive tour of the history of the harbor.
SOLAHA – Stories Of LA Harbor Area. www.storieslaharborarea.com Enjoy the videos and oral history on this website.
South Bay History – Blog by Sam Gnerre, archivist for the Daily Breeze.
Sutro Library Branch of the California State Library San Francisco, CA
Torrance Historical Society – Torrance, CA
UCLA Library digital Collections – This site provides a wide array of historic information
USC Digital Library – Provides access to over 100,000 photographs, maps, manuscripts, records, texts and sound recordings owned by USC and collaborating institutions.
US GenWeb Project – Land of the Free Genealogy
Wilmington Historical Society – 309 West Opp Street, Wilmington, CA 90744-3412 (310) 835-8239 . Dedicated to preserving the history of Wilmington and its contribution to the city and the Port of Los Angeles.
LOCAL MUSEUMS
Banning Residence Museum – Wilmington, California
Visit the home of General Phineas Banning (1830-1885), the founder of the Port of Los Angeles.
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium – San Pedro, California
An educational, recreational, and research facility, dedicated to educating the general public about the marine environment of Southern California.
Catalina Island Museum – Avalon, California
The museum, located in the historic Avalon Casino, exhibits Native American artifacts, Catalina pottery and tile, photos and postcards from the 1880′s to the present, and much more.
Drum Barracks Civil War Museum
The historic site of the Union Army Headquarters from 1861-1871, the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum’s exhibits and programs present the story of California’s contributions to the Civil War.
Fort MacArthur Museum – San Pedro, California
The Fort MacArthur Museum is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the history of Fort MacArthur, a U.S. Army post which guarded the Los Angeles harbor from 1914 to 1974.
Los Angeles Maritime Museum – San Pedro, California
Housed in the 1941 Ferry Building, the museum interprets San Pedro’s connection to maritime operations and to the Port of Los Angeles.
Pacific Battleship Center – USS Iowa – San Pedro, California
Opening in summer 2012.
SS Lane Victory – San Pedro, California
A fully-operational Victory Ship, and museum, located in the Port of Los Angeles.
Point Fermin Lightouse – San Pedro, California
The Lighthouse, a wooden structure built in 1874, was the first lighthouse in the area.
Point Vincente Interpretive Center – Rancho Palos Verdes, California
A natural history museum and prime whale watching spot.
PRESERVATION AND ARCHITECTURE
California Preservation Foundation – Promotes historic preservation statewide.
City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety Records
City of Torrance’s Historic Preservation Website –
Environmental Design Archives – University of California, Berkeley, California
Environmental Design Library – University of California Berkeley CA
Los Angeles Conservancy – Preserves and revitalizes Greater Los Angeles’s architectural heritage.
National Trust – Champions preservation by providing leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to people working to preserve, improve and enjoy the places that matter to them.
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
FUN SITES
My San Pedro Blogspot by Todd Titterud
Townee Tours by Angela Romero