Tracing your family’s history is a beautiful way to honor your ancestors and connect with your heritage of faith. At the Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of San Diego, we maintain historical records that can be a valuable resource for those conducting genealogical research.

What Our Records Include

Our cemetery records are primarily concerned with the details of the burial itself. While every record varies depending on the era, they typically include:

• Date of death and date of burial
• Place of death
• Age at the time of passing or date of birth
• The parish from which the individual was buried
• The mortuary that handled the arrangements

Please Note: Cemetery records generally do not include maiden names, the names/addresses of surviving relatives, or official death certificates.

How to Request Research

Because our historical records are often stored in physical archives or older database systems, research can be time-consuming. We ask that you submit a formal request to help our staff locate the correct information.

Please contact the main cemetery office for current information regarding research fees and estimated turnaround times. These fees help us maintain and digitize our historical archives for future generations.

Local Genealogy Resources

For a more comprehensive search into your family’s San Diego history, we recommend exploring these additional local resources:

• San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk: For vital records including birth, death, and marriage certificates.
• The San Diego Genealogical Society: A helpful resource for local family history research and San Diego-specific archives.
• San Diego Public Library – Special Collections: Offers extensive historical records and local history archives.
• Diocese of San Diego Archives: For inquiries regarding sacramental records (Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage) from local parishes.