Reference & Research
Use the buttons at the top of the page to navigate to different sections of this page.
Click Forms for research assistance, to request reproductions of materials, or for donation forms. Click Genealogy to get started searching for your ancestors, including online resources, research forms, and links to the Library-exclusive Ancestory.com and FamilySearch websites, along with local resources. Click Reference Materials to see a list of the Pioneer Room's physical collections like microfilm and yearbooks. Click Research Highlights to see how our collections have helped inform graduate research and various publications. For more information or to discuss donating materials, please get in touch with us at 760-839-4315 or pioneer.room@escondidolibrary.org.
Click here to view our YouTube playlist!
Pioneer Room Forms
Our archival staff is happy to help assist you with your research needs. Use the links below to subject research requests, reproduction forms, or to donate to the Pioneer Room. Check out our Finding Aids to see if our collections fit your research needs. For more information, please get in touch with us at 760-839-4315 or pioneer.room@escondidolibrary.org.
- Research Request Form Complete this form and a member of the archival staff will determine if our collections fit your research needs. We can search up to 20 minutes free of charge during the Pioneer Room's open hours.
- Obituary Request Form Complete this form and a member of the archival staff will search our Times-Advocate newspaper collection for the two weeks following the date of death.
- Request for Reproduction of Archival Materials Form Complete this form to receive a copy of materials found in the Pioneer Room archives. Manuscripts are scanned at 300 dpi, images are scanned at 600 dpi. There is no charge for materials delivered electronically. Printed reproductions will be made on 20 lb. copy paper for $0.20 per page (black and white) and $0.50 per page (color). Reproduction of oversize and fragile materials is subject to the discretion of the archives staff, and may be denied if material requested is too fragile or too large to safely duplicate.
- Deed of Gift Form Complete this form to make a permanent donation to the Pioneer Room collections. A member of our archival staff will contact you for next steps. Click here for more information about our Collections Policy and Donations information.
- Digitize Escondido Program Donation Form Complete this form to donate to our Digitize Escondido Program. Our archival team will digitally preserve your photos of Escondido! Let us scan your photographs, which will become part of our local history, and you keep the originals—sponsored by the Pioneer Room Friends.
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Genealogy Resources
Ancestry.com
PLEASE NOTE: This resource is only available on Library computers and the wireless network in the Library.
Search for birth, death, and census records. Also includes directories, maps, photos, and more.
FamilySearch.org
PLEASE NOTE: This resource is only available on Library computers and the wireless network in the Library.
Create an account with your personal email address, or "Log In" if you already have created an account.
Search for birth, death, and census records.
Getting Started
If you are new to genealogy, these links will help you get started with your research. More resources can be found in the Pioneer Room
- Genealogy.com's Getting Started A curated list of articles for the beginning genealogist.
- FamilySearch's Guided Research Simply pick a location and follow the guided prompts to learn more about the resources available for that location.
- Pioneer Room's Beginning Genealogy Forms (Available in English & Español) Includes form-filliable PDF files with a 4-generation ancestor chart, family group sheet, genealogical resources, tips for beginning researchers, a research log, relationship chart, and a how-to guide developed by Pioneer Room Volunteer, and 30+ year genealogist, Beth McIntyre.
- Pioneer Room's YouTube Playlist Watch the Beginning Genealogy series to learn how to search for your ancestors on Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.
Genealogy Tool Kits & Online Reference Tools
These sites help display your work once you've collected photographs, birth and death records, and other pieces of your family history.
Escondido Resources & Organizations
These local resources and organizations can help you with your genealogy research.
- Escondido Family History Center The Stake Family History Center and its basic services are provided free to the public by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
- Daughters of the American Revolution - Rincon Del Diablo Chapter This organization provides genealogy research help to members.
- DigitalReel DigitalReel allows access to Escondido newspapers published prior to 1995. This includes The Advocate, The Escondido Times, and the Times Advocate. PLEASE NOTE: This resource is only available on Library computers and the wireless network in the Library.
- Pioneer Room's Physical Collections Are non-circulating books, indexes, and records that may help you find ancestors across the United States.
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Research Resources
We have a comprehensive research guide for all things Escondido, California. If you're passionate about delving into the past, discovering local history, or conducting in-depth research, this guide is your key to unlocking a trove of information. Learn how to explore maps, newspapers, census records, photographs, and more. These guide is great for those hard to find searches!
Click here to access the PDF and start your journey into the past today!
Reference Materials
Reference materials are various sources that provide background information or quick facts on a given topic. Explore this page to learn more about the Pioneer Room reference materials available to you. Materials can be accessed in-person during the Pioneer Room's open hours.
If you have any questions, please call us at 760-839-4315 or email us as pioneer.room@escondidolibrary.org.
You man also submit a research request or obituary request form here.
Subject and Biographical Files
Maps
- City of Escondido parcel maps
- Sanborn Fire Insurance 1892 to 1927 (microfilm)
- USGS Topographic Survey
Directories
- Business Directory photocopies from 1913-1938
- Escondido City and telephone directories 1886-present
- Woman's Club Escondido 1960-1996
- Visit the Pioneer Room on California Revealed to view digital Escondido directories from the 1950s-1980s
- Visit the City of San Diego Digital Archives to view digital San Diego directories from 1874; 1926-1960
Yearbooks
- Classical Academy (2000-2002; 2007; 2009-2014)
- Del Lago Academy (2013; 2015-2016)
- Escondido High School (1909-1994; 1996-2022)
- Escondido Charter High School (1996-2005; 2007-2008; 2010-2014; 2016)
- Hidden Valley Middle School (1975-1990; 1993-2004)
- Orange Glen High School (1964-1983; 1985-2021)
- San Pasqual Academy (1983; 2005-2014)
- San Pasqual High School (1974-1986; 1989-2003; 2007-2008; 2010-2011; 2013-2017; 2019-2022)
- Valley High School (1977-1978; 1980; 1982; 1984-1985; 2003-2008)
- Selections of yearbooks from:
- Children's Montessori
- Conway Elementary School
- Del Dios Middle School (1974-1978; 1995-1996)
- Grant Middle School
- Light and Life Christian School
- Rincon Middle School
Microfilm Collection
- African American Soldier Records 1639-1886
- Alien Arrivals - Douglas, AZ 1901-1952
- Citizen and Alien Arrivals by Aircraft at San Francisco 1936-1949
- California State Marriage (1960-1985) and Death Index (1905-1992)
- Escondido City Council Minutes 1888-1988
- Escondido Times Advocate (January 20, 1887 - December 2, 1995)
- North County Times (December 3, 1995 - March 2, 2013)
- U-T San Diego North County (March 3, 2013 - December 31, 2018)
- Federal Census 1850-1930 for California, Colorado, Arizona (1870-1920) and New Mexico (1850-1920)
- Mexican-American War Records
- Mexico Census 1790
- Native American Census for Southern California and Western Arizona 1885-1940
- San Diego County Naturalization Records 1853-1958
- San Diego County Probate Order and Decrees 1886-1920
- San Ysidro Border Crossing Records 1908-1952
- Sanbourn Fire Maps for downtown Escondido 1892-1927
Oral Histories
- Tapes from Frances B. Ryan
- Transcriptions from Escondido Historical Society and San Diego Historical Society
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Historical Society and Historic Organizations Newsletters and Journals
- Boosters of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park "Poppy Paper"
- Congress of History of San Diego and Imperial Counties "Adelante"
- Historical Society of Southern California "Southern California Quarterly"
- Journal of California Historical Society "California History"
- Journal of San Diego History
- National Trust for Historic Preservation "Preservation"
- Old Escondido Historic District "Old Escondido Times"
- San Diego Archaeological Center
- San Diego Historical Society "The Times"
- San Dieguito Heritage Museum "Heritage Times"
- San Pasqual Battlefield Volunteer Association "Battlelines"
- Vista Historical Society
Research Highlights
The Pioneer Room is proud to highlight works that feature materials from our collections. We have included links to projects or call numbers for items in our collections.
If you are interested in researching your next project at the Pioneer Room, please contact us at 760-839-4315 or pioneer.room@escondidolibrary.org.
California State University - San Marcos
The Paradoxes of Representation: Portrayals of Asian Immigrants in Escondido Newspapers, 1893-1945
Chase Spear
This thesis explores how Asian immigrants were portrayed in the Escondido press between 1893 and 1945.
View the project website.
Books & Journals
A History of Vista by Harrison Doyle
Early Days in Escondido by Frances Beven Ryan
Early Escondido by Stephen A. Covey
Escondido As It Was by Frances Beven Ryan
Escondido Grape Day Festivals by Lucy Jones Burk
Early Escondido: The Louis A. Havens Collection by Stephen A. Covey
Escondido History and the Grape Day Celebration by Douglas Westfall
Escondido: A Pictorial History by Escondido Historical Society
Frances Beven Ryan Genealogy by Frances Beven Ryan
Hidden Valley Heritage: Escondido's First 100 Years by Alan B. McGrew
Mini Guide to Historic Escondido by Frances Beven Ryan
One Hundred Years of Library Service in Escondido by Kathy Cook
Scrapbooks and Newspaper Clippings by Frances Beven Ryan
Yes, Escondido, There Was a Felicita by Frances Beven Ryan
Yesterdays in Escondido by Frances Beven Ryan
Publications
Friends of the Pioneer Room newsletter
Pioneer Room Calendars
Reports & Surveys
A library building to match user needs : a building program for the Escondido Public Library
Escondido Historic Survey, Update 1940-1955 by City of Escondido
Escondido Public Library Long Range Plan, 1991-1995
Status Report: Chatham Site, Escondido, California
Survey Tour of Escondido's Historic Architectural Heritage by Lucy Jones Burk
The City of Escondido Historic Preservation Commission Orientation Handbook by City of Escondido Planning Division
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