Nancy: The usual answer given to those searching for records San Francisco Bay Area pre-1906 Earthquake and fire is to say they were destroyed. While many records were destroyed of course, others were not destroyed and with some dedicated digging they MIGHT be found. It would depend upon where the record was at the time of the fire especially and whether the record might have been somewhere safe. It is difficult for us to help you without a bit more information such as knowing the names you are searching. I mention this 'not all records were destroyed' since my family was in San Francisco and the East Bay (Oakland) since the 1850s and I found original orphanage records in San Francisco from 1862 - it took a lot of digging by myself to find the place where the record might be kept and a very dedicated volunteer helped me as I no longer lived in SF. Without a name to begin, we are less able to help you. First off, I am assuming (a nasty word in genealogy - sorry) that you have gone through the www.sfgenealogy.com site? Lots of good information there. You do give us some clues to follow - so I have some questions..... You mentioned you have a newspaper article - is this a 'notice of their marriage' or an article? Articles would usually give more details and IF they were married in a church (not all were) that would be mentioned. Where was this newspaper article published? Do you have the name of the newspaper? In which city/town was it published? The San Francisco Call Bulletin - Morning and Evening editions are often found in some online databases such as genealogybank.com, Library of Congress online and the wonderful index for these papers by Jim Falkinbury - this site http://www.jwfgenresearch.com/SFCallIndex.htm says 'up to 1900' yet I found some of my family into the early 1900s. Try it with both names. Also, you say they didn't follow the Catholic religion and yet you say you "don't expect to find a civil record of their marriage." That clue might mean they chose a non-church wedding to me. A 'for instance' is my grandparents were living in San Francisco and I hunted and hunted for their marriage record before I found their marriage in San Jose in this same time period - they were married a month before the earthquake and fire. True, I found it by accident since I was at the Santa Clara County court house doing research for my employer - and I 'just picked up' the book of marriages lying on the counter - this was before these books are guarded almost under lock and key 'because of identy theft' supposedly. I never would have thought to look there if I hadn't been there in person. These records are now online, but not then. Are you aware that marriage records are held at the County level as well as being sent to the State Archives - which could take up to a year to get the certificate. Since your grandparents siblings were baptized in Mission San Jose, that clue would be to search in the southern part of Alameda County since that is where the Mission is located. Don't give up you search when someone tells you that the record 'can't be found' that just means you need to have more 'digging power.' Margie -----Original Message----- >From: Nancy <wright4766@bellsouth.net> >Sent: Jul 27, 2013 6:18 PM >To: norcal@rootsweb.com >Subject: [NORCAL] Catholic churches in San Francisco 1904? > >I have been looking for my grandparents marriage for at least 30 years. I just found a newspaper article about it. They were married on Jan 2, 1904. My grandfather lived in Centerville, Alameda County. My grandmother was in the 1900 census with her uncle in Washington Township, Alameda County. She was baptised in St. Mary's Catholic church in Oakland. 3 My grandfathers 4 siblings were baptised in St. Joseph Catholic church in Mission San Jose. > >My grandparents went to San Franciso to be married. I have no idea what church in San Francisco, if any. They did not follow the Catholic religion later and may not have been married in the church. What are my chances of finding a record of their marriage in the St. Francisco Archdiocese Archives? I don't expect to find a civil record of their marriage. > >How in the world did people travel across the bay at that time. They all seemed to go to San Francisco so often. Was there ferry service from Alameda County? > >Nancy >