Most beginners use Regional Records Service Facilities of the National Archives for census records, and since they form part of the basic structure of your primary research, this chapter will discuss them more thoroughly.

The closest facility to Monterey, California, is the one in San Bruno, outside of San Francisco. It is very easy to locate off of Hwy 101 or 280 and parking is ample. It is half a block away from the National Cemetery in San Bruno (an awesome sight with its rows and rows of tombstones representing the thousands of individuals who have died in the service of their country).

This particular facility has a good collection of published census indexes, a complete film set of every available open national census as well as a complete set of the Federal Revolutionary War Pension films. In addition there are many collections of Civil War films and information of interest to California residents. Several film machines are available on a one- to two-hour time period, depending on user load. Excellent copy machines are available for film and paper copies.