This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Neighbors Keeping Orange County's past alive
Elisabeth Definer profiles Pamela Hallan-Gibson, a California author and Sonoma retiree, whose works revive Orange County history. The piece highlights her books on San Juan Capistrano, the Orange County Sheriff's Department, and local legal history, plus her research methods, connections to libraries, and the rising public interest in preserving regional heritage. Hallan-Gibson reflects on OC resilience from mission era to today and notes key local figures and sites.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pamela Hallan-Gibson
San Juan Capistrano
Orange County
University of California, Riverside
Sonoma
el Toro
Hallan-Gibson
Cathy Thomas
Thomas
Fullerton Library
Launer
Jim Sleeper
Joyce Franklin
Anaheim Museum
Franklin
Riverside Press-Enterprise
Costa Mesa
California
Charleston
N.C