Who's Who by State

Notable Families & Figures of California

The notable families, dynasties, companies, and figures of California — profiled from public sources.

The Hearst FamilyThe mining-and-media dynasty behind America's largest newspaper empire — and the castle that inspired “Citizen Kane.”Read profile →The Disney FamilyThe brothers whose cartoon studio grew into the world's best-known entertainment empire.Read profile →The Getty FamilyThe oil dynasty whose founder was once the richest American — and whose fortune built a world-class art museum.Read profile →The Packard FamilyDavid Packard's family, co-founders of Hewlett-Packard and Silicon Valley pioneers.Read profile →The Hewlett FamilyWilliam Hewlett's family, co-founders of HP and shapers of Silicon Valley philanthropy.Read profile →Walt DisneyThe animation pioneer whose California studio built a global entertainment empire.Read profile →The Bechtel FamilyThe San Francisco family behind Bechtel, one of the largest construction firms in the world.Read profile →The Gallo FamilyThe Modesto family behind E. & J. Gallo, the largest family-owned winery on earth.Read profile →Levi StraussThe San Francisco merchant who invented blue jeans and founded Levi Strauss & Co.Read profile →The Chandler FamilyThe dynasty that controlled the Los Angeles Times and shaped Southern California.Read profile →Leland StanfordThe railroad baron and governor who founded Stanford University.Read profile →The Nixon FamilyThe Yorba Linda family of Richard Nixon, the 37th U.S. President.Read profile →Steve JobsThe co-founder of Apple, who reshaped computing, phones, and music from Cupertino.Read profile →
Your own family

Every family has a story in the record. We'll trace and write yours.

See how it works →