How to Find Maine Death Records: Difference between revisions

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''[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to Find United States Deaths]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''Maine Deaths'''''<br> __NOTOC__  
''[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to Find United States Deaths]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''Maine Deaths'''''<br> __NOTOC__  


Statewide registration of deaths began in 1899 in Maine; however, general compliance did not begin until 1917. Counties have copies of these records.  
In 1820, Maine was created from the state of Massachusetts. Statewide registration of deaths began in 1892.


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== '''Next Step: When did the death occur? '''  ==
== '''Next Step: When did the death occur? '''  ==


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:<span style="font-size:120%">'''Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record:'''</span><br>
:<span style="font-size:120%">'''Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record:'''</span><br>


:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Maine Death Records#Deaths_before_1880|Deaths before 1880]]'''</span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Maine Death Records#Deaths_before_1892|Deaths before 1892]]'''</span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Maine Death Records#Deaths_between_1880_and_1936|Deaths between 1880 and 1936]]'''</span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Maine Death Records#Deaths_between_1892_and_1960|Deaths between 1880 and 1936]]'''</span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Maine Death Records#Deaths_after_1936|Deaths after 1936]]''' </span>
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Maine Death Records#Deaths_after_1936|Deaths after 1960]]''' </span>


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== '''Deaths before 1880'''  ==
== '''Deaths before 1892'''  ==


Before 1880, no deaths were recorded by the county or state. You must search [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|substitute records]] to locate your ancestor’s death date and place. Some cemetery records and obituaries have been indexed in {{RecordSearch|1674841|Maine, Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990}} but the quantity is limited.  
Before 1892, death records were kept by individual town clerks or selectmen. Although some towns have existed since the 1650s, most records date from about 1700. Some of these records have been indexed. Refer to the databases below to access those indexes.  


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== '''Deaths between 1880 and 1936'''<br>  ==
== '''Deaths between 1892 and 1922'''<br>  ==


Statewide registration started in 1880 which required deaths to be recorded at both the county and state levels.  
The state of Maine began recording deaths in 1892. All death certificates from 1892 to 1922 are held at the Maine State Archives.


==== '''STEP ONE: Find Death Information'''  ====
==== '''STEP ONE: Find Death Information'''  ====
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If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases above, try searching for death information in [[Substitute Records For United States Birth Information|other records]].  
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases above, try searching for death information in [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|other records]].  


==== '''STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate'''  ====
==== '''STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate'''  ====
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== '''Deaths after 1936'''  ==
== '''Deaths after 1922'''  ==


The state of Maine began recording deaths in 1880.  
The Vital Records office of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has copies of deaths from 1923 to present day. Deaths from 1892 to 1922 are held by the Maine State Archives. Deaths before 1892 are held by the individual town clerk offices.  


==== '''STEP ONE: Find Death Information'''  ====
==== '''STEP ONE: Find Death Information'''  ====
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==== '''STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate'''  ====
==== '''STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate'''  ====


To get an image of the certificate, you can order a copy of the death certificate for a fee from one of the following locations:
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*[http://www.idph.state.ia.us/apl/vital_records_info.asp Maine Department of Public Health]  
| align="center" colspan="4" | '''To Order Death Certificates'''
**If you are uncertain of the exact date or if the individual died in Maine, the department can do a search for the certificate, for a fee.
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*[https://www.vitalchek.com/death-certificates/iowa VitalChek]
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://www.daddezio.com/records/room/RR-ME-NDX.html County probate judge's offices]
 
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-systems/data-research/vital-records/order/index.shtml Vital Records office of the Maine Dept of Health and Human Services]
Death records are also maintained at the county level. County copies may be obtained at the Register of Deeds office in the county where the event occurred.
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| width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros'''
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Cons'''
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros'''
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Cons'''
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| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state
| County websites can be more difficult to use
| Has an expedited service on [https://www.vitalchek.com/death-certificates/maine Vital Chek]  
| May be more expensive than ordering from the county
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