No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
The practice of recording civil vital statistics developed slowly in the United States. Early vital information was sometimes recorded in brief entries in register books until the twentieth century, when it became more common to create certificates. The federal government has not registered vital records. This responsibility was left to the town/city, county or state agencies. | The practice of recording civil vital statistics developed slowly in the United States. Early vital information was sometimes recorded in brief entries in register books until the twentieth century, when it became more common to create certificates. The federal government has not registered vital records. This responsibility was left to the town/city, county or state agencies. | ||
Each state eventually developed its own laws and created a statewide registration system. Unfortunately, these records do not exist until the early 1900's in most states. Local offices did not always comply immediately with the registration laws. Within 20 years after registration laws were enacted, most states were recording at least 90 percent of the births and deaths. (See the state research outlines for more information.) | Each state eventually developed its own laws and created a statewide registration system. Unfortunately, these records do not exist until the early 1900's in most states. Local offices did not always comply immediately with the registration laws. Within 20 years after registration laws were enacted, most states were recording at least 90 percent of the births and deaths. (See the state research outlines for more information.) | ||
:Read more about [[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]. | :Read more about [[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]. | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
=== Birth Records === | === Birth Records === | ||
Some births were recorded in colonial Maryland by the Maryland General Assembly but not many survived or where ever recorded (no state records from 1800 until 1865). Birth registration was inconsistant but started again in 1865. In 1875, Baltimore began recording births. In 1898, counties in Maryland began recording births, although full compliance did not happen until the 1910s. | Some births were recorded in colonial Maryland by the Maryland General Assembly but not many survived or where ever recorded (no state records from 1800 until 1865). Birth registration was inconsistant but started again in 1865. In 1875, Baltimore began recording births. In 1898, counties in Maryland began recording births, although full compliance did not happen until the 1910s. | ||
For more information about availability, content, and history about birth records in | For more information about availability, content, and history about birth records in Maryland click on this link: | ||
:[[Maryland Vital Records: Birth|Maryland Vital Records: Birth]] | :[[Maryland Vital Records: Birth|Maryland Vital Records: Birth]] | ||
| Line 34: | Line 34: | ||
=== Marriage Records === | === Marriage Records === | ||
Records of marriages were generally the first vital records kept consistantly in Maryland by the Maryland General Assembly. Early colonial marriage records includes banns and marriage registers. By 1777, marriage licenses were required but it wasn't until 1865 that the county court recorded all marriages in Maryland. | Records of marriages were generally the first vital records kept consistantly in Maryland by the Maryland General Assembly. Early colonial marriage records includes banns and marriage registers. By 1777, marriage licenses were required but it wasn't until 1865 that the county court recorded all marriages in Maryland. | ||
For more information about availability, content, and history about marriage records in Maryland, click on this link: | For more information about availability, content, and history about marriage records in Maryland, click on this link: | ||
:[[Maryland Vital Records: Marriages|Maryland Vital Records: Marriages]] | :[[Maryland Vital Records: Marriages|Maryland Vital Records: Marriages]] | ||
| Line 51: | Line 51: | ||
=== Divorce Records<br> === | === Divorce Records<br> === | ||
For more information about availability, content, and history about divorce records in Maryland click on this link: | |||
:[[Maryland Divorce Records|Maryland Divorce Records]] | :[[Maryland Divorce Records|Maryland Divorce Records]] | ||
edits