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United States Vital Records: Difference between revisions
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Records of '''marriages''' were generally the first vital records kept in a locality. In most states, the counties or towns began recording marriages as soon as they were established. Whether the marriage ceremony was performed by a civil or a church authority, local laws required the marriage to be recorded in civil records. | Records of '''marriages''' were generally the first vital records kept in a locality. In most states, the counties or towns began recording marriages as soon as they were established. Whether the marriage ceremony was performed by a civil or a church authority, local laws required the marriage to be recorded in civil records. | ||
=== Tips: === | |||
*Marriages may have been documented and recognized by both a civil and a church authorities, the civil process may include applications, license and certificate, the church records may include marriage register and ministers records. | |||
*An announcement of the marriage may have been placed in a local newspapers and church publications. | |||
*Witness to the marriage may prove to be related to the bride and groom. | |||
The local health departments of a few large cities began recording '''births and deaths '''by the mid-1800s. For example, records exist for Baltimore (from 1875), Boston (from 1639), New Orleans (from 1790), New York (from 1847), and Philadelphia (from 1860). The early records are usually incomplete. Many counties in the East and Midwest were recording births and deaths by the late 1800's. | The local health departments of a few large cities began recording '''births and deaths '''by the mid-1800s. For example, records exist for Baltimore (from 1875), Boston (from 1639), New Orleans (from 1790), New York (from 1847), and Philadelphia (from 1860). The early records are usually incomplete. Many counties in the East and Midwest were recording births and deaths by the late 1800's. | ||
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*Obtain birth and death records for you ancestor and their siblings, by comparing the information it will help establish the correct information. | *Obtain birth and death records for you ancestor and their siblings, by comparing the information it will help establish the correct information. | ||
*If an informant gave the information on the death record, establish their relationship to the deceased, closer relations usually had more details and association with the deceased. | *If an informant gave the information on the death record, establish their relationship to the deceased, closer relations usually had more details and association with the deceased. | ||
*Death records may contain reference to church affilation, burial location,....... | |||
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. To learn more about the creation of civil records and the regional differences go to the [[United States Civil Records|United States Civil Records]] page. | 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. To learn more about the creation of civil records and the regional differences go to the [[United States Civil Records|United States Civil Records]] page. | ||