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United States Vital Records: Difference between revisions
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
The [http://clanboyd.info/research/vitalrec/ 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. Some town clerks in colonial America (especially New England) recorded vital information, but these records are incomplete. The '''federal government has not registered vital records, except for ''''''Americans born outside the country '''who were '''recorded in embassy or consulate records.''' | The [http://clanboyd.info/research/vitalrec/ 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. Some town clerks in colonial America (especially New England) recorded vital information, but these records are incomplete. The '''federal government has not registered vital records, except for ''''''Americans born outside the country '''who were '''recorded in embassy or consulate 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. | 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. | ||
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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. | ||
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== Vital Records of Each State == | == Vital Records of Each State == | ||
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*''Where to Write for Vital Records: Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Divorces.'' Hyattsville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, March 1993. Some addresses and fees are outdated. This booklet can be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, DC 20402-9328. | *''Where to Write for Vital Records: Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Divorces.'' Hyattsville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, March 1993. Some addresses and fees are outdated. This booklet can be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, DC 20402-9328. | ||
Records at the Family History Library == | == Records at the Family History Library == | ||
The [[Family History Library|Family History Library]] has copies of many vital records, primarily those before 1920. However, if a record was never kept, was not available in the courthouse at the time of microfilming, was not microfilmed, or is restricted from public access by the laws of the state, the [[Family History Library|Family History Library]] does not have a copy. You may use the records at the library for your family research, but the library does not issue or certify certificates for living or deceased individuals. | == The [[Family History Library|Family History Library]] has copies of many vital records, primarily those before 1920. However, if a record was never kept, was not available in the courthouse at the time of microfilming, was not microfilmed, or is restricted from public access by the laws of the state, the [[Family History Library|Family History Library]] does not have a copy. You may use the records at the library for your family research, but the library does not issue or certify certificates for living or deceased individuals. == | ||
Vital records can be found in the Place Search of the [[Family History Library Catalog Place Search|Family History Library Catalog]] under each of the following approaches: | Vital records can be found in the Place Search of the [[Family History Library Catalog Place Search|Family History Library Catalog]] under each of the following approaches: | ||
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The [[Family History Library|Family History Library]] has statewide collections and special indexes of vital records for most states. The library has good collections of county vital records for several states. | The [[Family History Library|Family History Library]] has statewide collections and special indexes of vital records for most states. The library has good collections of county vital records for several states. | ||
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== Things you can do == | == Things you can do == | ||