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Civil governments have created records of births, marriages, and deaths, commonly called "vital records" because they refer to critical events in a person’s life. In Quebec, vital records created by the government are called "civil registration" (état civil), the term generally used outside North America. Vital records are an excellent source of accurate names, dates, and places of births, marriages, and deaths. But the births, marriages, and deaths of many people were never recorded by civil authorities. Other vital records are described in "Church Records" and other sections. | Civil governments have created records of births, marriages, and deaths, commonly called "vital records" because they refer to critical events in a person’s life. In Quebec, vital records created by the government are called "civil registration" (état civil), the term generally used outside North America. Vital records are an excellent source of accurate names, dates, and places of births, marriages, and deaths. But the births, marriages, and deaths of many people were never recorded by civil authorities. Other vital records are described in "[[Canada Ch|Church Records]]" and other sections. | ||
Vital records are the responsibility of the provinces except for the registration of First Nations individuals (Native Canadians), which is a federal responsibility. In some provinces, authorities began registering births, marriages, and deaths since the 1860s. Complete registration in all the provinces and territories was achieved in the 1920s. After this date, almost all individuals who lived in [[Portal:Canada|Canada]] are recorded. | Vital records are the responsibility of the provinces except for the registration of First Nations individuals (Native Canadians), which is a federal responsibility. In some provinces, authorities began registering births, marriages, and deaths since the 1860s. Complete registration in all the provinces and territories was achieved in the 1920s. After this date, almost all individuals who lived in [[Portal:Canada|Canada]] are recorded. | ||
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To find a civil vital record, you will need at least the approximate year and place in which the birth, marriage, or death occurred. You may need to search other records first to find clues about these events, such as family Bibles, genealogies, local histories, biographies, cemetery records, censuses, pension files, newspaper notices, and probate files. In the 18th and 19th centuries these other records must often substitute for civil vital records, though they may not be as accurate as those kept by church authorities and local or provincial governments. | To find a civil vital record, you will need at least the approximate year and place in which the birth, marriage, or death occurred. You may need to search other records first to find clues about these events, such as family Bibles, genealogies, local histories, biographies, cemetery records, censuses, pension files, newspaper notices, and probate files. In the 18th and 19th centuries these other records must often substitute for civil vital records, though they may not be as accurate as those kept by church authorities and local or provincial governments. | ||
== | == General Historical Background == | ||
The recording of civil vital statistics developed slowly in Canada: | The recording of civil vital statistics developed slowly in Canada: | ||
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1926: Civil registration of vital statistics separate from church record keeping began in the province of Quebec. Vital records registration became a completely civil matter in Quebec in 1994. | 1926: Civil registration of vital statistics separate from church record keeping began in the province of Quebec. Vital records registration became a completely civil matter in Quebec in 1994. | ||
== | == Information in Vital Records == | ||
The information recorded in civil records of vital registration varied over time. Later records generally give more complete information. Vital records are usually written in English or French, but content varies by time period and province. For example, before 1907 in Ontario, parents’ names were not usually on death certificates, but they are after that date. | The information recorded in civil records of vital registration varied over time. Later records generally give more complete information. Vital records are usually written in English or French, but content varies by time period and province. For example, before 1907 in Ontario, parents’ names were not usually on death certificates, but they are after that date. | ||
'''Births''' (naissances) | === '''Births''' (naissances) === | ||
Birth records generally give the child’s: | Birth records generally give the child’s: | ||
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Number of other children born to the mother. | Number of other children born to the mother. | ||
'''Marriages''' (mariages) | === '''Marriages''' (mariages) === | ||
Marriages were usually recorded where the bride resided. If you believe a marriage took place but cannot find a record of the marriage, search records of intent to marry. | Marriages were usually recorded where the bride resided. If you believe a marriage took place but cannot find a record of the marriage, search records of intent to marry. | ||
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Information about parents and the birth date and birthplace may be inaccurate since the person giving the information may not have had complete information. Some information may not have been required by authorities at the time. | Information about parents and the birth date and birthplace may be inaccurate since the person giving the information may not have had complete information. Some information may not have been required by authorities at the time. | ||
== | == Locating Vital Records == | ||
Records at the Family History Library | === Records at the Family History Library === | ||
The Family History Library has microfilm copies of some civil vital records registration or indexes of many provinces and counties in eastern Canada. However, some records were destroyed, were not available for microfilming, or were restricted from public access by the laws of the country or province. You may research records at the library, but the library does not issue or certify certificates for living or deceased individuals. | The Family History Library has microfilm copies of some civil vital records registration or indexes of many provinces and counties in eastern Canada. However, some records were destroyed, were not available for microfilming, or were restricted from public access by the laws of the country or province. You may research records at the library, but the library does not issue or certify certificates for living or deceased individuals. | ||
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Most of these records date from the late 19th century. For civil registration records, see the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under all of these headings: | Most of these records date from the late 19th century. For civil registration records, see the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under all of these headings: | ||
CANADA - VITAL RECORDS | CANADA - VITAL RECORDS | ||
[PROVINCE] - VITAL RECORDS | [PROVINCE] - VITAL RECORDS | ||
[PROVINCE], [COUNTY] - VITAL RECORDS | [PROVINCE], [COUNTY] - VITAL RECORDS | ||
[PROVINCE], [COUNTY], [CITY] - VITAL RECORDS | [PROVINCE], [COUNTY], [CITY] - VITAL RECORDS | ||
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For the province of Quebec only, see: | For the province of Quebec only, see: | ||
QUEBEC - CIVIL REGISTRATION | QUEBEC - CIVIL REGISTRATION | ||
QUEBEC, [COUNTY], [CITY] - CHURCH RECORDS | QUEBEC, [COUNTY], [CITY] - CHURCH RECORDS | ||
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The library now has these and other sources (some of which are described in the research outlines for each province): | The library now has these and other sources (some of which are described in the research outlines for each province): | ||
'''British Columbia''' | [[British_Columbia_Civil_Registration-_Vital_Records|'''British Columbia''']] | ||
The provincial government began registering births, marriages, and deaths in 1872. The early records are very incomplete. The library has: | |||
Death registrations 1872 to 1977 and index 1872 to 1976. | Death registrations 1872 to 1977 and index 1872 to 1976. | ||
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Marriage registrations 1872 to 1922 and index 1872 to 1921. | Marriage registrations 1872 to 1922 and index 1872 to 1921. | ||
'''New Brunswick''' | [[New_Brunswick_Civil_Registration-_Vital_Records|'''New Brunswick''']] | ||
The provincial government began recording births, marriages, and deaths in 1888. The library has: | |||
Birth registrations (arranged alphabetically within each year) 1888 to 1899. | Birth registrations (arranged alphabetically within each year) 1888 to 1899. | ||
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Some county death register books 1888 to 1919. | Some county death register books 1888 to 1919. | ||
'''Nova Scotia''' | [[Nova_Scotia_Civil_Registration-_Vital_Records|'''Nova Scotia''']] | ||
In 1864 the provincial government began registering vital statistics, but the records were not complete. The government quit registering births and deaths in 1877 and began again in 1908. The Family History Library has: | |||
Birth and death records from 1864 to 1877 and indexes. | Birth and death records from 1864 to 1877 and indexes. | ||
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Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario. The library has some early county and district marriage records and marriage bonds. Indexes are available for some of these. | Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario. The library has some early county and district marriage records and marriage bonds. Indexes are available for some of these. | ||
'''Ontario''' | [[Ontario_Civil_Registration-_Vital_Records|'''Ontario''']] | ||
Registration of vital statistics began officially in Ontario on 1 July 1869. A substantially complete registration was achieved by 1930. The library has: | |||
Birth registrations 1869 to 1901 and indexes. | Birth registrations 1869 to 1901 and indexes. | ||
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The library’s collection continues to grow, and the Family History Library Catalog is updated annually. Check it again every year for the records you need. | The library’s collection continues to grow, and the Family History Library Catalog is updated annually. Check it again every year for the records you need. | ||
Records Not at the Family History Library | === Records Not at the Family History Library === | ||
Vital records dating from the 20th century are at the vital records office for each province. Earlier records may be at vital records offices or at provincial archives. To protect the rights of privacy of living persons, access to and use of most modern records is restricted. | Vital records dating from the 20th century are at the vital records office for each province. Earlier records may be at vital records offices or at provincial archives. To protect the rights of privacy of living persons, access to and use of most modern records is restricted. | ||
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Canada | Canada | ||
Yukon Territory | Yukon Territory | ||
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Canada | Canada | ||
Provincial Archives: | |||
=== Provincial Archives: === | |||
Quebec: Some pre-1900 records are in regional branches of the Archives Nationales du Québec. Many of these have been microfilmed and are available at the Family History Library. | Quebec: Some pre-1900 records are in regional branches of the Archives Nationales du Québec. Many of these have been microfilmed and are available at the Family History Library. | ||
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Archive inventories (see "Archives and Libraries") describe the record-keeping systems and available civil registration records in Canada. These and other guides are in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under: | Archive inventories (see "Archives and Libraries") describe the record-keeping systems and available civil registration records in Canada. These and other guides are in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under: | ||
CANADA - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES | CANADA - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES | ||
[PROVINCE] - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES | [PROVINCE] - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES | ||
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Request for a photocopy of the original document. If this is not available, request a "genealogical certificate" if you want the most detail possible. | Request for a photocopy of the original document. If this is not available, request a "genealogical certificate" if you want the most detail possible. | ||
If your request is unsuccessful, search for duplicate records that may have been filed in other archives or church registers or for newspaper obituaries and cemetery records. Information about deaths and some family information may be included in wills and other probate records. Birth dates can be estimated from censuses. See "Archives and Libraries," "Cemetery Records," "Census," "Church Records," "Newspapers," and "Probate Records." | If your request is unsuccessful, search for duplicate records that may have been filed in other archives or church registers or for newspaper obituaries and cemetery records. Information about deaths and some family information may be included in wills and other probate records. Birth dates can be estimated from censuses. See "[[Canada_Archives_and_Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]," "[[Canada_Cemeteries|Cemetery Records]]," "[[Canada_Census|Census]]," "[[Canada_Church_Records|Church Records]]," "[[Canada_Newspapers|Newspapers]]," and "[[Canada_Probate_Records|Probate Records]]." <!--{12079481158080} --> | ||
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[[Category:Canada]] | [[Category:Canada]] | ||