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Vermont Town Records: Difference between revisions
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=== Introduction === | === Introduction === | ||
Vermont is the youngest New England state. Permanent settlements first arose in the | Vermont is the youngest New England state. Permanent settlements first arose in the 1760's under grants issued by New Hampshire. In 1764 the settlements were placed under the jurisdiction of New York. The settlers formed their own government in 1777, and Vermont joined the Union in 1791. In Vermont, as in other New England states, the basic governmental unit is the town, where original vital records and copies of deeds are held. | ||
The earliest records are called proprietors’ records. After the proprietors sold their lands, the town clerk was the principal local record keeper. Town records generally begin with the founding of a town and are kept to the present. | The earliest records are called proprietors’ records. After the proprietors sold their lands, the town clerk was the principal local record keeper. Town records generally begin with the founding of a town and are kept to the present. | ||
Town records may contain records of births, marriages, burials, cemeteries, appointments, earmarks, estrays (records of stray animals), freemen’s oaths (men eligible to vote), land records, mortgages, name changes, care of the poor, school records, surveys, tax lists, town meeting minutes, voter registrations, and warnings out (of town). Birth, marriage, and death information found in town records is described further in the [[Vermont Vital Records|“Vital Records”]] page. | Town records may contain records of births, marriages, burials, cemeteries, appointments, earmarks, estrays (records of stray animals), freemen’s oaths (men eligible to vote), land records, mortgages, name changes, care of the poor, school records, surveys, tax lists, town meeting minutes, voter registrations, and warnings out (of town). School records can be a source for Vermont birth dates. These records were maintained by teachers, usually in a standard format booklet supplied by the state. Most list all students and their birth dates. The records pertain to attendance rather than grades. Other information recorded include the days school was in session, and any visitors to the schools. Not all records are extant and some towns will not permit researchers to access these records. But it is a good source for birth dates in the early part of the 20th century when the births are not available elsewhere. Birth, marriage, and death information found in town records is described further in the [[Vermont Vital Records|“Vital Records”]] page. | ||
For a book that gives a detailed description of 18 kinds of town records, shows some examples, and tells how they help family history researchers, see: | For a book that gives a detailed description of 18 kinds of town records, shows some examples, and tells how they help family history researchers, see: | ||