How to Find Connecticut Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths Connecticut Deaths

In 1863, West Virginia was created from the state of Virginia. Statewide registration of deaths began in 1917 in West Virginia and was generally complied with by 1925. The counties have copies of these records.

Next Step: When did the death occur?	Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record: Deaths before 1897 Deaths from 1897 to the present I don't know when the death is

Learn more about U.S. Death Records

Deaths before 1897

The state of Connecticut started keeping death records in 1897. Before that time, town clerks kept death records. The clerks recorded the deaths in town records and/or in land records. 

Step 1 - Check indexes

Most online resources for Connecticut Vital Records are indexes. After locating a person in an index always consult the original record to confirm the information in the index.

• Barbour Collection by Jane Devlin, hosted by Rootsweb - Free (see also the Wiki article Barbour Collection)
  
• Connecticut Databases listed on Rootsweb.com- Free
• Connecticut Collections on FamilySearch.org - Free. This is a growing database.
  
• Online Connecticut Death Indexes and Records - Free
  

Two film indexes are:

• Bowman Collection. This is a card index to Connecticut vital records in Massachusetts, 1800 to 1900. FHL films 002884-885.

Index to the Connecticut Historical Society Bulletin, Vols 1-8.This is an index at the Connecticut State Library and is on microfilm at the Family History Library. FHL film 002886. It indexes the names found in the Connecticut Historical Society Bulletin. FHL book 974.6 H25c.

Step 3 - Check other types of records

You can also search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

Records that give death information:
Cemetery Records Newspapers Probate (wills, etc) Tax Records	Church Records Census Bible Records

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1853 thru 1916

In 1863, West Virginia was created from the state of Virginia. In 1853, Virginia law required counties to record deaths, although records are incomplete.

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for death information in other records.

For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

West Virginia Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	1853-1970 - At West Virginia Division of Culture and History	Free; dates vary by county and some only go to 1962; list of county coverage (right side of the screen)
Try 2nd:
	1853-1970 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; dates vary by county and some only go to 1962; list of county coverage (right side of the screen); click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image
Next try:
Includes Index Only
Choose one of the following:
	1853-1973 - use at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
	1853-1973 - use your Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available through your local public library for free
	Can't search the index listed above?	Try searching other records for death information.
Can't find your ancestor in the index?		Tips for searching indexes
No death record for your ancestor?		Other records with death information

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1917 thru 1970

The state of West Virginia began recording deaths in January 1917.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information

For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

West Virginia Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
	1853-1970 - At West Virginia Division of Culture and History	Free; dates vary by county and some only go to 1962; list of county coverage (right side of the screen)
Try 2nd:
	1853-1970 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; dates vary by county and some only go to 1962; list of county coverage (right side of the screen); click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image
Next try:
Includes Index Only
Choose one of the following:
	1853-1973 - use at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
	1853-1973 - use your Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available through your local public library for free
	Can't search the index listed above?	Go to Step Two listed below and order a search for your ancestor from the West Virginia Department of Health State Office.
Can't find your ancestor in the index?		Tips for searching indexes
No death record for your ancestor?		Other records with death information

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

If the image was not included in the index entry above, you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:

To Order Death Certificates
From County of Death		From WV Dept. of Health State office
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

If you do not know the exact date or place of death:
For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search (click on the death certificates tab).

Restrictions for persons who died within the last 50 years:
To obtain a copy of the death certificate for those who died within the last 50 years, you must be:

• The parent or grandparent of the person on the certificate
• The spouse of the person on the certificate
• The child or grandchild of the person on the certificate
• The sibling of the person on the certificate
• Funeral director
• Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate

NOTE: A copy of the death record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 50 years have passed from the date of the death.

If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths after 1897

State

State registration of vital statistics began in 1897 and was generally complied with by 1915. For copies of state records, you can contact:

Department of Public Health
Vital Records Section
410 Capitol Avenue, 1st Floor
Hartford, CT 06134

Telephone: 860-509-7700
Mailing Address:
CT Department of Public Health State Office of Vital Records 410 Capitol Ave. MS#11VRS P.O. Box 340308 Hartford, CT 06134-0308

Their Web site gives complete information for ordering births, marriages, and deaths. There is also a link to the town Web sites for information in ordering town vital records.

To find current fees, any restrictions, and where to write:

• CDC.gov, Where to Write for Vital Records, Connecticut has information for births, deaths, marriages, and adoptions.
  

• VitalRec.com ($). Select a state to see the fees for birth, marriages, and deaths. There is also a link for divorces and adoptions.

Related Wiki Articles

• How to Find United States Birth Records
• Learn more about U.S. Death Records
• United States Record Selection Table
• U.S. Vital Records Overview
• United States Vital Records
• Locating United States Vital Records
• United States Birth Records
• United States Marriage Records

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