How to Find Connecticut Birth Records: Difference between revisions

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{{breadcrumb
''[[How to Find United States Birth Records|How to Find United States Births]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''Connecticut Births'''''<br> __NOTOC__  
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=[[United States Vital Records|U.S. Vital Records]]
| link3=[[How to Find United States Birth Records|How to Find U.S. Birth Records]]
| link4=[[Connecticut Vital Records|Connecticut Vital Records]]
| link5=[[How to Find Connecticut Birth Records|How to Find Connecticut Birth Records]]
}} __NOTOC__  


<br> In Connecticut, towns were created starting in the early 1630s. Births were and are recorded by town clerks, starting with the beginning of the town. Statewide registration of births began in 1897 in Connecticut and was generally complied with by 1915. The towns have copies of these records.  
In Connecticut, towns were created starting in the early 1630s. Births were and are recorded by town clerks, starting with the beginning of the town. Statewide registration of births began in 1897 in Connecticut and was generally complied with by 1915. The towns have copies of these records.  


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:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Connecticut Birth Records#Births_before_1897|Births before 1897]]'''</span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Connecticut Birth Records#Births_before_1897|Births before 1897]]'''</span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Connecticut Birth Records#Births_1897_to_the_Present|1897 to the Present]]''' </span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Connecticut Birth Records#Births_from_1897_to_the_Present|1897 to the Present]]''' </span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Birth Information|Birth year unknown]]'''</span>
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Birth Information|Birth year unknown]]'''</span>


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== '''Births before 1897'''  ==
== '''Births before 1897'''  ==


Birth records were kept by each town clerk. Early town clerks put birth records in town records and in land records. After about 1850, birth information was only put in town records. Town clerks were usually good at recording birth information. The towns continue to keep birth records. These are described further in [[Connecticut Town Records|Connecticut Town Records]].<br>
Town clerks kept records of the births in the town from the time the town started. Connecticut towns are like western townships, so several populated places are in a town. The name of the town is used in official records rather than the name of the populated place. Early town clerks put birth records in town records and in land records. After about 1850, the birth information was only put in town records.&nbsp; Town clerks were usually good at recording birth information.


Following the Revolutionary War to about 1870, records were not always recorded. <br>


In 1870, the State Board of Health established. Record keeping in towns improved.


Connecticut towns are like western townships, so several populated places are in a town's borders. The name of the town is used in official records rather than the name of the populated place. <br>
If you do not find the birth information in the town where your ancestor was born, you may need to look at [[Substitute Records For United States Birth Information|substitute records]] to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.  
 
If you do not find birth information in the town where your ancestor was born, you may need to look at [[Substitute Records For United States Birth Information|substitute records]] to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place or try the records in a neighboring town.<br>
 
=== Step 1 - Check indexes  ===
 
Most online resources for Connecticut Vital Records are indexes. After locating a person in an index, consult the original record to [[Contradictions and discrepancies|confirm the information]] in the index.<br>
 
*New England Historic Genealogical Society, [https://www.americanancestors.org/index.aspx American Ancestors ($)], has many Connecticut digital records, which can be found through their [http://www.americanancestors.org/Databaselist.aspx Digital Catalog]. '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ Find your local FamilySearch Center]<br>
 
*{{RecordSearch|2448938|1639-1941 - At FamilySearch.org}}, index. '''Free;''' a name index to town birth, baptism and christening records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the FamilySearch Library and FamilySearch centers. [[Connecticut, Births and Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records|Description]] of records.<br>
 
*{{RecordSearch|1674736|1649-1906 - At FamilySearch.org}} '''Free;''' a name index to town birth, baptism and christening records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the FamilySearch Library and FamilySearch centers. [https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Connecticut_Births_and_Christenings_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) Description] of records.
 
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search Discover Your Family History search] on [https://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch.org] -'''Free'''. Indexes many of the births recorded in town records. The former International Genealogical Index (IGI) is part of this.<br>
 
*[http://dunhamwilcox.net/0_ct-index.htm Barbour Collection] by Jane Devlin - Free (see also the Wiki article [[Barbour Collection|Barbour Collection]]) Also on [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1034 Ancestry.com ($)] '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ Find your local FamilySearch Center]<br>
 
*[http://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/list#page=1&countryId=31 Connecticut Collections] on [https://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch.org] - Free. This is a growing database.<br>
 
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20170703223928/http://userdb.rootsweb.ancestry.com/regional.html Connecticut Databases] listed on Rootsweb- Free. Arranged by town. Only a few birth lists are currently in the database.
 
Two film indexes are:
 
*'''Bowman Collection.''' This is a card index to Connecticut birth, marriage, and death notices in Massachusetts newspapers, 1800 to 1900. {{FSC|19994|item|disp=FS Library films 002884-885}}. <br>
 
*'''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 FamilySearch Library. {{FSC|38508|item|disp=FS Library film 002886}}. It indexes the names found in the ''Connecticut Historical Society Bulletin''. {{FSC|851191|item|disp=FS Catalog book 974.6 H25c}}.
 
=== Step 2 - Check original records  ===
 
In Connecticut, the following types of records often have birth information:<br>
 
*Land records<br>
*Town records<br>
 
Most of the land and town records have been filmed and are available through the FamilySearch site at FamilySearch centers, the [https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/hg/home Connecticut State Library], and the FamilySearch Library. Original records are usually at the [https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Local-Health-Admin/LHA/Local-Health-Administration---Site-Map local health department].<br>
 
To find the film numbers: <br>
 
#Go to the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] <br>
#Do a Place Search for the name of the town. <br>
#On the list of record types for the town, click '''Vital Records''' for a list of the available records, including town records and land records. <br>
#Click titles with the town clerk or recorder as the author. Though the original records were usually made by town clerk, sometimes the records were made by a court or the registrar of vital statistics.
 
=== Step 3 - Check other types of records  ===
 
You can also search [[Substitute Records For United States Birth Information|substitute records]] to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.  


{| width="70%" border="1" style="margin: 1em auto;"
{| width="70%" border="1" style="margin: 1em auto;"
|-
|-
| align="center" colspan="3" |   '''Records that give birth information:'''
| align="center" colspan="3" | &nbsp; '''Records that give birth information:'''
|-
|-
| width="35%" |  
| width="35%" |  
:[[Connecticut Vital Records#State_Records_of_Births_and_Deaths|Birth Records]]  
:[[Connecticut Vital Records#State_Records_of_Births_and_Deaths|Birth Records]]  
:[[Connecticut Cemeteries|Cemetery Records]]  
:[[Connecticut Cemeteries|Cemetery Records]]  
:[[Connecticut Newspapers|Newspapers]]
:[[Connecticut Newspapers|Newspapers]]
:[[Connecticut Probate Records|Probate (wills, etc)]]
:[[Connecticut Taxation|Tax Records]]


| width="35%" |  
| width="35%" |  
:[[Connecticut Church Records|Church Records]]  
:[[Connecticut Church Records|Church Records]]  
:[[Connecticut Census|Census]]  
:[[Connecticut Census|Census]]  
:[[Connecticut Bible Records|Bible Records]]
:[[Connecticut Military Records|Military Records]]
:[[Connecticut Military Records|Military Records]]


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! valign="middle" bgcolor="#302040" scope="col" | <br>
! valign="middle" bgcolor="#302040" scope="col" |  
|}
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==== '''STEP ONE: Find Birth Information'''  ====
==== '''STEP ONE: Find Birth Information'''  ====


Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link.  
Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link.&nbsp;


{| width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6"
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="0"
|-
|-
| align="left" colspan="3" | '''Connecticut Births Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images'''  
| align="left" colspan="3" | '''Connecticut Births Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images'''  
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|-
|-
| ''Try 1st:''  
| ''Try 1st:''  
| {{RecordSearch|1674736|1649-1906 - At FamilySearch.org}}
|  
| '''Free;''' a name index to town birth, baptism and christening records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the FamilySearch Library and FamilySearch centers. [https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Connecticut_Births_and_Christenings_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) Description] of records.
|  
|-
|-
|  
|  
| width="25%" |  
| width="25%" |  
| width="65%" |  
| width="65%" | '''Free;'''
|-
|-
| ''Try 2nd:''  
| ''Try 2nd:''  
| *New England Historic Genealogical Society, [https://www.americanancestors.org/index.aspx American Ancestors ($)]
|  
| Has many Connecticut digital records, which can be found through their [http://www.americanancestors.org/Databaselist.aspx Digital Catalog]. American Ancestors is '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ Find your local FamilySearch Center]
|  
|-
|-
|  
|  
| {{RecordSearch|1674736|1649-1906 - At FamilySearch.org}}
| '''Free;'''
|-
| ''Next try:''
|  
|  
|  
|  
|-
|-
| ''Next try:''  
| align="left" colspan="3" | '''Ancestry database: Includes Index Only'''  
|  
|  
|  
|  
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|-
|-
| width="10%" | <br>  
| width="10%" | <br>  
| width="25%" | ''Ancestry''
| width="25%" | [http://search.ancestryinstitution.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2537 1853-1969 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries]
| '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ Find your local FamilySearch Center]
| '''Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries;''' [https://www.familysearch.org/locations Find your local FamilySearch Center]
|-
|-
|  
|  
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|-
|-
| width="10%" | <br>  
| width="10%" | <br>  
| width="25%" |  
| width="25%" | [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2537 1853-1969 - use your own Ancestry subscription]
| '''$,''' [http://www.ancestry.com/cs/offers/freetrial?o_iid=48816&o_lid=48816&o_sch=Web+Property To obtain a subscription to Ancestry]; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library
|-
|-
|  
|  
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|  
|  
| ''Can't access Ancestry?''  
| ''Can't access Ancestry?''  
| Go to Step Two: Part B listed below. You may be able to order the birth record for your ancestor from the [http://www.ct.gov/dph/site/default.asp Connecticut Department of Health, State Vital Records Office].<br>
| Go to Step Two: Part B listed below. You may be able to order the birth record for your ancestor from the [http://www.wvdhhr.org/bph/hsc/vital/birthcert.asp West Virginia Department of Health State Office].
|-
|-
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''Can't find your ancestor in the online index?'''  
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''Can't find your ancestor in the online index?'''  
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With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:  
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:  


{| width="100%" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6"
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
|-
|-
| align="center" colspan="4" | '''To Order Birth Certificates'''
| align="center" colspan="4" | '''To Order Birth Certificates'''
|-
|-
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3132&q=388128 From Town of Birth]  
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://vitalrec.com/wv.html#County From County of Birth]  
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3132&q=388130&dphNav=%7C46940%7C From CT Deptment of Public Health office]
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://www.wvdhhr.org/bph/hsc/vital/birthcert.asp From WV Dept. of Health State office]
|-
|-
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros'''  
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros'''  
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|-
|-
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state  
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state  
| Town websites can be more difficult to use  
| County websites can be more difficult to use  
| Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee  
| Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee  
| May be more expensive than ordering from the town
| May be more expensive than ordering from the county
|}
|}


See [[How to Find Connecticut Birth Records#Restrictions_for_Obtaining_Birth_Records|list of restrictions]] for ordering birth records  
See [[How to Find West Virginia Birth Records#Restrictions_for_Obtaining_Birth_Records|list of restrictions]] for ordering birth records  


If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search [[Substitute Records For United States Birth Information|other records with birth information]]. '''<br>''' <br>  
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search [[Substitute Records For United States Birth Information|other records with birth information]]. '''<br>''' <br>  
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'''PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth'''  
'''PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth'''  


If you do not know the exact date or place of birth, contact the [http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3132&q=388128 town of birth] to request a search of the available birth records.<br> <br>  
If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:<br> For a fee, the [http://www.wvdhhr.org/bph/hsc/vital/birthcert.asp West Virginia Department of Health office] will do a 3 year search. <br>  


See [http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3132&q=390652 list of restrictions] for ordering birth records  
See [[How to Find West Virginia Birth Records#Restrictions_for_Obtaining_Birth_Records|list of restrictions]] for ordering birth records  


If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search [[Substitute Records For United States Birth Information|other records with birth information]].'''<br>''' <br>  
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search [[Substitute Records For United States Birth Information|other records with birth information]].'''<br>''' <br>  
<center>[[How to Find Connecticut Birth Records#Next_Step:_When_did_the_birth_occur.3F|Return to top: Choose another birth year]]</center>  
<center>[[How to Find West Virginia Birth Records#Next_Step:_When_did_the_birth_occur.3F|Return to top: Choose another birth year]]</center>  
<br>  
<br>  


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'''''Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years:'''''<br> To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years from the government agency, you must be:  
'''''Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years:'''''<br> To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years from the government agency, you must be:  


:*The person on the certificate and age 18 or older
:*The person on the certificate  
:*The parents, guardian, or grandparents of person on the certificate  
:*The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate  
:*The wife or husband of the person on the certificate  
:*The wife or husband of the person on the certificate  
:*The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate and age 18 or older
:*The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate  
:*The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate
:*Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate  
:*Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate  
::'''NOTE:''' A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.  
::'''NOTE:''' A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.
:*For additional information, see the [http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3132&q=390652 State Vital Records Office].<br>
 
<br>Birth records more than 100 years old:
 
:::*Available to any person over 18 years of age


If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search [[Substitute Records For United States Birth Information|other records with birth information]].  
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search [[Substitute Records For United States Birth Information|other records with birth information]].  
<center>[[How to Find Connecticut Birth Records#Next_Step:_When_did_the_birth_occur.3F|Return to top: Choose another birth year]]</center>  
<center>[[How to Find West Virginia Birth Records#Next_Step:_When_did_the_birth_occur.3F|Return to top: Choose another birth year]]</center>  
<br>  
<br>  


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:*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to find U.S. marriage records]]  
:*[[How to Find United States Marriage Records|How to find U.S. marriage records]]  
:*[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to find U.S. death records]]  
:*[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to find U.S. death records]]  
:*[[United States Record Finder|United States Record Finder ]]  
:*[[United States Record Selection Table|United States Record Selection Table ]]  
:*[[U.S. Vital Records Overview|U.S. Vital Records Overview]]  
:*[[U.S. Vital Records Overview|U.S. Vital Records Overview]]  
:*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]  
:*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]  
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:*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]
:*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]


{{connecticut|connecticut}}
[[Category:United_States_Vital_Records]]
 
[[Category:Connecticut_Vital_Records]] [[Category:How-To Articles]]

Revision as of 11:45, 12 June 2013

How to Find United States Births Gotoarrow.png Connecticut Births

In Connecticut, towns were created starting in the early 1630s. Births were and are recorded by town clerks, starting with the beginning of the town. Statewide registration of births began in 1897 in Connecticut and was generally complied with by 1915. The towns have copies of these records.

Next Step: When did the birth occur? [edit | edit source]
Birth Records
Choose a time period:

Learn more about U.S. Birth Records

Births before 1897[edit | edit source]

Town clerks kept records of the births in the town from the time the town started. Connecticut towns are like western townships, so several populated places are in a town. The name of the town is used in official records rather than the name of the populated place. Early town clerks put birth records in town records and in land records. After about 1850, the birth information was only put in town records.  Town clerks were usually good at recording birth information.


If you do not find the birth information in the town where your ancestor was born, you may need to look at substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.

  Records that give birth information:
Birth Records
Cemetery Records
Newspapers
Church Records
Census
Military Records
Return to top: Choose another birth year


Births 1897 to the Present[edit | edit source]

STEP ONE: Find Birth Information[edit | edit source]

Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. 

Connecticut Births Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images
Try 1st:
Free;
Try 2nd:
1649-1906 - At FamilySearch.org Free;
Next try:
Ancestry database: Includes Index Only
Choose one of the following:

1853-1969 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center

1853-1969 - use your own Ancestry subscription $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library
Can't access Ancestry? Go to Step Two: Part B listed below. You may be able to order the birth record for your ancestor from the West Virginia Department of Health State Office.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes
No birth record for your ancestor? Other records with birth information

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate[edit | edit source]

PART A: You know the exact date of birth

With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:

To Order Birth Certificates
From County of Birth 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

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

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

PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth

If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:
For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.

See list of restrictions for ordering birth records

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

Return to top: Choose another birth year


Restrictions for Obtaining Birth Records[edit | edit source]

Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years:
To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years from the government agency, you must be:

  • The person on the certificate
  • The parents and grandparents of person on the certificate
  • The wife or husband of the person on the certificate
  • The children and grandchildren of the person on the certificate
  • The brothers or sisters of the person on the certificate
  • Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
NOTE: A copy of the birth record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 100 years have passed from the date of the birth.

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

Return to top: Choose another birth year


Related Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]

To access available information, first log into FamilySearch.

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