How to Find Maine Death Records: Difference between revisions

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''[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to Find United States Deaths]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''Maine Deaths'''''<br> __NOTOC__  
''[[How to Find United States Death Records|How to Find United States Deaths]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''Maine Deaths'''''<br> __NOTOC__  


Statewide registration of deaths began in 1899 in Maine; however, general compliance did not begin until 1917. Counties have copies of these records.  
In 1820, Maine was created from the state of Massachusetts. Statewide registration of deaths began in 1892.


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! width="35%" valign="middle" bgcolor="C0 C0 C0" align="center" scope="col" rowspan="2" |  
== '''Next Step: When did the death occur? '''  ==
== '''Next Step: When did the death occur? '''  ==


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:<span style="font-size:120%">'''Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record:'''</span><br>
:<span style="font-size:120%">'''Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record:'''</span><br>


:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Maine Death Records#Deaths_before_1880|Deaths before 1880]]'''</span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Maine Death Records#Deaths_before_1892|Deaths before 1892]]'''</span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Maine Death Records#Deaths_between_1880_and_1936|Deaths between 1880 and 1936]]'''</span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Maine Death Records#Deaths_between_1892_and_1960|Deaths between 1880 and 1936]]'''</span>  
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Maine Death Records#Deaths_after_1936|Deaths after 1936]]''' </span>
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find Maine Death Records#Deaths_after_1936|Deaths after 1960]]''' </span>


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== '''Deaths before 1880'''  ==
== '''Deaths before 1892'''  ==


Before 1880, no deaths were recorded by the county or state. You must search [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|substitute records]] to locate your ancestor’s death date and place. Some cemetery records and obituaries have been indexed in {{RecordSearch|1674841|Maine, Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990}} but the quantity is limited.  
Before 1892, death records were kept by individual town clerks or selectmen. Although some towns have existed since the 1650s, most records date from about 1700. Some of these records have been indexed. Refer to the databases below to access those indexes.  


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== '''Deaths between 1880 and 1936'''<br>  ==
== '''Deaths between 1892 and 1922'''<br>  ==


Statewide registration started in 1880 which required deaths to be recorded at both the county and state levels.  
The state of Maine began recording deaths in 1892. All death certificates from 1892 to 1922 are held at the Maine State Archives.


==== '''STEP ONE: Find Death Information'''  ====
==== '''STEP ONE: Find Death Information'''  ====
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If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases above, try searching for death information in [[Substitute Records For United States Birth Information|other records]].  
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases above, try searching for death information in [[Substitute Records For United States Death Information|other records]].  


==== '''STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate'''  ====
==== '''STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate'''  ====
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== '''Deaths after 1936'''  ==
== '''Deaths after 1922'''  ==


The state of Maine began recording deaths in 1880.  
The Vital Records office of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has copies of deaths from 1923 to present day. Deaths from 1892 to 1922 are held by the Maine State Archives. Deaths before 1892 are held by the individual town clerk offices.  


==== '''STEP ONE: Find Death Information'''  ====
==== '''STEP ONE: Find Death Information'''  ====
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==== '''STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate'''  ====
==== '''STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate'''  ====


To get an image of the certificate, you can order a copy of the death certificate for a fee from one of the following locations:
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="1"
 
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*[http://www.idph.state.ia.us/apl/vital_records_info.asp Maine Department of Public Health]  
| align="center" colspan="4" | '''To Order Death Certificates'''
**If you are uncertain of the exact date or if the individual died in Maine, the department can do a search for the certificate, for a fee.
|-
*[https://www.vitalchek.com/death-certificates/iowa VitalChek]
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://www.daddezio.com/records/room/RR-ME-NDX.html County probate judge's offices]
 
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-systems/data-research/vital-records/order/index.shtml Vital Records office of the Maine Dept of Health and Human Services]
Death records are also maintained at the county level. County copies may be obtained at the Register of Deeds office in the county where the event occurred.
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| width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros'''
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Cons'''
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros'''
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Cons'''
|-
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state
| County websites can be more difficult to use
| Has an expedited service on [https://www.vitalchek.com/death-certificates/maine Vital Chek]  
| May be more expensive than ordering from the county
|}
<br>  
<br>  


Revision as of 10:24, 1 July 2013

How to Find United States Deaths Gotoarrow.png Maine Deaths

In 1820, Maine was created from the state of Massachusetts. Statewide registration of deaths began in 1892.

Next Step: When did the death occur? [edit | edit source]
Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record:

Learn more about U.S. Death Records

Deaths before 1892[edit | edit source]

Before 1892, death records were kept by individual town clerks or selectmen. Although some towns have existed since the 1650s, most records date from about 1700. Some of these records have been indexed. Refer to the databases below to access those indexes.

  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 between 1892 and 1922
[edit | edit source]

The state of Maine began recording deaths in 1892. All death certificates from 1892 to 1922 are held at the Maine State Archives.

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

For death that exist during this time period, try the following databases.

Maine Death Databases - Includes Indexes Only
Try 1st:
1850-1990 - At FamilySearch.org Free; index to death and burial records from the state of Maine. Microfilm copies of original records are available at the Family History Library and at Family History Centers
Try 2nd:
State Historical Society of Maine
 Free; index to death records from 1917-1935, depending on the county (in PDF form).
Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes
No death record for your ancestor? Other records with death information

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

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

There are three options:

  • FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library.
  • State Historical Society of Maine, Public Reference Services - Provides both information to order the certificate and information about local professionals for hire to copy the certificate.
  • You may also order the certificate, for a fee, from one of the two locations:
Return to top: Choose another death year


Deaths after 1922[edit | edit source]

The Vital Records office of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services has copies of deaths from 1923 to present day. Deaths from 1892 to 1922 are held by the Maine State Archives. Deaths before 1892 are held by the individual town clerk offices.

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

For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following database.

NOTE: Very few of these deaths are indexed from death certificates. The information comes from burial, church, and other sources.

Maine Death Databases - Includes Index Only
1850-1990 - At FamilySearch.org Free; index to death and burial records from the state of Maine. Microfilm copies of original records are available at the Family History Library and at Family History Centers

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

To Order Death Certificates
County probate judge's offices Vital Records office of the Maine Dept of Health and Human Services
Pros Cons Pros Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state County websites can be more difficult to use Has an expedited service on Vital Chek May be more expensive than ordering from the county


Restrictions for Obtaining a Certificate:
To obtain a copy of the death certificate, you must be:

  • The decedent's spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, or sibling
  • Any person who provides documentation that he or she is acting on behalf of any of the previously mentioned persons.
  • Must be 18 years or older
  • Must provide notarized identification and signature

NOTE: A copy of the certificate cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 75 years have passed from the date of 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


Related Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]

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