How to Find Maine Death Records: Difference between revisions
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| width="25%" | [https://portal.maine.gov/death/archdev.death_archive.search_form 1960 - Current*] | | width="25%" | [https://portal.maine.gov/death/archdev.death_archive.search_form 1960 - Current*] | ||
| width="65%" | '''Free;''' index to death certificates from Maine State Archives. *Includes years from 1960 to 'THREE' years previous to current year. | | width="65%" | '''Free;''' index to death certificates from Maine State Archives. *Includes years from 1960 to '''THREE '''years previous to current year. | ||
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Revision as of 10:46, 1 July 2013
How to Find United States Deaths 
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] |
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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.
| Maine Death Databases - Includes Indexes Only | ||
| Try 1st: | ||
| 1841-1910 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index to death and burial records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and FamilySearch Centers. | |
| Next try: | ||
| Ancestry Databases - Includes Index Only | ||
| Choose one of the following: | ||
| 1617-1922 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |
| 1617-1922 - use your own Ancestry subscription | $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library | |
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |
If your ancestor does not appear in the index, you may need to contact the town clerk office or you may need to search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.
| Records that give death information: | ||
Obtain the Death Record[edit | edit source]
If your ancestor appeared in the index, there are two options:
- FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library.
- Individual Town Clerks - If there is no GS microfilm number available, or if you cannot gain access to the microfilm, you may contact the town clerk office where your ancestor dead and order a copy of the death record.
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 Birth Information[edit | edit source]
For births that exist during this time period, try the following database.
| Maine Death Databases - Includes Indexes Only | ||
| Try 1st: | ||
| 1841-1910 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; index to death and burial records. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and FamilySearch Centers. | |
| Next try: | ||
| Ancestry Databases - Includes Index Only | ||
| Choose one of the following: | ||
| 1617-1922 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |
| 1617-1922 - use your own Ancestry subscription | $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library | |
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |
STEP TWO: Obtain the Death Certificate[edit | edit source]
If your ancestor appeared in the index, there are two options:
- FamilySearch.org - If the indexed information contained a GS microfilm number you can order the microfilm from the Family History Library.
- Maine State Archives - If there is no GS microfilm number available, or if you cannot gain access to the microfilm, you may contact the state archives and order a copy of the death record.
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.
| Maine Death Database - Includes Index Only | ||
| 1960 - Current* | Free; index to death certificates from Maine State Archives. *Includes years from 1960 to THREE years previous to current year. | |
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 to qualify for certificates for persons who died within the last 100 years:
To obtain a copy of the death certificate, you must be:
- The person named on the certificate
- The decedent's spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, or sibling
- The legal custodian, guardian, or authorized representative of the person named on the record
- Genealogists who have a researcher card issued by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics
NOTE: You must have full name, exact date and place of the birth to order from the certificate. If you do not have the exact information, a search can be conducted for a fee by the Vital Records Office.
If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search.