Estonia Civil Registration: Difference between revisions

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|Records=Civil Registration
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== Finding the Records ==
==How to Find the Records==


=== Online Records ===
===Online Records===


You may be able to locate indexes of civil records using the [https://nimed.ee/ Estonian Cultural Index (EILI).]   
You may be able to locate indexes of civil records using the [https://nimed.ee/ '''Estonian Cultural Index (EILI).''']   


=== Civil Registration Offices ===
===Offices to Contact===
Civil registration records are usually located in the civil registration offices at the local governments of the counties (''maakonnakeskuste omavalitsuste''). Refer to the list below to locate contact information for the county government that your ancestor lived in: 
{|
|-
|style="padding-right:75px"|
*[https://www.haapsalu.ee/ Haapsalu]
*[https://www.haapsalu.ee/ Hiiumaa]
*[https://xn--jgeva-dua.ee/ Jõgeva]
*[https://www.johvi.ee/?q=node/2219 Jõhvi]
*[http://www.narva.ee/en/for_tourists/page:7672 Narva]
|style="padding-right:75px"|
*[https://paide.kovtp.ee/ Paide]
*[http://www.polva.ee/uldinfo Põlva]
*[https://parnu.ee/linnakodanikule/elukoha-perekonnatoimingud/elukoha-perekonnatoimingud2 Pärnu]
*[https://rakvere.kovtp.ee/ Rakvere]
*[https://rapla.kovtp.ee/ Rapla]
|style="padding-right:75px"|
*[https://www.saaremaavald.ee/uldinfo Saaremaa]
*[https://www.tartu.ee/en Tartu]
*[https://www.valga.ee/ Valga]
*[http://www.viljandi.ee/ Viljandi]
*[http://www.voru.ee/ Võru]
|}


In some cases, civil registration documents may be obtained from the [https://www.siseministeerium.ee/en/certificates-and-extracts Archives of the Department of Population Operations of the Ministry of the Interior]. For those born in the city of Tallin, civil registration records may also be available at the [https://www.tallinn.ee/eng/Tallinn-Vital-Statistics-Department Tallin Vital Statistics Office.] You may also consider working with an Estonian Embassy in your country. To locate contact information for an embassy in your country, see the article [https://vm.ee/en/embassies-and-representations Estonia: Embassies and Representations.] For more information about civil registration records see [https://www.ra.ee/vau/index.php/et/page/article/index?menuId=2 Genealogical Research article at VAU.]
Civil registration records are usually located in the civil registration offices at the local governments of the counties (maakonnakeskuste omavalitsuste). Refer to the list below to locate contact information for the county government that your ancestor lived in: 
 
*[https://www.haapsalu.ee/ '''Haapsalu''']
*[https://www.haapsalu.ee/ '''Hiiumaa''']
*[https://xn--jgeva-dua.ee/ '''Jõgeva''']
*'''[Jhttps://www.johvi.ee/?q=node/2219 õhvi]'''
*[http://www.narva.ee/en/for_tourists/page:7672 '''Narva''']
*[https://paide.kovtp.ee/ '''Paide''']
*[http://www.polva.ee/uldinfo '''Põlva''']
*[https://parnu.ee/index.php/linnakodanikule/omavalitsus '''Pärnu''']
*[https://rakvere.kovtp.ee/ '''Rakvere''']
*[https://rapla.kovtp.ee/ '''Rapla''']
*[https://www.saaremaavald.ee/uldinfo '''Saaremaa''']
*[https://www.tartu.ee/en '''Tartu''']
*[https://www.valga.ee/ '''Valga''']
*[http://www.viljandi.ee/ '''Viljandi''']
*[http://www.voru.ee/ '''Võru''']
 
In some cases, civil registration documents may be obtained from the '''[https://www.siseministeerium.ee/en/certificates-and-extracts Archives of the Department of Population Operations of the Ministry of the Interior.]''' 
 
For those born in the city of Tallin, civil registration records may also be available at the [https://www.tallinn.ee/eng/Tallinn-Vital-Statistics-Department '''Tallin Vital Statistics Office'''.]  
 
You may also consider working with an Estonian Embassy in your country. To locate contact information for an embassy in your country, see the article [https://vm.ee/en/embassies-and-representations Estonia: Embassies and Representations.]
 
For more information about civil registration records, refer to the [https://www.ra.ee/vau/index.php/et/page/article/index?menuId=2 Genealogical Research article at VAU.]
 
==Historical Background==


== Historical Background ==
Prior to the 1920s, the responsibility of registering births, marriages, and deaths primarily rested upon the Church. In 1920, registration offices were opened at city government levels as an alternative options to those who did not wish to marry in a church. On 1 July 1926, the registration of all vital events was passed over to the civil service.<ref name=":0">Asta Põldma, "Family Policies: Estonia," SPLASH-db.edu, accessed January 2021. <br /></ref> Clerics could also perform the registrar's duty if they observed the requirements of the state.<ref>Must, Aadu. "The Sources of Estonian Family History." In ''Eestlaste perekonnaloo allikad''. Estonia: Kleio, 2000.</ref> Before 1926, birth, marriage, and death information can be found in church records. See [[Estonia Church Records]] for more information.
Prior to the 1920s, the responsibility of registering births, marriages, and deaths primarily rested upon the Church. In 1920, registration offices were opened at city government levels as an alternative options to those who did not wish to marry in a church. On 1 July 1926, the registration of all vital events was passed over to the civil service.<ref name=":0">Asta Põldma, "Family Policies: Estonia," SPLASH-db.edu, accessed January 2021. <br /></ref> Clerics could also perform the registrar's duty if they observed the requirements of the state.<ref>Must, Aadu. "The Sources of Estonian Family History." In ''Eestlaste perekonnaloo allikad''. Estonia: Kleio, 2000.</ref> Before 1926, birth, marriage, and death information can be found in church records. See [[Estonia Church Records]] for more information.


Line 53: Line 50:
Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, divorces could be obtained through mutual consent and a three-month waiting period. In 1944, new laws were passed making it much more difficult to obtain a divorce. The granting of a divorce demanded large fees and prolonged legal proceedings. <ref name=":0" />
Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, divorces could be obtained through mutual consent and a three-month waiting period. In 1944, new laws were passed making it much more difficult to obtain a divorce. The granting of a divorce demanded large fees and prolonged legal proceedings. <ref name=":0" />


== What Can These Records Tell Me? ==
==Coverage and Compliance==
 
==Information Recorded in the Records==
 
===Birth Records===


=== Births ===
{{columns-list|2|
*Date of birth
*Date of birth
*Name of child
*Name of child
Line 63: Line 62:
*Residence for parents
*Residence for parents
*Name of informant
*Name of informant
}}
 
=== Marriages ===
===Marriage Records===
 
*Date of marriage
*Date of marriage
*Names of witnesses
*Names of witnesses
*Residence of groom and bride
*Residence of groom and bride
=== Deaths ===
 
===Death Records===
 
*Date of death
*Date of death
*Residence of deceased
*Residence of deceased
*Age at death
*Age at death
*Cause of death
*Cause of death
*Place of burial
*Place of burial<ref name="profile">The Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Family History Record Profile: Estonia,” Word document, private files of the FamilySearch Content Strategy Team, 1994-2002.</ref>
 
See the translation guides below to help you read birth, marriage, and death records written in Estonian.
 
[[Media:Sünniregister.pdf|Civil Birth Records in Estonian]]
 
[[Media:Abieluregister.pdf| Civil Marriage Records in Estonian]]


=== Reading These Records ===
[[Media:Surmaregister.pdf| Civil Death Records in Estonian]]
*[[Media:Sünniregister.pdf|Civil Birth Records in Estonian]]
*[[Media:Abieluregister.pdf| Civil Marriage Records in Estonian]]
*[[Media:Surmaregister.pdf| Civil Death Records in Estonian]]


== Supplementary Records ==
==Supplementary Records==
Other record types can be used to confirm or supply missing information on birth, marriage, and death registration. Such records include: vaccination registers, wills, property inventories, marriage licenses, adoptions, records to certify the only breadwinner of the family (the only breadwinner was released from military service), and writ of attachment of the property that remains with the children.<ref>Must, Aadu. "The Sources of Estonian Family History." In ''Eestlaste perekonnaloo allikad''. Estonia: Kleio, 2000.</ref>
Other record types can be used to confirm or supply missing information on birth, marriage, and death registration. Such records include: vaccination registers, wills, property inventories, marriage licenses, adoptions, records to certify the only breadwinner of the family (the only breadwinner was released from military service), and writ of attachment of the property that remains with the children.<ref>Must, Aadu. "The Sources of Estonian Family History." In ''Eestlaste perekonnaloo allikad''. Estonia: Kleio, 2000.</ref>


== References ==
==References==


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Estonia]]
[[Category:Estonia]]

Revision as of 13:28, 28 June 2021

Estonia Wiki Topics
Flag of Estonia.svg.png
Beginning Research
Record Types
Estonia Background
Local Research Resources

How to Find the Records[edit | edit source]

Online Records[edit | edit source]

You may be able to locate indexes of civil records using the Estonian Cultural Index (EILI).

Offices to Contact[edit | edit source]

Civil registration records are usually located in the civil registration offices at the local governments of the counties (maakonnakeskuste omavalitsuste). Refer to the list below to locate contact information for the county government that your ancestor lived in:

In some cases, civil registration documents may be obtained from the Archives of the Department of Population Operations of the Ministry of the Interior.

For those born in the city of Tallin, civil registration records may also be available at the Tallin Vital Statistics Office.

You may also consider working with an Estonian Embassy in your country. To locate contact information for an embassy in your country, see the article Estonia: Embassies and Representations.

For more information about civil registration records, refer to the Genealogical Research article at VAU.

Historical Background[edit | edit source]

Prior to the 1920s, the responsibility of registering births, marriages, and deaths primarily rested upon the Church. In 1920, registration offices were opened at city government levels as an alternative options to those who did not wish to marry in a church. On 1 July 1926, the registration of all vital events was passed over to the civil service.[1] Clerics could also perform the registrar's duty if they observed the requirements of the state.[2] Before 1926, birth, marriage, and death information can be found in church records. See Estonia Church Records for more information.

According to a 1922 Estonian law, the marriageable age was 18 for men and 16 for women. In the 1940s, following the Soviet occupation, a new law was instituted which made the marriageable age 18 for both men and women. In some cases the age was lowered by up to two years if proper permissions were obtained.

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, divorces could be obtained through mutual consent and a three-month waiting period. In 1944, new laws were passed making it much more difficult to obtain a divorce. The granting of a divorce demanded large fees and prolonged legal proceedings. [1]

Coverage and Compliance[edit | edit source]

Information Recorded in the Records[edit | edit source]

Birth Records[edit | edit source]

  • Date of birth
  • Name of child
  • Name of parents
  • Occupation and religious preference of parents
  • Residence for parents
  • Name of informant

Marriage Records[edit | edit source]

  • Date of marriage
  • Names of witnesses
  • Residence of groom and bride

Death Records[edit | edit source]

  • Date of death
  • Residence of deceased
  • Age at death
  • Cause of death
  • Place of burial[3]

See the translation guides below to help you read birth, marriage, and death records written in Estonian.

Civil Birth Records in Estonian

Civil Marriage Records in Estonian

Civil Death Records in Estonian

Supplementary Records[edit | edit source]

Other record types can be used to confirm or supply missing information on birth, marriage, and death registration. Such records include: vaccination registers, wills, property inventories, marriage licenses, adoptions, records to certify the only breadwinner of the family (the only breadwinner was released from military service), and writ of attachment of the property that remains with the children.[4]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Asta Põldma, "Family Policies: Estonia," SPLASH-db.edu, accessed January 2021.
  2. Must, Aadu. "The Sources of Estonian Family History." In Eestlaste perekonnaloo allikad. Estonia: Kleio, 2000.
  3. The Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Family History Record Profile: Estonia,” Word document, private files of the FamilySearch Content Strategy Team, 1994-2002.
  4. Must, Aadu. "The Sources of Estonian Family History." In Eestlaste perekonnaloo allikad. Estonia: Kleio, 2000.