New Hampshire Vital Records

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Vital Records

Vital Records Reference Dates New Hampshire's vital records start the following years: Birth Records Marriage Records Death Records 1600s 1600s 1600s

New Hampshire Birth, Marriage and Death Records Online

Births

• Pre-1900 New Hampshire Birth Records, Early to 1900 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1631-1920 New Hampshire Birth Records, 1631-1920 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
• 1636-1947 New Hampshire, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1636-1947 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1654-1969 New Hampshire: Births, Deaths and Marriages, 1654-1969 at American Ancestors - index & images ($)
• 1656-1938 New Hampshire Vital and Town Records Index, 1656-1938 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
• 1659-1900 New Hampshire Birth Index, 1659-1900 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
• 1714-1904 New Hampshire Births and Christenings, 1714-1904 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index; Also at: Ancestry($)
• 1901-1909 New Hampshire Birth Certificates, 1901-1915 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Marriages

• pre 1700 US New England Marriages Prior to 1700 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
• 1636-1947 New Hampshire, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1636-1947 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1637-1947 New Hampshire Marriage Records, 1637-1947 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; Also at: Ancestry($)
• 1600s-1900s US Marriages - New Hampshire at Findmypast — index & images ($)
• 1654-1969 New Hampshire: Births, Deaths and Marriages, 1654-1969 at American Ancestors - index & images ($)
• 1656-1938 New Hampshire Vital and Town Records Index, 1656-1938 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
• 1659-1947 New Hampshire Marriage and Divorce Records, 1659-1947 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
• 1700-1971 New Hampshire Marriage Records, 1700-1971 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
• 1720-1920 New Hampshire Marriages, 1720-1920 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
• 1770-1961 New Hampshire Marriage Records, 1770-1961 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
• 1828-Onward New Hampshire Marriages at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
• 1948-1959 New Hampshire Marriage Certificates, 1948-1959 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Deaths

• 1636-1947 New Hampshire, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1636-1947 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1650-1969 New Hampshire Death Records, 1650-1969 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
• 1654-1947 New Hampshire Death Records, 1654-1947 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1654-1949 New Hampshire Death and Burial Records Index, 1654-1949 at Ancestry — index ($)
• 1654-1969 New Hampshire: Births, Deaths and Marriages, 1654-1969 at American Ancestors - index & images ($)
• 1656-1938 New Hampshire Vital and Town Records Index, 1656-1938 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
• 1754-1947 New Hampshire Death and Disinterment Records, 1754-1947 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
• 1784-1949 New Hampshire Deaths and Burials, 1784-1949 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; images
• 1935-2014 US Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 at Ancestry — index ($)
• 1936-2007 US Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry — index ($)
• 1938-1959 New Hampshire Death Certificates, 1938-1959 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
• 1962-2014 US Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index

Divorce

• 1659-1947 New Hampshire Marriage and Divorce Records, 1659-1947 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
• 1850-1969 New Hampshire Divorce Certificates, 1850-1969 at Ancestry — index & images ($)

Order Certificates

• Order New Hampshire Certificates online. Also has addresses of where to write, costs, restrictions, and helpful remarks.

Vital Records

Official records of births, marriages, and deaths occurring in each New Hampshire town or city have been kept by town clerks since the early 1600s. The town clerk sends copies to the Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics in Concord, New Hampshire. The original records of every town, early to 1900, are available at the Bureau.

Until 1883 less than half the population was listed in vital records. These records often gave little information about parents and their birthplaces. After 1901 the records are more complete and give much more genealogical information.

Birth Records

Birth records usually show the name and sex of the child, date and place of birth, and the parents’ names. They may also show the parents’ birthplaces and ages, mother’s maiden name, father’s occupation, and number of children born to the mother. A year by year search may reveal other children born to the couple.

• New Hampshire, Births and Christenings, 1714-1904 is a free name index. The information includes date and place of birth, names of parents, and occasionally additional information. Description.
  

• Index to Births, Early to 1900 is a free name index. The information includes date and place of birth, names of the parents, and occasionally additional information. Description.
  

This index is also on film.The film index cards are filed alphabetically by surname using the first and third letter of the name. For further explanation on using these records, see New Hampshire State Vital Records Index

Marriage Records

Marriage records usually mention the names of the bride and groom, the date and place of the marriage, and the home town of both the bride and groom. They may also show the names of the parents of each of them.

Town clerks recorded marriages as early as 1639. Many of these records are on microfilm (see New Hampshire Town Records). Records after 1901 give more information. The following marriage records and indexes are available:

• New Hampshire Marriage Records, 1637-1947 is a free, online index that includes the names of the bride and groom, the place of the marriage, and usually the towns of residence of both.

It is also on film called Index to Marriages, Early to 1900.The records are indexed by the groom’s surname using the first and third letter.

• 1948-1959 New Hampshire Marriage Certificates, 1948-1959 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

• New Hampshire, Marriages, 1720-1920 is another free online index. It has basically the same information with some overlap of the above index.
  

• Bride’s Index, 1640–1900 These records include an index to brides and the names of the mothers of the brides and grooms. They are arranged alphabetically by the first and third letter of the surname.
  

• Marriage Certificates, 1901–1937 These are films of original records in the Bureau of Vital Records and are arranged alphabetically by the first and third letters of the surname.
  

• Marriage Record Corrections and Additions, 1677–1937 This film of the original records in the Bureau of Vital Records is arranged alphabetically by surname.
  

• New Hampshire Marriage Licenses and Intentions, 1709–1961 This source lists marriage intentions and licenses for 1709– 1911, plus out-of-state ministers’ licenses, 1921–1961. An index is included.
  

• Gretna Greens. When an eloping New Hampshire couple's marriage is not in their home county, search for it in alternate places like Elkton, Cecil, Maryland, or Prince William County, VA.
• United States Marriages – New Hampshire, 1637-1964 at Findmypast. ($) index, some images

Divorce Records

• 1850-1969 New Hampshire, U.S., Divorce Certificates, 1850-1969 at Ancestry - index & images ($)

• New Hampshire. Registrar of Vital Statistics. Index to Divorces and Annulments Prior to 1938. The records are indexed by surname, using the first and third letters. 8 FS Library films 1001323-1001330
  

• New Hampshire. Bureau of Vital Records. Divorce Certificates, 1938-1947. Records are arranged by surname, using the first and third letters. 2 FS Library films 2320731 and 2320502

Death Records

Death records usually have the deceased’s name, age, birth date, and birthplace. They also may include the names of parents, the date and place of death, and the cause of death. The informant may be a close relative, and the names of the physician and mortician may be provided.

• 1654-1947 New Hampshire Death Records, 1654-1947 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images
• 1784-1949 New Hampshire Deaths and Burials, 1784-1949 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images

Film versions of New Hampshire Death Records, 1654-1947 are:

• Index to Deaths, Early to 1900 These records are arranged alphabetically by surname using the first and third letter being as in other New Hampshire vital records.

• Death Certificates, 1901–1937 These certificates are arranged alphabetically using the first and third letters of the surname.

Cause of Death

• Causes of Death - use this resource when trying to interpret a disease or medical condition listed on a death record or certificate

Substitute Records

These links will take you to wiki pages describing alternate sources for birth, marriage and death records.

• Church Records: Depending on the denomination, church records may contain information about birth, marriage and death.

• Cemetery Records: Cemetery records are a rich source of birth and death information. These records may also reveal family relationships.

• Census Records: Census records are a valuable source for birth and marriage information. You may also determine approximate time of death when the individual disappears from the census. This is a good place to begin a search.

• Newspapers: Besides obituaries, local newspapers may contain birth and marriage announcements and death notices. Also check newspaper social columns for additional information.

• Obituaries: Obituaries found in newspapers can list the age of the deceased, birth date and place, death date and place, and names of living relatives and their residences.

• Periodicals: Local genealogical and historical societies often publish periodicals which may contain abstracted early birth, marriage and death information.

• Military Records: Military pension records may give birth, marriage and death information, In addtion, soldiers' homes records may included this same information.

• Probate Records: If no death record exists, probate records may be helpful in estimating when an individual died. Probate records in the 20th Century often contain the exact death date.

• History: Local histories, family histories, and biographies can all be sources of birth, marriage and death information. Often this information is found in county-level records or in last name searches of the FamilySearch Catalog.

Tips

• Information listed on vital records is given by an informant. Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record. The closer the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) and whether or not the informant was present at the time of the event can help determine the accuracy of the information found on the record.
• If you are unable to locate vital records recorded by governments, search for church records of christening, marriage, death or burial. A family BIble may have been used to record births, marriages and deaths.
• Privacy laws may restrict your access to some vital records. Copies of some vital records recorded in the last 100 years may be unavailable to anyone except a direct relative.
• Search for Vital Records in the FamilySearch Catalog by using a Place Search. Search for New Hampshire, then choosing Vital Records to locate records filed by the State. Also search using the name of the county to locate records kept by the county.

Archives, Libraries and Societies

New Hampshire Archives and Libraries gives a list of archives and libraries with addresses, phone numbers, and links to their Websites.

New Hampshire Societies gives a list of societies with addresses, phone numbers, and links to their Websites.

You can obtain copies of the state records by writing to:

Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics
Health and Welfare Building
6 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301
Telephone: 603-271-4651
Internet address: New Hampshire Vital Records Office

Since vital records were kept from the founding of a town, also search the town records for the original information. See New Hampshire Town Records for details. Vital records can be found in the FamilySearch Catalog Place Search under:

NEW HAMPSHIRE- VITAL RECORDS

NEW HAMPSHIRE, [COUNTY]- VITAL RECORDS

NEW HAMPSHIRE, [COUNTY], [TOWN]- VITAL RECORDS

To access available information, first log into FamilySearch.

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