3,065
edits
changed some of the wording to make more understandable
(revised some wording to make more understandable) |
(changed some of the wording to make more understandable) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
This | This article is designed to provide a basic understanding of U.S. vital records, including the various types of records, the civil jurisdictions that have responsibilities for the records, and the regional differences in the availability of those records. | ||
== IMPORTANCE OF VITAL RECORDS == | == IMPORTANCE OF VITAL RECORDS == | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
The local health departments of a few large cities began recording births and deaths by the mid-1800s. The early records are usually incomplete. Many counties in the East and Midwest were recording births and deaths by the late 1800s. | The local health departments of a few large cities began recording births and deaths by the mid-1800s. The early records are usually incomplete. Many counties in the East and Midwest were recording births and deaths by the late 1800s. | ||
Each state eventually developed its own laws and created a statewide registration system. Unfortunately until the early 1900s, these records do not exist in most states. Local offices did not always comply immediately with the registration laws. But usually within 20 years after registration laws were enacted, most states were recording at least 90 percent of the births and deaths. | Each state eventually developed its own laws and created a statewide registration system. Unfortunately until the early 1900s, these records do not exist in most states. Local offices did not always comply immediately with the registration laws. But usually within 20 years after registration laws were enacted, most states were recording at least 90 percent of the births and deaths. | ||
== REGIONAL DIFFERENCES == | == REGIONAL DIFFERENCES == | ||