Maine Research Tips and Strategies: Difference between revisions

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=== Maine Research Strategies  ===
== Maine Research Strategies  ==


Below are links to different research strategy pages to help you locate your ancestors in Maine<br>  
Below are links to different research strategy pages to help you locate your ancestors in Maine<br>  
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'''Birth and Death information:'''<br>  
'''Birth and Death information:'''<br>  
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*'''''Statewide registration:''''' The state began registering births and deaths in 1919, with full compliance by 1928.
*'''''Statewide registration:''''' The state began registering births and deaths in 1892, with full compliance by 1928.
*'''''Local regististration:''''' Some cities recorded birth and death records as early as 1887, although registration was inconsistent.
*'''''Town Records:''''' Town records included information about birth, marriage, and death before state registration in 1892. Town records can start as early as the 1650s or when the town was established.
*'''''Access to records:''''' See [[Maine Vital Records]] for more information about birth, marriages, and deaths in Maine.
*'''''Access to records:''''' See [[Maine Vital Records]] for more information about birth, marriages, and deaths in Maine.
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'''Finding Parents:'''   
'''Finding Parents:'''   
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*'''''Death records:''''' Death records created by the state starting in 1919 required information on parents of the deceased. Information was not always provided and the accuracy of the information was limited by the grieving relatives' memory.  
*'''''Death records:''''' Early death records may contain parents of the deceased. However, state recorded deaths starting in 1892 required birth and parent information. Information was not always provided and the accuracy of the information was limited by the grieving relatives' memory.  
*'''''Obituaries:''''' Official obituaries can also include the names of parents and other family members. See [[Maine Newspapers]] and [[Maine Obituaries]] for more information.
*'''''Obituaries:''''' Official obituaries can also include the names of parents and other family members. See [[Maine Newspapers]] and [[Maine Obituaries]] for more information.
*'''''Church records:''''' Knowing the denominiation of the church the family belonged to helps in locating information about the parents. See [[Maine Church Records]] for more information.
*'''''Church records:''''' Knowing the denomination of the church the family belonged to helps in locating information about the parents. See [[Maine Church Records]] for more information.
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'''Census Records:'''  
'''Census Records:'''  
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*'''''Clues to other records:''''' There are clues in censuses regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records.  
*'''''Clues to other records:''''' There are clues in censuses regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records.  
*'''''Finding families:''''' Starting in 1850, all members of the household were listed in the census. By 1880, relationship to the head of household was added.
*'''''Finding families:''''' Starting in 1850, all members of the household were listed in the census. By 1880, relationship to the head of household was added.
*'''Birth information:''' Statewide registration of births began in 1892.  A helpful substitute record to find birth information is a death record. However, date and place of birth on a death record is considered secondary information, as it was not recorded at the time of the birth event. The birth information should be corroborated with other [[Substitute Records For United States Birth Information|substitute records]] to improve accuracy. 
*'''Finding Parents:''' Statewide registration of deaths began in 1892.  They often will list the parents of the deceased and their birth information. [[How to Find United States Death Records|Search Maine death records]].
*'''Look in all censuses:''' Always look for your ancestor in every possible census. There are clues regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records. Sometimes parents can be found living with their children later in life. To search the 1790, 1800, or 1810 census, substitute Massachusetts for Maine.  [[United States Census Online|Search U.S. Censuses]].


=== Further Maine Research  ===
=== Further Maine Research  ===

Revision as of 17:59, 19 February 2025

Maine Wiki Topics
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Beginning Research
Record Types
Maine Background
Cultural Groups
Local Research Resources

Purpose of Research Tips and Strategies Wiki Page

The Maine Research Tips and Strategies page consists of links to specific research strategies for Maine. It also contains general tips and other resources for finding your ancestors in this locality.

Maine Research Strategies[edit | edit source]

Below are links to different research strategy pages to help you locate your ancestors in Maine

Finding Maine Birth, Marriage or Death Records[edit | edit source]

Finding Maine Records[edit | edit source]

Maine Statewide Databases[edit | edit source]

Maine Research Process[edit | edit source]

Maine Research Tips[edit | edit source]

These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in Maine:

Birth and Death information:

  • Statewide registration: The state began registering births and deaths in 1892, with full compliance by 1928.
  • Town Records: Town records included information about birth, marriage, and death before state registration in 1892. Town records can start as early as the 1650s or when the town was established.
  • Access to records: See Maine Vital Records for more information about birth, marriages, and deaths in Maine.


Substitute Records:

  • Secondary source: Substitute records are used when primary sources do not exist for an event, such as birth, marriage, and deaths. Secondary sources list information about the event but they were not recorded at the time of the event and they are not an official record of the event.
  • Accuracy: Because the information about an event in substitute records was not the official recording of the event (such as, cemetery or obituary records) inaccuracy may occur. Use other substitute records to help varify information.
  • List of substitute records: See Maine Substitute Records for more information.


Finding Parents:

  • Death records: Early death records may contain parents of the deceased. However, state recorded deaths starting in 1892 required birth and parent information. Information was not always provided and the accuracy of the information was limited by the grieving relatives' memory.
  • Obituaries: Official obituaries can also include the names of parents and other family members. See Maine Newspapers and Maine Obituaries for more information.
  • Church records: Knowing the denomination of the church the family belonged to helps in locating information about the parents. See Maine Church Records for more information.


Census Records:

  • Check all census years: Always look for your ancestor in every possible census to learn more about them and their family members. See Maine Census Records for more information.
  • Clues to other records: There are clues in censuses regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records.
  • Finding families: Starting in 1850, all members of the household were listed in the census. By 1880, relationship to the head of household was added.

Further Maine Research[edit | edit source]

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