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Canada Vital Records: Difference between revisions
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Civil governments have created records of births, marriages, and deaths, commonly called "vital records" because they refer to critical events in a person’s life. In Quebec, vital records created by the government are called "civil registration" (état civil), the term generally used outside North America. Vital records are an excellent source of accurate names, dates, and places of births, marriages, and deaths. But the births, marriages, and deaths of many people were never recorded by civil authorities. Other vital records are described in "Church Records" and other sections. | Civil governments have created records of births, marriages, and deaths, commonly called "vital records" because they refer to critical events in a person’s life. In Quebec, vital records created by the government are called "civil registration" (état civil), the term generally used outside North America. Vital records are an excellent source of accurate names, dates, and places of births, marriages, and deaths. But the births, marriages, and deaths of many people were never recorded by civil authorities. Other vital records are described in "Church Records" and other sections. | ||
Vital records are the responsibility of the provinces except for the registration of First Nations individuals (Native Canadians), which is a federal responsibility. In some provinces, authorities began registering births, marriages, and deaths since the 1860s. Complete registration in all the provinces and territories was achieved in the 1920s. After this date, almost all individuals who lived in Canada are recorded. | Vital records are the responsibility of the provinces except for the registration of First Nations individuals (Native Canadians), which is a federal responsibility. In some provinces, authorities began registering births, marriages, and deaths since the 1860s. Complete registration in all the provinces and territories was achieved in the 1920s. After this date, almost all individuals who lived in [[Portal:Canada|Canada]] are recorded. | ||
To find a civil vital record, you will need at least the approximate year and place in which the birth, marriage, or death occurred. You may need to search other records first to find clues about these events, such as family Bibles, genealogies, local histories, biographies, cemetery records, censuses, pension files, newspaper notices, and probate files. In the 18th and 19th centuries these other records must often substitute for civil vital records, though they may not be as accurate as those kept by church authorities and local or provincial governments. | To find a civil vital record, you will need at least the approximate year and place in which the birth, marriage, or death occurred. You may need to search other records first to find clues about these events, such as family Bibles, genealogies, local histories, biographies, cemetery records, censuses, pension files, newspaper notices, and probate files. In the 18th and 19th centuries these other records must often substitute for civil vital records, though they may not be as accurate as those kept by church authorities and local or provincial governments. | ||
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Most of these records date from the late 19th century. For civil registration records, see the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under all of these headings: | Most of these records date from the late 19th century. For civil registration records, see the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under all of these headings: | ||
CANADA - VITAL RECORDS [PROVINCE] - VITAL RECORDS [PROVINCE], [COUNTY] - VITAL RECORDS [PROVINCE], [COUNTY], [CITY] - VITAL RECORDS | CANADA - VITAL RECORDS | ||
[PROVINCE] - VITAL RECORDS | |||
[PROVINCE], [COUNTY] - VITAL RECORDS | |||
[PROVINCE], [COUNTY], [CITY] - VITAL RECORDS | |||
For the province of Quebec only, see: | For the province of Quebec only, see: | ||
QUEBEC - CIVIL REGISTRATION QUEBEC, [COUNTY], [CITY] - CHURCH RECORDS | QUEBEC - CIVIL REGISTRATION | ||
QUEBEC, [COUNTY], [CITY] - CHURCH RECORDS | |||
The library now has these and other sources (some of which are described in the research outlines for each province): | The library now has these and other sources (some of which are described in the research outlines for each province): | ||
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Archive inventories (see "Archives and Libraries") describe the record-keeping systems and available civil registration records in Canada. These and other guides are in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under: | Archive inventories (see "Archives and Libraries") describe the record-keeping systems and available civil registration records in Canada. These and other guides are in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog under: | ||
CANADA - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES [PROVINCE] - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES | CANADA - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES | ||
[PROVINCE] - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES | |||
After deciding who has jurisdiction over the records for the time period you need, write a brief request to the proper office. Send: | After deciding who has jurisdiction over the records for the time period you need, write a brief request to the proper office. Send: | ||
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If your request is unsuccessful, search for duplicate records that may have been filed in other archives or church registers or for newspaper obituaries and cemetery records. Information about deaths and some family information may be included in wills and other probate records. Birth dates can be estimated from censuses. See "Archives and Libraries," "Cemetery Records," "Census," "Church Records," "Newspapers," and "Probate Records." | If your request is unsuccessful, search for duplicate records that may have been filed in other archives or church registers or for newspaper obituaries and cemetery records. Information about deaths and some family information may be included in wills and other probate records. Birth dates can be estimated from censuses. See "Archives and Libraries," "Cemetery Records," "Census," "Church Records," "Newspapers," and "Probate Records." | ||
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[[Category:Canada]] | [[Category:Canada]] | ||