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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 "[[ | 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 "[[Canada_Church_Records|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 [[Portal:Canada|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. | ||
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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. | ||
== | == General Historical Background == | ||
The recording of civil vital statistics developed slowly in Canada: | The recording of civil vital statistics developed slowly in Canada: | ||
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1926: Civil registration of vital statistics separate from church record keeping began in the province of Quebec. Vital records registration became a completely civil matter in Quebec in 1994. | 1926: Civil registration of vital statistics separate from church record keeping began in the province of Quebec. Vital records registration became a completely civil matter in Quebec in 1994. | ||
== | == Information in Vital Records == | ||
The information recorded in civil records of vital registration varied over time. Later records generally give more complete information. Vital records are usually written in English or French, but content varies by time period and province. For example, before 1907 in Ontario, parents’ names were not usually on death certificates, but they are after that date. | The information recorded in civil records of vital registration varied over time. Later records generally give more complete information. Vital records are usually written in English or French, but content varies by time period and province. For example, before 1907 in Ontario, parents’ names were not usually on death certificates, but they are after that date. | ||
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Information about parents and the birth date and birthplace may be inaccurate since the person giving the information may not have had complete information. Some information may not have been required by authorities at the time. | Information about parents and the birth date and birthplace may be inaccurate since the person giving the information may not have had complete information. Some information may not have been required by authorities at the time. | ||
== | == Locating Vital Records == | ||
=== Records at the Family History Library === | === Records at the Family History Library === | ||
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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): | ||
[[ | [[British Columbia Civil Registration- Vital Records|'''British Columbia''']] | ||
The provincial government began registering births, marriages, and deaths in 1872. The early records are very incomplete. The library has: | The provincial government began registering births, marriages, and deaths in 1872. The early records are very incomplete. The library has: | ||
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Marriage registrations 1872 to 1922 and index 1872 to 1921. | Marriage registrations 1872 to 1922 and index 1872 to 1921. | ||
[[ | [[New Brunswick Civil Registration- Vital Records|'''New Brunswick''']] | ||
The provincial government began recording births, marriages, and deaths in 1888. The library has: | The provincial government began recording births, marriages, and deaths in 1888. The library has: | ||
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Some county death register books 1888 to 1919. | Some county death register books 1888 to 1919. | ||
[[ | [[Nova Scotia Civil Registration- Vital Records|'''Nova Scotia''']] | ||
In 1864 the provincial government began registering vital statistics, but the records were not complete. The government quit registering births and deaths in 1877 and began again in 1908. The Family History Library has: | In 1864 the provincial government began registering vital statistics, but the records were not complete. The government quit registering births and deaths in 1877 and began again in 1908. The Family History Library has: | ||
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Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario. The library has some early county and district marriage records and marriage bonds. Indexes are available for some of these. | Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario. The library has some early county and district marriage records and marriage bonds. Indexes are available for some of these. | ||
[[ | [[Ontario Civil Registration- Vital Records|'''Ontario''']] | ||
Registration of vital statistics began officially in Ontario on 1 July 1869. A substantially complete registration was achieved by 1930. The library has: | Registration of vital statistics began officially in Ontario on 1 July 1869. A substantially complete registration was achieved by 1930. The library has: | ||
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Canada | Canada | ||
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Yukon Territory | Yukon Territory | ||
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Canada | Canada | ||
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=== Provincial Archives: === | === Provincial Archives: === | ||
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Request for a photocopy of the original document. If this is not available, request a "genealogical certificate" if you want the most detail possible. | Request for a photocopy of the original document. If this is not available, request a "genealogical certificate" if you want the most detail possible. | ||
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 "[[ | 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 "[[Canada Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]," "[[Canada Cemeteries|Cemetery Records]]," "[[Canada Census|Census]]," "[[Canada Church Records|Church Records]]," "[[Canada Newspapers|Newspapers]]," and "[[Canada Probate Records|Probate Records]]." <!--{12079485712730} --> <!--{12079485712731} --> | ||
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[[Category:Canada]] | [[Category:Canada]] | ||