Your Guide to Using
U.S. Vital Records
Earlier vital records are usually found in the county courthouse, except in the New England states, where they are kept at the town level. Some larger cities keep vital records instead of county jurisdiction. 20th century vital records are also kept at the state level. Sometimes these records have been filmed by the LDS and can be viewed on film; some vital records are being posted online (usually with incomplete information); others must be obtained from the agency.
Many vital records have been "indexed" through the familysearch.org searches. (mostly pre 1900, birth and marriage)
People may also have certificates of birth, marriage or death with their home records. Not all vital records have been recorded; sometimes it is necessary to find proof in a substitute source.
Learning to use vital records:
Ancestors Vital Records segment -- click links on right side.
Brigham Young University offers a free online class on vital records. (to start the class, click "begin" at bottom of list to the left, submit your e-mail address, then the lesson will begin.You can rely on BYU not to make ill use of your e-mail address. )
Examples of birth records: 1910 birth certificate * certified copy of birth record * 1812 record in a German Parish book * 1884 return of birth * incompletely filled out birth certificate *
Examples of marriage records: Freedman's Bureau marriage record * 2 page ledger entry * marriage application * certificate (with full information) * home certificate * license (with certificate) * intention * earlier marriage record * Ohio marriage record *
Examples of death records: * certificate * ledger * 2 page ledger
Obtaining vital records:
Many vital records have been filmed by the Family History Library. Check the catalog to see what records have been filmed for the area you are researching.
The most useful site is probably the one at VitalRec.com. -- it is useful because it is a quick and easy (but more costly) way to order records, but it also gives a link to the official state site, where you can sometimes find indexes or even online records, as well as information on how to order directly from the state and other helpful links. You have to scroll down to get all the information. One problem with VitalRec is that they now partner with Ancestry.com, so many of the links will take you there, which is annoying if you don't have a subscription! Another site from which you can order records is VitalChek Both sites insist on full date information, however, which can often render them useless to the genealogist!
Beine. Searching for Death Records: A brief overview
Links to Online Searchable Death Indexes in the Unites States.
Beine. Online Birth and Marriage Records.
Where to Write for Vital Records: an old stand-by for genealogists, now available online.
More links at : US Vital Records @ Cyndislist
Some helpful books you can consult:
The County Courthouse Book is especially useful if you plan to contact or visit the courthouse to obtain your records.
The International Vital Records Handbook is helpful if you need to order a record from a state or international government.
- cemetery
- church
- family bibles
- newspapers & obituaries
- census
- probate records
- Social Security Death Index
Return to Bobbie's Genealogy Classroom
This page last updated June 11, 2008
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