This document provides information about vital records and alternatives that can be used for genealogy research. It defines vital records as official documentation of life events like births, deaths, and marriages. These records are primary sources but may contain errors. When starting research, it recommends working backwards from death to birth records. The document outlines what information different types of vital records contain and alternatives to official records like census, military, and church records that can supplement vital record information. It provides guidance on where to locate records through websites, books, and agencies responsible for record keeping.

1. The Framework of
your Family History
Kathy Petras

2. What are Vital Records?
 Documentation of life’s major events.
– Births
– Deaths
– Marriages/Divorces
 Required to be registered and preserved by some
branch of the government or churches.
 Primary sources for the events they document.

3. Primary vs. Secondary Sources
 Primary resources are produced at or near the time of the
event by people involved in the event.
Example: Death records that are filled out by the physician
who witnessed the death
 Secondary resources are produced at a later time or by
someone who would not have direct knowledge of the event.
Example: Birth information that is given on a death
certificate. The person providing information on the birth
probably wasn’t present at the birth.

4. Vital Records, miscellaneous facts
 When acquiring vital records for an individual, work from the
most recent, death, to the earliest, birth.
 In the United States, these records are maintained by a clerk in
the city, town, county or state where the event took place.
 Since around 1900 (varies by states) most states keep the
records of these events. (Birth & Death records for Ohio since 1908 can be
ordered at any county health department).
 You may not have access to some records, such as recent birth
records, due to privacy concerns and use for illegal purposes.

6. Death Records
 Originally deaths were registered to compile medical
statistics on diseases and epidemics.
 Even after registrations were required, compliance
with the law was haphazard and incomplete.
 The information about the death will probably be
accurate, but other events reported on the records,
such as birth date, parents and spouse, may contain
errors, depending on who provided the information.

7. Death Records, continued
 Death records only exist in the United States for
approximately the last 150 years.
 Prior to around 1900, look for death records at the
county or city level.
 After 1900, check the state level for death records.
The farther back in time you go, the less information
you will find on a death record.
QUIZ!!! How well can you read a document?**

9. Alternatives to official death
records
 Obituaries, while not official records of death, can
contain valuable family information.
– Check all obituaries for errors, due to incorrect information
being given by the informant and typographical errors.
Obituaries can be the one place where all the pertinent
facts of a person’s life are revealed.
– Earliest newspapers tended to only report the deaths of the
most prominent citizens. Late in the 1800’s, obituaries
became more common for everyone.
– Obtain obituaries not only for your direct ancestor, but for
their siblings, wives and children.
– Obituaries are best obtained from the local library that holds
microfilmed copies of the local papers.

11. Alternatives to official death
records, continued
 Probate Records – Includes wills and estate records. Closing
out the estate of someone who has died happens only after
they have died. Can also reveal wives and children.
 Cemetery Records – besides the tombstones, various other
records exist in relation to burial of an individual, such as plot
deeds, plat records, sexton’s records, and grave opening
orders. While a tombstone should be accurate as to the date of
death, it may not be as accurate for date of birth.
www.findagrave.com
 Social Security Death Index - while this is not a true substitute
for a death record, it can help you determine in what location to
find a death record. AVAILABLE on Ancestry.com.
 Funeral Cards

12. Alternatives to official death records
Tombstone Memorial Card
Primary or Secondary Sources??

13. Marriage Records
Marriages were required to be registered much earlier than births
and deaths.
Marriage records come in various forms, such as marriage
licenses, affidavits, and marriage certificates.
These documents will provide the maiden name of the woman.
They are most often filed at the county courthouse.
In New England, town clerks began registering marriages in the
1600s and in the South, in the 1700s.
Only later are the parents included on a marriage record.
Information on a marriage record can be inaccurate, due to the
couple falsifying their ages, etc.
Consent affidavits would have to be filed if either of the parties
were under aged at the time of the marriage.

14. Marriage Record

15. Alternatives to official
marriage records
 Marriage banns were required by some church denominations.
They were usually read aloud on three consecutive Sundays in
church. They might also be posted in a public place. It was an
opportunity for any objections to be raised.
 Bonds would be posted prior to the marriage. It was money set
aside to defray expenses in case in the event the marriage
didn’t take place. The money was posted by the groom or his
father. Marriage bonds are NOT positive proof that a marriage
took place.
 Bible Records
 Newspaper announcements

16. Divorce
 A divorce record shows that a marriage has taken place and often
contains information on when and where the marriage took place.
 Divorce has existed in the U.S. from its earliest history and varied
greatly from region to region.
 In some early states and territories, divorce was handled by the state
legislature.
 Early alternatives to divorce were legal-permanent separations and
desertion. Divorce laws have changed dramatically over the years.
And these records still can be the hardest to locate.
 Each state has decided which court will handle divorce cases;
superior, equity, probate or family court. Don’t forget that certain
locations became known as “divorce meccas” including Reno, Nevada
and Ashtabula County, Ohio.

17. Birth Records
 Only exist in the United States for approximately the last 150
years. The farther back in time you go, the less information you
will find on a birth record.
 Prior to around 1900, look for birth records at the county level.
Except for New England states, where the birth records are
found at the town level.
 After 1900, check the state level for birth records.
 Delayed birth certificates were issued many years after the
birth in cases where the person:
– Was born prior to the keeping of birth records
– Was not registered due to non-compliance.
– Needed proof of birth to register for Social Security benefits.

18. Alternatives to official birth
records
 Baptism or christening ceremonies have to be carefully
checked. Often they only record the date of the ceremony, not
the date of the birth.
 Bibles often have births, deaths and marriages. Check to see if
the handwriting is the same throughout. If it is different, the
events were likely recorded as they occurred. Check with family
members, local and regional historical societies.
http:///www.learnwebskills.com/patriot/biblerecords.htm
 Military pensions or muster rolls - often the approximate birth
date had to be given.
 Census records – The later census records state the age of
each individual, but the earlier ones only state the age range of
people. But the information can be unreliable.

19. Alternatives to official birth records

20. Where to find Vital Records:
WEBSITES:
 http://www.CyndisList.com/usvital.htm#General
 http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm CDC List
 http://www.odh.ohio.gov/vitalstatistics/vitalstats.aspx Ohio Vital Records
 www.ancestry.com $ or AncestryLibrary Edition (Available inside most
libraries)
 https://www.familysearch.org/ Family Search Site
 http://www.deathindexes.com/
 VitalRecords www.vitalrec.com $
 State Vital Records online. Examples:
– Illinois Death Records
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/death.html
– Missouri Death Records
http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/deathcertificates/

21. Where to find Vital Records:
BOOKS:
 Kemp, Thomas,International Vital Records Handbook
R929.107 KEM
 Handybook for Genealogists United States of America
R929.107 Han
 Redbook American State County and Town Sources
R929.107Red
 Szucs, Loretto, The Source :a Guidebook of American
Genealogy
R929.1SOU 3RD.ED.

22. Vital Records, reminders
 Once your record arrives you will want to document your
source of the information. Where did you get the records,
when did you get it, what volume and page number, etc.
 Do not fold it. Place it in an acid free sleeve. Store the original
document in safe place.

23. The End…