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District of Columbia Research Outline |
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Table of Contents
Records Of The Family History Library
Family History Library Catalog
Archives And Libraries
Bible Records
Biography
Cemeteries
Census
Church Records
Court Records
Directories
Emigration And Immigration
Gazetteers
Genealogy
History
Land And Property
Maps
Military Records
Naturalization And Citizenship
Newspapers And Obituaries
Periodicals
Probate Records
Taxation
Vital Records
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions
VITAL RECORDS
Registration of vital statistics began in 1874 and was generally complied with by 1915 for births and 1880 for deaths. You can obtain copies of these records by writing to:
Some earlier records of deaths exist from 1855, except for the war years of 1861 to 1865, and can be obtained from the above address. The Family History Library has copies of some of the District's vital records: births, 1874-1897 (FHL films 2020343-4; deaths for 1855-1949 beginning on film 1994618).
Registration of marriages began in 1811. Some of the early marriages for the years 1811 to 1858 have been transcribed by the DAR and are at the Family History Library (FHL book 975.3 V28p; films 485769-70). You can obtain marriage records from 1811 to the present by writing to:
Divorce proceedings prior to September 1956 are available from:
More detailed information about research and records of the District of Columbia is in:
United States. National Archives and Records Service. Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Service, 1985. (FHL book 973 A3usn 1985; fiche 6051414 has the 1983 edition.)
Another helpful source is:
Eichholz, Alice, ed. Ancestry's Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources. Rev. ed. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1992. (FHL book 973 D27rb 1992; computer number 594021.) Contains bibliographies and background information on history and ethnic groups. Also contains maps and tables showing when each county was created.
The Family History Library welcomes additions and corrections that will improve future editions of this outline. Please send your suggestions to:
Paper publication: Second Edition, July 1997. English approval: 7/97.
©1998, 2001 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
No part of this document may be reprinted, posted on-line, or reproduced in any form for any purpose without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. FamilySearch is a trademark of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Births and Deaths
Department of Human Services
The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records are listed in Where to Write for Vital Records: Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Divorces (Hyattsville, Md.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, March 1993 FHL book 973 V24wv). Copies of this booklet are at the Family History Library and many Family History Centers. You can also write to the Department of Human Services (address above) for current information.
Vital Records Division
800 9th St. S.W.
Washington, DC 20024
Telephone: 202-645-5962
Marriages
Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Marriage License Bureau
500 Indiana Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
Telephone: 202-879-4840
Divorces
Clerk of the U.S. District Court
Some of the early divorce records are at the National Archives. Divorce documents filed since 1956 are at:
3rd and Constitution Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
Telephone: 202-273-0555
Clerk of the Superior Court
The old divorce docket, 1803 to 1848, is in four volumes at the National Archives in Suitland. The Family History Library has no District of Columbia divorce records.
Family Division
500 Indiana Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001.
Telephone: 202-879-1418
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FOR FURTHER READING
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COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Publications Coordination
We appreciate the archivists, librarians, and others who have reviewed this outline and shared helpful information.
Family History Library
35 N. West Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah 84150-3400
USA
[FamilySearchTM: Research Guidance
Version of Data: 6/8/2001]