User:HardestyPN/Sandbox Finding Births

From FamilySearch Wiki

Revision as of 23:51, 29 January 2013

FINDING UNITED STATES BIRTH RECORDS

Why would I want to search for a birth record?

• It can help you extend a generation to the parents of the child.
• Can give indicate where the parents were born

What information does a birth record include?

• Name of child
• Birth date and place of child
• Father’s name
• Mother’s name including maiden
• Birthplace of parents

What you need to know about birth records in the U.S.:

• Each state has a different year when births began to be recorded depending on when their state law was passed. [Link to list of state registration]
• Most states began recording births between 1900 and 1930.
• New England states [define New England states] started recording births on the town level starting as early as the first residents of the town. [add link to page about obtaining birth records from the town clerk]
• Some states in the Midwest [define Midwest states] began recording births on the county level as early as 1860s. [add link to page about obtaining birth records from a county courthouse]

ACTION: How to find your ancestor’s birth record: The order of looking for birth records is the following:

1. Check the internet
2. Check repositories, such as archives and libraries (FHL)
3. Obtain it from the government agency ($$)

Question 1: Where Did the Birth Occur?

• I know the state — Pick from the following menu: West Virginia
• I don't know the state — Go to Estimating Birth Information