New Hampshire Vital Records

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Introduction to Vital Records
Records of births, marriages, and deaths are generally known as "vital records" because they refer to critical events in a person’s life. They are the most important primary source for genealogical research.

Birth Records
See also: New Hampshire State Vital Records Index

Birth records usually show the name and sex of the child and the parents’ names. They may also show the parents’ birthplaces and ages, mother’s maiden name, father’s occupation, and number of children born to the mother. A year by year search may reveal other children born to the couple.

Records of Births and Deaths
Official records of births, marriages, and deaths occurring in each New Hampshire town or city are kept by the clerk, who sends copies to the Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics in Concord, New Hampshire. The original records of every town, early to 1900, have been microfilmed and are available at the Family History Library.


 * Index to Births, Early to 1900 These index cards are filed alphabetically by surname using the first and third letter of the name. The information on the cards includes the place of birth, the names of the parents, and occasionally additional information.

Until 1883 less than half the population was listed in the vital records. These records often gave little information about parents and their birthplaces. After 1901 the records are more complete and give much more genealogical information.

Marriage Records
Marriage records usually mention the names of the bride and groom, the date and place of the marriage, and the home town of both the bride and groom. They may also show the names of the parents of each of them.

Town clerks recorded marriages as early as 1639. Many of these records are on microfilm (see the "Town Records" section of this outline). Records after 1901 give more information. The following marriage records and indexes are available:


 * Index to Marriages, Early to 1900 The records are indexed by the groom’s surname using the first and third letter. The information on the cards includes the names of the bride and groom, the place of the marriage, and usually the towns of residence of both.
 * Bride’s Index, 1640–1900 These records include an index to brides and the names of the mothers of the brides and grooms. They are arranged alphabetically by the first and third letter of the surname.
 * Marriage Certificates, 1901–1937 These are films of original records in the Bureau of Vital Records and are arranged alphabetically by the first and third letters of the surname.
 * Marriage Record Corrections and Additions, 1677–1937 This film of the original records in the Bureau of Vital Records is arranged alphabetically by surname.
 * New Hampshire Marriage Licenses and Intentions, 1709–1961 This source lists marriage intentions and licenses for 1709– 1911, plus out-of-state ministers’ licenses, 1921–1961. An index is included.

Death Records
Death records usually have the deceased’s name, age, birth date, and birthplace. They also may include the names of parents, the date and place of death, and the cause of death. The informant may be a close relative, and the names of the physician and mortician may be provided.


 * Index to Deaths, Early to 1900 These records are arranged alphabetically by surname using the first and third letter being as in other New Hampshire vital records.
 * Death Certificates, 1901–1937 These certificates are arranged alphabetically using the first and third letters of the surname.

Substitute Records
New Hampshire Church Records

New Hampshire Cemetery

New Hampshire Census

New Hampshire Newspapers

New Hampshire Military Records

New Hampshire Periodicals

New Hampshire History

Archives, Libraries and Societies
New Hampshire Archives and Libraries

New Hampshire Societies

You can obtain copies of the state records by writing to:

Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics Health and Welfare Building 6 Hazen Drive Concord, NH 03301 Telephone: 603-271-4651 Internet address: New Hampshire Vital Records Office

Since vital records were kept from the founding of a town, also search the town records for the original information. See the "Town Records" section of this outline for details. Vital records can be found in the Family History Library Catalog Locality Search under:


 * NEW HAMPSHIRE- VITAL RECORDS
 * NEW HAMPSHIRE, [COUNTY]- VITAL RECORDS
 * NEW HAMPSHIRE, [COUNTY], [TOWN]- VITAL RECORDS