Vital Records Search

Vital records, which are also known as civil registration in some countries, are official documents kept by the government to document the status of an individual. These vital records can include birth certificates, death records, marriage certificates, and divorce records. For genealogists, vital records can shed valuable light on the history of their ancestors. Beyond the name and dates of birth recorded in these documents, vital records can also provide information about parents' names, the number of children in the family, cause of death, socioeconomic status, and even occupation.

Birth Records

Birth records are often the first place a genealogist will look for family information. A birth record, which can also be referred to as a birth certificate, clearly documents information about a baby's birth, including the date of birth and gender. It also provides valuable information, from a genealogist's point of view, regarding the parents' names, as well as the state and town in which the family resided. Depending on the geographical location and date, some birth records may even provide the ages, place of birth, and occupation of the parents.

As a historical record, birth certificates can be the first place to look when you are starting to trace the branches of your family tree.

For genealogists, birth records are extremely valuable because they can provide pretty reliable information. However, the prudent genealogist must always take into account that even the most official of records can sometimes be flawed, especially those from rural areas… for example, a farmer living on a secluded ranch may have had to travel a while to get to the clerk and record his children's birth. If the father somehow forgot the exact day that the child was born he may have given a close date, or have just recorded the child's birth as the date that they visited the clerk's office.

Death Records

Death records share much more information than simply the date of mortality. Through a death record, genealogists can learn about surviving relatives, the city and state in which the individual resided, as well as the cause of death. In some situations, the cause of death can provide the researcher with different leads. Of course, having the date of the death record can also help the genealogist look through obituaries and locate appropriate cemetery records, all which paint an illustrative picture of ancestry.

Marriage Records

Marriage records, also named marriage certificates, are very important for tracing different family lines. As one of the few documents that showcase two family lines merging together on one family tree branch, a marriage record can provide you with information regarding the parents of the bride and groom, along with the dates of birth, location of birth, and perhaps even their occupations.

Certified, Uncertified and Indexed Vital Records

Certified copies of official vital records contain all information available for the record type, and have a raised seal of authenticity. These records can be used for legal purposes, such as for obtaining passports, or issuing other identification documents. Because of the sensitive nature of certified copies, most states have laws that restrict their access to the individual it belongs to, or the individual's nearest family members. Proof of identification is required.

Uncertified copies of official vital records contain the same information as the certified copies, but do not have a raised seal of certification by the state. They cannot be used for obtaining identification documents like passports, and people besides the corresponding individual and immediate family members may have access to them, depending on the state laws. Because of the growing concerns over identity theft, some states have restricted access to their vital records. However, some official records are less sensitive than others, and most states will generally give the public more access to marriage and divorce records than birth and death certificates.

Indexed vital records are publically made available and can be accessed online. Like uncertified copies, they do not have a stamped certification by the state, but they can nonetheless provide you with accurate, useful information in your genealogy search. Indexed records may leave out sensitive information, such as social security numbers or any other non-public information, in order to protect the individuals they belong to.

Where to Access Vital Records

Depending upon your state and the type of vital record you are seeking, there are several ways to find the information:

• State Level: For the particular state you are investigating, start with the Department of Health and Vital Records. Most states charge anywhere from $12 to $20 to access these records.
• County Level: If you cannot find the information at the state level, then begin divulging into the county levels, starting with the County Clerk and Recorder. Most of these records can be obtained for $12 to $15.
• Online Resources: To skip all of the bureaucracy of the state and county departments, you can also utilize authoritative online resources that compile municipal, county, and state records into one source. While some are free, the accuracy of this information can be debated. However, by accessing authoritative website such as Archives.com and VitalChek.com, you can easily research your ancestors right from your home.

Any History Begins With Vital Records

Whatever the depth of your genealogy research, your use of vital records will broaden and expand your information to make your family history fuller and more interesting. Taking a journey into family history begins with birth, death, and marriage certificates.