Death certificates have been available to the public for years. This is because most states begin to release these to the public anywhere from 25-50 years after the death {depending on the state}. However, birth certificates have not been available … Continued
With Ancestry.com, Fold 3, FindAGrave, Newspapers.com and FamilySearch.org there are numerous genealogy records now available online. These are wonderful, saves time and has increased an interest in family history. However, there are numerous records that are still not available online. … Continued
Vital records were not standardized until the early 20th century. For most states this occurred from 1910-1920, but some states may be earlier or later. What are vital records? Birth certificates, marriage records and death certificates So how … Continued
I’ve been sharing tips on vital records. Here is a case study on how I used vital records to unlock a genealogical mystery in our family: My great-grandfather had a sister that no one knew what happened to her. She … Continued
Divorce records are very common today, but as little as fifty years ago they were not as accessible. Fifty years ago, marriage was considered a life time commitment. If a couple divorced, they were often looked down on and shunned. … Continued
Marriage bonds are different than marriage licenses. Marriage bonds were used by the states before marriage licenses were issued. A bond was often {especially in the late 18th and early 19th centuries} an agreement between the bride’s father {or … Continued
Marriage license are another great resource, along with death certificates. Marriage license are available to the general public at the probate court in the county of the marriage. Marriage license began to be issued in the early 20th Century. To … Continued
Some death certificates are easier to obtain than birth certificates. Like birth certificates, the death certificate was not a legal document until the early 20th Century. This has also proven to be a frustration in many of the earlier records … Continued
Last week, we discussed vital records and their importance. Now let’s dig a little deeper. When a person is born a birth certificate is filled out and filed with the state. The birth certificate list the date of birth and … Continued
When researching genealogy, one of the best places to start with vital records. So what are vital records? According the Wikipedia, “Vital records are records of life events kept under governmental authority, including birth certificates, marriage licenses, and death certificates.” Why are vital records … Continued