Birth, Marriage & Death
Vital records (births, deaths, marriages, and divorces) mark the milestones of our lives and are the foundation of family history research. Vital records, usually kept by a civic authority, can give you a more complete picture of your ancestor, help you distinguish between two people with the same name, and help you find links to a new generation.
Learning Resources
Use these helpful tips to quickly understand Birth, Marriage & Death records
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What are Birth, Marriage & Death records?
Vital records capture the vital statistics of residents in a particular area. They were created to record the births, marriages, divorces and deaths in the community.
What things can I learn from a Birth, Marriage & Death record?
Vital records provide a record of some of the most important events in our lives and were written by someone who witnessed the event. From them, you can find names, dates, places, relationships and sometimes occupations.
What is the best way to find a Birth, Marriage & Death record?
The best way to find a Birth, Marriage & Death record is to enter as much information as you can into your search. The more you tell us about your ancestor, the easier it will be to find good matches about him or her.
What do I do after I find a Birth, Marriage & Death record?
Once you find a matching Birth, Marriage & Death record, save it to your family tree—that way you can provide evidence to back up the info in your family tree, easily share your discovery with your family, and quickly find the historical record again later.
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