Maine Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection is an index of deaths and burials for the years 1841 to 1910 taken from the following sources. The year range represents most of the records. A few records may be earlier or later.: Church records and civil registration were official sources and are some of the most reliable sources of family history information.
 * Indexed church records
 * Civil registrations

This index is not complete for any particular place, region or time period. This collection may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Deaths and Burials • 2

Coverage Table
The coverage table shows the places and time periods of the original records in this collection. The table indicates how many records the collection has from each place. Most of the records in the collection are from the time periods listed in the table; however, the collection may have a few records from before or after the time period.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the deceased
 * The approximate date of death or burial
 * The place where the death occurred

Search the Index
Finding the Original Source for an Entry in This Collection Each entry in this index has a source listed which includes a batch number. You will need to trace the batch number for the individual entry to learn its source. Please see the following wiki articles for more information on batch numbers: If an FHL film number is given in the entry for your ancestor, search for it in the FamilySearch Catalog.
 * IGI
 * IGI Batch Number Descriptions
 * IGI Batch Numbers for the British Isles and North America

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor’s death record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Print or download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the death date or age along with the place of death to find birth records
 * Use the death date or age along with the place of death to find the family in census records
 * Use the residence and names of the parents (if the deceased is a child) to locate church and land records
 * Occupations listed can lead you to other types of records such as employment records or military record
 * The name of the informant may be a relative. This can be helpful in identifying your ancestor
 * The name of the officiator is a clue to their religion
 * The name of the undertaker or mortuary could lead you to funeral and cemetery records which often include the names and residences of other family members
 * Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives of the deceased who may have died or been buried in the same county or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family or even the second marriage of a parent. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Look for another index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur
 * Search the FamilySearch Catalog to see if other records for this place are available

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Maine.
 * Maine Guided Research
 * Maine Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Vital records prior to 1892, 80 towns
 * Vital records, 1892-1907
 * Vital records, 1908-1922

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * Maine Death Index, 1960-1996
 * Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.