Delaware State Birth Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

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Collection Time Period
Statewide birth records were collected by the State sporadically from 1861, with the majority of the State collection beginning after 1920.

Record History
Statewide registration of births began in 1861, was discontinued in 1863 and was resumed in 1881 when physicians and midwives were required to register births with the county Recorder of Deeds. By 1901 returns and certificates began to be reported to the State Board of Health, but that process was not generally complied with until 1921. In 1913 the Bureau of Vital Statistics was created as an agency of the State Board of Health. It houses some birth records but others have been transferred to the State Archives. Records housed at the Delaware Bureau of Vital Statistics are restricted to those with an interest or a need to prove ownership rights. The city of Wilmington also has a register of vital statistics. By 1921, it is estimated that most births were reported.

Why This Record Was Created
Birth and deaths were recorded to better serve public health needs.

Record Reliability
Birth records are considered to be primary source records. Information in these records is usually reliable.

Record Description
Birth returns were turned into the State by county clerks from 1861 until statewide registration began to be enforced. Returns and birth certificates were recorded on pre-printed forms.

Record Content
Delaware birth records may include:


 * Child’s name
 * Child’s sex and race
 * Date of birth
 * Place of birth
 * Whether living or stillborn
 * Name of physician who attended the birth
 * Maiden name and occupation of mother
 * Age of mother
 * Name and occupation of father
 * Age of father
 * Birthplace of parents
 * Place of residence

How To Use The Record 
Birth records are the best source of birth information after 1921. Use birth, marriage, and death records as the basis for compiling a family group. Use the ages and birth place of each partner to find identities of parents and siblings. Use the place of residence to search for other records that may have information on parents and siblings.

Related Web Sites
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Related Wiki Articles
Delaware Vital Records

Sources of This Collection
"Delaware State Birth Records, 1861-1908," database, FamilySearch; from Delaware Bureau of Vital Statistics. "Delaware birth records, prior 1913 (1861-1912)-1923" and "Birth records (certificates and returns) 1861-1913." Delaware Hall of Records, Dover, Delaware. FHL microfilm, 39 and 37 reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

A full bibliographic record is available in the Family History Library Catalog.

How to Cite Your Sources
An example of citing these records is: Delware Bureau of Vital Statistics. Birth record. From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org), April 23, 2010. Florence Alexander, female, b. 18 Mar 1884, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware, image number 20.

Instructions for citing this source can be found at: How to Cite FamilySearch Collections