Delaware State Birth Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

This wiki article describes a collection that is available for free online at FamilySearch Record Search - Pilot Site. To access the collection, see Delaware State Birth Records, 1861-1908



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

Collection 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 Collection Was Created
Birth and deaths were recorded to better serve public health needs.

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

Collection 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.

Collection 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 Collection 
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.

Bibliographic Information
Delaware. Birth Records, 1861-1923. Delaware Bureau of Vital Statistics, Dover, Delaware.

Related Articles
Delaware Vital Records