Denmark Birth Record Search Strategy 1892 - Present

1. Parish Register, Christening, 1875-Present: Church records Although the earliest church record in Denmark dates back to 1572, most churches began keeping records of christenings in the late 1600s. The chirstening record will be the most important source of birth information in Denmark. After 1814 this information was recorded on standard forms, and duplicate books were made of all church records.

What you are looking for Church christening records are the best source for determining when a person was born.

Why go to the next record You may need additional information to be sure that the person in the birth record is actually the ancestor you're looking for.

2. Parish Register, Marriage: Church records Civil registration was kept in the duchy of Schleswig during and after German occupation. Civil registration records are available on microfilm for this area from about 1874 to 1950. This would include the counties of Åbenrå, Sønderborg, Haderslev, and Tønder. These include chronological records of birth, marriage, and death for a particular town.

What you are looking for Couples were generally married when in their twenties and thirties. Marriage records may give a birth or christening date and the age of the bride and groom, or they may help to approximate birth years.

Why go to the next record Go to the next record for additional information to help identify your ancestor.

3. Parish Register, Death: Church records The earliest church records in Denmark come from the area of Schleswig-Holstein from 1572. However most church records do not begin until much later. Church records in the cities of Denmark generally begin in the early 1600s and in the rural areas in the late 1600s or 1700s. These include records of birth or christening, marriage, and death or burial. After 1814 this information was recorded on standard forms, and duplicate books were made of all church records. Birth information can be calculated from the age a person was listed at the time of death.

What you are looking for Parish burial records can help determine when a person was born. Burial records may not give a birth or christening date, but they give a person's age, making it possible to determine his or her approximate birth year.

Why go to the next record With the information from the death record, you may be ready to look again for a birth record. Otherwise, you may want to obtain more information from another source.

4. Register of Births: Civil registration Civil registration was kept in the duchy of Schleswig during and after German occupation. Civil registration records are available on microfilm for this area from about 1874 5o 1950. This would include the counties of Åbenrå, Sønderborg, Haderslev, and Tøndern. These include chronological records of birth, marriage and death for a particular town.

What you are looking for For the area of Schleswig which is now part of Denmark, you may also be able to find a civil birth record.

Why go to the next record Your ancestor may not be from the part of Denmark that had civil registration.

5. Marriage Register: Civil registration Civil registration was kept in the duchy of Schleswig during and after German occupation. Civil registration records are available on microfilm for this area from about 1874 to 1950. This would include the counties of Åbenrå, Sønderborg, Haderslev, and Tønder. These include chronological records of birth, marriage, and death for a particular town.

What you are looking for For the area of Schleswig which is now part of Denmark, you may also be able to find a civil record of marriage. This may give you additional information not listed in the church record.

Why go to the next record Your ancestor may not be from the part of Denmark that had civil registration.

6. Death Record: Civil registration Civil registration was kept in the duchy of Schleswig during and after German occupation. Civil registration records are available on microfilm for this area from about 1874 to 1950. This would include the counties of Åbenrå, Sønderborg, Haderslev, and Tønder. These include chronological records of birth, marriage, and death for a particular town. You can calculate a person's year of birth from the age given at the time of death.

What you are looking for For the area of Schleswig which is now part of Denmark, you may also be able to find a civil death record. This may give you additional information not listed in the church record.

Why go to the next record Your ancestor may not be from the part of Denmark that had civil registration.

7. Census: Census Census records list the names of all persons living in Denmark by household, their relationships to others in the household, and their ages. From a person's age in a specific census year, you can determine an approximate year of birth. Census records from 1845 and on (except 1906) include place of birth information as well. A partial census of part of Denmark was made in 1771, and census records of all of Denmark were made and are available for 1787, 1801, 1834, 1840, 1845, 1855, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890, 1901, 1906, and 1911.

What you are looking for When you need to know a date or place of birth, census records are the best source. Census records may not give a birth or christening date, but they give a person's age, making it possible to determine his or her approximate birth year.

Why go to the next record It may be hard to find your family in a census.

8. Passenger List: Emigration and immigration Emigration lists usually tell the age of the person emigrating and the last place of residence. You can estimate a year of birth from the age in the year of emigration. Often the person's last place of residence was the same as the birth place, or you can use the residence to help find the person in a census record, which will list the birth place.

What you are looking for Passenger lists also give a person's age and last place of residence. This information can be very valuable in estimating a birth date and birthplace.

Why go to the next record There might not be passenger lists or indexes available for the period when your ancestor emigrated, or perhaps your ancestor never left Denmark.

9. Probate Records: Probate records Probate records often list ages for minor (under 25 years old) children, which can be used to calculate an approximate year of birth. From the age of children mentioned in a probate, you can also calculate an approximate birth date for the parents.

What you are looking for Probate records may not give a birth or christening date, but they may give a person's age, making it possible to determine his or her approximate birth year.

Why go to the next record

Probate records may not give a birth or christening date, but they may give a person's age, making it possible to determine his or her approximate birth year.