Saskatchewan Civil Registration

Introduction
Some births, marriages, and deaths were registered in Saskatchewan as early as 1878. Since 1920 there has been complete registration of births, marriages, deaths, and divorces. There is a complete index for these records. The government of Saskatchewan has a searchable vital statistics database for births and deaths at: Genealogy Index Searches or Genealogy.

Civil registration of marriages began in 1878 and registration of births and deaths in Saskatchewan began in 1888. The Saskatchewan Vital Statistics branch of Information Services Corporation of Saskatchewan is responsible for holding birth, marriage and death registrations.

However, due to the difficulties of bringing in a new system in the early years, many birth, marriage and death registrations were not recorded until approximately 1920. Due to privacy issues, birth and marriage certificates are not normally issued except to the individual themselves or to his/her agent or direct descendants.

The information you will find in birth, marriage and death certificates has changed over the years. The following is an example of some of the changes and additions that have evolved.

Birth Registrations
1889 Name, date, place, sex, name of father, maiden name of mother 1898 Birth place of parents 1916 Age of parents and number of children born to date to mother and number still living, date and place of parents’ marriage

Marriage Registrations
1899 Name, age, residence, religion, birthplace of bride and groom, place and date of event, names of witnesses, name of officiating clergyman, name of parents of bridge and groom. 1900 Religion of Clergyman 1916 Maiden name of mothers 1920 Birthplace of fathers 1947 Birthplace of mothers

Death Registrations
1889 Name, date, place, sex, birthplace, age, occupation 1898 Marital status 1916 Residence, name and birthplace of father, maiden name and birthplace of mother,place of burial 1920 Date of birth 1947 Name of husband or maiden name of wife

An online index of historic birth records of more than 100 years old and historic death records of more than 70 years old is available. This is a work in progress. As of January 2013 the deaths end at 1917. Marriages registered more than 75 years ago will eventually be added to the index once the death index is complete.

Genealogical applications for registrations more current than the above are restricted by legislation governing privacy. Speculative searches are not undertaken so complete identifying information must be provided. For more information regarding restrictions and fees, visit their website.

eHealth Saskatchewan Vital Statistics Registry 101 – 1445 Park Street Regina, SK S4N 4C5 (Mail orders can be paid by money order, cheque or credit card)

Please make money orders and cheques payable to eHealth Saskatchewan.

Phone: 1-855-eHS-LINK (347-5465) Email: [mailto:VitalStatistics@ehealthsask.ca VitalStatistics@ehealthsask.ca]

Division of Vital Statistics Department of Health T. C. Douglas Building 3475 Albert Street Regina, SK S4S 6X6 CANADA Telephone: 306-787-3168

Vital Statistics Unit Department of Health 1919 Rose Street Regina, SK S4P 3V7 CANADA

There is a fee for obtaining vital records. The Division of Vital Statistics can give you the exact cost.