GuidedResearch:Why Can't I Find the Record - Alberta Deaths

This page will give you additional guidance and resources to find death information for your ancestor. Use this page after first completing the death section of the Alberta Guided Research page.

Additional Databases and Online Resources

 * 1800-2019: Canada, Burials, 1800-2019 at MyHeritage ($)
 * 1823-2013: Alberta, Index to Cemeteries  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1828-1910: Canada, Wesleyan Methodist Baptismal Register  at Ancestry ($)
 * 1890-1987: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Index to Cemeteries  at Ancestry ($)
 * Cemetery Search at Alberta Family Histories Society
 * Cemeteries Search at City of Edmonton

Images Only (Browsable Images)
Currently, there are no image only collections.

How to Request the Record When It's Not Online
Province-wide registration for deaths started in 1898. General compliance occurred by 1930. A few death records also exist from 1870-1898. To learn more about record limitations and restrictions, see the article Alberta Vital Records.

To order death records from 1870-1968, contact:


 * Provincial Archives of Alberta 8555 Roper Road Edmonton, Alberta T6E 5W1 Phone: (780) 427-1750 Website

To order death records after 1968, contact:


 * Registry Agents Services Phone: 780-427-7013 Website

NOTE: Death records are confidential for 50 years from the date of death. Only a close relative may order the death registration during this restricted period (see Restrictions for more details).

Additional Records with Death Information
Substitute records can contain information about more than one event, and are used when records for an event are not available. Because the substitute records may not be created at the time of the event, it may contain incorrect information. Search for as many substitute records as possible to corroborate information found in substitute records to help improve accuracy.

Virtual Genealogy Consultations
Schedule a free online consultation with a research specialist:

Ask the Community
Select a community research group where you can ask questions and receive free genealogy help.

Tips for finding deaths
Successfully finding death records in online databases depends on a few key points. Try the following search suggestions:
 * Spelling variations. Your ancestor's name may be misspelled. Search with spelling variations for the first and last name of your ancestor.
 * Search given name. Search by given name (leave out the last name) with the approximate date of birth or death.
 * Add information. For common names, add more information to narrow the search such as approximate birth date or parent's names if known.
 * Date range. Expand the date range of the search by 5 years.
 * Search province. Search using the province name only instead of by smaller locality.

Known Record Gaps
Records Start
 * 1870-1898 Few death records exist.
 * 1898 Civil registration began.
 * 1930 General compliance occurred.