How to Find Connecticut Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths Connecticut Deaths

In 1863, West Virginia was created from the state of Virginia. Statewide registration of deaths began in 1917 in West Virginia and was generally complied with by 1925. The counties have copies of these records.

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Next Step: When did the death occur?

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 * Choose a time period to search for your ancestor's death record:


 * Deaths before 1897
 * Deaths from 1897 to the present
 * I don't know when the death is


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Deaths before 1897
The state of Connecticut started keeping death records in 1897. Before that time, town clerks kept death records. The clerks recorded the deaths in town records and/or in land records.

Most online resources for Connecticut Vital Records are indexes. After locating a person in an index always consult the original record to confirm the information in the index.  


 * Barbour Collection by Jane Devlin, hosted by Rootsweb - Free (see also the Wiki article Barbour Collection)
 * Connecticut Databases listed on Rootsweb.com- Free
 * Connecticut Collections on FamilySearch.org - Free. This is a growing database.
 * Online Connecticut Death Indexes and Records - Free

Two film indexes are:


 * Bowman Collection. This is a card index to Connecticut vital records in Massachusetts, 1800 to 1900..

Index to the Connecticut Historical Society Bulletin, Vols 1-8.This is an index at the Connecticut State Library and is on microfilm at the Family History Library. . It indexes the names found in the Connecticut Historical Society Bulletin. .

You can also search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1853 thru 1916
In 1863, West Virginia was created from the state of Virginia. In 1853, Virginia law required counties to record deaths, although records are incomplete.

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for death information in other records.

For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1917 thru 1970
The state of West Virginia began recording deaths in January 1917.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information
For deaths that exist during this time period, try the following databases. Try each link.

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
If the image was not included in the index entry above, you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:

If you do not know the exact date or place of death: For a fee, the West Virginia Department of Health office will do a 3 year search (click on the death certificates tab).

Restrictions for persons who died within the last 50 years: To obtain a copy of the death certificate for those who died within the last 50 years, you must be:


 * The parent or grandparent of the person on the certificate
 * The spouse of the person on the certificate
 * The child or grandchild of the person on the certificate
 * The sibling of the person on the certificate
 * Funeral director
 * Anyone who has legal interest in the certificate
 * NOTE: A copy of the death record cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above until 50 years have passed from the date of the death.

'''If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search. ''' Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths after 1897
State registration of vital statistics began in 1897 and was generally complied with by 1915. For copies of state records, you can contact:

Department of Public Health Vital Records Section 410 Capitol Avenue, 1st Floor Hartford, CT 06134

Telephone: 860-509-7700 Mailing Address: CT Department of Public Health State Office of Vital Records 410 Capitol Ave. MS#11VRS P.O. Box 340308 Hartford, CT 06134-0308

Their Web site gives complete information for ordering births, marriages, and deaths. There is also a link to the town Web sites for information in ordering town vital records.

To find current fees, any restrictions, and where to write:


 * CDC.gov, Where to Write for Vital Records, Connecticut has information for births, deaths, marriages, and adoptions.


 * VitalRec.com ($). Select a state to see the fees for birth, marriages, and deaths. There is also a link for divorces and adoptions.

Related Wiki Articles

 * How to Find United States Birth Records
 * Learn more about U.S. Death Records
 * United States Record Selection Table
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * United States Vital Records
 * Locating United States Vital Records
 * United States Birth Records
 * United States Marriage Records