United States Vital Records Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
This index covers events from 1770 through 1961.

Collection Description
The index is an electronic database of information transcribed from original records.

Record Content
The key genealogical facts found in marriage index entries may include:


 * Name of the bride and groom
 * Names of the parents
 * Marriage date
 * Marriage place
 * Family History Library Microfilm and item numbers for the source materials

The key genealogical facts found in death or burial index entries may include:


 * Name of the deceased
 * Gender
 * Names of the parents
 * Name of the spouse (if married)
 * Death or burial date
 * Death or burial place
 * Family History Library Microfilm and item numbers for the source materials

How to Use the Collection
Use this index to help you learn more about your ancestors. The information could help you identify family relationships and lineages as well as direct you to original records of your ancestors, which may contain additional information.

Collection History
For over 30 years, volunteer indexers extracted this information from microfilm copies of the original records. In 1998, a few of the entries were published on 7 CDs by the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the "North America Vital Records Index." This index is an index of the marriages and deaths throughout the United States. The index is not necessarily complete for any particular place or region.

Why This Collection Was Created
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsored this index to help individuals find information about their ancestors.

Collection Reliability
Church records and civil registration were official records and are some of the most reliable sources of information available for those who were married or died in the United States.

Related Web Sites
This section of thearticle is incomplete. You can help FamilySearch Wiki by supplying links to related websites here.

Related Wiki Articles
United States Vital Records

Sources of Information for this Collection
"United States Births and Christenings, 1867-1931," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/). Index entries derived from digital copies of originals housed in various repositories throughout the United States.

"United States Marriages, 1733-1990," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/). Index entries derived from digital copies of originals housed in various repositories throughout the United States.

"United States Deaths and Burials, 1867-1961," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/). Index entries derived from digital copies of originals housed in various repositories throughout the United States.

Each record in this index will have its own bibliographic reference. These bibliographic references include a variety of sources such as:


 * Family Records
 * Church Records
 * Civil Registration

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from the record, you should also list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find th record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you do not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched in found in the Wiki Article: How to Create Source Citations for FamilySearch Historical Records Collections

Examples of Sourch Citations for a Record in This Collection
United States Births and Christenings, 1876-1931. digital images, From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org: January 27,2011). Baptism of Nellie Carolina Louise Anderson, 12 April 1900, Vikur Lutheran Church, Mountain, Pembina, North Dakota, film number 543546.

digital images, From FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org: