District of Columbia Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection is an index of deaths and burials for the years 1840 to 1964 from church records and civil registration. This index is not complete for any particular place, region or time period. This collection may include information previously published in the International Genealogical Index.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Deaths / Burials
 * Name
 * Gender
 * Death date and place
 * Age
 * Date of birth
 * Family History Library Microfilm and item numbers for the source materials
 * Burial date and place
 * Names of parents

Coverage Table
The coverage table shows the places and time periods of the original records in this collection. The table indicates how many records the collection has from each place. Most of the records in the collection are from the time periods listed in the table; however, the collection may have a few records from before or after the time period.

How do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the individual
 * The approximate date and or location of the event

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the information to search for other vital records such as birth, baptism, and marriage
 * Use the information found in the record to find additional family members in censuses
 * Search for an obituary in newspapers
 * Search for cemetery records

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby town or county
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s names
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of District of Columbia.
 * District of Columbia Guided Research
 * District of Columbia Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Related Family History Library Holdings

 * D.C. Department of Health. Foreign death certificates, 1888-1965
 * Interments, 1855-1874; death certificates, 1874-1931; index to (1) interments, (2) death certificates, (3) "foreign" death certificates, 1855-1949; stillbirth certificates, 1874-1964 (District of Columbia)

Related FamilySearch Historical Record Collections

 * District of Columbia Deaths, 1874-1961

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying you sources helps others find the records you used.