Sierra Leone, Civil Births and Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This is an index of civil birth registration in Sierra Leone from 1802 to 2016. The records are organized chronologically, then by place.

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


 * Name of child
 * Sex of child
 * Names of parents
 * Residence


 * Date of birth
 * Date of Registration
 * Occupation of parents

Sample Images
Birth registration 1990

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of child
 * Estimated birth date of child
 * Name of child's parent(s)

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
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have moved or lived nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify
 * Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual. This compiled list can help you identify possible relations that can be further verified by researching vital records indexes in the country

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

 * Try viewing any original indexes to see if there were errors in the transcription of the name, age, residence, etc.
 * While searching, it is helpful to know such information as the ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames, middles name, or an abbreviation of their given name
 * Switch to a different record collection
 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name as an ancestor and that the ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images. Pay special attention to how the name should have been pronounced and try variations on the pronunciation
 * Earlier records may not contain as much information as the records created after the late 1800s
 * There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another
 * Be aware that there may have been some transcription errors

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family:
 * Sierra Leone Guided Research
 * Sierra Leone Record Finder

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog
Sierra Leone, Freetown Eastern Area births, 1987-1998 Sierra Leone, Freetown Western Area, births, 1890-2016

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