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

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

Other Databases
''Currently, there are no additional databases for births in Alberta. See, Substitute records below to help locate birth information in other records.''

Online Images (Browsable Only)
The following images collections are only available to browse.
 * 1870-1898: Birth Indexes  at Provincial Archives of Alberta
 * The birth indexes are organized by the first letter of the last name and then year range. After locating the entry in the index, find the registration number (on the same line). The registration number is needed to request a copy of the birth registration.

Additional Records with Birth Information
Substitute records may contain information about more than one event and are used when records for an event are not available. Records that are used to substitute for birth events may not have been created at the time of the birth. The accuracy of the record is contingent upon when the information was recorded. Search for information in multiple substitute records to confirm the accuracy of these records.

Tips for finding births
Successfully finding birth 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 parents. Search for the parents, if known, as the child's first name may not be on the birth record.
 * Search given name. Search by given name (leave out the last name) with the approximate date of birth.
 * 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 state. Search using the state name only instead of by county.

Known Record Gaps
Records Start