Vital records of vital events

When one hears of vital records in genealogy (V.R. for short), it means just that — vital records of the "vital" or major events in life.

In short, vital records consist of birth, marriage and death records. These records lay the groundwork for conducting genealogical research on your ancestors. But such records are not free of problems, inaccuracies and incomplete information. A record is only as good as the information reported and recorded. Who alive can say they have all their vital records?

Vital records are housed in the Bureau of Vital Statistics (B.V.S.) in every state. Normally, the state department of health handles, updates and secures these records. Most state vital records in the United States begin around the year 1900 (give or take a few years) for births and deaths.

Vital records are known as "civil registration" records in different countries. These are housed in various archives which are secured by the national governments in countries such as England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, etc.

Many churches also house vital records. Their archives can be contacted with questions regarding how to obtain documents. Naturally, to do so, you must first know the religion of the ancestor who you are seeking.

An abundance of information can be gleaned from these documents. They identify parents, children and spouses, places ancestors lived, and where they are buried.

While gathering documents, try to find any vital records and examine them carefully. It will fill in some of the missing pieces of information on your family tree. It is the value of the information which makes them so intriguing and helpful.

Many vital and civil registration records and indexes are on microfilm and in books at the LDS Family History Library. Many church records are also found there. The cost of paper copies of these records is minimal. The Family History Library and its centers also have the resources to help in your search, as they are staffed with very qualified people.

Search engines on the Internet can also be consulted by inputting the name of the state Bureau of Vital Statistics or the country of civil registration records you want. Often, special papers need to be signed when requesting records of the individual whom you are seeking. All documents require a payment. Price lists showing the vital record costs are posted on the respective Web sites.

Birth records show name of child, parents, birth date, time and birth place. They sometimes show the parents' place of birth and occupation. The attending physician or nurse should also be listed.

Usually, both birth and death records are housed at the same Bureau of Vital Statistics. Death records show name of the deceased, spouse's name, parents, informant, place of death, day and time of death, and sometimes birth date or age and birth place. The occupation of parents may be shown. If the deceased was a war veteran, this may be listed. Sometimes religion may appear on the records, though not in all cases. Attending physician and cause of death will appear, along with cemetery or place of burial, funeral director, registrar and date of registration.

Marriage records show names and places of residences of groom and bride, ages of both, and officer of the wedding such as judge or minister. Place and date of the wedding also are listed. Sometimes they show names of the groom and bride's parents and witnesses. Most marriage records are kept in the county records where the marriage took place. A few Bureau of Vital Statistics archives have indexes to the marriages and some recently have been adding actual marriage documents to their collections.

Today's vital records of births, marriages and death certificates reveal names of parents, spouses and other relatives. Occupations, religion, physicians, funeral directors, cemeteries, hospitals, event dates and places, and sometimes judges are shown. People are filling in the gaps with information from vital records which lead to other secondary records such as funeral home documents, baptismal records, cemetery plot records, etc.

While gathering vital records, remember to begin with yourself and siblings, working backwards to parents and grandparents. This can be a very rewarding venture to help you get to know your ancestors and yourself better. It will help lay the foundation to search for earlier ancestors in your family tree.

Russell Bangerter, president of Ancestral Connections Inc., graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in family history/genealogy. After an LDS mission to Scotland, he served 10 years in the U.S. Army Reserve and Idaho National Guard as chaplain's assistant, where he worked with records.

Bangerter researches professionally, writes and compiles family history books, and enjoys lecturing on the subject. He can be contacted at www.ancestralconnect.com or 801-254-9023. He and his wife reside in South Jordan, Utah.