USA Births, Marriages and Deaths

[jeremyf]

Noting an earlier posting, is there such a think as an equivalent to the British BMD in the USA? Most of the information I can find seems fragmented and unofficial.

Thanks

[DebbieAnn]

In the US, each state makes its own policy for the most part. There is no central registration authority. The closest thing is the Social Security death index, which will sometimes give a date of birth, but not a location, and at least a year of death and last known residence. Sometimes there is more detail, including other states lived in, but sometimes not. And it only started in the early-1960's (online), although some previous deaths are registered. Census records help narrow down locations, too, but are not publically available after 1930. Before 1850, census records only gave the name of the head of household, and age spreads for others living there. Then you have to go to that state's archives (unless they've been put online) and dig through the indexes before you can find the record on reels of microfilm or in books. The 1890 census was pretty much destroyed in a fire, leaving a 20-year gap. A real pain, sometimes!

Debbie

[jeremyf]

Thanks for that Debbie. Hard work for Americans! I had better make contact with my relatives in America and see if they can help.