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Public Records Search Engine & Online Genealogy Resources

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Vital Record Searches

Vital records, which include birth, death, and marriage records, are indeed vital for any genealogical research, as their name suggests. Each one of the records types in this myriad of forms represents a pivotal piece of the puzzle which you slowly piece together to form a larger picture. And as with puzzles, the entire picture isn’t complete until all pieces find their place. This is why it is important to exhaust all the available resources and check any and all relevant resources.

This section will help you do just that. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with as many record types as possible, reading relevant articles and understanding the part of each record type in your genealogical expedition. This will help you understand where to start your search and where to continue once you have exhausted a certain resource, and also to make the best of the currently available resources.

Keep in mind the retrieving and finding vital records isn’t always easy. Some records might prove “sneaky” and hard to come by. In this section, we will explore different methods of obtaining the different types of records.

The Process of Filing a Birth Record

Posted by Grace Mitchell on August 8th 2012 under Vital Record Searches
Laws involving the filing of birth records varies considerably from state to state. Dates when official records were kept may be different, and even the method of filing the document could involve many variations. To find birth records, it helps to know how documents were filed within that particular state. Read More...

Tips for Finding Divorce Records

Posted by Grace Mitchell on April 11th 2012 under Vital Record Searches
Do you know how to launch a search for divorce records on the Internet? Sometimes the process can be more complex than it seems on the surface. Divorce records are held through a variety of government offices, and you need to know where to look to get information. Check out these tips for finding divorce records. Read More...

How to Retrieve Marriage Records

Posted by Grace Mitchell on Febuary 17th 2012 under Vital Record Searches
Marriage records can be a key component in genealogy research, but finding those records can sometimes be easier said than done. To retrieve marriage records, you must first know which government office holds that records collection. Next, you need to find out what is required to obtain copies of the document. Read More...

5 Good Sources for Death Records

Posted by Grace Mitchell on January 23th 2012 under Vital Record Searches
Death records can be an effective piece of your genealogy puzzle, but finding these documents can sometimes be a complex process. It is important to learn all the various resources for this type of archived information, dating from more recent deaths all the way back centuries to family you never knew you had. Read More...

The National Movement for Tombstone Preservation

Posted by Grace Mitchell on May 1st 2011 under Vital Record Searches
Over periods of time gravestones will tend to accumulate a considerable amount of dirt, mold and water spots. The practice of tombstone preservation is a commitment to conserving the quality of aging gravestones in an effort to maintain a loved one's resting place intact. Read More...

Obtaining Marriage Records

Posted by Grace Mitchell on Febuary 15th 2011 under Vital Record Searches
Marriage records provide an essential piece in your family history, but gaining access to these documents can be easier said than done. Storage of marriage records varies from state to state, and it may also depend on the year the marriage took place. Finding public records may involve ample research on how marriages were done and recorded at the time. Read More...

History of Divorce

Posted by Grace Mitchell on January 31th 2011 under Vital Record Searches
Divorce is a difficult subject that actually boasts a long history in the U.S. and across the globe. Learn how the history of divorce can impact where public records documenting these events might be stored. Locations of divorce records vary from state to state and may also change depending upon the year in which the divorce was recorded. Read More...

Birth Records

Posted by Grace Mitchell on January 18th 2011 under Vital Record Searches
Did you know there is a difference between birth certificates and birth records? Learn all about the history of these public records, when they first began to be documented, and how states store the files today. This knowledge will help you locate the birth records you need for personal reasons or to complete your family history project. Read More...

Marriage Record Genealogy

Posted by Grace Mitchell on December 16th 2010 under Vital Record Searches
The history of marriage in your family is a key component to completing your family tree. Fortunately, most marriage records can be found online today, making it easy for you to trace your marriage record genealogy right from home. The key to finding marriage records is knowing where to look in the state where the marriage took place. Read More...

Finding death records

Posted by Grace Mitchell on December 9th 2010 under Vital Record Searches
Death records may prove useful for a number of reasons today, whether you need the records for legal reasons or are simply trying to complete your family tree. The location of death records may vary from state to state, so you need resources to assist you on your search for public records in the appropriate state archives. Read More...

Death Statistics and the CDC

Posted by Grace Mitchell on November 12th 2010 under Vital Record Searches
Every time someone passes away, their untimely demise is recorded. The CDC gathers and uses this information in order to uncover patterns in statistics. Mortality rates are kept on all deaths in the United States. Read More...

The NBER and Birth Records

Posted by Grace Mitchell on September 12th 2010 under Vital Record Searches
While you might think that your birth certificate and birth records are of no importance to anyone but yourself, they actual provide vital information about the health of the nation. The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) keeps track of this type of information. Read More...

The National Obituary Archive

Posted by Grace Mitchell on July 11th 2010 under Vital Record Searches
Back in the year 2000, the Continental Computer Corporation first opened the National Obituary Archive (NOA). Already the developer and manufacturer of the top selling software for funerals and funeral home management, this online tool was a natural next step in the evolution of the company's offerings. Read More...

The History of American Divorce Law

Posted by Grace Mitchell on Febuary 19th 2010 under Vital Record Searches
In the United States, federal legislation has been enacted to proetect the rights and responsibilities of the married couple. Read More...

Marriage Statistics Reports

Posted by Grace Mitchell on Febuary 10th 2010 under Vital Record Searches
In 1996, the CDC has ceased gathering marriage statistics as part of its vital statistics due to funding issues and limiations on the information by the government. Read More...