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Earliest Utah Birth Certificates Free Online

Gina Strack
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December 14, 2010
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Birth certificates issued by the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics beginning in 1905 are now online and freely available to the public. The searchable index and digital images created in partnership with FamilySearch may be accessed from archives.utah.gov/research/indexes/81443.htm.

In addition to identity and proof of citizenship, the registration of births assists with monitoring public health issues and the programs created to alleviate them. The original permanent records were transferred from Vital Records to the Utah State Archives and Records Service in 2006, prompted by the Inspection of Vital Records Act passed in 1998 making historical records public. The name index is a collaborative effort of the staff of Vital Records and volunteers and staff of the State Archives, and includes the child’s full name, parents’ full names, and date of birth, sex and county. FamilySearch captured digital images of the original paper records and plans to publish both the images and index at FamilySearch.org. Subsequent years of historical certificates are currently being indexed, and in the meantime may be accessed in the Research Center of the Utah State Archives and Utah State History.

“Many stories emerge from these births registered over a century ago,” says Gina Strack, an archivist with the Utah State Archives. “A couple originally from Japan, for example, registered the birth of not only their son in 1905 (though born in early 1904), but also a set of twins just born. According to death certificates also online however, the twins would both die within the year.” (More about this story)

The Utah State Digital Archives provides over half a million images of historical records online and free to the public, including death certificates from 1904-1959. With worldwide online access, patrons have the ability to do research from anywhere while the State Archives efficiently fulfills its mission “to provide quality access to public information.”

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the renowned Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.