Records from the Bureau of Vital Statistics

Genealogical Resources in the Maine State Archives Search Room

I N T R O D U C T I O N The registration of vital records in the State of Maine dates back, in some towns, to the Seventeenth Century. When seeking records for family research in Maine, the important date to remember is 1892. This was the year in which a comprehensive state-wide system of vital records registration was incorporated. Not only were more records kept from that time on, but records began to bear more information, such as parent's names, occupation, and places of birth.

Before 1892, with a few exceptions, vital records registration occurred and remained on the town level, and the information on the records was generally sparser. Marriages and death records, for example, rarely listed parent's names or the party's place of birth. Some towns kept good records, some kept no records, and some kept adequate records only to have them lost to fire, flood, or storage in private homes.

The following is a survey of some of the types of records available for genealogical research in the Maine State Archives Search Room

Records from the Bureau of Vital Statistics (1892-1936) These are state-wide microfilm copies of birth, marriage, and death records. They are one of the first places to start due to ease of access (they are alphabetical by surname and then by year for that surname), and the amount of information the records generally contain, such as parent's names and places of birth. They are in four microfilm series by date: 1892-1907, 1908-1922, 1923-1936.

Town and City Vital Records (Pre-1892) During the 1950's, representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints microfilmed town records in Maine, although not all towns were covered. Copies of these films and other town records subsequently filmed by the Maine State Archives, are available for use in our Search Room. The earliest records date back to the 1600's. The films generally stop at 1891. Approximately half of the 700 microfilm reels of town meetings, birth, marriage, marriage intentions, and death records have some form of index.

For those unable to visit the State Archives, these town microfilm can be obtained through FamilySearch.org by searching the town name in the catalog here: https://www.familysearch.org/catalog/search.

Delayed Returns of Vital Statistics from Cities and Towns (Pre-1892) A 1927 Maine law required municipal clerks to transcribe and forward to the State Registrar copies of all records of birth, marriage, and death prior to 1892. Each record was copied onto an individual card which has been filed alphabetically by surname, and then by year for that surname. Only about 20% of the municipalities responded and a list of these towns is available in the Search Room. For the genealogist seeking records from one of these towns, the Delayed Return Card File can be of immense benefit.

Vital Statistics Secretary of State’s Office (1864-65, beyond) In 1864, legislation required town clerks to record annually births, deaths, and marriages to be filed with the Maine Secretary of State. This statute was in effect for only one year, although some clerks continued to comply with the original law into the 1880's. These records encompass about 260 Maine communities. In many of these records, parent's names and birthplaces are given.

Federal Census Schedules (1790-1910) The microfilm copies of the Federal Population Census, taken every ten years, are extremely helpful in supplementing the town vital records for Maine. The census schedules for 1790-1840 indicate heads of households; other members of the household are listed only as numbers in categories of age, sex, and race. The censuses taken from 1850-1910 list all persons living in the household.

The 1890 Federal Population Census for Maine was completely destroyed by fire.

Many of the censuses have state-wide or at least partial indexes.

Researchers may wish to consult the decennial U.S. Agricultural, Industrial, and Social Censuses for the years 1850- 1880. The Archives also has partial returns of the special revenue-sharing census of 1837. Military Records The family researcher may find information in various military grave registrations for the Revolutionary, Mexican, Civil, and Spanish-American Wars, the War of 1812, and World War I. The Archives also has some muster roll returns for the War of 1812; although for records of this conflict as well as the American Revolution, the researcher should contact the Massachusetts Archives, since Maine was a part of Massachusetts until 1820. For the Civil War, Soldiers' and Sailors' card files exist for the volunteers who served from Maine, as well as correspondence from regimental personnel to the Governor and the Adjutant General. Partial collections of enlistment papers and "carte- de-visite" photographs of officers are available.

The Maine State Archives has draft registration cards and soldier enlistment cards for World War I, as well as enlistment cards for the Spanish-American War and a card index for officers who served in the militia from 1820 to 1850.

18th and 19th Century military records do not list a soldier's next of kin, but may indicate his birthplace and residence at the time of enlistment

Records of the Maine Land Office These records include original conveyance deeds granted by both Maine and Massachusetts, records of settler's certificates, land grants to Swedish settlers (1870-1873), Aroostook War records, and land bounties granted to Revolutionary War veterans, some of which give detailed personal and military service information. The many Land Office maps have been listed by municipality in a comprehensive index.

Records of the Governor & Executive Council, Legislature These records, including petitions for town incorporation, divorce, name changes, pensions, pardons, support for or remonstrance against popular issues, and a multitude of other concerns can be of immense assistance to the genealogist. The earliest records of these two branches of government have been indexed.

Records of the Judiciary (1636-1929, beyond) The Archives holds the original records of all courts that have operated in Maine (except for Lincoln County, for which microfilm copies are available). This record group includes the earliest court proceedings up to 1929, with more contemporary material gradually being added. Lawsuits involving land disputes, debt, probate, divorce, etc., can provide primary material for the family researcher.

Visiting the Maine State Archives The Maine State Archives is open Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but visitors coming from a distance are advised to call ahead or check our website for any closure information: http://www.maine.gov/sos/arc/. Each visitor is issued a Researcher’s Identification Card after providing positive identification. Lockers are provided for handbags, briefcases and other valuables. Only pencils and one or two single sheets of paper for note taking purposes are permitted in the research area. Laptop computers are also allowed.