When conducting genealogical research, it is important to remember that some documents are considered a primary source, and some are considered secondary. Our article, Evidence Analysis Explained: Digging Into Genealogical Sources discusses the nuances between the two, but suffice it to say that a primary source is one created as close to the actual event as possible with participants in that event providing the information. A secondary source was created after the event took place and by individuals who likely were not direct participants.
Some records are considered both a primary and a secondary source. An example of such a document is a death certificate. On a death certificate, primary source information would include the date and place of the death, the cause of death, and the location of the cemetery and the funeral home. This is because the death is the main subject of the document, and information regarding the deceased’s passing is testified to by a doctor or other individual who was there, and who can make an accurate, eyewitness statement.
Secondary information would include the deceased’s birth date, birth location, and the names and birth places of the parents. This information is the responsibility of the informant, who, despite often being a family member or friend, was not typically present at the actual birth of the individual, and is often providing this information second- or even third-hand.
As a result, it is extremely important to consider who provided both the primary and the secondary information. Keep in mind, too, that if the informant was a close family member, the individual may have recalled the facts from memory at a time of stress and grieving. Determining the identity of the informant will help you understand their state of mind when providing the names and dates to the registrar, and help evaluate the accuracy of the information.
In most American states, death certificates were not mandated by the civil authorities until the 20th century, though occasionally certain larger cities began doing so earlier. Additionally, many jurisdictions have privacy laws restricting access to all but immediate family members if the ancestor died within the past 20-25 years. If you’re able to find one, however, they can be invaluable resources.
Four methods for locating death certificates:
- Consult the large databases, such as FindaGrave.com, FamilySearch.org, MyHeritage.com, and Ancestry.com. Even if you’re unable to obtain the actual death record, check this link at FamilySearch.org for their newest obituary collection.
- Research the county where the death took place, using a search engine (like Google, for example). Knox County, Indiana is an example of a county that has an index of their death records online provided by the Knox County library: “Knox County Death Indexes 1921-2002.” The states of Missouri and Utah also have free access to their death certificates on their own state government websites. California allows anyone, even a non-relative, to order an informational copy of any death record.
- Where possible, always obtain the original death certificate rather than relying on the indexed information. If the certificate is not available online, order the document from the county or state where the death took place. Though not free, the fee is usually only about $20 or less, and the information found on the death certificate is often worth the $$ you’ll spend. An example of an outstanding state archive is the one run by the State of Wyoming. They provide a user-friendly website and are efficient in sending death certificates issued after 1909 in a timely manner. Cook County, Illinois (Chicago and its environs) has its death and other historic vital records digitized. While they’re behind a pay-wall, once you place your order you’re able to download the document immediately, rather than waiting several weeks for the mail.
- If you’re in the Salt Lake City area, stop by the Family History Library. It has vast collections of death records on microfilm – many of which are not yet available in image-form online. A prime example is New York City – if you have ancestors who died in this massive metropolis up through the 1940s, the FHL has multiple reels of film containing just these millions of death documents. A visit is absolutely worth it! (Remember, too, that if you’re not in the Utah area, Legacy Tree Genealogists can obtain these records for you! Contact us and let us know how we may be of service.)
As always, don’t forget to be creative and patient! New collections are becoming available all the time, and it’s an exciting time to be a genealogist!
While you document, preserve, and share your story, Legacy Tree Genealogists can help you uncover the stories of your ancestors and ensure they are not forgotten. We are happy to help you compile family stories for yourself or your family members. Whether it’s writing a biography based on your information or conducting new research, our experts are ready and waiting to assist. Contact us today to request a free quote.
Latest posts by Legacy Tree Genealogists (see all)
- Using AI Effectively for Genealogy Research - April 27, 2023
- RootsTech 2023 Recap: Uniting and Learning In Genealogy Family Research - March 10, 2023
- Legacy Tree Genealogists RootsTech 2023 Schedule - February 9, 2023
When will Puerto Rico birth records after 1931 be available?
Hi – this link should be helpful as far as who to contact for Puerto Rico vital records: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/puerto_rico.htm. To learn about ordering online, visit https://www.vitalchek.com/birth-certificates/puerto-rico/puerto-rico-department-of-health.
I have noticed that Kentucky does not have many records of marriages or divorces between certain years. Cannot find any after 1999. Is there a reason for this and will it ever update?
Hi Wanda – it looks like Ancestry.com’s Kentucky marriage index stops at 1999, but that’s likely just due to the group of records they were able to work with at the time they did the indexing. You should be able to obtain a Kentucky marriage certificate after 1999 through https://usvitalrecords.org/kentucky/ordermarriagecertificate.html.
I really need some help, I have been at this for a year or so and I’m no closer to understanding anything , than the first time I started.
I don’t even know what a url is
Hi Donna! A URL is a just a web address on the Internet.
I’m glad to see you point out that grieving relatives can supply faulty information. My grandfather’s attending physician was a cousin who misremembered grandpa’s birth date. The death cert has it off by one day. Apparently and unfortunately the death cert info was used to create his World War One memorial plaque at his gravesite. Now anyone that uses the death cert or cemetery information as their only source has incorrect information.
To be sure, always use more than one source. All of my grandfather’s other records, birth, army, etc show the correct date including, of course, the ones that he filled out himself.
Next we face the problem of researchers who don’t take their time and misread handwriting. My family’s name “Hurm” has been turned into “Hurin” recently by someone who can’t read script. Very unfortunately, this misinformation has now replaced information on some sites that was correct previously and has been recently changed to the incorrect spelling.
Take your time reading records and search more than one if you can get them!
I will recommend it to my friend who is looking for the death records of his grandmother. I think that this post might be helpful to him.
Thank you for the recommendation, Lily. We hope your friend finds the information useful!
My friend’s mother died three months ago in Texas. They received her death certificate after 3 weeks but it had a mistake in her name so it was returned to them and they said the correction will take up to 3 months but there are many companies that require proof of her death. Does he have any other option?