Birth record substitutes |  Death record substitutes | Marriage record subsitutes

When vital records cannot be found for an individual researchers must find alternative sources for birth, marriage, and death dates. Often an ancestor's sibling's records will provide the information researchers are seeking. It is important to note that sometimes the sources listed below only provide an estimated date.

Check the North Carolina State Archives' MARS catalog for information about their holidngs of Bible records, County records and more.

Birth

Baptismal record
Bible record
Census records
County records - wills, guardian, apprentice, tax, militia service, deeds
Death certificate
Delayed birth certificate
Individual's child's birth certificate
Marriage license
Military record/pension application
Obituary
Private papers - letters, journals, diaries*
Social Security Death Index
Tombstone

Death

Bible record
Cemetery records
Church record
County records - wills, estates records, deeds, tax, court minutes
Funeral home record
Military record/pension application
Mortality Census (1850 - 1880)
Municipal records - Death registries: Wilmington (1903-07), Raleigh (1887-1937)
Obituary
Private papers - letters, journals, diaries*
Social Security Death Index
Tombstone

Marriage

Bible record
Census records
County records – wills, estates records, deeds, court minutes
Newspaper notice
Pension application
Private papers – letters, journals, diaries*

*Search for private records not only created within your family but also kept by others in the area.

Where to find additional tips

Useful techniques for problems encountered in working with births, deaths, and marriages are addressed in Helen Leary's North Carolina Research: Genealogy and Local History. 2nd ed. (Raleigh: North Carolina Genealogical Society, 1996).
• “Strategy for Vital Records” p. 24
• “Strategy for Marriage Records” p. 39-42
• “Strategy for Estimating Birth Date” p. 61-62
• “Appendix A: Selected Terms and Abbreviations” under “Age of” p. 569 • “Strategy for the Census” p. 24-27