Locating Vital Records Needed
 

One of the first laws passed by the New Hampshire legislature in 1679 required that intentions of marriage be published openly at least three times or posted in a conspicuous spot in the community for fourteen days prior to the event. Many of these notices still survive and are housed  in the State Archives.

      Early vital records of many New Hampshire towns can be located either at the State's Vital Records Department or on microfilm available through the LDS Family History Centers. . Some however have been lost for various reasons.

     Annual Town Reports of many of the New Hampshire towns have been collected at the New Hampshire State Library in Concord. The amount of information that is published in these Annual Town Reports vary. Early records seem more detailed, whereas later one often lack information of genealogical value.

While the information provided in these reports is often very helpful, one must remember that it is not fool-proof or always completely accurate.  The fact that the data is self-reported suggests that it is reliable. However, errors in transcriptions, spelling, and printing can and often do occur.

     Despite these problems the information can be a valuable tool for the genealogist. Marriage and death records often identify parents who were married maybe a century before.

     As this section of the website develops more vital records will be transcribed and put online. If you have any personal family information that you would be willing to share I would be more than happy to start a section for Contributing Vitals. Presently we do already a have some information that has been submitted and is already on the website.

Please check out the drop down menu, on the left side of this page,  for the Vital section.