|
Maine Counties
|
|
In the early 1600's the Algonquin
Indians who inhabited the region offered little resistance to the
establishment of the first white settlements on the coast and along the
navigable rivers. But Main was the scene of many conflicts during
the French and Indian Wars and came under English control after
the Treaty of Paris in 1763. Settlement began to increase, but
remained low in comparison with other states until the 19th century.
Maine's soldiers played an active part in the
Revolutionary War and the first naval engagement of the war took place
off the state's coast, near Machias. In 1775 the British burned
the town of Falmouth (now Portland). During the War of 1812 the
British easily captured and held the eastern portion of the state.
In 1820, Maine, which had been part of Massachusetts since 1691, became
a separate state. The 12th largest state 1820, by 1986 it ranked
38th.
Vital Records
Before 1892, records of births,
marriages, and deaths were kept by the towns and cities of Maine. When, in
the 1920's, the State requested copies of pre-1892 vital records from the
towns, only about 20 percent responded. Those for which the Archives has
are on the
Delayed Vital Records
microfilms. During the 1950's, representatives of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints microfilmed some of the town
vital records in Maine. The information on these microfilms generally stops
about 1891. Approximately half of the 700 reels of town meetings, births,
deaths, marriages, and marriage intentions have some form of index. It must
be stressed, however, that many vital records do not exist.
1892-1922: Systematic registration of births,
deaths, and marriages on a state-wide level began in Maine in the year 1892.
They are arranged by last name alphabetically, then year-by-year by that
surname. The Archives has both microfilm and the originals of these records
for those who need certified copies. The cost is $15.00 per certified copy
or $7.00 for an uncertified copy. When requesting a record from this period,
please include as much information as possible, such as parents' names if
you have them. The fee assessed includes searching a five-year period for
the requested record. The fee is non-refundable whether the record is found
or not.
1923-Present:
Copies of records of birth, marriage,
and death from the year 1923 to the present can be obtained from
Maine Vital Records, State House Station #11, Augusta, ME 04333-0011.
Birth, Death, Marriage
Certificates from the Archives
- 1892-1922
- Non-Certified $7.00
- Certified $15.00
- Make checks payable to:
- Treasurer, State of Maine
- Send to:
- Maine State Archives
- State House Station 84
- Augusta, ME 04333
Please check the Maine Vital Records web page for fee schedule which is
subject to change.
|
|
updated 09 Aug 2011 |
