Finding Maine Vital Records on FamilySearch.org

Finding Maine Vital Records on FamilySearch.org

This guide will walk you through the process of locating Maine vital records collections and specific records on FamilySearch.org.

Step-by-Step Guide

• Step 1: Go to FamilySearch.org

  Open your web browser and navigate to the official FamilySearch website: FamilySearch.org. This is your starting point for all research on the platform.

• Step 2: Sign In or Create an Account

  If you already have an account, click on the "Sign In" button in the upper right corner of the page and enter your credentials. If you are new to FamilySearch, click "Free Account" to create one; it's required to access many records and features.

• Step 3: Navigate to the Search Menu

  Once signed in, hover your mouse over the "Search" option located in the main menu bar at the top of the FamilySearch homepage. A dropdown menu will appear with several search options.

• Step 4: Select "Records"

  From the "Search" dropdown menu, click on "Records". This will take you to the main search page where you can search for historical records by name, place, or browse record collections.

• Step 5: Find Maine Collections

  On the Records search page, locate the "Find a Collection" search bar on the right side of the page, or use the "Browse by Place" map. Type "Maine" into the "Find a Collection" search bar and press Enter, or click on the map for North America, then the United States, and finally Maine.

• Step 6: Identify Relevant Vital Record Collections

  A list of record collections pertaining to Maine will appear. Look for collections with titles such as "Maine, Vital Records, 1670-1921", "Maine, Marriage Index, 1670-1921", or "Maine, Death Index, 1960-1996". These are the primary sources for birth, marriage, and death records. Click on the collection title that best matches the vital record you are seeking.

• Step 7: Search Within the Collection

  Once you've selected a collection, you will be on its specific search page. Enter the name of the individual you are researching, along with any known dates (birth, marriage, death) or places. The more information you provide, the more focused your search will be. Click the "Search" button to view potential matches.

• Step 8: Browse Images (If Direct Search Fails)

  If your direct search doesn't yield results, or if the collection is unindexed, you may need to browse the images directly. On the collection page, look for a section that says "Browse through [number] images" or similar. Click this to navigate through digitized microfilm images, typically organized by county, town, and then date range. This method requires more patience but can be very rewarding.