How can I obtain a copy of an ancestors birth or marriage certificate?
This is a difficult question to answer, since there is no universal way in which these records were kept and information available varies not only from state to state but also from country to country. The dates from which vital records were kept also vary from place to place, and, to complicate matters even further, the information on civil and vital records is not uniform. In Scotland, both parents’ names are shown on marriage certificates for bride and groom. In England, only the father’s names are shown. In some states, only the date and place in which the marriage took place is shown. In view of all of the aforementioned it is important to determine why the certificate is required. If for estate purposes, then a certificate is the authentic proof that must be provided. If for ancestral research purposes, then perhaps there is a more convenient way to obtain the information since there is usually a fee for obtaining certificates that can be as high as $30-$50. Internet databases, ce
