Displayed above is an
example of a typical birth certificate, used in New York City
(Manhattan) and its surrounding boroughs. This form was used starting in
the late nineteenth century, at least until 1902-4 when the layout of
the form changed so all information could be read without having to
rotate the document ninety degrees. The information requested on the
newer forms remained the same.
Please note that many babies during these times were delivered at the
mother's home, most likely by a midwife (such as the example pictured
above.) Please note that whether the person who filled out this form,
whether it was a midwife or a physician, might have misspelled any part
of the name or made other errors. For example, the person who filled out
my aunt's birth certificate wrote down "Cohen" for the newborn's surname
even though it should have been a totally different surname. One of my
grandparents must have been asked who they were, and they said they were
"Cohain," and thus "Cohen" was written on a certificate. At least
corrections can be made to such certificates.
>What information is given on this 1902 birth certificate?
1. Given Name and Surname (of baby)
2. The name and address of the person who delivered the baby
3. The date the report of the birth is made (here, no date was entered)
4. When the certificate is received by the Bureau of Records (here in
the borough of Manhattan), it is stamped with the Bureau's name, the
date the certificate was received, and the name of the borough where the
birth occurred.
5. A number is attached to each certificate. These are the numbers that
researchers use to locate a certificate, whether it be for a birth,
marriage or death. In New York City, the number in the birth, marriage
or death indices is preceded by a M for Manhattan, an X
for the Bronx (considered to be part of Manhattan until 1898, so to
search for a Bronx vital record in 1897 or before, check the Manhattan
records), R for
Richmond County (Staten Island), Q for Queens County, and K for Kings County (better
known as Brooklyn.)
In the column with the particulars of the birth:
6. Again, the given name and surname of the newborn
7. Sex of the baby
8. "Color" of the baby, e.g. "White."
9. Date of Birth
10. Place of Birth, Street and No.
11. Father's Name
12. Residence (Father's)
13. Birthplace (Father's--usually just the country)
14. Age (Father's)
15. Occupation (Father's)
16. Mother's Name
17. Mother's Name Before Marriage (both the given and surname)
18. Residence (Mother's)
19. Birthplace (Mother's)
20. Age (Mother's)
21. Number of Previous Children (includes those living, deceased,
stillborns, etc.)
22. How Many Now Living, In All
23. Date of Record
On the side of the record form, it is stated that "No Mutilated
Certificate Will Be Received."
Other websites or pages that might be of interest:
Where to find New York City birth records:
1800s-1909:
New York City Municipal Archives
Application for a Search and/or Certified Copy of a Birth Record Before
1910
1910-present:
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene/Office of
Vital Records
Application
for a Birth Certificates |