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Most states did not require registration of these records until the early
20th century, so it may not be possible to find the documents for people
born in the first half of the 19th century, however, if the person died
during the 20th century, most of these records would be on file in either
a county record office such as the courthouse, register of deeds, or at a
state archives. The death certificates would give such information, if
known by family members as birth date, names of parents, place born,
occupation at time of death, and cause of death.
Some states required these vital records earlier than others.
Other places to locate vital records would be churches and
cemeteries. In the areas that did not keep vital records by state mandate,
then the only available records would be the tombstones, and perhaps the
church records, if they have been preserved.
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Another way to learn about
someone is the use of vital records which include birth and death records.