Guide to BMD Records: Births, Marriages, and Deaths for Genealogy
Birth, marriage, and death records are the backbone of genealogy research. Learn how to find BMD records, what they contain, and how to use them to build and verify your family tree.
What are BMD records?
BMD stands for Births, Marriages, and Deaths - the three fundamental life events recorded by civil authorities and churches. These records provide the most reliable dates, names, and relationships in genealogy.
Civil registration (government-recorded) began at different times in different countries:
- England & Wales: 1 July 1837
- Scotland: 1 January 1855
- Ireland: 1 January 1864
- United States: Varies by state (1841-1919)
- France: 1792 (état civil)
- Germany: 1 January 1876 (varies by state)
Before civil registration, churches and parishes kept records of baptisms, marriages, and burials - these are your primary source for earlier periods.
What birth records reveal
Birth records typically include:
- Full name of the child
- Date and place of birth
- Parents' names - including mother's maiden name
- Father's occupation
- Who registered the birth (informant)
The mother's maiden name is especially valuable - it opens up an entire family line. In some countries (like Scotland), birth records also name the grandparents, making them extraordinarily useful.
What marriage records reveal
Marriage records are rich genealogical sources:
- Full names of bride and groom
- Ages or birth dates
- Marital status (bachelor, widow, etc.)
- Occupations of both parties
- Fathers' names and occupations
- Witnesses (often family members)
- Residence at time of marriage
Marriage records bridge two families. If you're stuck on one side, the marriage record may provide the key details to find the other.
What death records reveal
Death records help confirm identities and provide end-of-life details:
- Name and age (or date of birth)
- Date, place, and cause of death
- Occupation and marital status
- Parents' names (in many jurisdictions)
- Informant (usually a relative - this reveals relationships)
- Burial place - useful for finding headstones and additional memorials
Death records for older individuals often provide the only clue to their parents, especially for immigrants whose birth records are in another country.
How to find BMD records
Start with these resources:
- FreeBMD: Free index of English and Welsh civil registration from 1837
- General Register Office (GRO): Order original certificates for England & Wales
- National Records of Scotland: Official Scottish BMD index and ordering
- Irish civil registration records: Available free from the Irish government's genealogy portal
- State and provincial vital records offices in the US, Canada, and Australia
- National archive websites for the country your ancestors lived in
For the US, check state vital records offices. Many states have digitised historical records through their archives.
Using BMD data with GEDminer
GEDminer helps you make the most of your BMD data:
- Vital Sharpener**: Identifies individuals with missing or inconsistent birth, marriage, and death dates
- Research Suggestions: Flags people who need BMD records found or verified
- Data Quality Score: Rewards complete vital records and penalises gaps
- Error Detection: Catches impossible dates (death before birth, unrealistic ages)
Regularly uploading your updated GEDCOM ensures GEDminer can track your progress as you add new BMD records to your tree.