The next piece of evidence in my quest to make sure that I had documented my own existence and was able to link back through each generation was a copy of my birth certificate provided by the local county Health Department.
The scanned copy of the certificate indicated it was issued back in 1985, so this document was requested by my parents for some official purpose and ended up in my possession. The heading on the document indicates the name of the county Board of Health and titles the document as a Certificate of Birth Registration.
The certificate gives the city and date of my birth, and lists both of my parents by their first, middle and last names - but again it does not list my mother's maiden name.
The birthplace of both of my parents is listed on this certificate. Both of them were born in Indiana, and it gives the exact certificate number, as well as the book and page where the document is maintained.
Once again, regarding the proof standard - this document provides original, direct evidence of my parent's names - but it does not list the maiden name of my mother. The document does, however, list the middle names of both of my parents.
My RootsMagic database has been updated with this source information and the type (original, primary, direct) in relationship to the birth fact.
For many years, this document was the extent of my self-documentation, and it would only be when I began validating my line with an eye towards joining a lineage society, did I realize that my data was incomplete.
Earlier posts on this topic include Documenting Myself and Even Weak Evidence Can Teach.
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