Department of Education - Archives Office of Tasmania

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Brief Guide 15: information recorded in Tasmanian birth, death, and marriage records

Compulsory registration in Tasmania was introduced in December 1838. Prior to the 1838 Registration Act there was no registration of births, deaths and marriages and these events for this period can only be traced through church records, some of which have been transcribed by the Registrar-General's Department and included with the official records when these were transferred to the Archives Office. Notwithstanding that registration was compulsory after 1838, there are many instances of either failure of local returns to be submitted, or neglect by the responsible party to make a registration.

Unlike their interstate counterparts, Tasmanian registrations do not give all the data that many people anticipate. The following information is generally included:

Births

Prior to 1896 particulars recorded were:

  • Given name (if known at time of registration) and surname.
  • Date and place of birth.
  • Names of parents.
  • Maiden surname of mother.
  • Father's occupation.

In 1896 the date and place of the parents' marriage were added.

In 1902 the ages and birthplaces of the parents were added.

In 1909 previous issue (children) were added.

Deaths

Prior to 1897 particulars recorded were:

  • Name of deceased.
  • Date and place of death.
  • Age at death.
  • Occupation.
  • Cause of death.

In 1897 the birthplace of the deceased was added, although in some instances this had been informally included since the 1880s. In 1914 age at marriage and number of issue were added.

Marriages

Prior to 1896 particulars recorded were:

  • Names of the people being married.
  • Date and place of marriage.
  • Age at marriage (sometimes only whether "under" or "over" age, i.e. 21).
  • Occupation and status (e.g. bachelor and spinster).
  • Names of witnesses to the marriage.

Names of parents, and places of birth, of the people being married were not added until 1896.

Where the marriage took place in a church no other information is contained in the church record of the event.