Genealogy Search
The State of Maine standardized the manner in which vital records were kept in municipalities in 1892. The Town of North Yarmouth has consistent records dating back to that year. However, Clerks in office prior to 1892 generally kept their own style of vital records, though they were not recorded in a standardized manner. Therefore the Town of North Yarmouth has various vital records dating back to the late 1600s. North Yarmouth incorporated on September 22,1680. At that time North Yarmouth included the area that is now named the Towns of Cumberland (1821), Freeport (1789), Harpswell (1750), Pownal (1808) and Yamouth (1849), the year in parenthesis is the year that town separarted from North Yarmouth. If you have questions regarding vital records in North Yarmouth please call the Town Clerk's office at (207) 829-3705 or email townclerk@northyarmouth.org.
Helpful hints
- Prior to 1892, towns were not required to file records of birth, marriage and death. Some towns have records before 1892, but these are not a complete recording of events.
- Unsure where the event took place? Begin by contacting the State of Maine Office of Vital Records. They maintain copies of records from every town and city in Maine. You can reach that office at (207) 287-3184.
- Be sure to check family bibles, city directories, obituaries, old maps, old photographs, town history books and old newspapers for information.
- State Archives keeps a list of professional genealogists who will provide research for a fee.
If you need a certified copy of a record, you will need to fill out an application and show proper photo identification, as well as proof of lineage. By law, Maine birth records less than 75 years old, marriage records less than 50 years old, death records less than 25 years old and fetal deaths less than 50 years old are considered to be private. In order to inspect these documents, or to obtain copies, an individual must prove that they are permitted by law to do so. The fee for the first copy of a certified record is $15.00. Any additional certified copies of the same record are $6.00 each. Make checks payable to Town of North Yarmouth.
List of Agencies & Organizations for Genealogy Research
- Maine State Archives, 84 State House Station, Augusta, Phone 287-5788
- State of Maine Office of Vital Records, 211 State St, Augusta, Phone 287-6490
- American-Canadian Genealogical Society, PO Box 6478, Manchester NH 03108
- Maine State Historical Society, 485 Congress St, Portland, http://www.mainehistory.org/
- National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Phone 879-3229
- New England Historic Genealogy Society of Boston, (617) 536-5740
- Military Records, Old Census Records, Ship’s Passenger Lists, etc., http://www.nara.gov/
- Mormon Church Records, http://www.familysearch.org/