Mailing List:2004-06-02 10, Recording Births, by Larry Tracy

Mailing List Archives > 2004-06-02 10, Recording Births, by Larry Tracy

From: "Larry" <tracy -at- xpressamerica.net> Subject: Recording Births Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2004 22:18:36 -0400 WRG, Early New England town clerks often requested or required small payment for recording intentions and presumably the births of children. Can anyone cite a credible source describing this practice? A recently reviewed journal kept by a Maine town clerk during the 1720's displays this practice, but does not offer the children's gender. The question at hand is whether gender of the child had any bearing on payments to the clerk for recording, more specifically, whether females were exempt while males required a fee. I have noted on some vital records the absence of known males among recorded family births, suggesting more than an oversight. Hopefully, added imput or discussion may be realized through the WRG on this subject. Larry Tracy Jr. Kennebunkport, Maine

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