Development of Birth Registration and Birth Statistics in the United States

Abstract

The registration of vital events in the United States has always been under the authority of State and local areas. The preparation of national birth statistics has been made possible through a co-operative working arrangement between the Federal Government and the States. This paper traces the development of registration systems in the United States from colonial days to the present period. The absence of adequate registration systems throughout the country, during the nineteenth century, led to the use of data collected in the decennial population censuses of 1850–1900 for estimating birth rates. This procedure was abandoned because of the unreliability of the results. Steps leading to the formation of the national birth-registration area in 1915, when it included ten States and the District of Columbia, and. activities resulting in its completion in 1933 are discussed. A major portion of the paper outlines the nation-wide test of birth-registration completeness conducted in 1940 in conjunction with the decennial census of population. Important results of the test are presented, and the methodology is explained. A similar test is being carried out in 1950. Data derived will be used to focus attention on local areas requiring registration promotion. Correction factors for statistical series based on registered events will also be obtained. The final section of the paper indicates the steps States are taking to improve quality of reporting on the birth record. Changes in the content of the standard certificate of live birth since 1915 are summarized and the statistics tabulated from birth certificates detailed.

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