The Indexes to Births and Stillbirths (RG 80-4) are computerized print-outs that were created by the Office of the Registrar General in the 1960s to replace a manual indexing system. They index birth and stillbirth registrations as well as delayed registrations. To use these indexes you need to know the name of the person whose birth you are tracing, and the year in which they were born.

The Birth Indexes for 1869 to 1895 are arranged:

1. First, by surname initial
2. Then, by year of the birth
3. Lastly, alphabetically by the full name.

The Birth Indexes after 1895 are arranged:

1. First, by year of the birth
2. Then, alphabetically by the full name.

The following is an image of a part of an index page:

The Indexes will list, reading from left to right:

Name: of the person at the time of the birth. Remember to check every variation, including phonetic spellings and typographical errors.

Place of the registration: the nearest Town or Township Clerk's office.

Date of the birth: e.g. 06 12 01 = June 12th 1901.

Registration number Eliminate any zeros at the front of the number to determine the proper registration number.

Year of the registration

If you find the birth in the Indexes: Record the registration year and registration number found on the right hand side of the page. Then proceed to the appropriate link.

Below 200,000?

Between 200,000 and 399,999?

Between 500,000 and 599,999?

Between 900,000 and 999,999?

If you do NOT find the birth in the Indexes to Births and Stillbirths (RG 80-4) there is a very slight chance that the registration was indexed in:

• Original Index Books to Birth, Marriage and Death Registrations (RG 80-11)
  - for births taking place between July and December 1869
• Original Index Books to Birth and Stillbirth Registrations (RG 80-4)
  - for births taking place between 1869 and 1910

Note: Many births were not registered, especially in the early years of registration.