Church Issued Birth Certificates from 1955
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 1:28 pm
Hello!
I hope someone will be able to answer this question for me. I've been attempting to sort through my deceased parent's records (boxes of documents, etc.) My Mother was from the Smith family (through Joseph Smith's uncle - Father's brother) on one side and the Eyring family (Henry) on her other side.
In one of her envelopes of saved records, I've found some "Certificates of Birth" that are on gold paper with a Green (circle) stamped seal (embossed in the circle "THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS" is around the outside of the circle, and "CHURCH HISTORIAN" in the center of the circle).
These certificates have printed across the top:
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" and are all dated June 8, 1955 (I have four certificates for different descentants and they all have this same date on them even though they were born on different dates between 1861 and 1891).
They are all three signed by "Joseph Fielding Smith" (original ink), and printed under his signature it states: Historian of the Church and ex officio Custodian of its Records.
Sorry for such a LONG description! Anyway, can anyone tell me what these are (other than Certificates of Birth), why they were issued, what was their purpose, and if they are legal (ie. an official, legal Birth Certificate)?
Thanks for anyone's help or input!!!
gb308
I hope someone will be able to answer this question for me. I've been attempting to sort through my deceased parent's records (boxes of documents, etc.) My Mother was from the Smith family (through Joseph Smith's uncle - Father's brother) on one side and the Eyring family (Henry) on her other side.
In one of her envelopes of saved records, I've found some "Certificates of Birth" that are on gold paper with a Green (circle) stamped seal (embossed in the circle "THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS" is around the outside of the circle, and "CHURCH HISTORIAN" in the center of the circle).
These certificates have printed across the top:
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" and are all dated June 8, 1955 (I have four certificates for different descentants and they all have this same date on them even though they were born on different dates between 1861 and 1891).
They are all three signed by "Joseph Fielding Smith" (original ink), and printed under his signature it states: Historian of the Church and ex officio Custodian of its Records.
Sorry for such a LONG description! Anyway, can anyone tell me what these are (other than Certificates of Birth), why they were issued, what was their purpose, and if they are legal (ie. an official, legal Birth Certificate)?
Thanks for anyone's help or input!!!
gb308