Oklahoma Genealogy

USA (1,379,301) > Oklahoma (24,700)

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Overview of Oklahoma records

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Overview of Oklahoma Genealogy Records

• History: Oklahoma was first settled in 1817, it became part of Arkansas Territory in 1819, it became part of Mexico in 1821, became Indian Territory in 1830, became Oklahoma Territory in 1890, and became a state in 1907.
• Birth records: Some counties in Oklahoma starting keeping birth records as early as 1891. However, most counties did not start until 1908 when statewide registration began with complete records by 1930. Birth records from 1908 to the present can be obtained from the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
• Marriage records: Marriage records were kept in Oklahoma starting in about 1890 or when the county was created. Copies of marriage records can be obtained from the respective county clerk.
• Death records: Some counties in Oklahoma starting keeping death records as early as 1891. However, most counties did not start until 1908 when statewide registration began with complete records by 1930. Death records from 1908 to the present can be obtained from the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
• Divorce records: Divorce records were kept starting in 1907 by the district or circuit courts for each county.
• Census records: The first federal census available for Oklahoma is 1860. There are federal censuses publicly available for 1860 (included with Arkansas), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, and 1950. There was a partial territorial census taken in 1890.
County records: Court, land, probate, naturalization, and tax records were kept by the individual counties.
• Other records: The city pages on this site can help you to locate newspapers, records kept by churches, cemeteries, histories, school, city directories, and other records. Records specific to minority groups can be found in the Minority Records section.
• All records: Use the links on this site to locate online indexes and images of many of the above records.