Russia Birth Records Index

Russian birth records are valuable resources for genealogists tracing their family history. Prior to 1917, these records were primarily kept by religious institutions, with the Russian Orthodox Church maintaining most birth and baptism records. After the Russian Revolution, civil registration offices known as ZAGS took over record-keeping.

Birth records typically include the child's name, date of birth, parents' names, and sometimes additional information like godparents or witnesses. Researchers should note that many pre-1917 records were destroyed during wars and revolutions, making research challenging.

Unique to Russia, patronymics (middle names derived from the father's first name) are often included in birth records, providing an additional clue to family connections. When available, these records can offer crucial information for constructing family trees and understanding ancestral origins.

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Collections available in RussiaCollections available in Russia


Lithuanian-Jewish Records from LitvakSIG, 1795-1940 4,027,833 records available Russia, Births and Baptisms, 1755-1917 501,889 records available See the entire collection catalog of birth records in Russia

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