1948 case birth certificate vs. baptismal record

[A.Michelle]

Hi,guys. You have all been so helpful with other issues, I thought I'd throw this out to see if anyone has an answer or has had a similar experience.

I'm pursuing a 1948 case, and my grandmother was born to Italian parents in Missouri. Missouri birth records are a mess. She was born in 1910, which is the first year Missouri recorded births at the state level. I have requested records from the state and from every county she might potentially have been born in. No luck.

I WAS able to find her baptismal records showing her father's name and mother's maiden name at a Catholic church in Missouri. Is there any chance they will let me use baptismal records rather than government records?

Thanks, friends!

Michelle

[TerraLavoro]

Have you checked to see if Missouri will issue a delayed birth certificate on the strength of the baptism record and other evidence of her life that they deem appropriate?

[A.Michelle]

I have thought of it but I wasn't sure they'd even consider it. Is that a possibility? I also have a death certificate for support.

[TerraLavoro]

You would need to ask someone at the Missouri department
of vital records. Seems worth a try.

[A.Michelle]

I cannot record a delayed birth certificate for deceased person.

[Alphazip]

Is there any chance she was born in 1909, but baptized in 1910? Also, surnames that looked "foreign" were often misspelled. Have you checked all the indexes?

https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Missouri_Vital_Records

[mler]

And, since with a 1948 case, you are already using a lawyer, why not ask him if the baptism record can be used in lieu of a birth certificate. In the early 20th century, birth certificates were not always recorded. Many women used midwives, and since Missouri had only begun to register births that year, its entirely possible that many midwives were slow to change their procedures.

Since you are applying in Italy, you may well find that the courts are more flexible. Check with your lawyer.

[A.Michelle]

I have checked the Missouri registry prior to 1910.... nothing. I did receive the baptismal certificate. Very few of my records are perfect. There are misspellings and discrepancies in dates and cities. I'm working to get as much corrected as humanly possible. The LAST thing I need is records from USCIS. I have found that my GGF was denied citizenship in 1918. I have a certified copy of his petition and a card indicating the decision from the National Archives. Does anybody know if that's enough, or do I have to wait for USCIS?