Microfilm archives of early births, deaths and marriage certificates from the Office of Vital Statistics are now available from the Dept. of Administrative Services Office of Archives and Records Management.
This work was accomplished under an ASG/Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints contract finalized in March, 2019. Although delayed for over a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, work progressed and digitized microfilm drives were finally obtained in January, 2021.
This means public access to archives more than 90 years old (before 1931) is now available at the ASG Archives or at the Familysearch.org website www.Familysearch.org
However, Vital Statistics records less than 90 years old (after 1931) remain confidential and closed to the public.
Territorial archivist James Himphill says, “We are pleased that these older archives can finally be shared and made available for research and copying thanks to the Office of the Governor and the elders and representatives of the Mormon Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints.”
In addition, digital copies of High Court Matai and Land Title microfilm cases from 1900-1974 were also obtained.
These replace original microfilms that had become faded, chemically deteriorated and inaccessible.
American Samoa’s entire set of Matai and Land Title microfilms was talso digitized and provided cost-free by the Jesus Christ Church of Latter Day Saints.
The Dept. of Administrative Services Office of Archives and Records will retain these electronic record copies and make them available to the public via a Digital Reading Room at the ASG Archives in Tafuna.
Himphill said, “We are therefore very grateful and thankful to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for their kind generosity to the people of American Samoa.
“And we look forward to additional historical preservation and publication access projects being planned for the future.”
