Zimbabwe Death Registers, 1890-1977; Index to Death Register, 1892-1977 - FamilySearch Historical Records (2024)

Zimbabwe

What is in This Collection?[edit | edit source]

This collection contains images and indexes to registers of deaths of citizens of Rhodesia; as per The Executor's Accounts Act of 1864; The Administration of Estates Ordinance No. 6 of 1907; The Administration of Estates Act, Chapter 47, 1952; and Chapter 51, 1965.

Zimbabwe was formerly known as Southern Rhodesia and became independent from Great Britain on April 18, 1980. Even though civil registration was established in 1890 it did not become mandatory until after independence. Birth registration began in 1891 and death registration in 1904. Birth and death registrations did not include African tribal members until 1963. Birth and death certificates are currently registered through district registries in each town or city, but all records are kept at the National Archives in Harare. From 1965 to 1979 Zimbabwe was known as Rhodesia.

The Death Registers are printed indexes of the names of deceased. Each entry may have the following abbreviations:

• ADM - Administration
• DR - Death Register
• W - Will

The abbreviation D.R. is followed by the volume number/page number. It appears those records that are labeled ADM are probably administrations which are separate from the death registers and contain wills and living trust records.

After locating the entry for an individual by surname in an index, the death record can be found in the Death registers by using the reference information provided in the index.

Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

Index and Image Visibility[edit | edit source]

Whenever possible FamilySearch makes images and indexes available for all users. However, rights to view these data are limited by contract and subject to change. Because of this there may be limitations on where and how images and indexes are available or who can see them. Please be aware some collections consist only of partial information indexed from the records and do not contain any images. For additional information about image restrictions see Restrictions for Viewing Images in FamilySearch Historical Record Collections.

To Browse This Collection[edit | edit source]

You can browse through images in this collection using the waypoints on the Collection Browse Page for Zimbabwe Death Registers, 1890-1977; Index to Death Register, 1892-1977.

What Can These Records Tell Me?[edit | edit source]

The following information may be found in these records:

Collection Content[edit | edit source]

Sample Images[edit | edit source]

• Death Notice, 1965

How Do I Search This Collection?[edit | edit source]

Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:

• Name of the person you are looking for
• Approximate location and year of death

Search the Index[edit | edit source]

Search by name on the Collection Details Page.

1. Fill in the search boxes in the Search Collection section with the information you know
2. Click Search to show possible matches

View the Images[edit | edit source]

View images in this collection by visiting the Collection Browse Page:

1. Select Record Type
2. Select Year Range and Volume or Certificate Number to view the images

How Do I Analyze the Results?[edit | edit source]

Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?[edit | edit source]

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?[edit | edit source]

• Add any new information to your records
• If available, check the image for additional information
• Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family
• Record entries for other people with the same surname to identify possible relationships

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?[edit | edit source]

• The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
• Try searching by surname only
• Remember that spelling was generally not standardized until the early part of the 20th century

Other FamilySearch Collections[edit | edit source]

These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog[edit | edit source]

• Rhodesia. Registrar General. Death registers, 1890-1977
• Rhodesia. Registrar General. Death notices 1904-1963
• Rhodesia. Registrar General. Death notices, 1964-1976
• Rhodesia. Registrar General. Index to death register, closed and open files, 1892-1977

FamilySearch Historical Records[edit | edit source]

• Zimbabwe, Catholic Church Records, 1897-2022

Known Issues[edit | edit source]

Click here for a list of known issues with this collection.

Citing This Collection[edit | edit source]

Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

Collection Citation:
The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Cite This Collection.

Record Citation:
When looking at a record, the citation can be viewed by clicking the drop-down arrow next to Document Information.

Image Citation:
When looking at an image, the citation is found on the Information tab at the bottom left of the screen.