The  records  on  file  in  the  Division  of  Vital  Statistics  are  attested  copies  of  the
originals  filed  with  the  local  officials.  The  law  has  required  the  filing  at  this  central
record  office  from  1841.  During  this  time  4  938,403  births  have  been  registered
and  the  annual  registration  report  issued.  Since  the  establishment  of  the  office
of  the  State  Registrar  of  Vital  Statistics  in  1918,  a  systematic  campaign  has  been
carried  on  to  obtain  prompt  and  complete  compliance  with  the  birth  registration
laws.  If  people  generally  realized  the  importance  of  birth  records,  complete
registration  would  soon  be  an  accomplished  fact.
