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Town of Clerk's Report In submitting this report I desire to suggest certain things which, if heeded will greatly facilitate the Town Clerk, in his efforts to secure accuracy in the registration of every birth, marriage and death happening within our town. Accuracy is what we covet, but do not expect to obtain without the faithful co-operation of parents and all others interested in complete registration. The statue points out the duty of physicians, midwives, clergymen, sextons, undertakers, parents, town clerks, in fact of all who have to do with the newly-born infant, from its advent into this world until it is laid away in its last resting place. Generally statute requirements have been fairly complied with, but not always; in a few instances through the inadvertency or obstinacy of the knowing ones, little or no assistance has been furnished by them. One of the requirements of our statue is, that the physician or midwife in attendance at the birth of a child make return within a given number of days to the Town Clerk, giving the place, date of birth, and its parents' names. To show how this requirement has been neglected. I have only to say that out of 198 births registered this year only 97 were reported leaving 101 unreported. I would have doctors and midwives report promptly, and in addition to the requirement named, give the sex of child and street residence of its parents. Discrepancies sometimes happen between the date of birth given to canvasser for births and that given by the doctor of the same child. These discrepancies vary from one to forty days this year. For the true date of birth I have taken the doctor's record as correct, as against the mother's memory. In case any parent sees in this report a date set against his child's name different from the one given the canvasser, they may account for the change in that way. Let every mother see to it that every birth is recorded. Clergymen, resident and non-resident, have been very prompt with their returns, and I have to reason to complain of them. Another of the requirements of our statute is that persons living in this State and going into another State to be married, then returning into this State to dwell, shall file with the Clerk of the town where they live at the time, a certificate or declaration of their marriage, giving all facts with in seven days. This requirement has been frequently violated ,and we have living among us to-day those claiming to have been married both within and without the State, who posterity would find it difficult to prove the marriage, should a fortune hinge thereon. I sincerely regret that I cannot say as much for the undertakers as for the clergymen. Here the requirement is that no interment take place until return be made and permit granted. The rule seem to be bury when ready, and make the return when convenient, which in some instances during the year has been from one to four months after the burial. Undertakers complain that they find it difficult to obtain the physician's certificate of the cause of death in season to make return before interment. To remedy this I would recommend that all physicians keep a supply of these blanks in their pockets, and on learning of the death of their of their patient, immediately fill and sign the blank certificate and leave it at the house of the deceased, or at his own residence or office, so as to be easy to access to the undertaker. If what I have said shall stimulate to greater activity all of us who have to do with this matter of registration I shall be satisfied.
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