The Birth Certificate: An American History

The birth certificate is a crucial document that determines identity and citizenship, and award-winning historian Susan J. Pearson's book "The Birth Certificate: An American History" explores its two-hundred-year history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 392 pages
Publication date: 16 November 2021
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

For many Americans, the birth certificate is a mundane piece of paper, unearthed from deep storage when applying for a driver's license, verifying information for new employers, or claiming state and federal benefits. Yet, as Donald Trump and his fellow birthers reminded us when they claimed that Barack Obama wasn't an American citizen, it plays a central role in determining identity and citizenship.

In The Birth Certificate: An American History, award-winning historian Susan J. Pearson traces the document's two-hundred-year history to explain when, how, and why birth certificates came to matter so much in the United States. Deftly weaving together social, political, and legal history, The Birth Certificate is a fascinating biography of a piece of paper that grounds our understanding of how those who live in the United States are considered Americans.

Birth certificates have been used to establish identity and citizenship in the United States for centuries. The first birth certificates were issued in the 17th century, and they were used to track the population and ensure that taxes were being paid. In the 18th century, birth certificates became more standardized and were used to record the names, ages, and parents of children.

During the Civil War, birth certificates became an important tool for the government to track and control the population. The government used birth certificates to determine who was eligible for military service, and to track the movements of soldiers and their families. In the 19th century, birth certificates became even more important as the United States began to expand westward.

Birth certificates were used to establish residency in new states and territories, and to claim land and other benefits. In the 20th century, birth certificates became even more important as the United States became a more diverse nation. Birth certificates were used to track the immigration status of individuals and to ensure that they were eligible for benefits and services.

Today, birth certificates are still an important part of American life. They are used to prove identity, to claim benefits, and to register for school and other activities. Birth certificates are also used by the government to track the population and to ensure that everyone is paying their taxes.

Despite their importance, birth certificates are not without controversy. There have been many cases of birth certificates being falsified or tampered with, and there have been concerns about the security of the information on birth certificates. There have also been calls for more transparency and accountability in the issuance of birth certificates.

In conclusion, the birth certificate is a mundane piece of paper, but it plays a central role in determining identity and citizenship in the United States. It has a long and complex history, and it is used by many different people and organizations for many different purposes. Despite its importance, birth certificates are not without controversy, and there is room for improvement in the issuance and use of birth certificates.

Weight: 860g
Dimension: 166 x 242 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781469665689