Among the millions of people that emigrated form Central and Eastern Europe to the United States of America and Canada, at the end of the 19th Century and the beginning of the 20th, were hundreds of thousand of Romanians nationals of different ethnic and religious backgrounds: Romanian, German, Jewish, Armenian.
A new wave of emigration began in the late 1940s when communism became the political system of Eastern Europe. Civil records such as birth, marriage and death certificates, as well as other documents, are carefully preserved by the National Archives of Romania and are readily available to the public.
Documents issued on or before 1890 can be found in the County Archives (Directia Judeteana a Arhivelor Nationale) while Documents issued after 1890 can be found at the Civilian Records Section of City Halls (Oficiul de Stare Civila al Primariei).
When searching for records it is helpful to know the name of the town or village in which the document was issued or the event (birth, marriage, death) occurred, as well as the approximate date/year. The County Archives assist those interested in genealogy searches by providing a wide range of services, from making photocopies of desired records to conducting research on a specific topic.
Services provided by archives are subject to a small fee, currently about $0.15 for a photocopy and about $18 and up for specific research. Local travel agencies usually have good contacts in the community and can assist those interested in genealogy searches with translation services, arranging appointments with the staff at the archives and with any other formalities.
Local archives are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 3p.m., except on public holidays.
Websites that offer information and assistance with Genealogy Searches include:
FamilySearch.org
RomanianGeneaogy.com
RoutesToRoots.com
