REGISTER. In Evidence. A book containing a record of facts as they occur, kept by public authority; a register of births, marriages, and burials.
Although not originally intended for the purposes of evidence, public registers are in general admissible to prove the facts to which they relate. In Pennsylvania, the registry of births, etc. made by any religious society in the state is evidence, by act of assein'ily, but it must be proved as at common law. 6 Binn. Penn. 416. A copy of the register of births and deaths of the Society of Friends in England, proved before the lord mayor of London by an ex-parte affidavit, was allowed to be given in elidence to prove the death of a person, 1 Dall. 2 ; and a copy of a parish register in Barbadoes, certified to be a true copy by the rector, proved by the oath of a witness, taken before the deputy secretary of the island and notary public, under hie hand and seal, was held admissible to prove pedigree, the handwriting and office of the secretary being proved. 10 Serg. & R. Penn.
383.
In North Carolina, a parish register of births, marriages, and deaths, kept pursuant to the statute of that state, is evidence of pedigree. 2 Murph. No. C. 47. In Connev ticut, a parish register has been received in evidence. 2 Root, Conn. 99. See 15 Johns. N. Y. 226. See 1 Phillipps, Ev. 305 ; 1 Curt. 755 ; 6 Eccl. 452.
In Common Law. The certificate of registry granted to the person or persons entitled thereto, by the collector of the dia. trict, comprehending the port to which anv ship or vessel shall belong ; more properly, the registry itself. For the form, requisites, etc. of certiticate of registry, see Acts of Cong.. Dee. 31, 1792, 1 U. S. Stat. at Large, 287, 9, May 6, 1864, 13 U. S. Stat. at Large, 69, 4 ; 3 Kent, Comm. 4th ed. 141. See 1 Cranch, 158 ; 3 id. 338 ; 9 Pet. 682 ; 19 How. 76 ; 3 Wheat. 601 ; 9 id. 421 ; 1 Newb. Adm. 309 ; 1 Wash. C. C. 125 ; 1 Mas. C. C. 306 ; 1 Blatchf. & Adm. 52.