Library resources include main catalog (and
card catalog), databases, and Data Services and References.
In this section, historical publications are also discussed.
First, Main Catalog:
Both Stokes Library and Firestone, and plus
East Asian Library, have relatively rich collections related
to international vital statistics. Most of them are in the
main catalog.
For individual country/region, using "Guided search"
in the main catalog:
- "country/region name"; "Statistics,"
and keywords such as "fertility" or "birth"
or "mortality" (or "death"), etc.
- Demographic yearbook or population statistical yearbook,
or annual of health statistics of each country/region.
Most countries/regions publish such annuals in both the
official language and English.
- Ready Reference Collection of Statistical Annual for
individual countries/regions in SSRC (Social Science Reference
Center) in Firestone Library.
For global/world scope, publications by intergovernmental
organizations UN, WHO, UNCEF, UNFPA, and OECD:
Important titles (if not otherwise noted, can be found
in Stokes Library):
- Demographic Yearbook. 1st issue, 1948 - 51st
issue, 1999. Call number: HA41 .U58
- Global Health Statistics: A Compendium of Incidence,
Prevalence, and Mortality Estimates for Over 200 Conditions.
By WHO and World Bank, 1996. Call number: RA407.M87 1996
- Population and Vital Statistics Annual Report.
1960-1980/81. Call Number: HA861.T7 A15
- Population and Vital Statistics Report. A quarterly
also updates the Demographic Yearbook with most recent
information. 1949-2001. Call number: HA41 .U59
- Monthly Bulletin of Statistics (United Nations.
Statistical Division), which updates Statistical Yearbook
with most recent information. Call number: PITN 600.652.
In UN Documents; last two years in Stokes.
- Statistical Yearbook (United Nations. Statistical
Division). Call number: Oversize HA41 .U59q.
- World Health Statistics Annual. By WHO. 1983-1993,
1995-1996. Call Number: Oversize RA651 .A85q
- World Population Projections. Annual by World
Bank. 1984-1995. Call number: HA154 .W66.
- World Population Prospects. Biannual, 1980-2000.
Call number: HA155 .W68.
The Card Catalog in Stokes Library may be searched by the
subject of "Vital Statistics" (or searched by
Country Name). The card catalog may be checked if other
main options such as online main catalog and databases are
exhausted.
Second, Library Databases:
The following databases can be accessed from the University
Library "Electronic Resources: Databases
and Reference Tools":
- Eurostat Statistics
Its "Population and Social Conditions" has rich
data of vital statistics which can accessed in table and
graph. It covers mostly EU countries and a few countries
outside EU.
- LexisNexis - Statistical Universe.
Provides tables such as "vital statistics by country
and region," estimates and projections. Sources are
mainly from intergovernmental organizations and the U.S.
Census Bureau.
- Tablebase.
Includes rich recent and historical vital statistical
information, particularly in international scope and from
Population Council, in both table and text.
- United Nations Common Database for Statistics (UNSTATS)
Has "Population and Vital Statistics Report."
- World Development Indicator (World Bank Statistics)
Offers data of birth, death, mortality, life expectancy,
and other population indicators.
Additionally, the Data
and Statistical Services and its rich digital collections
are also very important library sources.
Third, Historical Publications:
Good historical vital statistics is generally lacking.
For detective researchers, two primary sources: church registers
for birth record and graveyards for death records.
Another source is family genealogies based upon censuses
and vital registers.
Some important titles (if not otherwise noted, can be found
in Stokes Library):
- General Censuses and Vital Statistics in the America.
An annotated bibliography of the historical censuses and
current vital statistics of the 21 American republics,
the American sections of the British Commonwealth of Nations,
the American colonies of Denmark, France, and the Netherlands,
and the American territories and possessions of the United
States. 1974. Call number: 04871.924
- National Censuses and Vital Statistics in Europe,
1918-1939; an annotated bibliography prepared by Henry
J. Dubester. In RECAP. Call number: 04871.924.4
- National Censuses and Vital Statistics in Europe,
1918-1939; an annotated bibliography, with 1940-1948
supplement. Prepared by Henry J. Dubester, chief. Call
number: Z7553.C3U46 1967
- National Censuses and Vital Statistics in France
Between two World Wars, 1921-1942; a preliminary bibliography.
Call number: Z7554.F7U5
- National Censuses and Vital Statistics in Germany
after the First World War, 1919-1944 / Census Library
Project. In RECAP. Call number: 04871.924.3.
- National Censuses and Vital Statistics in Italy after
the First World War, 1919-1944. Not available in Borrow
Direct, nor in Harvard.
- Population Censuses and Other Official Demographic
Statistics of Africa, not Including British Africa;
an annotated bibliography, prepared by Henry J. Dubester,
chief, Census Library Project, Library of Congress. 1950.
On-site Annex, Fine (AnnexB), Call Number: 04871.925.4;
RECAP, Call Number: 04871.925.2
- Population Censuses and Other Official Demographic
Statistics of British Africa; an annotated bibliography,
prepared by Henry J. Dubester, chief, Census Library Project.
1950. Call Number: 04871.925.3
- Recent censuses in European Countries; a preliminary
list. 1942. RECAP: Call Number: 04871.924.5
- Statistical Bulletins; an annotated bibliography
of the general statistical bulletins of major political
subdivisions of the world, prepared by Phyllis G. Carter.
1954. Call Number: 04871.925.2
- Statistical Yearbooks; an annotated bibliography
of the general statistical yearbooks of major political
subdivisions of the world. Prepared by Phyllis G. Carter,
chief. 1953. Call Number: HA41.A1 U6
In addition to the library resources, OPR (Office of Population
Research) Data Archive is another
important source.
