Which Date to Use?

I'm just getting started in genealogy, so I want to be sure to start out with the correct source citations. I have a photocopy of a birth certificate for someone born in 1916. However, the Filed date is 1937. It says nothing about it being a delayed birth certificate. The birth certificate was certified and sent from the State of Colorado to the named person in 1950. I'm using EE p. 430 as my guide. Which year do I use, 1916, 1937, or 1950? Also, the File No. and Registered No. are both blank. I just put 'unnumbered' in place of the file number. Is there a better way of doing it?

Thank you,

Tom

Submitted byEEon Sat, 01/26/2013 - 17:13

Tom, a filing date for 1937, for someone born in 1916, does suggest that you are working with a delayed certificate. However, EE is not in a position to reach any conclusion without having seen the actual document or the set of records amid which it is filed. With regard to your two specific questions:

Which year should you use? Given the irregularities involved, you might want to use all three, with a notation as to what each year represents. (See EE 9.35,  example 2, and the accompanying explanation: "Citing Date of Certificate.")

How should you handle the lack of file number or registration number? Your suggestion to simply state "unnumbered" is the one EE would use.