[exDemMom]

My grandfather was born in Texas in 1914. His mother filed a birth certificate for him in 1942(?) in California when he was in his 20s. I only know that because I am having great difficulty in figuring out who his father was, and had thought that looking up his birth certificate might help (it didn’t).

It may have been fairly common back in the early 1900s and before to not issue a birth certificate right away. I’m thinking that some birth certificates in those days might only have been issued as an afterthought when a situation came up that required one.

Long story short: I wouldn’t make too much of the story that Jeff Bezos’ grandfather did not receive a birth certificate when he was born.

[XEHRpa]

> His mother filed a birth certificate for him in 1942(?) in California when he was in his 20s

You know, that seems so outlandishly odd in the modern era, but as you say, it may have been prevalent back then.

[tiki]

Especially if they were born at home.

I had an 18 year old friend in the ‘70s, his birth was never recorded in the US as he was born in South America.

[Spunky]

"It may have been fairly common back in the early 1900s and before to not issue a birth certificate right away. I’m thinking that some birth certificates in those days might only have been issued as an afterthought when a situation came up that required one."

You are correct. My father was born 1912 and there was no birth certificate issued. When he finally had to have one for a government job his parents were deceased. So an Aunt had to swear to date of birth etc;

Back then it was not unusual to not have a birth certificate.