Myanmar Church Records

Myanmar

History
Following the establishment of the Pagan Empire in the 1050s, the Burmese language, culture and Theravada Buddhism slowly became dominant in the country.

Today, many religions are practiced in Burma. Religious edifices and orders have been in existence for many years. Festivals can be held on a grand scale. The Christian and Muslim populations do, however, face religious persecution and it is hard, if not impossible, for non-Buddhists to join the army or get government jobs, the main route to success in the country.

The religious population mix follows:

Buddhist:80%   Burmese folk religion: 6%   Protestant Christians: 5%   Muslim: 4%   Hindu: 2%   Roman Catholic Christians: 2%   Other:1%

Church records
Research use: Usually information given is quite complete and identifies parents and often grandparents and other relationships. There are gaps, however, in many church registers.

Record type: Births or baptisms, marriages, marriage proclamations, deaths or burials, and confirmations.

Time period: 1650-present. Records may exist for the following denominations:


 * Anglican 1650-
 * Catholic 1662-
 * Baptist 1825-
 * Methodist1865-
 * Adventists 1905-
 * Church of Christ 1910-

Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim records may exist for early years as well.

Contents: Baptismal records: Baptism dates; children’s names; parents’ residence and names (sometimes mother's maiden name is given); witnesses’ and godparents’ names, and sometimes their residence and relationship to infants; sometimes grandparents’ names. Marriage records: Candidates’ names; marriage and/or proclamation dates; often birth places, residence, witnesses, former spouses and parents’ names. Death/burial records: Name of deceased; burial date; often age and cause of death; residence; spouse’s name, especially for women; parents’ names for deceased children. Confirmation records: Candidate’s name, age, residence and sometimes father’s name.

Location: Church archives, The British Library in London.

Population coverage: 5%.

Reliability: Good.