Tanzania Church Records

For information about records for non-Christian religions in Tanzania, go to the Religious Records page.

Online Resources and Websites

 * South Africa, Netherdutch Reformed Church Registers (Pretoria Archive), 1838-1991, index and images, includes Tanzania
 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms, Tanzania, index and images, ($)
 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms, Africa, index and images, ($)
 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages, Tanzania, index and images, ($)
 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages, Africa, index and images, ($)
 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials, index and images, ($)

Historical Background
A 2010 Pew survey found 61.4 percent of respondents to be Christian. These are also the figures in the CIA World Factbook. A 2008-09 Pew survey found that 51 percent of Tanzanian Christians described themselves as Roman Catholic, and 44 percent described themselves as Protestant. Among Protestants, Lutherans (13 percent of Tanzanian Christians), Pentecostals (10 percent), Anglicans (10 percent), and adherents of African initiated churches (5 percent) dominate. The Orthodox Church claims an estimated 60,000 adherents in Tanzania. The United Methodist Church claims 8,371 members in Tanzania.

Information Recorded in the Records
Different denominations, different time periods, and practices of different record keepers will effect how much information can be found in the records. This outline will show the types of details which might be found (best case scenario):

Baptisms
In Catholic and Anglican records, children were usually baptized a few days after birth, and therefore, the baptism record proves date of birth. Other religions, such as Baptists, baptized at other points in the member's life. Baptism registers might give:

Marriages
Marriage registers can give:

Burials
Burial registers may give:

Digital Copies of Church Records in the FamilySearch Catalog
Watch for digitized copies of church records to be added to the collection of the FamilySearch Library. Some records might have viewing restrictions, and can only be viewed at a Family History Center near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations. To find records:
 * a. Click on the [COUNTRY LINK records of Tanzania].
 * b. Click on Places within Tanzania and a list of towns will appear.
 * c. Click on your town if it appears, or the location which you believe was the parish which served your town or village.
 * d. Click on the "Church records" topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
 * e. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the listing for the record. FHL icons.png. The magnifying glass indicates that the record is indexed. Clicking on the magnifying glass will take you to the index. Clicking on the camera will take you to an online digital copy of the records.

Writing for Records
You will probably need to write to or email the national archives, the diocese, or local parish priests to find records. See French Letter Writing GuideLetter Writing Guide for Genealogy for help with composing letters.

Writing to a Local Parish
To locate the mailing address or e-mail address for a local parish, consult:
 * The Catholic Directory: Tanzania

Online Records
Information is available to current members only for deceased members and immediate family members who are still living. Sign in to FamilySearch and then select Family Tree in the drop-down menu.

Writing for Records

 * [ Google Maps search results for Anglican churches in Tanzania]

Writing for Records

 * [ Google Maps search results for Orthodox churches in Tanzania]

Writing for Records

 * [ Google Maps search results for Lutheran churches in Tanzania]

Writing for Records

 * [ Google Maps search results for Methodist churches in Tanzania]

Writing for Records

 * [ Google Maps search results for Pentecostal churches in Tanzania]

Writing for Records

 * [ Google Maps search results for Presbyterian churches in Tanzania]

Writing for Records

 * [ Google Maps search results for Seventh-day Adventist churches in Tanzania]