How to Find Church Records in the United States

Step 1: Look for online records.
Many records have been digitized and posted online, where they are easily searched. More are being added all the time.
 * Each state Church Records page lists several online collections.
 * Each state has an Online Genealogy Records page. In addition, nationwide church records collections are listed in United States Online Genealogy Records.
 * Ancestry.com Birth, Marriage, and Death Records, ($) - can be searched for free at any Family History Center.
 * MyHeritage.com, ($) - can be searched for free at any Family History Center. Select a state under "Refine Further in the left sidebar.
 * USGenWeb Archives
 * Cyndislist.com (Click on “U” for United States, then click on a state and then "Religion & Churches")
 * American Ancestors specializes in New England.

International Genealogical Index

 * Many church christenings and marriages (such as the Congregational, Dutch Reformed, and Lutheran) were extracted and listed in the old International Genealogical Index (IGI). IGI data is now found by searching FamilySearch Historical Records.

Books: Published Transcripts of Church Records
Many early records, especially from the 1600's and 1700's, have been transcribed and published in books. These books can be digitized and available online. Check these online digital archives: Try different keywords in various combinations: the name of the town, the name of the specific church, the denomination, "church records", and "[STATE] church records".
 * Google Books
 * Internet Archive
 * Digital Public Library of America
 * HathiTrust Digital Library
 * FamilySearch Digital Library

Step 2: Look for digital copies found in the FamilySearch catalog.

 * The FamilySearch Library has a substantial collection of original church records and transcripts on microfilm for churches in the United States. These include records of many denominations, particularly the Society of Friends (Quaker), Presbyterian, Congregational, Lutheran, Reformed, and Roman Catholic churches.
 * Online church records can be listed in the FamilySearch Catalog state-wide, county-wide, or for a town.
 * Watch for digitized copies of church records to be added to the collection of the FamilySearch Library. Eventually, everything will be digitized.
 * 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 statewide records:
 * a. Enter your state name in the "Place" search field of FamilySearch Catalog. You will see a list of topics and, at the top, the phrase "Places within United States, [STATE]".
 * b. Click on "Church records" in the topic list. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.


 * To find county-wide records:
 * c. From the original page, click on Places within United States, [STATE] and a list of counties will appear.
 * d. Click on your county.
 * e. Click on the "Church records" topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.


 * To find town records:
 * f. From the list of counties, click on Places within United States, [STATE], [COUNTY] and a list of towns will appear.
 * g. Click on your town if it appears, or the location which you believe was the parish which served your town or village.
 * h. Click on the "Church records" topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
 * i. 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.

Step 3: Use finding aids that list specific churches and their existing records.
Sometimes there are finding aids that list churches, their existing records, and where they are stored, such as: Each Wiki Church Records state page lists finding aids unique to that state.
 * A survey of American church records Although this older book is now outdated, it is helpful for a description of records that existed in 1985. If they have been moved since then, personnel at the previous location might know where they are now.

Step 4: Search church records stored in archives and libraries in person or by correspondence.
Some church records have been deposited for preservation in government archives or in libraries. Watch for links to digitized, online records offered by the archives. Some archives provide research services for a fee. For others, if you cannot visit in person, you might hire a researcher.

State Archives and University Archives
Each Wiki state Church Records page will list known state archives and university archives with church records collections and their contact information. Generally, these archives have online catalogs of records. More and more of these are digitizing their records and posting them online.

Denominational Archives
Some denominations gather their records from the local churches and store them in centralized archives or libraries. These pages will give you links to nationwide archives and address directories for each denomination.

Local Libraries
Churches sometimes donate their records to local libraries. Call or write to the libraries in the close vicinity of the church your ancestors might have attended and the towns where they resided.
 * Public Libraries in the United States

Step 5: Correspond with genealogical or historical societies.
Some church records have been given to historical societies. Also, historical societies may be able to tell you where the records are being held. To find a society near you, consult this list:
 * A Directory of Historical Societies in the United States

Step 6: Consult the PERSI index for records published in journals.

 * PERSI is the Periodical Source Index and is available at FindMyPast.com:PERSI., ($). It can be searched for free at any Family History Center. PERSI is an index to family and local history periodicals from 1847 to the present. Many of these periodicals publish church records. If you locate an index entry for a church, you will then need to find the periodical. Use the WorldCat.org search engine to find a library near you that carries the periodical. Library reference desks can be contacted to request a copy of articles, or you may need to hire a researcher.

Step 7: Correspond with or visit the actual churches.

 * Some records are still held in the local churches. Contact the current minister to find out what records are still available. If possible, make an appointment to look at the records. Or ask the minister of the church to make a copy of the record for you. A small donation for their time and effort to help you would probably not be unwelcome. If the church has a website, you may be able to e-mail a message.

How to Write a Letter

 * See the Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy for help with composing letters.

Address Lists
Each denomination page offers an online address directory.

Step 8: Check for manuscripts kept in private collections.
Other records may be held in the homes of people such retired ministers or clerks, their families. They might be kept by private organizations. The National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections (NUCMC) lists several privately-held church records.