Tennessee, Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains church records for the years 1816 to 1995 for various denominations in Tennessee. Three representative churches include:
 * Pleasant Hill Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Henry County)
 * St. Peter's Church (Memphis)
 * White Pine Presbyterian Church (White Pine)

What Can these Records Tell Me?
Church records may include:
 * Names of members
 * Date of events
 * Locations of events
 * Parent's names

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the individual
 * The approximate date and or location of the event

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the information found in the record to find additional family members in census records
 * Search for vital records such as, birth, marriage, and death on the state and county level
 * Search for land and property records
 * Search for probate records
 * Search for military records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
 * Search records in nearby counties
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names, even initials

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Tennessee.
 * Tennessee Guided Research
 * Tennessee Record Finder
 * Tennessee Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * Tennessee Historical Records Survey Project, Division of Professional and Service Projects, Work Projects Administration, Inventory of the church archives of Tennessee : Tennessee Baptist Convention, Nashville Baptist Association Nashville, Tennessee : Tennessee Historical Records Survey Project, 1939
 * Tennessee Historical Records Survey, Division of Community Service Programs, Work Projects Administration, Inventory of the church archives of Tennessee : Tennessee Baptist Convention, Ocoee Baptist Association Nashville, Tennessee : Tennessee Historical Records Survey, 1942

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.