FamilySearch Wiki:WikiProject Pennsylvania/Tasks-Church Records Intro 3

From FamilySearch Wiki

WikiProject Pennsylvania Gotoarrow.png Progress Chart Gotoarrow.png Pennsylvania Wiki Project Task - Church Records Intro 3

Task[edit | edit source]

Wiki Project Pennsylvania Tasks - Church Records Intro 3

Description[edit | edit source]

Add a template that links to WorldCat, FS Catalog, and Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

Instructions[edit | edit source]

1. Copy the following template and paste it in wikitext after the template and information about any county archives or historical/genealogical societies that have church records and BEFORE the heading, County-wide Database:

{{PAChurch1|Berks|333358}}

NOTE: A partial template may have been already put in. Replace the template with the correct one above.

2. In the template, replace the county, Berks with the name of the county you are working on.

3. In the template, change the numbers listed with the number you obtain from doing the following:

While in the new FS Catalog on FamilySearch, select any record under the county's "church records" topic.
1. Put your county into the search "For" field, i.e. Berks, Pennsylvania.
2. Click on the county name as it appears beneath what you are typing.
3. Select the church records topic from the list.
4. Select any record listed in the church records topic.
5. In the church record, under the "Subjects" heading select the link called "Pennsylvania, (your county)– church records".
6. Click on this blue subject link (i.e. Pennsylvania, Berks - church Records).
7. In the upper left corner you will find a heading titled "Search" containing the term Subject Number. Under that is the heading "For" with a number. Copy the number in the "For" field.
8.Paste the number in template listed in #1 above replacing the number field in the template.
9. If there is no church records topic for your county in the FS Catalog, go to #4 below.

NOTE: The template links to the FS Catalog and will show any additional records that are added to the FS Catalog in the future.

4. If there is no church records topic for your county in the FS Catalog, instead add the following template replacing the word "Berks" with the name of your county:

{{PAChurch3|Berks}}



Example of Task[edit | edit source]

Finding Church Records at Other Repositories

Additional church records can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Berks County Church Records in online catalogs like:

Example of Complete Church Records Section[edit | edit source]

Church Records[edit | edit source]

Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. In Pennsylvania, church records are often used as a substitute for birth, marriage, and death information. For general information about Pennsylvania denominations, view the Pennsylvania Church Records wiki page.


Many denominations dot the landscape of Berks County. Visiting the church your ancestor attended is recommended; however, many times, due to distance, that is not possible. The Historical Society of Berks County has an on-line index of more then 1.2 millions names, gleaned from the records of more than 300 local churches. It is not a complete index but still worth your time if you are looking for baptism, marriage, and burial records. The index is searchable in numerous ways, but searching by last name or church name is probably most popular. The index lists the name of the record, volume and page number where the individual record can be found. The volume and page number refer to books located at the historical society. To view the actual record, use the printable on-line form that can be mailed to obtain a copy of the record or visit the society. There is a fee for acquiring the record by mail.

The Berks County Genealogical Society has various records for churches throughout the Berks County area. However, the society has not put the records on-line and to view the records one must go to the society.

Finding Church Records at Other Repositories

Additional church records can sometimes be found using search phrases such as Berks County, Pennsylvania Church Records in online catalogs like:

County-wide Database - Multi-denominational[edit | edit source]

Baptists[edit | edit source]

Baptists settled in Berks County about 1738 along the Tulpehocken creek by individuals from the counties of Chester and Philadelphia. Two congregations were formed but by 1774 both had disappeared from the Tulpehocken region.[1]

Brethren[edit | edit source]

Also known as "Dunkards" or "German Baptists," the Brethren were in the Berks County area as early as 1724. However, the first Brethren congregation was settled in 1723 in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Early Berks County congregations were located near Pricetown, Millersburg and Oley with additional groups in the townships of Tulpehocken, Upper Tulpehocken and Bern.[2]

Moravian[edit | edit source]
Presbyterian[edit | edit source]

While never a denomination of prominence in Berks County, their beginnings were early in the county. Organized in 1812 the First Presbyterian Church is currently located at 37 South Fifth Street in Reading, PA. There are currently five Presbyterian churches in the city of Reading and the surrounding area. Currently the Historical of Berks County has only records for First Presbyterian. Additional records may be located at the individual churches.

Roman Catholic[edit | edit source]


  1. ↑ Morton L. Montgomery, "Historical and Biographical Annals of Berks County Pennsylvania" (Chicago: J.H. Beers and Co., 1909), 47. WorldCat 4281157; FS Catalog book 974.816 D2m
  2. ↑ Morton L. Montgomery, "Historical and Biographical Annals of Berks County Pennsylvania" (Chicago: J.H. Beers and Co., 1909), 46-47. WorldCat 4281157; FS Catalog book 974.816 D2m

FamilySearch Catalog (FS Catalog); formerly called, Family History Library Catalog (FHLC)

Retrieved from "https://integration-ru.familysearch.org/en/wiki/index.php?title=FamilySearch_Wiki:WikiProject_Pennsylvania/Tasks-Church_Records_Intro_3&oldid=5700541"