Northern Mariana Islands Church Records

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Northern Mariana Islands

Church Records

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

Historical Background

Many people on the Northern Mariana Islands are Roman Catholic or have traditional beliefs. According to the Pew Research Center, 2010:[

Roman Catholic 64.1%

Protestants 16%

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:

baptism date the infant's name parents' names father's occupation

status of legitimacy occasionally, names of grandparents names of witnesses or godparents, who may be relatives

birth date and place the family's place of residence death information, as an added note or signified by a cross

Marriages

Marriage registers can give:

the marriage date the names of the bride and groom indicate whether the bride and groom were single or widowed their ages

birth dates and places for the bride and groom their residences their occupations

birthplaces of the bride and groom parents' names (after 1800) the names of previous spouses and their death dates names of witnesses, who might be relatives.

Burials

Burial registers may give:

the name of the deceased the date and place of death or burial the deceased's age place of residence

cause of death the names of survivors, especially a widow or widower deceased's birth date and place parents' names, or at least the father's name

How to Find Records

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 FamilySearch Center near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations. To find records:

a. Click on the records of Mariana Islands.

b. Click on Places within Mariana Islands 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. . 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 Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy for help with composing letters.

• Google Maps search results for churches in Northern Mariana Islands

Catholic Church Records

Dioceses of the Catholic Church in Oceania (including the Chalan Kanoa diocese in Northern Mariana Islands)

Writing to a Local Parish

Earlier records can be held at the diocese, with more recent records still kept in the local parish. To locate the mailing address or e-mail address for a diocese or local parish, consult:

• The Catholic Directory: Northern Mariana Islands
• Google Maps search results for Catholic churches in Northern Mariana Islands

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Records

Online Records

Online information is available to current members, 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.

Historical Background

Among the first Church members to visit Saipan were American servicemen in 1944. Missionary work in Saipan began in the early 1970s, but was stopped because of local hostility. In February 1975, full-time missionary work began. One of the first group meetings on the island was held 24 July 1975.

Church member Alfred "Mustang" Gonzalez became construction manager of the new airport, arriving 16 July 1975. His family followed him in October. They bought a small vacant quonset hut that had been abandoned in the jungle and used it for a meetinghouse. After this building became too small, meetings were held in the elders' kitchen and living room. Sunday School classes were held outside under the coconut trees. A small building was completed in 1983.

ROTA -
Elders Stephen Jones and Kamealoha Kaniho were assigned to open Rota, an island in the Northern Marianas, for proselyting on 5 September 1986.

TINIAN

Work was opened on Tinian 14 August 1992, by Elder James Adamson and an Elder McCune. At one point, members were meeting in a rented room above the Mayors office in Tinian. It was standing room only.

On October 21, 2018, Typhoon Yutu caused great destruction on the Island of Tinian. Almost every home and building experienced damage. Many members left the island to returned to the Philippines or other islands or moved to the mainland. Missionaries were not reassigned to Tinian at that time. On October 26, 2021, Elders Cameron Taylor and Cole Barrow, with the assistance of a temporarily assigned senior couple, reopened the work of Gathering Israel on Tinian under the direction of Mission President Eric Hicks. Only two of the original members were found but the missionaries were led to find several who had been preparing for baptism three years previously. Church meetings were initially held in the home of the senior couple. The influence of the temple in Yigo, Guam will inspire the people of Tinian.

Total Church Membership: 865

Protestant Church Records

Writing for Records

• Google Maps search results for Protestant churches in Northern Mariana Islands