Qatar Church Records


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

Online Resources and Websites

Historical Background

In May 2005, representatives of Christian churches in Qatar signed an agreement with the Qatari Government for a fifty-year lease on a large piece of property in Mesaimeer on the outskirts of Doha on which they intended to erect six churches at their own expense. The churches were expected to pay nominal lease fees of a few hundred dollars a year, renewable after ten years. The property was expected to include an Anglican church that may also be used by other Protestant denominations, a church to serve thirty four Indian-Christian congregations, a church for the country's small but influential Coptic community, and a site for two Orthodox churches, one Greek and one Eastern Rite. In December 2005, the foundation stone for the Catholic Church was laid and the ground-breaking took place at the end of April 2006. A board composed of members of all the Christian churches liaises directly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding church matters. Each church has been granted permission to apply for visas for visiting clerics to preside over and assist in church services. Previously, Catholics and other Christians were limited to informal group meetings in homes.

Among the denominations mentioned in World Christian Encyclopedia, second edition, Volume 1, p. 617-618 are Mar Thoma Syrian Church (India), Arab Evangelical Church, Christian Brethren, Pentecostals and Anglican Church.

The Coptic minority in Qatar is substantial. There are about 200,000 Roman Catholics, who are under the jurisdiction of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia. Qatar's Anglican population is estimated at 7,000 to 10,000 persons. In 2008 the first church in 14 centuries, Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, was opened in Doha.[1]

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 Qatar.
b. Click on Places within Qatar 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. Use Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy for help with composing letters. Then use an Arabic translation service.

Catholic Church Records

Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia (including Qatar)

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:

Historical Background

The Catholic Church in Qatar is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome. There are 200,000 Catholics in Qatar, most of whom are expatriate workers from the Philippines, Lebanon, India, South America and the United Kingdom. Qatar forms part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia. Our Lady of the Rosary, the first Catholic church in Qatar, and also the first in an Arab Muslim emirate, was dedicated in the capital, Doha, on March 14, 2008. Previously, Catholics and other Christians were limited to informal group meetings in homes.[2]

Anglican (Episcopal) Church Records

Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East (including Qatar)

Writing for Records







Arab Evangelical Church Records

Writing for Records

Christian Brethren Church Records

Writing for Records

Coptic Church Records

Writing for Records

Eastern Orthodox Church Records

Writing for Records

Greek Orthodox Church Records

Writing for Records

Indian Evangelical Church Records

Writing for Records

Mar Thoma Syrian Church Records

Writing for Records

Pentecostal Church Records

Writing for Records

References

  1. Wikipedia contributors, "Christianity in Qatar", in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_Qatar, accessed 13 April 2020.
  2. Wikipedia contributors, "Catholic Church in Qatar", in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Qatar, accessed 13 April 2020.