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Saint Kitts and Nevis Church Records

Saint Kitts and Nevis Wiki Topics
Flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis Beginning Research
Record Types
Saint Kitts and Nevis Background
Local Research Resources

For information about records for non-Christian religions in Saint Kitts and Nevis, go to the Religious Records page.

Online Resources and Websites

Parish Registers

Nevis Anglican Baptism transcripts at Findmypast from Hamilton College, Lower Antilles collection and Caribbeana
Parish Date range Records
St George Gingerland 1716-1821 236
St James Windward 1740-1877 1641
St John Figtree 1729-1860 505
St Paul Charlestown 1812-1881 2541
St Thomas Lowland 1734-1873 1895
St Kitts Anglican Baptism transcripts at Findmypast from Hamilton College, Lower Antilles collection and Caribbeana
Parish Date Range Records
Christ Church Nichola Town 1721-1834 72
St Anne Sandy Point 1725-1750 39
St George Bassetere 1733-1816 238
St John Capesterre 1721-1729 14
St Mary Cayon 1721-1745 144
St Paul Capesterre 0
St Peter Basseterre 1734-1815 3
St Thomas Middle Island 1729-1814 1004
Trinity Palmetto Point 1732-1831 385

Bishop's transcripts covering the 1720s to 1740s were found in the Public Record Office in England (now The National Archives).[1] Other records have survived on the islands. Many were published 100 years ago and are now available online:

  • 1721-1730 - 'Christ Church, Nicola Town in St. Christopher: Transcripts of Parish Registers,' Caribbeana, Vol. 1 (1910):37-39. Digitised by dLOC - free. Baptisms and burials.
  • 1721-1730 - 'St. John, Cabesaterre: Transcripts of Parish Registers,' Caribbeana, Vol. 1 (1910):39-40. Digitised by dLOC - free. Baptisms and burials.
  • 1721-1730 - 'St. Mary Cayan: Transcripts of Parish Registers,' Caribbeana, Vol. 1 (1910):40-42. Digitised by dLOC - free. Baptisms and burials.
  • 1733-1734 - 'Christ's Church, Nicola Town: Transcripts of Parish Registers,' Caribbeana, Vol. 1 (1910):141-142. Digitised by dLOC - free. Baptisms and burials.
  • 1733-1734 - 'St. Mary Cayon: Transcripts of Parish Registers,' Caribbeana, Vol. 1 (1910):142. Digitised by dLOC - free. Baptisms and burials.
  • 1733-1734 - 'St. George Basseterre, St. Christopher's: Transcripts of Parish Registers,' Caribbeana, Vol. 1 (1910):142. Digitised by dLOC - free. Baptisms and burials.
  • 1733-1734 - 'St. Peters, St. Christopher's: Transcripts of Parish Registers,' Caribbeana, Vol. 1 (1910):158-162. Digitised by dLOC - free. Baptisms and burials.
  • 1733-1734 - 'St. Ann, Sandy Point, St. Christopher's: Transcripts of Parish Registers,' Caribbeana, Vol. 1 (1910):162-164. Digitised by dLOC - free. Baptisms and burials.
  • 1733-1734 - 'St. John's Parish, Nevis: Transcripts of Parish Registers,' Caribbeana, Vol. 1 (1910):233. Digitised by dLOC - free. Baptisms and burials.
  • 1733-1734 - 'St. Thomas's Parish, Nevis: Transcripts of Parish Registers,' Caribbeana, Vol. 1 (1910):233-234. Digitised by dLOC - free. Baptisms and burials.
  • 1733-1734 - 'St. George's Parish, Nevis: Transcripts of Parish Registers,' Caribbeana, Vol. 1 (1910):234. Digitised by dLOC - free. Baptisms and burials.
  • 1738-1745 - 'Saint Mary Cayon Parish, St. Christophers: Transcripts of Parish Registers,' Caribbeana, Vol. 1 (1910):259-260, 299-300. Digitised by dLOC - free. Baptisms and burials.
  • 1740-1745 - 'St. James's Parish, Nevis: Transcripts of Parish Registers,' Caribbeana, Vol. 1 (1910):234-235. Digitised by dLOC - free. Baptisms and burials.
  • 1743-1744 - 'St. George's Parish [St. Christopher's]: Transcripts of Parish Registers,' Caribbeana, Vol. 1 (1910):301-304, 355-358. Digitised by dLOC - free. Baptisms and burials.
  • 1742-1745 - 'St. George Basseterre Parish, St. Christophers: Transcripts of Parish Registers,' Caribbeana, Vol. 1 (1910):358-361. Digitised by dLOC - free. Baptisms and burials.

Clergymen

Historical Background

Most inhabitants (82%) are Christians, mainly Anglicans and other Protestants denominations, with a smaller population of Catholics.[1] Roman Catholics are pastorally served by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown (on Barbados), while the Anglicans by the Diocese of the North East Caribbean and Aruba.

Anglicanism constitutes the largest religious group, with 20.6% of the population. Methodists are the second largest group (19.1%). The next largest group is the Pentecostals 8.2% of the population, followed by the Church of God (6.8%). 6.7% of the population are Roman Catholics. Other Christians include Moravians (5.5%), Baptists (4.8%), Seventh-day Adventists (4.7%), Evangelicals (2.6%), Brethren Christian (1.8%), Jehovah's Witnesses (1.3%) and the Salvation Army (0.1%).[2][3]

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 Saint Kitts and Nevis.
b. Click on Places within Saint Kitts and Nevis 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. See Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy for help with composing letters.

Anglican (Episcopal) Church Records

Writing for Records

Baptist Church Records

Writing for Records

Catholic Church Records

Dioceses of the Catholic Church in the Caribbean (includes the Diocese of Saint John's - Basseterre)

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 state of Saint Kitts and Nevis includes the islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Catholicism began to flourish on the island of Saint Kitts during the nineteenth century thanks to Irish and Portuguese immigrants. In 1858 it was appointed the first parish priest, the priest Phillip Lynch. Today Catholics of Saint Kitts and Nevis belong to the Diocese of Saint John's - Basseterre, which has its headquarters in the city of Saint John's on the island of Antigua. In Basseterre, the capital of Saint Kitts and Nevis, is the Co-Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, built in 1856, and rebuilt in the years 1927 - 1928. In Saint Kitts there are two other parishes, the Holy Family and Sacred Heart. In the island of Nevis there is the parish of Santa Teresa. In total, there are four Catholic parishes in the nation.[4]


Church of God Records

Writing for Records

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

In July 1984, Elders Douglas Myers and Robert J. Mollina arrived on St. Kitts and were soon followed by Reuel and Alice Lambourn, on 20 October 1984. They converted a home into a meetinghouse, and the St. Kitts-Nevis Branch was organized 10 September 1985. St. Kitts and Nevis is part of the Puerto Rico San Juan Mission.Total Church Membership: 227. [5]

Jehovah's Witnesses Church Records

Writing for Records

Methodist Church Records

Writing for Records

Moravian Church Records

Writing for Records

Pentecostal/Evangelical Church Records

Writing for Records

Seventh-day Adventist Church Records

Writing for Records

Salvation Army Church Records

Writing for Records


References

  1. ↑ The editor of these records stated additional bishop's transcripts for the Leeward Islands were at Fulham Palace, in the custody of the Bishop of London in 1910, but he did not have permission to publish them.
  2. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Saint Kitts and Nevis", in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Kitts_and_Nevis, accessed 30 March 2020.
  3. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Religion in Saint Kitts and Nevis", in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Saint_Kitts_and_Nevis, accessed 30 March 2020.
  4. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Catholic Church in Saint Kitts and Nevis", in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Saint_Kitts_and_Nevis, accessed 30 March 2020.
  5. ↑ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "Facts and Statistics: Brazil, https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/facts-and-statistics/country/saint-kitts-and-nevis, accessed 30 March 2020.
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