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*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-armed-forces-and-overseas-deaths-and-burials British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials], index and images, ($) | *[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/british-armed-forces-and-overseas-deaths-and-burials British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials], index and images, ($) | ||
== Historical Background == | == Historical Background == | ||
The major religions of Grenada are the Catholic Church and Anglican Church. The Presbyterian Church is also prominent. | |||
The island of Grenada was first colonized by the French in 1674. Historically the religious makeup of the islands of Grenada covers the period from first European occupation in the 17th century. This has always been predominantly Christian and largely Roman Catholic (due to the first occupants being French) and from the 1891 census we get a snapshot of the population and its religious proclivities - over half were Roman Catholic (55%), a third were Church of England (36%), others listed were Wesleyan (6%) and Presbyterian (0.88%). | The island of Grenada was first colonized by the French in 1674. Historically the religious makeup of the islands of Grenada covers the period from first European occupation in the 17th century. This has always been predominantly Christian and largely Roman Catholic (due to the first occupants being French) and from the 1891 census we get a snapshot of the population and its religious proclivities - over half were Roman Catholic (55%), a third were Church of England (36%), others listed were Wesleyan (6%) and Presbyterian (0.88%). | ||
Roughly one half of Christians are '''Roman Catholics''' (44.6% of the total population), a reflection of early French influence on the island, and one half are Protestant. '''Anglicanism''' constitutes the largest Protestant group, with 11.5% of the population. '''Pentecostals''' are the second largest group (11.3%), followed by '''Seventh-day Adventists''' (10.5% of the population). Other Christians include '''Baptists''' (2.9%), '''Church of God''' (2.6%), '''Methodists''' (1.8%), '''Evangelicals''' (1.6%) '''Jehovah's Witnesses''' (1.1%), and '''Brethren Christian''' (0.5%). | |||
Roughly one half of Christians are Roman Catholics (44.6% of the total population), a reflection of early French influence on the island, and one half are Protestant. Anglicanism constitutes the largest Protestant group, with 11.5% of the population. Pentecostals are the second largest group (11.3%), followed by Seventh-day Adventists (10.5% of the population). Other Christians include Baptists (2.9%), Church of God (2.6%), Methodists (1.8%), Evangelicals (1.6%) Jehovah's Witnesses (1.1%), and Brethren Christian (0.5%) | |||
== | ==''' Catholic Church Records'''== | ||
===Historical Background=== | |||
The first church in Grenada was French Roman Catholic and about 1718 the Notre Dame du Bon Secours Catholic Church. A tiny number of Irish Roman Catholic remained on the island as part of the Irish Brigade military contingent under Count Arthur Dillon and his brother Edward in 1779. At least seven early [[Grenada Online Genealogy Records | Roman Catholic parish registers]] (nearly 340 pages) have survived and have been digitized but not yet indexed. After 1864 RC parish records would have to have been formally kept. | |||
The Protestants Anglican Church was the state church or Established Church in Grenada from 1763 (once the island was formally ceded to Britain through the Treaty of Paris) | ==''' Anglican Church Records'''== | ||
===historical Background=== | |||
The Protestants Anglican Church was the state church or Established Church in Grenada from 1763 (once the island was formally ceded to Britain through the Treaty of Paris) Then in October 1800 all Catholic Churches were appropriated by the Protestants for the use as Anglican Churches. It was on 29 June 1830 that the foundation stone of the St. Patrick’s Anglican Church was laid as the first and oldest Anglican Church constructed in the parish. It was one of four churches started that year, including Anglican churches in St. Andrew and St. David. | |||
Each parish in Grenada kept its own records of christenings, marriages, and burials. These were included under the combined parishes of St. Andrew/St. Patrick/St. David (1807–1825) and St. Patrick/St. David (after 1825), and later under its own; records date to 1807. | Each parish in Grenada kept its own records of christenings, marriages, and burials. These were included under the combined parishes of St. Andrew/St. Patrick/St. David (1807–1825) and St. Patrick/St. David (after 1825), and later under its own; records date to 1807. | ||
It was late in 1865 that a Law, | It was late in 1865 that a Law, formalizing the keeping of complete Registers of Births, Deaths, Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials of all the people on the Island were ensured. | ||
==''' Presbyterian Records'''== | |||
===Historical Background=== | |||
Although Scottish Presbyterians began a massive migration in 1605, they did not arrive in Grenada until 1830 when St. Andrew's Presbyterian (also known as Scots’ Kirk) in St. George’s was built. Many of the Presbyterian settlers to Grenada, usually Plantation settlers, came also from England, Ireland and from Wales. By 1880 their progress grew in both Belair and St. Patrick’s and by 1883, Reverend James Muir from Scotland, arrived in Grenada and began assisting some twelve hundred Indians on the Island. | Although Scottish Presbyterians began a massive migration in 1605, they did not arrive in Grenada until 1830 when St. Andrew's Presbyterian (also known as Scots’ Kirk) in St. George’s was built. Many of the Presbyterian settlers to Grenada, usually Plantation settlers, came also from England, Ireland and from Wales. By 1880 their progress grew in both Belair and St. Patrick’s and by 1883, Reverend James Muir from Scotland, arrived in Grenada and began assisting some twelve hundred Indians on the Island. | ||
Congregations were organized but very few kept early records. All congregations would have had to start keeping records after 1864. | Congregations were organized but very few kept early records. All congregations would have had to start keeping records after 1864. | ||
== | =='''Methodist Records'''== | ||
A Methodist society began in Grenada in 1820 when its first church was built in the parish town of St. George’s. | A Methodist society began in Grenada in 1820 when its first church was built in the parish town of St. George’s. | ||
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Many other denominations have established churches or congregations in Grenada. In the mid-1700s Congregationalists and Baptists first came to Grenada as soldiers under Cromwell. Huguenots, seeking religious freedom, also came in the 1700s. Most Huguenots affiliated themselves with the Anglican Church or with the Presbyterian Church. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established branches in Grenada by 1950. | Many other denominations have established churches or congregations in Grenada. In the mid-1700s Congregationalists and Baptists first came to Grenada as soldiers under Cromwell. Huguenots, seeking religious freedom, also came in the 1700s. Most Huguenots affiliated themselves with the Anglican Church or with the Presbyterian Church. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints established branches in Grenada by 1950. | ||
==== Availability of Parish Registers ==== | ==== Availability of Parish Registers ==== | ||
As of the present time no Grenada Parish Registers have been | As of the present time no Grenada Parish Registers have been digitized. These records are of the original parish registers and do not include an online index to them. See [http://www.familysearch.org FamilySearch] for available online indexes.<br> | ||
== Locating Church Records == | == Locating Church Records == | ||