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Pennsylvania Church Records: Difference between revisions
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''[[United States|United States]] > [[Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]]'' | ''[[United States|United States]] > [[Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]]'' | ||
[[Pennsylvania]] was founded as a place of refuge and religious freedom for many diverse groups from Great Britain and Europe. Important religious groups in colonial Pennsylvania were the Society of Friends (Quakers), the German Lutheran, German Reformed, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Baptist, and Catholic churches, and the German Pietist groups, including the Brethren (Dunkard), Mennonites, and Moravians. Before 1900 the major religious groups in Pennsylvania were the Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Reformed, Episcopal, and Roman Catholic churches. | [[Pennsylvania]] was founded as a place of refuge and religious freedom for many diverse groups from Great Britain and Europe. Important religious groups in colonial Pennsylvania were the Society of Friends (Quakers), the German Lutheran, German Reformed, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Baptist, and Catholic churches, and the German Pietist groups, including the Brethren (Dunkard), Mennonites, and Moravians. Before 1900 the major religious groups in Pennsylvania were the Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Reformed, Episcopal, and Roman Catholic churches. | ||
A detailed Historical Records Survey inventory of church records available at the State Library of Pennsylvania is Inventory of Church Archives in Pennsylvania, Historical Records Survey (on 72 Family History Library films beginning with [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=384182&disp=Inventory+of+church+archives+in+Pennsylv%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1014729]). It lists many Pennsylvania churches existing in the 1930s. It is arranged by county and can help you identify the church your ancestors attended. | Because the keeping of vital records began late in the history of Pennsylvania, church records will play a roll in family history research. It is very important that the researcher know the denomination of their ancestor and be able identify the church or churches their ancestor attended. County histories can help identfy extinct and extant churches in the locality where the ancestor lived. | ||
Ministers assigned to a particular church may have also rode the circuit to outlying areas to perform various ordinances for their parishoners. Records for itnerate ministers may be recorded in their personal records or the records of the church where they are assigned. County histories can help to identify pastors who served in the particular county and what churches they were assigned too. | |||
A detailed Historical Records Survey inventory of church records available at the State Library of Pennsylvania is Inventory of Church Archives in Pennsylvania, Historical Records Survey (on 72 Family History Library films beginning with [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=384182&disp=Inventory+of+church+archives+in+Pennsylv%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1014729]). It lists many Pennsylvania churches existing in the 1930s. It is arranged by county and can help you identify the church your ancestors attended. | |||
The [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Family History Library] has extensive collections of church records for the Lutheran, Presbyterian, Reformed (United Church of Christ), and Society of Friends denominations. Many transcripts of local church records have been published. | The [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Family History Library] has extensive collections of church records for the Lutheran, Presbyterian, Reformed (United Church of Christ), and Society of Friends denominations. Many transcripts of local church records have been published. | ||
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Friedenshutten, Gnaddenheutten, Languntouteneunk and Lawunakhannek | Friedenshutten, Gnaddenheutten, Languntouteneunk and Lawunakhannek | ||
=== Church Record Repositories === | === Church Record Repositories === | ||
Many denominations have deposited their records in central repositories. You can write to the following addresses for more information. Additional copies of church records may be located at the county historical and genealogical societies. Records at the societies may be more easily accessible. | Many denominations have deposited their records in central repositories. You can write to the following addresses for more information. Additional copies of church records may be located at the county historical and genealogical societies. Records at the societies may be more easily accessible. | ||
=== Baptist === | === Baptist === | ||