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[[Image:Minnesota church.jpg|thumb|right | [[Image:Minnesota church.jpg|thumb|right]] | ||
''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Minnesota]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Minnesota_Church_Records|Church Records]]'' | ''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Minnesota]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Minnesota_Church_Records|Church Records]]'' | ||
<br>Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. Some keep minutes of church meetings and the histories of their local church. Records may include names of other relatives who were witnesses or members of the congregation. The members of some churches were predominantly of one nationality or ethnic group. Each church has its own policies in record keeping. | |||
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. Records may include names of other relatives who were witnesses or members of the congregation. The members of some churches were predominantly of one nationality or ethnic group. | |||
Church records are important for family research because civil authorities in Minnesota did not begin registering births and deaths on a county level until 1870 and even later on a state level. (See the "[[Minnesota Vital Records|Vital Records]]" article for more information on birth, death, and other records.) Before 1900 the largest religious groups in Minnesota were the Roman Catholics and Lutherans. There were also many Methodists, Episcopalians, Congregationalists, and Presbyterians. | Church records are important for family research because civil authorities in Minnesota did not begin registering births and deaths on a county level until 1870 and even later on a state level. (See the "[[Minnesota Vital Records|Vital Records]]" article for more information on birth, death, and other records.) Before 1900 the largest religious groups in Minnesota were the Roman Catholics and Lutherans. There were also many Methodists, Episcopalians, Congregationalists, and Presbyterians. | ||