North Carolina Church Records: Difference between revisions

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Church records and the information they provide vary greatly 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.  
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Major religious denominations were established in [[North Carolina|North Carolina]] in the following years: Society of Friends (Quakers) (1672), Anglican (1700), Baptist (1727), Presbyterian (1730), Lutheran (1740), Moravian (1753), and Methodist (1772). The Baptist church was dominant by 1860 and remains so today.
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The Family History Library has some church records for the Baptists, Society of Friends, and other groups. The library also has histories of the Baptist, Christian, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Society of Friends, Methodist, Moravian, and Protestant Episcopal denominations.
| link5=[[North Carolina Church Records|Church Records]]
 
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The Moravians, Lutherans, and Society of Friends kept detailed records, and some of these have been published. Many denominations have collected their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses to learn where their records are located:
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=== Baptist  ===
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Baptist Historical Collection<br>Z. Smith Reynolds Library<br>Wake Forest University<br>P.O. Box 7777<br>Winston-Salem, NC 27109-7777 Telephone: 336-758-5089<br>Fax: 336-758-5605<br>Website: [http://zsr.wfu.edu/collections/special/baptist '''''http://''zsr.wfu.edu/collections/special/baptist''']
<center>'''For greater success, use all the Wiki Articles in this series:'''</center>
 
*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?|'''What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?''']]
<br>
*[[Determining the Church Your Ancestor Attended|'''Determining the Church Your Ancestor Attended''']]
 
*[[How to Find Church Records in the United States|'''How to Find Church Records in the United States''']]
Free Will Baptist Historical Collection<br>Moye Library<br>Mount Olive College<br>634 Henderson St.<br>Mount Olive, NC 28365-1699 Telephone: 919-658-7827<br>Toll Free: 1-800-653-0854<br>Fax: 919-658-8934 W<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1200080510015_813" />ebsite:&nbsp; '''[http://www.moc.edu/moyelibrary/fwbhc/ayden.cfm www.moc.edu/fwbhc]'''
*[[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''Searching for Church Records by Denomination''' ]]
 
*[[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by U.S. State|'''Searching for Church Records by U.S. State''']]
|}
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==Historical Background==
Major religious denominations were established in [[North Carolina Genealogy|North Carolina]] in the following years: [[Society of Friends (Quakers) in the United States|'''Society of Friends (Quakers)''']] (1672), [[Anglican Church in the United States|'''Anglican/Episcopal''']] (1700), [[Baptist Church in the United States|'''Baptist''']] (1727), [[Presbyterian Church in the United States|'''Presbyterian''']] (1730), [[Lutheran Church in the United States|'''Lutheran''']] (1740), [[Moravian Church in the United States|'''Moravian''']] (1753), and [[Methodist Church in the United States|'''Methodist''']] (1772). The [[Baptist Church in the United States|'''Baptist''']] church was dominant by 1860 and remains so today.
<br>
<br>
North Carolina residents, like those of other Southern states, since the colonial era have historically been overwhelmingly Protestant, first Anglican, then Baptist and Methodist. Before the Civil War, the Baptists split into regional associations of the North and South, over the issue of slavery.


By the late 19th century, the largest Protestant denomination in North Carolina was the Baptist, when both whites and blacks were considered, but the latter people had set up their own organizations. After emancipation, black Baptists quickly set up their own independent congregations in North Carolina and other states of the South, as they wanted to be free of white supervision. Black Baptists developed their own state and national associations, such as the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.
The Primitive Baptist Library<br>4023 North Highway 87<br>Elon College, NC 27244 Telephone: 336-278-2000<br>Website: [http://www.elon.edu/e-web/library/findhome '''www.elon.edu/e-web/library/findhome''']<br>(An appointment should be made before visiting.)
 
&nbsp;For a history of the Baptist churches, see: Paschal, George Washington. ''History of the North Carolina Baptists''. 2 vols. Raleigh, North Carolina: North Carolina Baptist State Convention, 1930–55. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=975.6+K2p 975.6 K2p]; fiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=180133&disp=History+of+North+Carolina+Baptists++ 6049246–247.)] There are useful chapters in these volumes concerning the various Baptist associations and groups from the 1600s to about 1860. Mention is made of the various ministers. There are several inventories that describe the churches and records of Southern Baptist associations, such as: *Alleghany Association (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=180007&disp=Inventory+of+the+church+archives+of+Nort%20%20&columns=*,0,0 975.6 K2ha]; film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=180007&disp=Inventory+of+the+church+archives+of+Nort++ 1320847 item 11].) *Brunswick Association (Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=180016&disp=Inventory+of+the+church+archives+of+Nort++ 1036844 item 28].) *Central Association (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=975.6+K2hc 975.6 K2hc]; film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=180031&disp=Inventory+of+the+church+archives+of+Nort++ 1320847 item 4].) *Flat River Association (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=975.6+K2hf 975.6 K2hf]; film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=180039&disp=Inventory+of+the+church+archives+of+Nort++ 1320847 item 1].) *Raleigh Association (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=975.6+K2hr 975.6 K2hr]; film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=180056&disp=Inventory+of+the+church+archives+of+Nort++ 1320847 item 5].) *Stanly Association; *Yancey Association (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=975.6+K2hy 975.6 K2hy]; film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=180126&disp=Inventory+of+the+church+archives+of+Nort++ 1320847 item 3.]) A two-volume collection of biographies is: Hamby, Robert P. ''Brief Baptist Biographies, 1707–1982''. 2 vols. Greenville, South Carolina: A Press, 1982. (Family History Library&nbsp;book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=133060&disp=Brief+Baptist+biographies%2C+1707%2D1982%20%20&columns=*,0,0 975.6 K2h].) The Family History Library has volume 2 only.  


The state also has a special history with the Moravian Church, as settlers of this faith (largely of German origin) settled in the Winston-Salem area in the 18th and 19th centuries. Presbyterians, historically Scots-Irish, have had a strong presence in Charlotte and in Scotland County.
=== Disciples of Christ  ===


Currently, the rapid influx of northerners and immigrants from Latin America is steadily increasing ethnic and religious diversity: the number of Roman Catholics and Jews in the state has increased, as well as general religious diversity. The second-largest Protestant denomination in North Carolina after Baptist traditions is Methodism, which is strong in the northern Piedmont, especially in populous Guilford County. There are also a substantial number of Quakers in Guilford County and northeastern North Carolina. <ref>"North Carolina:Religion" in Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Carolina#Religion. Accessed 15 July 2020.</ref>
Discipliana Collections<br>Barton College<br>Wilson, NC 27893


==Information Found in the Records==
Telephone: 252-399-6352<br>Toll Free:&nbsp; 1-800-345-4973<br>(Call for an appointment.)<br>Website:&nbsp; [http://www.barton.edu www.barton.edu]  
To effectively use church records, become familiar with their content. Click on these links to learn about a specific record type:
{|
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*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Baptisms or Christenings|Baptisms or Christenings]]
*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Marriages|Marriages]]
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*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Funerals or Burials|Funerals or Burials]]
*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Membership Lists|Membership Lists]]
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*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Minutes or Historical Narrative|Minutes or Historical Narrative]]
|}


==Finding the Records==
=== Episcopal  ===
===Look for online records.===


<br>
Diocese of North Carolina<br>200 West Morgan Street <br>Suite 300<br>Raleigh, NC 27619
 
Telephone: 919-834-7474<br>or 1-800-448-8775<br>Fax:&nbsp; 919-834-7546<br>Website:&nbsp; [http://www.episdionc.org www.episdionc.org]
 
<br>Diocese of Western North Carolina<br>900-B Central Park Drive<br>Asheville,&nbsp;NC 28805
 
Telephone: 828-225-6656<br>Fax 828-225-6657<br>E-mail: bishop@diocesewnc.org<br>Website: [http://www.diocesewnc.org www.diocesewnc.org]
 
<br>Diocese of East Carolina<br>705 Doctors Drive<br>P. O. Box 1336<br>Kingston, NC 28503
 
Telephone: 252-522-0885<br>Fax 252-532-5272<br>E-mail: diocese@diocese-eastcarolina.org<br>Website: [http://www.diocese-eastcarolina.org www.diocese-eastcarolina.org]


{|
=== Lutheran ===
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[[File:Caution sign.png|70px]]
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Online databases are <span style="color:Red">'''incomplete'''</span>. This can lead to two common errors:
#'''Near matches:''' Researchers might <span style="color:Red">'''mistakenly accept an entry very similar to their ancestor'''</span>, thinking it is the only one available. Only use information that matches your ancestor in date, place, relationships, and other details.
#'''Stopping research''': Researchers might <span style="color:Red">'''assume the database proves church records do not exist'''</span>. Actually the record is still out there, just not in this <span style="color:Red">'''incomplete'''</span> collection of records.  Keep searching!
|}
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*{{FSC|359197|item|disp=Bible, cemetery and church records from North Carolina}}, D.A.R. collection
====FamilySearch Indexes====
*'''1700-1970''' {{RecordSearch|2790262|North Carolina, Church Records, 1700-1970}} at FamilySearch - [[North Carolina, Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1866-1964''' {{RecordSearch|1675484|North Carolina, Births and Christenings, 1866-1964}} at FamilySearch - [[North Carolina Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1759-1979''' {{RecordSearch|1675514|North Carolina, Marriages, 1759-1979}} at FamilySearch - [[North Carolina Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1898-1994''' {{RecordSearch|1675510|North Carolina, Deaths and Burials, 1898-1994}} at FamilySearch - [[North Carolina Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index


====Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints====
Archives, North Carolina Synod<br>Lutheran Church in America<br>1988 Lutheran Synod Dr.<br>Salisbury, NC 28144-5700
*'''1843-1925''' [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/294524-redirection North Carolina, L.D.S. baptisms card index, 1843-1925.]
====Lutheran====
*'''1781-1969'''  - [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60722/ U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969], index & images, incomplete.($)


====Quakers (Society of Friends====
Telephone: 704-633-4861<br>Fax: 704-638-0508<br>Website:&nbsp;[http://www.nclutheran.org www.nclutheran.org]  
*[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/48129/ Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy. Vol. I: (North Carolina Yearly Meeting)]
*'''1681-1935''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2189/ U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935], index & images ($). Incomplete.


===Look for digital copies of church records in the FamilySearch Catalog. ===
For historical background information, see:  
[[File:Family History Library.jpg|right|thumb|<center>'''FamilySearch Library'''<br>'''Salt Lake City, Utah'''</center>]]
*The [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library] (FS Library) has a substantial collection of original church records and transcripts on microfilm for churches in the United States.
*Online church records can be listed in the FamilySearch Catalog under the state, county, or town.
*If you find a record that has not yet been digitized, see [https://beta.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-request-that-a-microfilm-be-digitized '''How do I request that a microfilm be digitized?''']
*Some records might have viewing restrictions, and can only be viewed at a [https://locations.familysearch.org/en/search '''FamilySearch Center'''] near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations. 
*To find records:
:::a. Click on the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=20&query=%2Bplace%3A%22United%20States%2C%20North%20Carolina%22 '''records of United States, North Carolina'''].
:::b. Click on '''Places within United States, North Carolina''' and a list of counties will appear.
:::c. Click on your county if it appears.
:::d. Click on the '''"Church records"''' topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
:::e. Click on '''Places within United States, North Carolina [COUNTY]''' and a list of towns will appear.
:::f. Click on your town if it appears, or the location which you believe was the parish which served your town or village. 
:::g. Click on the '''"Church records"''' topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
:::h. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the listing for the record. [[File:FHL icons.png|75px]].  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.
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===Consult available finding aids.===
Bernheim, Gotthardt Dellmann, and George H. Cox. ''The History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and Ministerium of North Carolina: In Commemoration of the Completion of the First Century of Its Existence''. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.: Published for the Synod by the Lutheran Publication Society, 1902. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=179988&disp=The+history+of+the+Evangelical+Lutheran+%20%20&columns=*,0,0 975.6 K2b].) The history of the various congregations is discussed. The ministers to about 1900 are listed with the dates when they served.  


'''These aids generally provide lists of records that are known to exist and information on their location.'''
=== Methodist  ===
====Southern Baptist Convention====
'''Inventory of the church archives of North Carolina : sponsored by the North Carolina Historical Commission, Southern Baptist Convention''':


*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/161873-redirection '''Alleghany Association'''], e-book
United Methodist Church Archives<br>P.O. Box 127 Drew University<br>36 Madison Ave.<br>Madison, NJ 07940-3189
*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/156381-redirection '''Brunswick Association'''], e-book
*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/166109-redirection '''Central Association'''], e-book
*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/330196-redirection '''Flat River Association'''], e-book
*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/159889-redirection '''Raleigh Association'''], e-book
*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/164634-redirection '''Stanly Association'''], e-book
*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/159860-redirection '''Yancey Association'''], e-book
----


===Correspond with or visit the actual churches.===
Telephone: 973-408-3189<br>Fax: 973-408-3909<br>E-mail: research@gcah.org<br>Website: [http://www.gcah.org www.gcah.org]  
Some records are still held in the local churches. Contact the current minister to find out what records are still available.
*'''Make an appointment''' to look at the records. Or ask the minister of the church to make a copy of the record for you.
*To find church staff available, you might have to visit on Sunday.
*Ask for small searches at a time, such as one birth record or a specific marriage. Never ask for "everything on a family or surname". 
*A '''donation''' ($25-$40) for their time and effort to help you would be appropriate.
*If the church has a website, you may be able to '''e-mail a message'''.
*See the [[Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy|'''Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy''']] for help with composing letters.
*Each [[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''denomination page''']] offers an [[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''online address directory of local churches''']] for that denomination.


===Check the church records collections in archives and libraries.===
Records of the Methodist Episcopal Church are at this archive. Searches are limited to obituaries of ordained clergy and can be conducted for a non-refundable fee.  
Some church records have been deposited for preservation in government archives or in libraries. Watch for links to '''digitized, online records''' offered by the archives. Some archives provide '''research services''' for a fee. For others, if you cannot visit in person, you might hire a researcher.<br>
<br>
<span style="color:DarkViolet">'''Here you will find archive information unique to the state. Many more archives are kept by denomination. For denominational  archives, go to  [[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''Searching for Church Records by Denomination.''']]</span>


-----
Western N.C. Conference Archives<br>3400 Shamrock Drive<br>P. O. Box 18005<br>Charlotte, NC 28218
==== Baptist  ====
*'''1750-1899''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62267/ U.S., Southern Baptist Church Records, 1750-1899] at Ancestry - index & images ($)
[https://wakespace.lib.wfu.edu/handle/10339/63998 '''Baptist Historical Collection<br>Special Collections''']<br>Z. Smith Reynolds Library<br>Wake Forest University<br>P.O. Box 7777<br>Winston-Salem, NC 27109-7777 Telephone: 336-758-5089<br>Fax: 336-758-5605 <br>
*[https://wakespace.lib.wfu.edu/handle/10339/63998/browse?type=relationcollection&rpp=200 '''Browse by Church''']
*[https://wakespace.lib.wfu.edu/handle/10339/63998 '''Digitized Collections''']
----
[https://moc.libguides.com/fwb_coll '''Free Will Baptist Historical Collection''']<br>[https://umo.edu/library/ '''Moye Library''']<br>Mount Olive College<br>634 Henderson St.<br>Mount Olive, NC 28365-1699 Telephone: 919-658-7827<br>Toll Free: 1-800-653-0854<br>Fax: 919-658-8934<br>
*[https://mountolivecollege.on.worldcat.org/discovery '''Library Search Engine''']
*[https://archive.org/search.php?query=contributor:(The%20Free%20Will%20Baptist%20Historical%20Collection,%20University%20of%20Mount%20Olive) '''Online Collections''']
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[https://www.elon.edu/u/library/ '''The Primitive Baptist Library''']<br>4057 N NC Highway 87<br>Elon, NC 27244 <br>Phone: 336-484-5503<br>Email: [mailto:familyproviders@live.com familyproviders@live.com]<br>(An appointment should be made before visiting.)
----


==== Church of England (Anglican, Episcopal)  ====
Telephone: 704-535-2260, ext. 44<br>&nbsp;
'''These churches maintain records in each individual church. Closed parishes are  kept in the diocese listed below:'''<br>
<br>
[http://www.episdionc.org '''Diocese of North Carolina''']<br>200 West Morgan Street <br>Suite 300<br>Raleigh, NC 27619


Telephone: 919-834-7474<br>or 1-800-448-8775<br>Fax: 919-834-7546
Eastern North Carolina Conference Archives<br>Methodist Building<br>1307 Glenwood Ave.<br>P.O. Box 10955<br>Raleigh, NC 27605
*[https://www.episdionc.org/find-a-church/ '''Find-a-Church''']
----
[http://www.diocesewnc.org '''Diocese of Western North Carolina''']<br>900-B Central Park Drive<br>Asheville, NC 28805


Telephone: 828-225-6656<br>Fax 828-225-6657<br>Email: [mailto:bishop@diocesewnc.org bishop@diocesewnc.org]
Telephone: 919-832-9560<br>E-mail: archives_history@ncc.org  
*[https://www.diocesewnc.org/find-a-church '''Find-a-Church''']
----
[http://www.diocese-eastcarolina.org '''Diocese of North Carolina''']<br>705 Doctors Drive<br>P. O. Box 1336<br>Kingston, NC 28503


Telephone: 252-522-0885<br>Fax 252-532-5272<br>Email: [mailto:diocese@diocese-eastcarolina.org diocese@diocese-eastcarolina.org]
Southern North Carolina Conference Archives Heritage Center<br>710 N. Lakeshore Dr.<br>Lake Junaluska, NC 28745
*[https://www.diocese-eastcarolina.org/ '''Find-a-Church''']
----


==== Disciples of Christ  ====
Telephone: 828-452-2881<br>Website: [http://www.sejumc.org/ministries_agencies.aspx?id=31&terms=Archives http://www.sejumc.org/ministries_agencies.aspx?id=31&amp;terms=Archives]


[https://barton.libguides.com/special_collections/discipliana '''Discipliana Collections''']<br>Barton College<br>Wilson, NC 27893
Mailing address:<br>Southern North Carolina Conference Archives<br>P. O. Box 1165<br>Lake Junaluska, NC 28745


Telephone: 252-399-6352<br>Toll Free: 1-800-345-4973<br>(Call for an appointment.)
=== Moravian ===


====Lutheran====
Moravian Archives<br>457 South Church Street<br>Winston-Salem, NC 27101
[https://www.crumleyarchives.com/ '''James R. Crumley Jr. Archives''']<br>
4201 Main St.<br>
Columbia, SC 29203 <br>
<br>
Phone: 803-461-3234<br>
[https://www.crumleyarchives.com/contact-us Contact form]<br>
*Archives hold records for '''closed churches.'''  '''For open churches write directly to [[Lutheran Church in the United States#Correspond with or visit the actual churches.|the local church.''']]


==== Moravian  ====
<br>Telephone: 336-722-1742<br>E-mail: moravianarchives@mcsp.org<br>Website: [http://www.moravianarchives.org www.moravianarchives.org]  
*'''The Southern Province Moravian Archives'''<br>
:457 S. Church Street<br>
:Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101<br>
:Phone: (336) 722-1742<br>
:Email: moravianarchives@mcsp.org<br>
*[https://moravianarchives.org/ '''Website''']
*[https://moravianarchives.org/our-memoir-collection/ '''Our Memoir Collection''']
*[https://moravianarchives.org/library-resources/ '''The Genealogy Bookshelves'''] List of family surnames in the collection.
*[https://moravianarchives.org/congregations/ '''Moravian Churches Historical List''']
*[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015025929681&view=1up&seq=4 '''1932 Catalog''']  Overview of older holdings
*[https://www.moravianarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Moravian-Archives-Researcher-Application-Final.pdf '''Researcher Application'''] Schedule an appointment.
<br>


An extensive set of books about the Moravians in North Carolina is:  
An extensive set of books about the Moravians in North Carolina is:  


*''Records of the Moravians in North Carolina, 1752–1879''. 11 vols. Raleigh, North Carolina: Edwards &amp; Broughton, 1922–1969. {{FSC|178157|item}} Book 975.6 F2m; Films 1321198 and 1321210–1321211. Each volume is indexed.
''Records of the Moravians in North Carolina, 1752–1879''. 11 vols. Raleigh, North Carolina: Edwards &amp; Broughton, 1922–1969. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=975.6+F2m 975.6 F2m]; films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=178157&disp=Records+of+the+Moravians+in+North+Caroli++ 1321198] and [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=178157&disp=Records+of+the+Moravians+in+North+Caroli++ 1321210–11].) Each volume is indexed.  
 
=== Presbyterian  ===
 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)<br>Presbyterian Historical Society<br>425 Lombard Street<br>Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516<br>Telephone: 215-627-1852<br>Fax: 215-627-0509<br>Website: http://www.history.pcusa.org<br>Send queries to: refdesk@history.pcusa.org
 
=== Roman Catholic  ===
 
Archives of the Diocese of Raleigh<br>The Catholic Center<br>715 Nazareth Street<br>Raleigh, NC 27603
 
Telephone: 919-821-9700<br>Fax: 919-821-9705<br>(call in advance for an appointment)<br>Website: [http://www.dioceseofraleigh.org www.dioceseofraleigh.org]
 
<br>Archives of the Diocese of Charlotte<br>1524 East Morehead St.<br>P.O. Box 36776<br>Charlotte, NC 28236
 
Telephone: 704-377-6871<br>Fax: 704-358-1208<br>(An appointment is required.)<br>Website: [http://www.charlottediocese.org www.charlottediocese.org]
 
=== Society of Friends (Quakers)  ===


==== Roman Catholic  ====
Friends Historical Collection<br>Hege Library<br>5800 West Friendly Ave.<br>Greensboro, NC 27410-4175
[https://dioceseofraleigh.org/chancery/archives '''Archives of the Diocese of Raleigh''']'''<br>'''The Catholic Center<br>715 Nazareth Street<br>Raleigh, NC 27603y
*If you know in which church performed the Sacrament in question, please [https://dioceseofraleigh.org/find-a-parish '''contact that parish first.''']
Telephone: 919-821-9700<br>Fax: 919-821-9705<br>(call in advance for an appointment) <br><br>
The '''Diocese of Raleigh''' serves the following North Carolina counties: [[Alamance County, North Carolina|Alamance]], [[Beaufort County, North Carolina|Beaufort]], [[Bertie County, North Carolina|Bertie]], [[Bladen County, North Carolina|Bladen]], [[Brunswick County, North Carolina|Brunswick]], [[Camden County, North Carolina|Camden]], [[Carteret County, North Carolina|Carteret]], [[Caswell County, North Carolina|Caswell]], [[Chatham County, North Carolina|Chatham]], [[Chowan County, North Carolina|Chowan]], [[Columbus County, North Carolina|Columbus]], [[Craven County, North Carolina|Craven]], [[Cumberland County, North Carolina|Cumberland]], [[Currituck County, North Carolina|Currituck]], [[Dare County, North Carolina|Dare]], [[Duplin County, North Carolina|Duplin]], [[Durham County, North Carolina|Durham]], [[Edgecombe County, North Carolina|Edgecombe]], [[Franklin County, North Carolina|Franklin]], [[Gates County, North Carolina|Gates]], [[Granville County, North Carolina|Granville]], [[Greene County, North Carolina|Greene]], [[Halifax County, North Carolina|Halifax]], [[Harnett County, North Carolina|Harnett]], [[Hertford County, North Carolina|Hertford]], [[Hoke County, North Carolina|Hoke]], [[Hyde County, North Carolina|Hyde]], [[Johnston County, North Carolina|Johnston]], [[Jones County, North Carolina|Jones]], [[Lee County, North Carolina|Lee]], [[Lenoir County, North Carolina|Lenoir]], [[Martin County, North Carolina|Martin]], [[Moore County, North Carolina|Moore]], [[Nash County, North Carolina|Nash]], [[New Hanover County, North Carolina|New Hanover]], [[Northampton County, North Carolina|Northampton]], [[Onslow County, North Carolina|Onslow]], [[Orange County, North Carolina|Orange]], [[Pamlico County, North Carolina|Pamlico]], [[Pasquotank County, North Carolina|Pasquotank]], [[Pender County, North Carolina|Pender]], [[Perquimans County, North Carolina|Perquimans]], [[Person County, North Carolina|Person]], [[Pitt County, North Carolina|Pitt]], [[Robeson County, North Carolina|Robeson]], [[Sampson County, North Carolina|Sampson]], [[Tyrrell County, North Carolina|Tyrrell]], [[Vance County, North Carolina|Vance]], [[Wake County, North Carolina|Wake]], [[Warren County, North Carolina|Warren]], [[Washington County, North Carolina|Washington]], [[Wayne County, North Carolina|Wayne]], [[Wilson County, North Carolina|Wilson]].<ref name="cat">[http://www.cdeducation.org/oym/connections/dioceseusmap.htm Map of the Roman Catholic Dioceses in the United States of America], Office of Catholic Schools Diocese of Columbus, accessed 3 Nov 2010.</ref> <br>  
----
[https://charlottediocese.org/archive-posts/sacramental-records/ '''Archives of the Diocese of Charlotte''']'''<br>'''1524 East Morehead St.<br>P.O. Box 36776<br>Charlotte, NC 28236 <br> Telephone: 704-377-6871<br>Fax: 704-358-1208<br>(An appointment is required.)
*If you know in which church performed the Sacrament in question, please [https://charlottediocese.org/parishes/ '''contact that parish first.''']<br>
The Diocese of Charlotte serves the following North Carolina counties: [[Alexander County, North Carolina|Alexander]], [[Alleghany County, North Carolina|Alleghany]], [[Anson County, North Carolina|Anson]], [[Ashe County, North Carolina|Ashe]], [[Avery County, North Carolina|Avery]], [[Buncombe County, North Carolina|Buncombe]], [[Burke County, North Carolina|Burke]], [[Cabarrus County, North Carolina|Cabarrus]], [[Caldwell County, North Carolina|Caldwell]], [[Catawba County, North Carolina|Catawba]], [[Cherokee County, North Carolina|Cherokee]], [[Clay County, North Carolina|Clay]], [[Cleveland County, North Carolina|Cleveland]], [[Davidson County, North Carolina|Davidson]], [[Davie County, North Carolina|Davie]], [[Forsyth County, North Carolina|Forsyth]], [[Gaston County, North Carolina|Gaston]], [[Graham County, North Carolina|Graham]], [[Guilford County, North Carolina|Guilford]], [[Haywood County, North Carolina|Haywood]], [[Henderson County, North Carolina|Henderson]], [[Iredell County, North Carolina|Iredell]], [[Jackson County, North Carolina|Jackson]], [[Lincoln County, North Carolina|Lincoln]], [[McDowell County, North Carolina|McDowell]], [[Macon County, North Carolina|Macon]], [[Madison County, North Carolina|Madison]], [[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina|Mecklenburg]], [[Mitchell County, North Carolina|Mitchell]], [[Montgomery County, North Carolina|Montgomery]], [[Polk County, North Carolina|Polk]], [[Randolph County, North Carolina|Randolph]], [[Richmond County, North Carolina|Richmond]], [[Rockingham County, North Carolina|Rockingham]], [[Rowan County, North Carolina|Rowan]], [[Rutherford County, North Carolina|Rutherford]], [[Scotland County, North Carolina|Scotland]], [[Stanly County, North Carolina|Stanly]], [[Surry County, North Carolina|Surry]], [[Swain County, North Carolina|Swain]], [[Transylvania County, North Carolina|Transylvania]], [[Union County, North Carolina|Union]], [[Watauga County, North Carolina|Watauga]], [[Wilkes County, North Carolina|Wilkes]], [[Yadkin County, North Carolina|Yadkin]], [[Yancey County, North Carolina|Yancey]].<ref name="cat" />


==== Society of Friends (Quakers)  ====
Telephone: 336-316-2000<br>Fax: 336-316-2950<br>E-mail: mchijiok@guilford.edu<br>Website: [http://www.guilford.edu/about_guilford/services_and_administration/library/ www.guilford.edu/about_guilford/services_and_administration/library/]
* '''HEGE Library and Learning Technologies'''<br>Guilford College<br>5800 West Friendly Ave<br>Greensboro, NC 27410<br>
 
:Email: archives@guilford.edu
A useful history of the Society of Friends is:
:*[http://library.guilford.edu/c.php?g=815508&p=5819861 '''Website''']
 
::Covers North Carolina and the southeastern U.S., Baltimore, Philadelphia
Anscombe, Francis Charles. ''I Have Called You Friends: The Story of Quakerism in North Carolina''. Boston, Massachusetts: Christopher Publishing House, 1959. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=178152&disp=I+have+called+you+friends%20%20&columns=*,0,0 975.6 K2a].)
Another source is:  
 
The records of the 33 oldest monthly meetings that belonged to the North Carolina yearly meeting of Friends (dating from the 1680s to as late as 1914 in some cases) are published in volume 1 of:  


*Bjorkman, Gwen Boyer. ''Quaker Marriage Certificates: Pasquotank, Perquimans, Piney Woods, and Suttons Creek Monthly Meetings, North Carolina, 1677–1800''. Bowie, Maryland.: Heritage, 1988. {{FSC|508972|item}} 975.6 K2bg
Hinshaw, William Wade. ''Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy''. 7 vols. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing, 1969. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=973+D2he+ 973 D2he] 1969; fiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=192159&disp=Encyclopedia+of+American+Quaker+genealog++ 6051277 [set of 118].)]


===Correspond with genealogical or historical societies.===
Another source is:  
Some church records have been given to historical societies. Also, historical societies may be able to tell you where the records are being held. To find a society near you, consult these lists:  
<br>


==Next, go to the Wiki article for your ancestors' denomination. ==
Bjorkman, Gwen Boyer. ''Quaker Marriage Certificates: Pasquotank, Perquimans, Piney Woods, and Suttons Creek Monthly Meetings, North Carolina, 1677–1800''. Bowie, Maryland.: Heritage, 1988. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=975.6+K2bg+ 975.6 K2bg].)
There are frequently additional, nationwide or regional archives and online collections for each denomination.  Find the article for your ancestors' denomination and follow the instructions there to access these sources.
{{Template:US-church-sidebar}}
<br>
==Carefully compare any record you find to known facts about the ancestor==
You will possibly find many different people with the '''same name as your ancestor,''' especially when a family stayed in a locality for several generations, and several children were named after the '''grandparents or aunts and uncles'''. Be prepared to find the correct church records by organizing in advance as many of these exact details about the ancestor '''as possible''':
*'''name''', including '''middle name and maiden name'''
*names of all '''spouses''', including middle and maiden name
*exact or closely estimated '''dates of birth, marriage, and death'''
*names and approximate birthdates of '''children'''
*all known places of '''residence'''
*'''occupations'''
*'''military''' service details
<br>


[[File:Dark_thin_font_green_pin_Version_4.png|50px]]'''Carefully evaluate''' the church records you find to make sure you have really found records for your ancestor and not just a '''"near match"'''. If one or more of the details do not line up, be careful about accepting the entry as your ancestor. There are guiding principles for deciding how to resolve discrepancies between records that are seemingly close. For more instruction in evaluating evidence, read the Wiki article, [[Evaluate the Evidence|'''Evaluate the Evidence'''.]]
Church records can be found in the Family History Library Catalog by using a Place Search under:


=== References  ===
NORTH CAROLINA, [COUNTY]- CHURCH RECORDS


<references />{{North Carolina|North Carolina}}{{USChurch}}
NORTH CAROLINA, [COUNTY], [TOWN]- CHURCH RECORDS


[[Category:North Carolina, United States|Church]] [[Category:U_S_States_Church_records]]
[[Category:North_Carolina]]

Revision as of 08:02, 25 August 2009

Church records and the information they provide vary greatly 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.

Major religious denominations were established in North Carolina in the following years: Society of Friends (Quakers) (1672), Anglican (1700), Baptist (1727), Presbyterian (1730), Lutheran (1740), Moravian (1753), and Methodist (1772). The Baptist church was dominant by 1860 and remains so today.

The Family History Library has some church records for the Baptists, Society of Friends, and other groups. The library also has histories of the Baptist, Christian, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Society of Friends, Methodist, Moravian, and Protestant Episcopal denominations.

The Moravians, Lutherans, and Society of Friends kept detailed records, and some of these have been published. Many denominations have collected their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses to learn where their records are located:

Baptist[edit | edit source]

Baptist Historical Collection
Z. Smith Reynolds Library
Wake Forest University
P.O. Box 7777
Winston-Salem, NC 27109-7777 Telephone: 336-758-5089
Fax: 336-758-5605
Website: http://zsr.wfu.edu/collections/special/baptist


Free Will Baptist Historical Collection
Moye Library
Mount Olive College
634 Henderson St.
Mount Olive, NC 28365-1699 Telephone: 919-658-7827
Toll Free: 1-800-653-0854
Fax: 919-658-8934 Website:  www.moc.edu/fwbhc


The Primitive Baptist Library
4023 North Highway 87
Elon College, NC 27244 Telephone: 336-278-2000
Website: www.elon.edu/e-web/library/findhome
(An appointment should be made before visiting.)

 For a history of the Baptist churches, see: Paschal, George Washington. History of the North Carolina Baptists. 2 vols. Raleigh, North Carolina: North Carolina Baptist State Convention, 1930–55. (Family History Library book 975.6 K2p; fiche 6049246–247.) There are useful chapters in these volumes concerning the various Baptist associations and groups from the 1600s to about 1860. Mention is made of the various ministers. There are several inventories that describe the churches and records of Southern Baptist associations, such as: *Alleghany Association (Family History Library book 975.6 K2ha; film 1320847 item 11.) *Brunswick Association (Family History Library film 1036844 item 28.) *Central Association (Family History Library book 975.6 K2hc; film 1320847 item 4.) *Flat River Association (Family History Library book 975.6 K2hf; film 1320847 item 1.) *Raleigh Association (Family History Library book 975.6 K2hr; film 1320847 item 5.) *Stanly Association; *Yancey Association (Family History Library book 975.6 K2hy; film 1320847 item 3.) A two-volume collection of biographies is: Hamby, Robert P. Brief Baptist Biographies, 1707–1982. 2 vols. Greenville, South Carolina: A Press, 1982. (Family History Library book 975.6 K2h.) The Family History Library has volume 2 only.

Disciples of Christ[edit | edit source]

Discipliana Collections
Barton College
Wilson, NC 27893

Telephone: 252-399-6352
Toll Free:  1-800-345-4973
(Call for an appointment.)
Website:  www.barton.edu

Episcopal[edit | edit source]

Diocese of North Carolina
200 West Morgan Street
Suite 300
Raleigh, NC 27619

Telephone: 919-834-7474
or 1-800-448-8775
Fax:  919-834-7546
Website:  www.episdionc.org


Diocese of Western North Carolina
900-B Central Park Drive
Asheville, NC 28805

Telephone: 828-225-6656
Fax 828-225-6657
E-mail: bishop@diocesewnc.org
Website: www.diocesewnc.org


Diocese of East Carolina
705 Doctors Drive
P. O. Box 1336
Kingston, NC 28503

Telephone: 252-522-0885
Fax 252-532-5272
E-mail: diocese@diocese-eastcarolina.org
Website: www.diocese-eastcarolina.org

Lutheran[edit | edit source]

Archives, North Carolina Synod
Lutheran Church in America
1988 Lutheran Synod Dr.
Salisbury, NC 28144-5700

Telephone: 704-633-4861
Fax: 704-638-0508
Website: www.nclutheran.org

For historical background information, see:

Bernheim, Gotthardt Dellmann, and George H. Cox. The History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and Ministerium of North Carolina: In Commemoration of the Completion of the First Century of Its Existence. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.: Published for the Synod by the Lutheran Publication Society, 1902. (Family History Library book 975.6 K2b.) The history of the various congregations is discussed. The ministers to about 1900 are listed with the dates when they served.

Methodist[edit | edit source]

United Methodist Church Archives
P.O. Box 127 Drew University
36 Madison Ave.
Madison, NJ 07940-3189

Telephone: 973-408-3189
Fax: 973-408-3909
E-mail: research@gcah.org
Website: www.gcah.org

Records of the Methodist Episcopal Church are at this archive. Searches are limited to obituaries of ordained clergy and can be conducted for a non-refundable fee.

Western N.C. Conference Archives
3400 Shamrock Drive
P. O. Box 18005
Charlotte, NC 28218

Telephone: 704-535-2260, ext. 44
 

Eastern North Carolina Conference Archives
Methodist Building
1307 Glenwood Ave.
P.O. Box 10955
Raleigh, NC 27605

Telephone: 919-832-9560
E-mail: archives_history@ncc.org

Southern North Carolina Conference Archives Heritage Center
710 N. Lakeshore Dr.
Lake Junaluska, NC 28745

Telephone: 828-452-2881
Website: http://www.sejumc.org/ministries_agencies.aspx?id=31&terms=Archives

Mailing address:
Southern North Carolina Conference Archives
P. O. Box 1165
Lake Junaluska, NC 28745

Moravian[edit | edit source]

Moravian Archives
457 South Church Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101


Telephone: 336-722-1742
E-mail: moravianarchives@mcsp.org
Website: www.moravianarchives.org

An extensive set of books about the Moravians in North Carolina is:

Records of the Moravians in North Carolina, 1752–1879. 11 vols. Raleigh, North Carolina: Edwards & Broughton, 1922–1969. (Family History Library book 975.6 F2m; films 1321198 and 1321210–11.) Each volume is indexed.

Presbyterian[edit | edit source]

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Presbyterian Historical Society
425 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516
Telephone: 215-627-1852
Fax: 215-627-0509
Website: http://www.history.pcusa.org
Send queries to: refdesk@history.pcusa.org

Roman Catholic[edit | edit source]

Archives of the Diocese of Raleigh
The Catholic Center
715 Nazareth Street
Raleigh, NC 27603

Telephone: 919-821-9700
Fax: 919-821-9705
(call in advance for an appointment)
Website: www.dioceseofraleigh.org


Archives of the Diocese of Charlotte
1524 East Morehead St.
P.O. Box 36776
Charlotte, NC 28236

Telephone: 704-377-6871
Fax: 704-358-1208
(An appointment is required.)
Website: www.charlottediocese.org

Society of Friends (Quakers)[edit | edit source]

Friends Historical Collection
Hege Library
5800 West Friendly Ave.
Greensboro, NC 27410-4175

Telephone: 336-316-2000
Fax: 336-316-2950
E-mail: mchijiok@guilford.edu
Website: www.guilford.edu/about_guilford/services_and_administration/library/

A useful history of the Society of Friends is:

Anscombe, Francis Charles. I Have Called You Friends: The Story of Quakerism in North Carolina. Boston, Massachusetts: Christopher Publishing House, 1959. (Family History Library book 975.6 K2a.)

The records of the 33 oldest monthly meetings that belonged to the North Carolina yearly meeting of Friends (dating from the 1680s to as late as 1914 in some cases) are published in volume 1 of:

Hinshaw, William Wade. Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy. 7 vols. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing, 1969. (Family History Library book 973 D2he 1969; fiche 6051277 [set of 118.)]

Another source is:

Bjorkman, Gwen Boyer. Quaker Marriage Certificates: Pasquotank, Perquimans, Piney Woods, and Suttons Creek Monthly Meetings, North Carolina, 1677–1800. Bowie, Maryland.: Heritage, 1988. (Family History Library book 975.6 K2bg.)

Church records can be found in the Family History Library Catalog by using a Place Search under:

NORTH CAROLINA, [COUNTY]- CHURCH RECORDS

NORTH CAROLINA, [COUNTY], [TOWN]- CHURCH RECORDS

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