Connecticut Church Records: Difference between revisions

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''[[United States|United States ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[Connecticut Genealogy|Connecticut ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[Connecticut_Church_Records|Church Records]]''{{CT-sidebar}}
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| link3=[[Connecticut, United States Genealogy|Connecticut]]
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| link5=[[Connecticut Church Records|Church Records]]
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<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?''']]
*[[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''']]
*[[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''']]
|}
</div>


==Historical Background==
== Online Resources ==
 
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3032 Connecticut, Church Record Abstracts, 1630-1920]. Index.
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9134 New England, Select United Methodist Church Records, 1787-1922]. Index. ($)
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5144 Early Members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints], ($). Index<br><br>
 
== Introduction  ==
 
The [[Congregational Church in the United States|Congregational Church]] was predominant in early Connecticut and was [http://files.lib.byu.edu/family-history-library/research-outlines/US/Connecticut.pdf the state church until 1818]. Other prominent churches in the state are the [[Methodist Church in the United States|Methodist]] and [[Episcopal Church in the United States|Episcopal]] churches (colonial period), and the [[Roman Catholic Church in the United States|Roman Catholic]] and [[Baptist Church in the United States|Baptist]] churches (19th century).  
The [[Congregational Church in the United States|Congregational Church]] was predominant in early Connecticut and was [http://files.lib.byu.edu/family-history-library/research-outlines/US/Connecticut.pdf the state church until 1818]. Other prominent churches in the state are the [[Methodist Church in the United States|Methodist]] and [[Episcopal Church in the United States|Episcopal]] churches (colonial period), and the [[Roman Catholic Church in the United States|Roman Catholic]] and [[Baptist Church in the United States|Baptist]] churches (19th century).  
==Information Found in the Records==
To effectively use church records, become familiar with their content. Click on these links to learn about a specific record type:
{|
|-
|style="vertical-align:top; padding-right:30px"|
*[[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]]
|style="vertical-align:top; padding-right:30px"|
*[[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]]
|style="vertical-align:top; padding-right:30px"|
*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Minutes or Historical Narrative|Minutes or Historical Narrative]]
|}


==Finding the Records==
More than 600 churches have deposited their records with the [[Connecticut State Library|Connecticut State Library]]. Most of these records are on microfilm at the Family History Library. Some of these records are indexed in a card index prepared by the Connecticut State Library. This index was microfilmed in 1949: {{FHL|19954|item}} 0002806-74. A useful guide to this collection is ''List of Church Records in the Connecticut State Library'' (Hartford: Connecticut State Library, 1976. {{FHL|178132|item}} 974.6 A1 no. 14; {{FHL|273473|item}} 1033856 item 9.
===Look for online records.===
 
To learn about church records existing in 1942, see:
 
*''Guide to Vital Statistics in the Church Records of Connecticut.'' (New Haven, Conn.: Connecticut Historical Records Survey, 1942). {{FHL|244317|item}} 974.6 K23g; film 924002 item 2; fiche 6051300


<br>
== Collections of Church Records  ==


{|
The following index church records as well as other birth, death and marriage records. Microfilm copies of the original records are are available at the appropriate town, the Family History Library, and family history centers.<br>  
|-
|
[[File:Caution sign.png|70px]]
|
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!
|}


*{{FSC|225105|item|disp=Index cards to vital records of Connecticut churches at the Connecticut State Library}} at FamilySearch
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://hr-search-api:8080/searchapi/search/collection/1674736 Connecticut, Births and Christenings, 1649-1906] is a name index to birth, baptism, and christening records.&nbsp; [https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Connecticut_Births_and_Christenings_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) Description] of records.<br>
*'''1630-1920''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3032 Connecticut, Church Record Abstracts, 1630-1920] at Ancestry ($) Index.
*'''1630-1997''' {{RecordSearch|1674749|Connecticut, Marriages, 1630-1997}} at FamilySearch — [[Connecticut, Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1660-1955''' {{RecordSearch|2658799|Connecticut, Church Records, 1660-1955}} at FamilySearch; Index — [[Connecticut Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1649-1906''' {{RecordSearch|1674736|Connecticut, Births and Christenings, 1649-1906}} at FamilySearch — [[Connecticut Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]] <br>
*'''1772-1934''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1674748 Connecticut Deaths and Burials, 1772-1934] at FamilySearch — [[Connecticut_Deaths_and_Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]<br>


*{{FSC|225105|item|disp=''Early Connecticut Marriages as Found on Ancient Church Records Prior to 1800''}}, Bailey, Frederic W. , 7 vols. New Haven, Conn.: Bureau of American Ancestry for Family Research, 1896-1906.
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://www.familysearch.org/searchapi/search/collection/1674749 Connecticut, Marriages, 1729-1867] is a name index to marriage records. [https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Connecticut_Marriages_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) Description] of records.<br>
*[http://dunhamwilcox.net/0_ct-index.htm Dunham-Wilcox-Trott-Kirk] indexes church, cemetery, probate and other early New England, New York and New Jersey records with links to abstracts of the records.


====Community of Christ, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints====
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://www.familysearch.org/searchapi/search/collection/1674748 Connecticut Deaths and Burials, 1772-1934] is a name index to death and burial records from the state of Connecticut.&nbsp; This set contains 2,010,979 records. [https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Connecticut_Deaths_and_Burials_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) Description] of records.<br>
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5144 Early Members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints] at Ancestry ($) Index<br><br>
*'''1867-1965''' {{FSC|755832|item|disp=Church records (New York-Philadelphia District), 1867-1965, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. New York-Philadelphia District}}. Includes records for the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey.
*'''1865-1904''' {{FSC|757200|item|disp=Church records (Philadelphia District), 1865-1904, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Philadelphia District (Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey)}}. Includes records for the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey.
*'''1842-1905''' {{FSC|755831|item|disp=Church records 1842-1905, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. New York and Connecticut District.}} Includes records for the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey.
====Lutheran====
*'''1800-1947''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61584/ U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Swedish American Church Records, 1800-1947] at Ancestry - index & images, incomplete.($)


====Methodist====
The Family History Library has an extensive microfilm collection of records of the Baptist, Congregational, Episcopal, Methodist, and Methodist Episcopal churches. Published histories are available for denominations, such as Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Latter-day Saint (Mormon), and Universalist.  
*'''1787-1922''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9134 New England, Select United Methodist Church Records, 1787-1922] at Ancestry; Index. ($)
*'''1809-1845''' {{FSC|492024|item|disp=Church records 1809-1845, Methodist Episcopal Church.}} at FamilySearch; Includes records for the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey.
*'''1903-1939''' [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS8S-S8R3 African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Records, 1903-1939, Winchester, Conn]


====Universalist====
[http://dunhamwilcox.net/ DUNHAM - WILCOX - TROTT - KIRK] indexes church, cemetery, probate and other early New England, New York and New Jersey records with links to abstracts of the records.
*'''1832-1941''' {{FSC|453702|item|disp=Church records 1832-1941(Connecticut), Connecticut Universalist Convention}} at FamilySearch; Includes records for the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey.
*'''1836-1899''' {{FSC|457045|item|disp=Church records 1836-1899 (Connecticut), Southern Association of Universalists (Connecticut)}} at FamilySearch; Includes records for the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey.


====Roman Catholic ====
An example of several published church records is:  
The State of Connecticut is within the Ecclesiastical Province of Hartford, which has three Catholic dioceses within it: [https://www.bridgeportdiocese.org/ Bridgeport], [https://archdioceseofhartford.org/ Hartford], and [https://www.norwichdiocese.org/Reorganization Norwich].


The Archdiocese of Hartford (inclusive of the counties of Hartford, Litchfield, and New Haven), as a private corporate repository, abides by a stricter interpretation of Canon Law 486.2 and the 1974 Document on Ecclesiastical Archives.  Therefore, NO records of archival material will be made public, and the records are NOT digitized nor publicly available.  Appointments for archival research may be granted upon request. As a rule of thumb, records are located at the local parish rather than a centralized location. For location information, please consult the [https://archdioceseofhartford.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Document.06.JUL_.bw_.pdf Directory of Archival Material by Parish] record, accurate as of July 2021.
*Bailey, Frederic W. ''Early Connecticut Marriages as Found on Ancient Church Records Prior to 1800'', 7 vols. New Haven, Conn.: Bureau of American Ancestry for Family Research, 1896-1906. {{FHL|225105|item|disp=FHL book 974.6 K2bf; FHL film 924061 item 3}}. This is missing volume 3. Another edition was published in 1982 with additions and corrections and with all 7 volumes in one. {{FHL|1110835|item|disp=FHL book974.6 K2bf 1982}}


The Diocese of Norwich
== Repositories  ==


===Look for digital copies of church records in the FamilySearch Catalog. ===
Many denominations have collected their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses to learn where their records are located.  
[[File:Family History Library.jpg|right|thumb|<center>'''FamilySearch Library'''<br>'''Salt Lake City, Utah'''</center>]]
The FamilySearch Library has an extensive microfilm collection of records of the Baptist, Congregational, Episcopal, Methodist, and Methodist Episcopal churches. Published histories are available for denominations, such as Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Latter-day Saint (Mormon), and Universalist.
*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=33&query=%2Bplace%3A%22United%20States%2C%20Alabama%22 '''records of United States, Connecticut'''].
:::b. Click on '''Places within United States, Connecticut''' 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, Connecticut [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.


===Consult available finding aids.===
=== Baptist  ===
'''These aids generally provide lists of records that are known to exist and information on their location.'''
 
To learn about church records existing in 1942, see:  
[http://www.crcds.edu/ABHSLib.asp American Baptist - Samuel Colgate Historical Library]<br>1106 South Goodman Street<br>Rochester, NY 14620-2532<br>Phone: (716) 473-1740<br>Fax: (716) 473-1740
*''Guide to Vital Statistics in the Church Records of Connecticut.'' (New Haven, Conn.: Connecticut Historical Records Survey, 1942). {{FSC|244317|item}} 974.6 K23g; film 924002 item 2; fiche 6051300
 
=== Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)  ===
 
Early church records, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for Connecticut wards and branches can be found on film and are located at the Family History Library. The film numbers, for each ward, can be locate through the [https://www.familysearch.org/#form=catalog FamilySearch Catalog] . Or by refering to Jaussi, Laureen R., and Gloria D. Chaston. ''Register of Genealogical Society Call Numbers''. 2 vols. Provo, Utah: Genealogy Tree, 1982. (FHL book 979.2258 A3j; fiche 6031507). These volumes contain the film numbers for many (but not all) membership and temple record films.
 
=== Congregational  ===
 
[http://www.chs.org/ Connecticut Historical Society]<br>1 Elizabeth Street<br>Hartford, CT 06105<br>Phone: (860) 236-5621<br>Fax: (860) 236-2664
 
[http://congregational-library.typepad.com/ The Congregational Library]<br>14 Beacon Street<br>Boston, MA 02108-3704<br>Phone: (617) 523-0470<br>Fax: (617) 523-0491
 
=== Episcopal  ===
 
[http://www.ctepiscopal.org/default.asp Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut]<br>135 Asylum Avenue<br>Hartford, CT 06105-2295<br>Phone: (860) 233-4481<br>Fax: (860) 523-1410
 
=== Methodist  ===
 
[http://www.gcah.org/site/pp.aspx?c=ghKJI0PHIoE&b=3590193 United Methodist Archives Center]<br>Drew University Library<br>P.O. Box 127<br>Madison, NJ 07940<br>Phone: (201) 408-3189<br>Fax: (201) 408-3909


===Check the church records collections in archives and libraries.===
=== Moravian  ===
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>


'''Connecticut State Library'''<br>
[http://www.moravianchurcharchives.org/general.php The Moravian Archives]<br>41 West Locust Street<br>Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018<br>United States of America<br>Phone: (610) 866-3255<br>Fax: (610) 866-9210
231 Capitol Avenue<br>
Hartford, Connecticut 06106<br>
Telephone: 860-757-6500 or toll free: 866-886-4478<br>
*[http://ctstatelibrary.org/contact-us/email-us/ '''Email''']
*[https://ctstatelibrary.org/ '''Website''']
<br>
More than 600 churches have deposited their records with the [[Connecticut State Library|Connecticut State Library]].
*{{FSC|225105|item|disp=Index cards to vital records of Connecticut churches at the Connecticut State Library}}


====Baptist====
For information concerning missions to the American Indians, visit [http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/GUIDES/153.htm Moravian Missions Among American Indians.]&nbsp;For a map and list of missions, visit [http://bdhp.moravian.edu/community_records/christianindians/missionmap.html Early Moravian Missions in Eastern Pennsylvania and Surrounding Areas 1740-1773.]  
*'''1750-1899''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62267/ U.S., Southern Baptist Church Records, 1750-1899] at Ancestry - index & images ($)
====Congregational====


[https://www.connecticutmuseum.org/ '''Connecticut Museum of Culture and History''']<br>One Elizabeth Street<br>Hartford, CT 06105<br>Phone: (860) 236-5621<br>Fax: (860) 236-2664
Mission records are also available in the {{FHL|301362|item}}. The records are indexed in the {{FHL|53079|item}}Book 970.1 F642i.  


[http://congregational-library.typepad.com/ '''The Congregational Library''']<br>14 Beacon Street<br>Boston, MA 02108-3704<br>Phone: (617) 523-0470<br>Fax: (617) 523-0491
=== Roman Catholic  ===


====Episcopal====
[http://www.bridgeportdiocese.com/welcome.shtml Diocese of Bridgeport]<br>238 Jewett Avenue<br>Bridgeport, CT 06606<br>Phone: (203) 416-1354
Requests should be sent to local parish. Only records for churches that have been closed are kept by the diocese.<br>
[http://www.ctepiscopal.org/default.asp '''Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut''']<br>135 Asylum Avenue<br>Hartford, CT 06105-2295<br>Phone: (860) 233-4481<br>Fax: (860) 523-1410


====Roman Catholic====
[https://www.bridgeportdiocese.org/ '''Diocese of Bridgeport''']<br>238 Jewett Avenue<br>Bridgeport, CT 06606<br>Phone: (203) 416-1354
*Requests should be sent to [https://www.bridgeportdiocese.org/mass-times/ '''the local parish.''']
The diocese includes the county of: [[Fairfield County, Connecticut Genealogy|Fairfield]]  
The diocese includes the county of: [[Fairfield County, Connecticut Genealogy|Fairfield]]  
----
[http://www.norwichdiocese.org/ '''Diocese of Norwich''']<br>201 Broadway P.O. Box 587<br>Norwich, CT 06360<br>Phone: (860) 887-9294<br>Fax: (860) 886-1670
*Requests should be sent to [https://www.norwichdiocese.org/Find/Parish-Communities '''the local parish.''']
The diocese includes the counties of: [[Middlesex County, Connecticut Genealogy|Middlesex]], [[New London County, Connecticut Genealogy|New London]], [[Tolland County, Connecticut Genealogy|Tolland]] and [[Windham County, Connecticut Genealogy|Windham]]
----
[http://www.archdioceseofhartford.org/ '''Diocese of Hartford''']<br>134 Farmington Avenue<br>Hartford, CT 06103<br>Phone: (860) 541-6491<br>Fax: (860) 541-6309
*Requests should be sent to [https://archdioceseofhartford.org/parish-search/ '''the local parish.''']
The diocese includes the counties of: [[Hartford County, Connecticut Genealogy|Hartford]], [[Litchfield County, Connecticut Genealogy|Litchfield]] and [[New Haven County, Connecticut Genealogy|New Haven]]<br>


====Quakers (Society of Friends)====
[http://www.norwichdiocese.org/ Diocese of Norwich]<br>201 Broadway P.O. Box 587<br>Norwich, CT 06360<br>Phone: (860) 887-9294<br>Fax: (860) 886-1670
*'''''Quaker Census of 1828: Members of the New York Yearly Meeting, the Religious Society of Friends of New York, Ontario, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Quebec, at the Time of the Separation of 1828''' Fay, Loren V., editor.  ''Rhinebeck, N.Y.: Knshp, 1989 and is available in the {{FSC|425835|item}}. Use this to determine the monthly meeting a person attended. It includes name, age, and family group.
**To locate a copy nearest you, use [http://www.worldcat.org/title/quaker-census-of-1828-members-of-the-new-york-yearly-meeting-the-religious-society-of-friends-in-new-york-ontario-vermont-connecticut-massachusetts-and-quebec-at-the-time-of-the-separation-of-1828/oclc/20487290&referer=brief_results WorldCat].
----


===Correspond with or visit the actual churches.===
The diocese includes the counties of: [[Middlesex County, Connecticut Genealogy|Middlesex]], [[New London County, Connecticut Genealogy|New London]], [[Tolland County, Connecticut Genealogy|Tolland]] and [[Windham County, Connecticut Genealogy|Windham]]  
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.


===Correspond with genealogical or historical societies.===
[http://www.archdioceseofhartford.org/ Diocese of Hartford]<br>134 Farmington Avenue<br>Hartford, CT 06103<br>Phone: (860) 541-6491<br>Fax: (860) 541-6309
Some church records have been given to historical societies. Also, historical societies may be able to tell you where the records are being held.


==Next, go to the Wiki article for your ancestors' denomination. ==
The diocese includes the counties of: [[Hartford County, Connecticut Genealogy|Hartford]], [[Litchfield County, Connecticut Genealogy|Litchfield]] and [[New Haven County, Connecticut Genealogy|New Haven]]<br>  
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==
Wiki articles describing the following collections are found at:  
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'''.]]
*[[Connecticut Births and Christenings (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]  
*[[Connecticut Deaths and Burials (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[Connecticut Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]


{{Template:Pros-CT}}  
{{Template:Pros-CT}}  


{{USChurch}}
{{USChurch}}


[[Category:Connecticut, United States|Church]]  
[[Category:Connecticut, United States|Church]] [[Category:U_S_States_Church_records]]
[[Category:U_S_States_Church_records]]

Revision as of 15:22, 13 October 2016

United States  Gotoarrow.png  Connecticut  Gotoarrow.png  Church Records

Connecticut Wiki Topics
Connecticut flag.png
Beginning Research
Record Types
Connecticut Background
Cultural Groups
Local Research Resources


Online Resources[edit | edit source]

Introduction[edit | edit source]

The Congregational Church was predominant in early Connecticut and was the state church until 1818. Other prominent churches in the state are the Methodist and Episcopal churches (colonial period), and the Roman Catholic and Baptist churches (19th century).

More than 600 churches have deposited their records with the Connecticut State Library. Most of these records are on microfilm at the Family History Library. Some of these records are indexed in a card index prepared by the Connecticut State Library. This index was microfilmed in 1949: FHL Collection 0002806-74. A useful guide to this collection is List of Church Records in the Connecticut State Library (Hartford: Connecticut State Library, 1976. FHL Collection 974.6 A1 no. 14; FHL Collection 1033856 item 9.

To learn about church records existing in 1942, see:

  • Guide to Vital Statistics in the Church Records of Connecticut. (New Haven, Conn.: Connecticut Historical Records Survey, 1942). FHL Collection 974.6 K23g; film 924002 item 2; fiche 6051300

Collections of Church Records[edit | edit source]

The following index church records as well as other birth, death and marriage records. Microfilm copies of the original records are are available at the appropriate town, the Family History Library, and family history centers.

The Family History Library has an extensive microfilm collection of records of the Baptist, Congregational, Episcopal, Methodist, and Methodist Episcopal churches. Published histories are available for denominations, such as Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Latter-day Saint (Mormon), and Universalist.

DUNHAM - WILCOX - TROTT - KIRK indexes church, cemetery, probate and other early New England, New York and New Jersey records with links to abstracts of the records.

An example of several published church records is:

  • Bailey, Frederic W. Early Connecticut Marriages as Found on Ancient Church Records Prior to 1800, 7 vols. New Haven, Conn.: Bureau of American Ancestry for Family Research, 1896-1906. FHL book 974.6 K2bf; FHL film 924061 item 3. This is missing volume 3. Another edition was published in 1982 with additions and corrections and with all 7 volumes in one. FHL book974.6 K2bf 1982

Repositories[edit | edit source]

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]

American Baptist - Samuel Colgate Historical Library
1106 South Goodman Street
Rochester, NY 14620-2532
Phone: (716) 473-1740
Fax: (716) 473-1740

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)[edit | edit source]

Early church records, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for Connecticut wards and branches can be found on film and are located at the Family History Library. The film numbers, for each ward, can be locate through the FamilySearch Catalog . Or by refering to Jaussi, Laureen R., and Gloria D. Chaston. Register of Genealogical Society Call Numbers. 2 vols. Provo, Utah: Genealogy Tree, 1982. (FHL book 979.2258 A3j; fiche 6031507). These volumes contain the film numbers for many (but not all) membership and temple record films.

Congregational[edit | edit source]

Connecticut Historical Society
1 Elizabeth Street
Hartford, CT 06105
Phone: (860) 236-5621
Fax: (860) 236-2664

The Congregational Library
14 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02108-3704
Phone: (617) 523-0470
Fax: (617) 523-0491

Episcopal[edit | edit source]

Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut
135 Asylum Avenue
Hartford, CT 06105-2295
Phone: (860) 233-4481
Fax: (860) 523-1410

Methodist[edit | edit source]

United Methodist Archives Center
Drew University Library
P.O. Box 127
Madison, NJ 07940
Phone: (201) 408-3189
Fax: (201) 408-3909

Moravian[edit | edit source]

The Moravian Archives
41 West Locust Street
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018
United States of America
Phone: (610) 866-3255
Fax: (610) 866-9210

For information concerning missions to the American Indians, visit Moravian Missions Among American Indians. For a map and list of missions, visit Early Moravian Missions in Eastern Pennsylvania and Surrounding Areas 1740-1773.

Mission records are also available in the FHL Collection. The records are indexed in the FHL CollectionBook 970.1 F642i.

Roman Catholic[edit | edit source]

Diocese of Bridgeport
238 Jewett Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06606
Phone: (203) 416-1354

The diocese includes the county of: Fairfield

Diocese of Norwich
201 Broadway P.O. Box 587
Norwich, CT 06360
Phone: (860) 887-9294
Fax: (860) 886-1670

The diocese includes the counties of: Middlesex, New London, Tolland and Windham

Diocese of Hartford
134 Farmington Avenue
Hartford, CT 06103
Phone: (860) 541-6491
Fax: (860) 541-6309

The diocese includes the counties of: Hartford, Litchfield and New Haven

Wiki articles describing the following collections are found at:


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