Zambia Church Records

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Zambia

Church Records

For information about records for non-Christian religions in Zambia, go to the Religious Records page.

Online Resources and Websites

• 1660-2011 - South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records, Stellenbosch Archive 1660-2011 at FamilySearch
• 1690-2011 - South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records (Stellenbosch Archive), 1690-2011 at FamilySearch
• 1838-1991 - South Africa, Netherdutch Reformed Church Registers (Pretoria Archive), 1838-1991 at FamilySearch
• 1947-1972 - Zambia, Livingstone, church records at FamilySearch Catalog

• British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms, Zambia, index and images, ($)
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms, Africa, index and images, ($)
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages, Zambia , index and images, ($)
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages, Africa, index and images, ($)
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials, index and images, ($)

Historical Background

Zambia is a "Christian country" by constitution. Christianity is the official religion in Zambia according to the 1996 constitution, and the vast majority of Zambians i.e 96% are Christians of various denominations, but many other religious traditions are present. Christianity is believed to have arrived in Zambia in the form of European Protestant missionaries and African explorers during the mid of 19th century. Zambia is officially a Christian nation according to the 1996 constitution, but a wide variety of religious traditions exist. Christian denominations include: Presbyterianism, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Pentecostal, New Apostolic Church, Lutheran, Seventh-day Adventist, Jehovah's Witnesses, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Branhamism, and a variety of Evangelical denominations. These grew, adjusted and prospered from the original missionary settlements (Portuguese and Catholicism in the east from Mozambique) and Anglicanism (English and Scottish influences) from the south.

Information Recorded in the Records

Different denominations, different time periods, and practices of different record keepers will effect how much information can be found in the records. This outline will show the types of details which might be found (best case scenario):

Baptisms

In Catholic and Anglican records, children were usually baptized a few days after birth, and therefore, the baptism record proves date of birth. Other religions, such as Baptists, baptized at other points in the member's life. Baptism registers might give:

baptism date the infant's name parents' names father's occupation

status of legitimacy occasionally, names of grandparents names of witnesses or godparents, who may be relatives

birth date and place the family's place of residence death information, as an added note or signified by a cross

Marriages

Marriage registers can give:

the marriage date the names of the bride and groom indicate whether the bride and groom were single or widowed their ages

birth dates and places for the bride and groom their residences their occupations

birthplaces of the bride and groom parents' names (after 1800) the names of previous spouses and their death dates names of witnesses, who might be relatives.

Burials

Burial registers may give:

the name of the deceased the date and place of death or burial the deceased's age place of residence

cause of death the names of survivors, especially a widow or widower deceased's birth date and place parents' names, or at least the father's name

How to Find Records

Digital Copies of Church Records in the FamilySearch Catalog

Watch for digitized copies of church records to be added to the collection of the FamilySearch Library. Some records might have viewing restrictions, and can only be viewed at a Family History Center near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations. To find records:

a. Click on the records of Zambia.

b. Click on Places within Zambia and a list of towns will appear.

c. Click on your town if it appears, or the location which you believe was the parish which served your town or village.

d. Click on the "Church records" topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.

e. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the listing for the record. . 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.

Writing for Records

You will probably need to write to or email the national archives, the diocese, or local parish priests to find records. See French Letter Writing GuideLetter Writing Guide for Genealogy for help with composing letters.

Catholic Church Records

Online Resources and Websites

Catholic church records are available on the FamilySearch Catalog for Lusaka, Zambia. The records (baptism, marriage, death, and First Communion registers and confirmations) are available from 1953 to 2016.

Writing to a Local Parish

To locate the mailing address or e-mail address for a local parish, consult:

• The Catholic Directory: Zambia

Historical Background

Roman Catholicism reached Zambia in 1879 by Jesuit missionaries. Jesuit missions were then established in Zambia throughout the next few decades. In the 1900s, two archdioceses, Kasama and Lusaka, were created.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Records

Online Records

Information is available to current members only for deceased members and immediate family members who are still living. Sign in to FamilySearch and then select Family Tree in the drop-down menu.

Anglican (Episcopal) Church Records

Writing for Records

• [ Google Maps search results for Anglican churches in Zambia]

Historical Background

The first Anglican missionary to the area arrived in 1861, although the first Anglican mission was not established until 1911. Anglicanism has a smaller influence in Zambia compared to other African nations.

Branhamite Church Records

Writing for Records

• [ Google Maps search results for Branhamite churches in Zambia]

Branhamism was developed by William M. Branham in the mid-1900s. Branham was a minister, faith healer, and follower of Pentecostalism who initiated a healing revival in the 1940s. His campaigns led him throughout the United States and the world. In 1952, he held a revival meeting in South Africa. After his death, the followers of Branham continued to establish and expand missions on every continent. By 2000, there were growing missions throughout Africa.

Dutch Reformed Church Records

Writing for Records

• [ Google Maps search results for Dutch Reformed churches in Zambia]

Historical Background

The Dutch Reformed Church reached South Africa at the end of the 19th century and soon after entered Zambia. The first congregation was established in Lusaka and expanded rapidly.

Eastern Orthodox Church Records

Writing for Records

• [ Google Maps search results for Eastern Orthodox churches in Zambia]

Evangelical Records

• [ Google Maps search results for Evangelical churches in Zambia]

Historical Background

Evangelical Protestantism reached South Africa in 1834; the movement began to grow and expand beginning in 1859. East Africa experienced a revival during the 1920s and 1930s.

Jehovah's Witnesses Church Records

Writing for Records

• [ Google Maps search results for Jehovah's Witnesses churches in Zambia]

Lutheran Church Records

Writing for Records

• [ Google Maps search results for Lutheran churches in Zambia]

Historical Background

Lutheranism was brought to Africa by European traders in the 17th century. During the early-1800s, missionary activities expanded throughout Africa.

Methodist Church Records

Writing for Records

• [ Google Maps search results for Methodist churches in Zambia]

New Apostolic Records

Historical Records

The New Apostolic Church has a significant presence in Zambia.

Pentecostal Church Records

Writing for Records

• [ Google Maps search results for Pentecostal churches in Zambia]

Historical Records

Pentecostalism entered Africa in the early-1900s. The movement was established in South Africa in 1908 and then spread throughout South Africa and southern Africa.

Presbyterian Church Records

Writing for Records

• [ Google Maps search results for Presbyterian churches in Zambia]

Historical Background

Presbyterianism entered Zambia in the late-1800s through the work of the Church of Scotland. The first presbytery in Zambia was formed in 1899. Other missions and congregations were then established in Zambia. The Synod of Zambia, one of five synods of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, was created in 1984.

Seventh-day Adventist Church Records

Writing for Records

• [ Google Maps search results for Seventh-day Adventist churches in Zambia]

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