Alabama Church Records: Difference between revisions

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''[[United States|United States ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[Alabama|Alabama ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[Alabama_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''']]
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[[Image:First Presbyterian Birmingham Nov 2011 01.jpg|thumb|200px|<center>'''First Presbyterian'''<br>'''Birmingham, Alabama'''</center>]]
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==Historical Background==
Alabama is located in the middle of the Bible Belt, a region of numerous '''Protestant Christians'''. A majority of people in the state identify as '''Evangelical Protestant'''. As of 2010, the three largest denominational groups in Alabama are the [[Baptist Church in the United States|'''Southern Baptist Convention''']], [[Methodist Church in the United States|'''The United Methodist Church''']], and '''non-denominational Evangelical Protestant'''. Many Baptist and Methodist congregations became established in the Great Awakening of the early 19th century, when preachers proselytized across the South. The [[Presbyterian Church in the United States|'''Presbyterian''']] churches were strongly associated with Scots-Irish immigrants of the 18th century and their descendants.<ref> Wikipedia contributors, "Alabama", in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,'' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama#Religion, accessed May 2020. </ref>
==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:
{|
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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==
<br>{{citation needed}} <br>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; dates of baptism, christening or birth; marriage information, such as the bride’s maiden name and the names of both sets of parents; death or burial date; admissions; and removals. Records may include names of other relatives who were witnesses or members of the congregation. The members of some churches were predominately of one nationality or ethnic group. Church records are important for Alabama family research because civil authorities in Alabama did not begin registering vital statistics until after 1908.  
===Look for online records.===
Some records have been digitized and posted online, where they are easily searched. These are listed at the top of this page and on the [[Alabama Online Genealogy Records|'''Alabama Online Genealogy Records page''']].  


Roman Catholic church records for Mobile date from about 1700. In the 1800s, the largest religious groups in [[Alabama|Alabama]] were the [[Baptist Church in the United States|Baptist]], [[Methodist Church in the United States|Methodist]], and [[Presbyterian Church in the United States|Presbyterian]] churches.{{cn}}


<br>
To find information about churches up to 1870, such as when the churches were founded, names of ministers and early members, and associated cemeteries, see:


{|
*Daughters of the American Revolution (Alabama). ''Some Early Alabama Churches (Established Before 1870).'' Birmingham, Alabama: Parchment Press, 1973. {{FHL|216586|item}} book 976.1 K2d; film 1026262 item 8
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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!
|}
*'''1807-1947''' {{FSC|1248908|item|disp=Alabama miscellaneous church records, 1807-1947}} at FamilySearch; images
*'''1831-1994''' {{RecordSearch|2790182|Alabama, Church Records, 1831-1994}} at FamilySearch; index & images — [[Alabama, Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1881-1930''' {{RecordSearch|1661470|Alabama, Births and Christenings, 1881-1930}} at FamilySearch; index [[Alabama Births and Christenings, Coverage Table - FamilySearch Historical Records|Coverage Table]] — [[Alabama Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1816-1957''' {{RecordSearch|1674672|Alabama Marriages, 1816-1957}} at FamilySearch; index - [[Alabama Marriages, Coverage Table - FamilySearch Historical Records|Coverage Table]]— [[Alabama Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]


====Anglican/Episcopal Collections====
The [[Family History Library|Family History Library]] has a few church records for Alabama, but most remain with the local churches. Some denominations have collected their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses to learn where records of a particular denomination are located.
*'''1830s-1970s''' [http://bpldb.bplonline.org/db/episcopal Alabama Episcopal Church Records] at the Birmingham Public Library - index
*'''1832-1972''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/70662/ Web: Alabama, Episcopal Church Registers Index, 1832-1972] at Ancestry - index ($)
*'''1837-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61748/ Alabama, Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, Church Records, 1837-1970] at Ancestry - index & images ($)


====Lutheran====
=== Baptist  ===
*'''1781-1969'''  [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60722/ U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969] at Ancestry - index & images, incomplete.($)
*'''1800-1947''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61584/ U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Swedish American Church Records, 1800-1947] at Ancestry - index & images, incomplete.($)


====Methodist Collections====
Special Collection, Samford University Library. See [[Alabama Archives and Libraries|Alabama Archives and Libraries]]. The Samford University Library Website has an inventory of their records.
*'''1830-1920''' {{FSC|1246931|item|disp=Methodist Episcopal Church, 1832-1920, Alabama}} at FamilySearch; images
*'''1836-1928''' {{FSC|1246933|item|disp=Circuit Methodist Episcopal churches in Alabama, 1836-1928}} at FamilySearch; images
*'''1836-1919''' {{FSC|1246932|item|disp=Circuit Methodist Episcopal churches, 1836-1919, Alabama}} at FamilySearch; images
*'''1830-1934''' {{FSC|1246949|item|disp=Methodist Episcopal Church records, 1830-1934, Alabama}} at FamilySearch; images


====Presbyterian====
For histories of the Baptist Church, see:
*'''1701-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61048/ U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970] at Ancestry - index & images, incomplete ($)


===Look for digital copies of church records in the FamilySearch Catalog. ===
*Holcombe, Hosea. ''A History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Alabama. 1840.'' Reprint, Bessemer, Alabama: West Jefferson County Historical Society, 1974. {{FHL|192489|item}} book 976.1 K21h. This history of the Baptist Church to 1840 is indexed.  
[[File:Family History Library.jpg|right|thumb|<center>'''FamilySearch Library'''<br>'''Salt Lake City, Utah'''</center>]]
*Flynt, F. Wayne. ''Alabama Baptists: Southern Baptists in the Heart of Dixie.'' Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1998.
*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=33&query=%2Bplace%3A%22United%20States%2C%20Alabama%22 '''records of United States, Alabama'''].
:::b. Click on '''Places within United States, Alabama''' 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, Alabama [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.===
=== Episcopal  ===


'''These aids generally provide lists of records that are known to exist and information on their location.'''
A list of the Episcopal congregations in Alabama before 1939 is:  
*[https://archives.alabama.gov/findaids/v8813_Denomination.pdf '''Finding Aid for Church and Synagogue Records Collections, 1805-2008'''] Browsable list. This collection contains the records of major denominations within Alabama, including '''Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, Episcopal, Jewish, Methodist and Presbyterian'''.
*[https://library3.samford.edu/search~S27/?searchtype=Y&searcharg=church+records&searchscope=27&m=&SORT=D '''Catalog of church records in Samford University libraries''']
*[https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/ PERiodical Source Index (PERSI)] at Allen County Public Library; index PERSI is an index to family and local history periodicals from 1847 to the present. Many of these periodicals publish church records.
====Baptist Records====
*'''1750-1899''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62267/ U.S., Southern Baptist Church Records, 1750-1899] at Ancestry - index & images ($)
*[https://www.sbhla.org/coll.htm '''Church Records on Microfilm: Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archive'''] Includes information on ordering records.
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Baptist_churches_on_the_National_Register_of_Historic_Places_in_Alabama '''List of Baptist churches on the National Register of Historic Places in Alabama'''] - to find churches that existed in earlier times.


====Episcopal/Anglican Records====
*''Inventory of the Church Archives of Alabama: Protestant Episcopal Church.'' Birmingham, Alabama: Alabama Historical Records Survey Project, 1939. {{FHL|214903|item}} book 976.1 K2h; film 897366 item 3; digital version at [http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/u?/FH36,61974 Family History Archives]. This gives the location of each church with a brief history and describes the types and years of records that existed for each congregation in 1939.
*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/540603-inventory-of-the-church-archives-of-alabama-protestant-episcopal-church?offset=1 '''''Inventory of the Church Archives of Alabama: Protestant Episcopal Church'''].'' Birmingham, Alabama: Alabama Historical Records Survey Project, 1939. This gives the location of each church with a brief history and describes the types and years of records that existed for each congregation in 1939. Information on record location usually gives the name and address of the 1939 rector, though it no longer applies. Generally, the records are stored with the current rector; so if the address given is the church itself, it still applies.


====Presbyterian Records====
=== Methodist  ===
*Hall, James H.B. ''The History of the Cumberland, Presbyterian Church in Alabama Prior to 1826'' - ''Transactions of the Alabama Historical Society,'' Vol. 4 (1904):365-394. Digital version at [http://archive.org/stream/transactionsala03socigoog#page/n380/mode/2up Internet Archive]. Identifies "minute books" available for early Presbyteries. The early Presbyteries did not keep records of baptisms, marriages, and burials.


===Correspond with or visit the actual churches.===
[http://www.huntingdon.edu/ Houghton Memorial Library]<br>Huntingdon College <br>1500 E. Fairview Avenue<br>Montgomery, AL 36106-2148 <br>Phone: (334) 833-4421<br>Fax: (334) 263-4465 <br>E-mail: [mailto:edidwell@huntingdon.edu <u>edidwell@huntingdon.edu</u>]  
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.===
[http://library.bsc.edu/about.htm Charles Andrew Rush Library]<br>Birmingham-Southern College<br>900 Arkadelphia Road<br>P.O. Box 549020 <br>Birmingham, AL 35254-9990 <br>Phone: (205) 226-4740 <br>Fax: (205) 226-4743
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 [https://algensoc.org/main/researchers.html '''researcher.''']
<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>
A history of the Methodist Church in Alabama is:
====Birmingham Public Library====
[http://www.bplonline.org/about/contact.aspx '''Birmingham Public Library''']<br>
2100 Park Place<br>
Birmingham, Alabama 35203<br>
Phone:(205) 226-3600<br>
*[http://bpldb.bplonline.org/db/episcopal '''Alabama Episcopal Church Records''']. 1830's to 1970's. Index. The original parish registers are preserved in the Archives of the Birmingham Public Library as part of the records of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. This database includes all information found in the registers. The registers are available to the public, but because of their age and fragility, it is not possible to make copies of pages from the registers.


====University Archives====
*Lazenby, Marion Elias, ''History of Methodism in Alabama and West Florida''. N.p., 1960. {{FHL|192480|item}} book 976.1 K2L. This book includes a list of deceased ministers and a name and subject index.
'''Samford University Library'''<br>
800 Lakeshore Drive<br>
Birmingham, AL 35229<br>
*[http://bpldb.bplonline.org/db/episcopal
<br>
Telephone:205-726-2196<br>
Email: referenc@samford.edu<br>
*[https://library3.samford.edu/search~S27/?searchtype=Y&searcharg=church+records&searchscope=27&m=&SORT=D '''Catalog of church records in Samford University libraries''']
*[https://algensoc.org/main/researchers.html '''Alabama Genealogical Society AGS RESEARCHERS LIST''']


====State Archives====
=== Presbyterian  ===
[[File:Alabama Department of Archives and History.jpg|thumb|right|370px|<center>'''Alabama Department of Archives and History'''<br>'''Montgomery, Alabama'''</center>]]
'''Alabama Department of Archives and History'''<br>
P.O. Box 300100<br>
624 Washington Ave.<br>
Montgomery, AL 36130<br>
<br>
Telephone:334-242-4435<br>


*[https://archives.alabama.gov/findaids/v8813_Denomination.pdf '''Finding Aid for Church and Synagogue Records Collections, 1805-2008'''] Browsable list. This collection contains the records of major denominations within Alabama, including '''Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, Episcopal, Jewish, Methodist and Presbyterian'''.
[http://www.history.pcusa.org/ Presbyterian Historical Society ]<br>425 Lombard Street<br>Philadelphia, PA 19147 <br>Phone: (215) 627-1852 <br>Fax: (215) 627-0509
**[http://www.archives.alabama.gov/AlChurchRecs/search.cfm '''Index to Churches in the Alabama Church and Synagogue Records Collection Database'''] at the Alabama Archives - index.
*[https://archives.alabama.gov/referenc/newform2.html '''Research Request Form and Instructions''']
*[https://archives.alabama.gov/ '''Website''']<br>


'''Collection includes: '''Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Mobile; family records 1700-1860, some Catholic school records, some Catholic newspapers, Catholic cemetery records, and funeral home records.'''
=== Roman Catholic  ===
====Lutheran====
[http://www.crumleyarchives.org '''James R. Crumley Jr. Archives''']<br>
4201 Main St.<br>
Columbia, SC 29203 <br>
<br>
Phone: 803-461-3234<br>
Email: crumleyarchivist@gmail.com<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.''']]


====Roman Catholic====
[http://www.bhmdiocese.org/ Diocese of Birmingham]<br>2121 3rd Ave.<br>P.O. Box 12047<br>North Birmingham, AL 35202-2047<br>Phone: (205) 838-8322  
*[http://www.bhmdiocese.org/ '''Diocese of Birmingham''']<br>2121 3rd Ave.<br>P.O. Box 12047<br>North Birmingham, AL 35202-2047<br>Phone: (205) 838-8322 <br>
All records are maintained in [https://www.bhmdiocese.org/parishfinder '''the local parishes.''']<br>


The diocese includes the counties of: [[Bibb County, Alabama Genealogy|Bibb]], [[Blount County, Alabama Genealogy|Blount]], [[Calhoun County, Alabama Genealogy|Calhoun]], [[Chambers County, Alabama Genealogy|Chambers]], [[Cherokee County, Alabama Genealogy|Cherokee]], [[Chilton County, Alabama Genealogy|Chilton]], [[Clay County, Alabama Genealogy|Clay]], [[Cleburne County, Alabama Genealogy|Cleburne]], [[Colbert County, Alabama Genealogy|Colbert]], [[Coosa County, Alabama Genealogy|Coosa]], [[Cullman County, Alabama Genealogy|Cullman]] , [[DeKalb County, Alabama Genealogy|DeKalb]], [[Etowah County, Alabama Genealogy|Etowah]], [[Fayette County, Alabama Genealogy|Fayette]], [[Franklin County, Alabama Genealogy|Franklin]], [[Greene County, Alabama Genealogy|Greene]], [[Hale County, Alabama Genealogy|Hale]], [[Jackson County, Alabama Genealogy|Jackson]], [[Jefferson County, Alabama Genealogy|Jefferson]], [[Lamar County, Alabama Genealogy|Lamar]], [[Lauderdale County, Alabama Genealogy|Lauderdale]], [[Lawrence County, Alabama Genealogy|Lawrence]], [[Limestone County, Alabama Genealogy|Limestone]], [[Madison County, Alabama Genealogy|Madison]], [[Marengo County, Alabama Genealogy|Marengo]], [[Marion County, Alabama Genealogy|Marion]], [[Marshall County, Alabama Genealogy|Marshall]], [[Morgan County, Alabama Genealogy|Morgan]], [[Perry County, Alabama Genealogy|Perry]], [[Pickens County, Alabama Genealogy|Pickens]], [[Randolph County, Alabama Genealogy|Randolph]], [[Shelby County, Alabama Genealogy|Shelby]], [[Sumter County, Alabama Genealogy|Sumter]], [[St. Clair County, Alabama Genealogy|St. Clair]], [[Talladega County, Alabama Genealogy|Talladega]], [[Tallapoosa County, Alabama Genealogy|Tallapoosa]], [[Tuscaloosa County, Alabama Genealogy|Tuscaloosa]], [[Walker County, Alabama Genealogy|Walker]] and [[Winston County, Alabama Genealogy|Winston]].<ref name="rome">[https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=a945f185eab041378d595f6c0a7f628f Map of the Roman Catholic Dioceses in the United States of America], Office of Catholic Schools Diocese of Columbus, accessed 3 Nov 2010.</ref>
The diocese includes the counties of: [[Bibb County, Alabama|Bibb]], [[Blount County, Alabama|Blount]], [[Calhoun County, Alabama|Calhoun]], [[Chambers County, Alabama|Chambers]], [[Cherokee County, Alabama|Cherokee]], [[Chilton County, Alabama|Chilton]], [[Clay County, Alabama|Clay]], [[Cleburne County, Alabama|Cleburne]], [[Colbert County, Alabama|Colbert]], [[Coosa County, Alabama|Coosa]], [[Cullman County, Alabama|Cullman]] , [[DeKalb County, Alabama|DeKalb]], [[Etowah County, Alabama|Etowah]], [[Fayette County, Alabama|Fayette]], [[Franklin County, Alabama|Franklin]], [[Greene County, Alabama|Greene]], [[Hale County, Alabama|Hale]], [[Jackson County, Alabama|Jackson]], [[Jefferson County, Alabama|Jefferson]], [[Lamar County, Alabama|Lamar]], [[Lauderdale County, Alabama|Lauderdale]], [[Lawrence County, Alabama|Lawrence]], [[Limestone County, Alabama|Limestone]], [[Madison County, Alabama|Madison]], [[Marengo County, Alabama|Marengo]], [[Marion County, Alabama|Marion]], [[Marshall County, Alabama|Marshall]], [[Morgan County, Alabama|Morgan]], [[Perry County, Alabama|Perry]], [[Pickens County, Alabama|Pickens]], [[Randolph County, Alabama|Randolph]], [[Shelby County, Alabama|Shelby]], [[Sumter County, Alabama|Sumter]], [[St. Clair County, Alabama|St. Clair]], [[Talladega County, Alabama|Talladega]], [[Tallapoosa County, Alabama|Tallapoosa]], [[Tuscaloosa County, Alabama|Tuscaloosa]], [[Walker County, Alabama|Walker]] and [[Winston County, Alabama|Winston]]  
----
[[File:Mobile Cathedral, East view 20160712 1.jpg|thumb|300px|<center>'''Cathedral Basilica''' <br>'''of the Immaculate Conception''' <br>'''Mobile, Alabama'''</center>]]
*[http://mobarch.org/ministries-offices/archives/ '''Archdiocese of Mobile Archives''']<br>14 S. Franklin St.<br>Mobile, AL 36602<br>Phone: (251) 415-3850
*Except for the Cathedral, all records are maintained in [http://mobarch.org/about/parishes/ '''the local parishes.''']<br>


"The records for the Cathedral parish from 1704-1739 have been published and are available for purchase by mail. Until more of our records are published, '''the archives will try to honor requests for individual sacramental information as staff/volunteer time is available'''.
[http://www.mobilearchdiocese.org/archives/archives.cfm?AOMDeptID=21 Archdiocese of Mobile Archives]<br>14 S. Franklin St.<br>Mobile, AL 36602<br>Phone: (251) 415-3850
*Make each request in writing using [http://mobarch.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Genealogical_Research-Individual_Sacramental_Request2.pdf '''this form.'''] Print it, fill out as completely as possible for each record requested, and mail.
*There is a $10 fee to search for each sacramental record requested. This is for the search, so it is payable regardless of whether we are able to find the record.
*Please mail all forms with payment for the total number of requests.
*We can only supply the information contained in the sacramental record (translated where applicable), not an official certificate and not a copy of the original entry.
*We will not honor requests for research of general family lines." (In other words, request a specific event, but don't ask them to find everything about a family at once.)


The Archdiocese includes the counties of: [[Autauga County, Alabama Genealogy|Autauga]], [[Baldwin County, Alabama Genealogy|Baldwin]], [[Barbour County, Alabama Genealogy|Barbour]], [[Bullock County, Alabama Genealogy|Bullock]], [[Butler County, Alabama Genealogy|Butler]], [[Choctaw County, Alabama Genealogy|Choctaw]], [[Clarke County, Alabama Genealogy|Clarke]], [[Coffee County, Alabama Genealogy|Coffee]], [[Conecuh County, Alabama Genealogy|Conecuh]], [[Covington County, Alabama Genealogy|Covington]], [[Crenshaw County, Alabama Genealogy|Crenshaw]], [[Dale County, Alabama Genealogy|Dale]], [[Dallas County, Alabama Genealogy|Dallas]], [[Elmore County, Alabama Genealogy|Elmore]], [[Escambia County, Alabama Genealogy|Escambia]], [[Geneva County, Alabama Genealogy|Geneva]], [[Henry County, Alabama Genealogy|Henry]], [[Houston County, Alabama Genealogy|Houston]], [[Lee County, Alabama Genealogy|Lee]], [[Lowndes County, Alabama Genealogy|Lowndes]], [[Macon County, Alabama Genealogy|Macon]], [[Mobile County, Alabama Genealogy|Mobile]], [[Monroe County, Alabama Genealogy|Monroe]], [[Montgomery County, Alabama Genealogy|Montgomery]], [[Pike County, Alabama Genealogy|Pike]], [[Russell County, Alabama Genealogy|Russell]], [[Washington County, Alabama Genealogy|Washington]] and [[Wilcox County, Alabama Genealogy|Wilcox]].<ref name="rome" />
The Archdiocese includes the counties of: [[Autauga County, Alabama|Autauga]], [[Baldwin County, Alabama|Baldwin]], [[Barbour County, Alabama|Barbour]], [[Bullock County, Alabama|Bullock]], [[Butler County, Alabama|Butler]], [[Choctaw County, Alabama|Choctaw]], [[Clarke County, Alabama|Clarke]], [[Coffee County, Alabama|Coffee]], [[Conecuh County, Alabama|Conecuh]], [[Covington County, Alabama|Covington]], [[Crenshaw County, Alabama|Crenshaw]], [[Dale County, Alabama|Dale]], [[Dallas County, Alabama|Dallas]], [[Elmore County, Alabama|Elmore]], [[Escambia County, Alabama|Escambia]], [[Geneva County, Alabama|Geneva]], [[Henry County, Alabama|Henry]], [[Houston County, Alabama|Houston]], [[Lee County, Alabama|Lee]], [[Lowndes County, Alabama|Lowndes]], [[Macon County, Alabama|Macon]], [[Mobile County, Alabama|Mobile]], [[Monroe County, Alabama|Monroe]], [[Montgomery County, Alabama|Montgomery]], [[Pike County, Alabama|Pike]], [[Russell County, Alabama|Russell]], [[Washington County, Alabama|Washington]] and [[Wilcox County, Alabama|Wilcox]]  


===Correspond with genealogical or historical societies.===
THE DROUIN COLLECTION:  
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:  
*[https://altttp.genealogyvillage.com/societies.htm '''Historical & Genealogical Societies of Alabama''']
*[https://archives.alabama.gov/Research/societies.pdf '''Alabama County Historical and Genealogical Societies''']


==Next, go to the Wiki article for your ancestors' denomination. ==
Drouin Collection 1621-1967 at Ancestry.ca. When searching these databases, be creative in the spellings as well as the various focuses in searching for an ancestor. The French language has many possible spellings for a name, as well as there are errors in the indexing.  
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==
This French-Canadian collection has over 15 million genealogical and vital records entries; they were microfilmed by the Institut Généalogique Drouin. In Quebec, under the French Regime, there were two sets of records kept: a copy for the civil government archives and a copy for the ecclesiastical church archives. The Drouin collection is a civil copy of these entries. Please note that the cutoff date of this collection is in the early 1940s; only a small percentage of entries were covered from 1948 to 1967.
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'''.]]
This collection is divided into six databases: 1. Quebec Vital and Church Records, 1621-1967 2. Ontario French Catholic Church Records, 1747-1967, 3. Early U.S. French Catholic Church Records, 1695-1954, 4. Acadia French Catholic Church Records, 1670-1946, 5. Quebec Notarial Records, 1647-1942, and 6. Miscellaneous French Records, 1651-1941. For details about these six databases, see [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/The_Drouin_Collection:_Six_databases "The Drouin Collection: Six Databases"].


==References==
'''Early U.S. French Catholic Church Records, 1695-1954''':&nbsp; This database only contains the French Catholic parish records from the United States; in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, and Pennsylvania. The types of records include baptisms, marriages, and burials as well as confirmations, dispensations, censuses, statements of readmission to the church, and so on. They are written mainly in French, as well as English, Latin, and Italian.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<references/>
 
{{USChurch}}
For further information about local church records, please refer to county or city pages.<br>
[[Category:U S States Church records]]
 
'''State of Alabama'''<br>Dept. of Archives and History<br>624 Washington Ave.<br>Montgomery, AL 36130-3601<br>Collection includes:<br>Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Mobile, Alabama)<br>Family Records, 1700-1860<br>Scattered issues of Mobile and Birmingham Catholic newspapers in originals<br>Local Catholic cemetery gravestone transcriptions and funeral home records<br>Items pertaining to Catholic education in Alabama (yearbooks, students and faculty lists), scattered localities and dates.
 
Some of the records of this diocese are available on microfilms at the Family History Library.
 
Alabama church records are listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:
 
ALABAMA- CHURCH HISTORY
 
ALABAMA- CHURCH RECORDS
 
ALABAMA, [COUNTY], [TOWN]- CHURCH HISTORY
 
ALABAMA, [COUNTY], [TOWN]- CHURCH RECORDS
 
=== External Links  ===
 
*http://www.genealogy.com/5_grnwd.html
*http://www.accessgenealogy.com/church/alabama.htm
*http://www.censusfinder.com/alabama.htm
 
{{Alabama|Alabama}}  
 
[[Category:Alabama|Church Records]]

Revision as of 09:35, 31 December 2010

United States  Gotoarrow.png  Alabama  Gotoarrow.png  Church Records


[citation needed] 


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; dates of baptism, christening or birth; marriage information, such as the bride’s maiden name and the names of both sets of parents; death or burial date; admissions; and removals. Records may include names of other relatives who were witnesses or members of the congregation. The members of some churches were predominately of one nationality or ethnic group. Church records are important for Alabama family research because civil authorities in Alabama did not begin registering vital statistics until after 1908.

Roman Catholic church records for Mobile date from about 1700. In the 1800s, the largest religious groups in Alabama were the Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches.[citation needed]


To find information about churches up to 1870, such as when the churches were founded, names of ministers and early members, and associated cemeteries, see:

  • Daughters of the American Revolution (Alabama). Some Early Alabama Churches (Established Before 1870). Birmingham, Alabama: Parchment Press, 1973. FHL Collection book 976.1 K2d; film 1026262 item 8

The Family History Library has a few church records for Alabama, but most remain with the local churches. Some denominations have collected their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses to learn where records of a particular denomination are located.

Baptist[edit | edit source]

Special Collection, Samford University Library. See Alabama Archives and Libraries. The Samford University Library Website has an inventory of their records.

For histories of the Baptist Church, see:

  • Holcombe, Hosea. A History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Alabama. 1840. Reprint, Bessemer, Alabama: West Jefferson County Historical Society, 1974. FHL Collection book 976.1 K21h. This history of the Baptist Church to 1840 is indexed.
  • Flynt, F. Wayne. Alabama Baptists: Southern Baptists in the Heart of Dixie. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1998.

Episcopal[edit | edit source]

A list of the Episcopal congregations in Alabama before 1939 is:

  • Inventory of the Church Archives of Alabama: Protestant Episcopal Church. Birmingham, Alabama: Alabama Historical Records Survey Project, 1939. FHL Collection book 976.1 K2h; film 897366 item 3; digital version at Family History Archives. This gives the location of each church with a brief history and describes the types and years of records that existed for each congregation in 1939.

Methodist[edit | edit source]

Houghton Memorial Library
Huntingdon College
1500 E. Fairview Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36106-2148
Phone: (334) 833-4421
Fax: (334) 263-4465
E-mail: edidwell@huntingdon.edu

Charles Andrew Rush Library
Birmingham-Southern College
900 Arkadelphia Road
P.O. Box 549020
Birmingham, AL 35254-9990
Phone: (205) 226-4740
Fax: (205) 226-4743

A history of the Methodist Church in Alabama is:

  • Lazenby, Marion Elias, History of Methodism in Alabama and West Florida. N.p., 1960. FHL Collection book 976.1 K2L. This book includes a list of deceased ministers and a name and subject index.

Presbyterian[edit | edit source]

Presbyterian Historical Society
425 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 627-1852
Fax: (215) 627-0509

Roman Catholic[edit | edit source]

Diocese of Birmingham
2121 3rd Ave.
P.O. Box 12047
North Birmingham, AL 35202-2047
Phone: (205) 838-8322

The diocese includes the counties of: Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Coosa, Cullman , DeKalb, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Hale, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marengo, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, Sumter, St. Clair, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker and Winston

Archdiocese of Mobile Archives
14 S. Franklin St.
Mobile, AL 36602
Phone: (251) 415-3850

The Archdiocese includes the counties of: Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Dallas, Elmore, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Russell, Washington and Wilcox

THE DROUIN COLLECTION:

Drouin Collection 1621-1967 at Ancestry.ca. When searching these databases, be creative in the spellings as well as the various focuses in searching for an ancestor. The French language has many possible spellings for a name, as well as there are errors in the indexing.

This French-Canadian collection has over 15 million genealogical and vital records entries; they were microfilmed by the Institut Généalogique Drouin. In Quebec, under the French Regime, there were two sets of records kept: a copy for the civil government archives and a copy for the ecclesiastical church archives. The Drouin collection is a civil copy of these entries. Please note that the cutoff date of this collection is in the early 1940s; only a small percentage of entries were covered from 1948 to 1967.

This collection is divided into six databases: 1. Quebec Vital and Church Records, 1621-1967 2. Ontario French Catholic Church Records, 1747-1967, 3. Early U.S. French Catholic Church Records, 1695-1954, 4. Acadia French Catholic Church Records, 1670-1946, 5. Quebec Notarial Records, 1647-1942, and 6. Miscellaneous French Records, 1651-1941. For details about these six databases, see "The Drouin Collection: Six Databases".

Early U.S. French Catholic Church Records, 1695-1954:  This database only contains the French Catholic parish records from the United States; in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, and Pennsylvania. The types of records include baptisms, marriages, and burials as well as confirmations, dispensations, censuses, statements of readmission to the church, and so on. They are written mainly in French, as well as English, Latin, and Italian.  

For further information about local church records, please refer to county or city pages.

State of Alabama
Dept. of Archives and History
624 Washington Ave.
Montgomery, AL 36130-3601
Collection includes:
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Mobile, Alabama)
Family Records, 1700-1860
Scattered issues of Mobile and Birmingham Catholic newspapers in originals
Local Catholic cemetery gravestone transcriptions and funeral home records
Items pertaining to Catholic education in Alabama (yearbooks, students and faculty lists), scattered localities and dates.

Some of the records of this diocese are available on microfilms at the Family History Library.

Alabama church records are listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under:

ALABAMA- CHURCH HISTORY

ALABAMA- CHURCH RECORDS

ALABAMA, [COUNTY], [TOWN]- CHURCH HISTORY

ALABAMA, [COUNTY], [TOWN]- CHURCH RECORDS

External Links[edit | edit source]

v • d• e
Links to Alabama-related articles
Topics
Counties
Extinct Co.
Major
 Repositories
Migration
 Routes
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