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==Historical Background== | ==Historical Background== | ||
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As of 2014, Delaware is mostly Christian. Although Protestants account for almost half of the population, the Catholic Church is the largest single denomination in the state. The Association of Religion Data Archives reported in 2010 that the three largest denominational groups in Delaware by number of adherents are the '''Catholic Church''' at 182,532 adherents, the '''United Methodist Church''' with 53,656 members reported, and '''non-denominational Evangelical Protestant''' with 22,973 adherents reported. The religious body with the largest number of congregations is the United Methodist Church (with 158 congregations) followed by non-denominational Evangelical Protestant (with 106 congregations), then the Catholic Church (with 45 congregations). | |||
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington and the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware oversee the parishes within their denominations. The '''A.U.M.P. Church, the oldest African-American denomination in the nation''', was founded in Wilmington. It still has a substantial presence in the state. | |||
Delaware is home to an '''Amish community''' that resides west of Dover in Kent County, consisting of nine church districts and about 1,650 people. The Amish first settled in Kent County in 1915. In recent years, increasing development has led to the decline in the number of Amish living in the community.<ref>"Delaware:Religion", in Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delaware#Religion, accessed 29 June 2020.</ref> | |||
==Information Found in the Records== | ==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: | 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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==Finding the Records== | ==Finding the Records== | ||
===Look for online records.=== | ===Look for online records.=== | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
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#'''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! | #'''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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*[https://www. | ====FamilySearch==== | ||
*'''1650-1974''' {{RecordSearch|1447341|Delaware Vital Records, 1650-1974}} — [[Delaware Vital Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]] | |||
*'''1680-1934''' {{RecordSearch|1922410|Delaware vital record index cards, 1680-1934}} — [[Delaware Vital Record Index Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]] | |||
*'''1707-1939''' {{RecordSearch|2787818|Delaware, Church Records, 1707-1939}}; index & images — [[Delaware Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]] | |||
*'''1697-1886''' {{RecordSearch|2339318|Delaware Baptisms, 1697-1886}}, index, incomplete — [[Delaware Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]] | |||
*'''1710-1896''' {{RecordSearch|1674747|Delaware Births and Christenings, 1710-1896}}, index, incomplete — [[Delaware Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]] | |||
*'''1713-1919''' {{RecordSearch|1674782|Delaware Marriages, 1713-1919}}, index, incomplete — [[Delaware Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]] | |||
*'''1750-1886''' {{RecordSearch|2340266|Delaware Church Deaths, 1750-1886}}, index, incomplete — [[Delaware Church Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]] | |||
*'''1815-1955''' {{RecordSearch|1674781|Delaware Deaths and Burials, 1815-1955}}, index, incomplete — [[Delaware Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]] | |||
====Ancestry.com==== | |||
*'''1697-1886''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61913/ Delaware, U.S., Baptisms, 1697-1886] at Ancestry - index ($) | |||
*'''1744-1912''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1508/ Delaware, Marriage Records, 1744-1912] at Ancestry - index ($) | |||
*'''1750-1886''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61912/ Delaware, U.S., Church Deaths, 1750-1886] at Ancestry - index ($) | |||
*'''1750-1899''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62267/ U.S., Southern Baptist Church Records, 1750-1899] at Ancestry - index & images ($) | |||
*'''1750-1954''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61368/ Delaware, Marriage Records, 1750-1954] at Ancestry - index ($) | |||
*'''1800-1932''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1672/ Delaware, Birth Records, 1800-1932] at Ancestry - index ($) | |||
*'''1806-1933''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1673/ Delaware, Marriage Records, 1806-1933] at Ancestry - index ($) | |||
*'''1861-1933''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1674/ Delaware Death Records, 1861-1933] at Ancestry - index ($) | |||
====Baptist==== | |||
*'''1750-1899''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62267/ U.S., Southern Baptist Church Records, 1750-1899] at Ancestry - index & images ($) | |||
====Catholic==== | |||
*{{FSC|629792|item|disp=Pre-1868 parish registers of the Diocese of Wilmington}} | |||
*[https://www.lalley.com/?home.asp Searchable Parish Sacramental Registers, Diocese of Wilmington] All Baptism and Marriage Records for the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington through 1900 are now online. No index. | |||
*[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/70648/ Web: Wilmington, Delaware, Catholic Diocese Cemeteries Index, 1876-2012], index ($) | |||
====Community of Christ, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints==== | |||
*{{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 Delaware | |||
====Presbyterian==== | |||
*[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61048/ U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970], index($) | |||
====Quaker Society of Friends==== | |||
*[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2189/ U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935], index($) | |||
====Other Collections==== | |||
*[http://www.awesomegenealogy.com/churchrecords.shtml Awesome Genealogy] has a few transcribed church records for [[Delaware Genealogy|Delaware]]. | *[http://www.awesomegenealogy.com/churchrecords.shtml Awesome Genealogy] has a few transcribed church records for [[Delaware Genealogy|Delaware]]. | ||
===Look for digital copies of church records | ===Books=== | ||
[[File:Family History Library.jpg|right|thumb|<center>''' | *Raymond B. Clark's, ''Delaware Church Records,'' contains baptisms, marriages, deaths, and tombstone inscriptions from several churches including Baptist, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Quaker churches for the period 1686-1880. A copy of the book can be found in the {{FSC|526969|item}}. [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Delaware_Church_Records/D_8-swEACAAJ?hl=en purchase options]. For a copy nearest you, check [http://www.worldcat.org/title/delaware-church-records-a-collection-of-baptisms-marriages-deaths-and-other-records-and-tombstone-inscriptions-from-1686-1880-five-important-religious-groups-baptist-episcopal-methodist-presbyterian-and-quaker-with-historical-sketches-of-the-churches-or-groups-and-with-illustrations-of-the-churches/oclc/16405432&referer=brief_results WorldCat]. | ||
*The [ | *Frederick Lewis Weis's ''The Colonial Clergy of Maryland, Delaware, and Georgia,'' is an alphabetical listing of the clergy in Delaware from 1638-1776, and includes names, dates, and places. A copy of the book is located in the {{FSC|589337|item}}. For a copy nearest you, check [http://www.worldcat.org/title/colonial-clergy-of-maryland-delaware-and-georgia/oclc/4040295&referer=brief_results WorldCat]. | ||
==== Amish ==== | |||
Allen B. Clark's, ''This Is Good Country: A History of the Amish of Delaware, 1915-1988'', has information about the European beginnings of the Mennonite and Amish groups, their migration, and settlement in Delaware. It also includes traditions, names and dates. A copy of the book can be found in the {{FSC|510114|item}}. To locate the copy nearest you, try [http://www.worldcat.org/title/this-is-good-country-a-history-of-the-amish-of-delaware-1915-1988/oclc/18814739&referer=brief_results WorldCat]. | |||
===Look for digital copies of church records in the FamilySearch Catalog. === | |||
[[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. | *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?'''] | *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://familysearch.org/ | *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: | *To find records: | ||
:::a. Click on the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId= | :::a. Click on the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=49&query=%2Bplace%3A%22United%20States%2C%20Delaware%22 '''records of United States, Delaware''']. | ||
:::b. Click on '''Places within United States, Delaware''' and a list of counties will appear. | :::b. Click on '''Places within United States, Delaware''' and a list of counties will appear. | ||
:::c. Click on your county if it appears. | :::c. Click on your county if it appears. | ||
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===Consult available finding aids.=== | ===Consult available finding aids.=== | ||
'''These aids generally provide lists of records that are known to exist and information on their location.'''<br> | '''These aids generally provide lists of records that are known to exist and information on their location.'''<br> | ||
[https:// | *[https://archives.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/156/2016/10/WPAChurchArchives.pdf Inventory of the Church Archives of Delaware] WPA | ||
*[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015070150167&view=1up&seq=5 ''Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations in Delaware''.] Dover, Delaware: Historical Records Survey, 1942. Digital version also at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=23196 Ancestry] ($). | |||
*[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015070150167&view=1up&seq=5 ''Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations in Delaware''.] Dover, Delaware: Historical Records Survey, 1942. Digital version also at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=23196 Ancestry] ($). | *[https://archives.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/156/2017/05/ZebleyChurches.pdf ''"The Churches of Delaware"''], e-book by Frank R. Zebley | ||
*[https://guides.lib.udel.edu/c.php?g=85348&p=548259 Research Guides: Genealogy, Church Records, University of Delaware] | |||
====Lutheran and Protestant Episcopal==== | |||
*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/559462-inventory-of-the-church-archives-of-delaware-lutheran-church-and-protestant-episcopal-church?offset=1 Inventory of the Church archives of Delaware : Lutheran Church and Protestant Episcopal Church] | |||
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===Check the church records collections in archives and libraries.=== | ===Check the church records collections in archives and libraries.=== | ||
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:// | 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. | ||
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<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> | |||
[https://archives.delaware.gov/ '''Delaware Public Archives''']<br> | |||
121 Duke of York Street<br> | |||
Dover, DE 19901<br> | |||
<br> | |||
Telephone: 302-744-5000<br> | |||
Fax: 302-739-2578<br> | |||
[https://archives.delaware.gov/contact-dpa/ Email]<br> | |||
*[https://archives.delaware.gov/requesting-records/ '''Requesting Records'''] | |||
*[https://www.ancestry.com/search/categories/de_public_archives/ '''The Delaware Public Archives Digitized Records''']($) | |||
==== Roman Catholic ==== | |||
[http://www.cdow.org/archives.html '''Diocese of Wilmington Archives''']<br>P.O. Box 2030<br>Greenville, DE 19899<br>Telephone: (302) 655-0597<br>Email: skirkryan@cdow.org | |||
*[https://www.lalley.com/?home.asp '''Searchable Parish Sacramental Registers'''] All Baptism and Marriage Records for the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington through 1900 are now online. | |||
The Diocese of Wilmington consists of the [[Delaware Genealogy|Delaware]] counties of [[Kent County, Delaware Genealogy|Kent]], [[New Castle County, Delaware Genealogy|New Castle]] and [[Sussex County, Delaware Genealogy|Sussex]]. The diocese also covers the following counties in [[Maryland Genealogy|Maryland]]: [[Caroline County, Maryland Genealogy|Caroline]], [[Cecil County, Maryland Genealogy|Cecil]], [[Dorchester County, Maryland Genealogy|Dorchester]], [[Kent County, Maryland Genealogy|Kent]], [[Queen Anne's County, Maryland Genealogy|Queen Anne]], [[Somerset County, Maryland Genealogy|Somerset]], [[Talbot County, Maryland Genealogy|Talbot]], [[Wicomico County, Maryland Genealogy|Wicomico]] and [[Worcester County, Maryland Genealogy|Worcester]].<ref>[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> | |||
===Correspond with genealogical or historical societies.=== | ===Correspond with genealogical or historical societies.=== | ||
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: | 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: | ||
==Next, go to the Wiki article for your ancestors' denomination. == | |||
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== | ==Carefully compare any record you find to known facts about the ancestor== | ||
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[[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'''.]] | [[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'''.]] | ||
{{Template:Pros-DE}} | {{Template:Pros-DE}} | ||
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