Nevada Church Records: Difference between revisions

Near matches: Researchers might mistakenly accept an entry very similar to their ancestor, 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 assume the database proves church records do not exist. Actually the record is still out there, just not in this incomplete collection of records. Keep searching!

Indexes[edit | edit source]

1956-2005 Nevada, Marriage Index, 1956-2005 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection;
1956-2005 Nevada, Marriage Index, 1956-2005 ($)

Lutheran[edit | edit source]

1781-1969 - U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969, index & images, incomplete.($)

Look for digital copies of church records in the FamilySearch Catalog.[edit | edit source]

FamilySearch Library
Salt Lake City, Utah

The 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 How do I request that a microfilm be digitized?
Some records might have viewing restrictions, and can only be viewed at a FamilySearch Center near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations.
To find records:

a. Click on the records of United States, Nevada.

b. Click on Places within United States, Nevada 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, Nevada [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.

. 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.[edit | edit source]

These aids generally provide lists of records that are known to exist and information on their location.

Inventory of the Church Archives of Nevada: Roman Catholic Church (Reno, Nevada: Historical Records Survey, 1939. FS Catalog Collection book 979.3 K2hc; film 1036527 item 7; fiche 6051185
Inventory of the church archives of Nevada, Protestant Episcopal Church (Reno, Nevada: Historical Records Survey, 1941. FS Catalog Collection book 979.3 K2he; film 1036524 item 2; fiche 6051184

Correspond with or visit the actual churches.[edit | edit source]

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 for help with composing letters.
Each denomination page offers an online address directory of local churches for that denomination.

Check the church records collections in archives and libraries.[edit | edit source]

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.

Here you will find archive information unique to the state. Many more archives are kept by denomination. For denominational archives, go to Searching for Church Records by Denomination.

Lutheran[edit | edit source]

South West California Synod / ELCA Region 2 Archives
1300 E. Colorado St.
Glendale, CA 91205
Phone:(818) 937-4761
Email: archives@socalsynod.org

Archives hold records for closed churches. For open churches write directly to the local church.

Protestant Episcopal[edit | edit source]

The Nevada Historical Society
1650 N. Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89503-1799
Phone: (775) 688-1190 ext. 227
Fax: (775) 688-2917

They have the records for the Nevada Diocese from 1862 to 1969.
Inventory of the church archives of Nevada, Protestant Episcopal Church (Reno, Nevada: Historical Records Survey, 1941. FS Catalog Collection book 979.3 K2he; film 1036524 item 2; fiche 6051184

Roman Catholic[edit | edit source]

Inventory of the Church Archives of Nevada: Roman Catholic Church (Reno, Nevada: Historical Records Survey, 1939. FS Catalog Collection book 979.3 K2hc; film 1036527 item 7; fiche 6051185

Diocese of Las Vegas
Chancery Office
336 Cathedral Way
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Phone: (702) 735-3500
Fax: (702) 735-8941

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 18316
Reno, NV 89114-8316

Contact the local parish and the Chancery Office for research requests.*

The diocese includes the counties of: Clark, Lincoln, Nye and White Pine.^[2]

Diocese of Reno
Chancery Office
290 S. Arlington
Reno, NV 89501-1713
Archives Phone: (775) 326-9440
Fax (775) 348-8619

Contact the local parish and the Chancery Officewith research requests.

The diocese includes the counties of: Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey and Washoe.^[2]

Correspond with genealogical or historical societies.[edit | edit source]

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.[edit | edit source]

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.

Major U.S. Religious Denominations
Adventist Amish Anabaptist Anglican Apostolic Christian Armenian Catholic Armenian Evangelical Armenian Orthodox Assemblies of God Baháʼí Baptist Buddhist Catholic Apostolic Church of the Brethren Community of Christ Confucianism Congregational	Coptic Orthodox Disciples of Christ Dutch Reformed Episcopal German Reformed Greek Orthodox Hinduism Huguenot Hutterites Jehovah's Witnesses Jewish The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) Lutheran Maronite Catholic Church Melkite Greek Catholic Methodist	Mennonite Moravian Muslim Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Pentecostal Presbyterian Roman Catholic Russian Orthodox Schwenkfelders Serbian Orthodox Sihkism Society of Friends (Quakers) Syriac Orthodox Church Ukrainian Orthodox United Church of Christ United Brethren in Christ Unitarian/Universalist

Carefully compare any record you find to known facts about the ancestor[edit | edit source]

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

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.

References[edit | edit source]

↑ Sydney E. Ahlstrom, A Religious History of the American People (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1972). FS Library Book 973 K2ah.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Map of the Roman Catholic Dioceses in the United States of America, Office of Catholic Schools Diocese of Columbus, accessed 3 Nov 2010.

[1] Sydney E. Ahlstrom, A Religious History of the American People (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1972). FS Library Book 973 K2ah.

[rome-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Map of the Roman Catholic Dioceses in the United States of America, Office of Catholic Schools Diocese of Columbus, accessed 3 Nov 2010.

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Back to [[Portal:Nevada|Nevada Portal Page]]►
+{{NV-sidebar}}
+{{breadcrumb
+| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
+| link2=[[United States Church Records|U.S. Church Records]]
+| link3=[[Nevada, United States Genealogy|Nevada]]
+| link4=
+| link5=[[Nevada Church Records|Church Records]]
+}}
+<div style="float:right; margin:30px">
+{|
+|-
+|style="border:1px solid DarkBlue; margin:70px; background:GhostWhite; width 15%; padding-right:15px; padding-left:15px; height:50px "|
+<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==
+The four largest religious groups in Nevada before 1900 were:
+*[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|'''The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints''']]
+*[[Methodist Church in the United States|'''Methodist''']]
+*[[Episcopal Church in the United States|'''Protestant Episcopal''']]
+*[[Roman Catholic Church in the United States|'''Roman Catholic''']]<ref>Sydney E. Ahlstrom, ''A Religious History of the American People'' (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1972). {{FSC|282712|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 K2ah}}.</ref>
+For a history of seven major denominations in Nevada, see:
+*Loofbourow, Leon L. Loofbourow. ''Steeples among the Sage . . .'' (Oakland,California: Lake Park Press, 1964. {{FSC|216010|item}} book 979.3 K2L
+==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==
+===Look for online records.===
+<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!
+|}
+----
+====Indexes====
+*'''1956-2005''' {{RecordSearch|1949338|Nevada, Marriage Index, 1956-2005}} at FamilySearch - [[Nevada, Marriage Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]];
+*'''1956-2005''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1100 Nevada, Marriage Index, 1956-2005] ($)
+====Lutheran====
+*'''1781-1969'''  - [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60722/ U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969], index & images, incomplete.($)
-The four largest religious groups in Nevada before 1900 were:
+===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.
+*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=21&query=%2Bplace%3A%22United%20States%2C%20Nevada%22 '''records of United States, Nevada'''].
+:::b. Click on '''Places within United States, Nevada''' 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, Nevada [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.
+-----
-*Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
+===Consult available finding aids.===
-*Methodist,
+'''These aids generally provide lists of records that are known to exist and information on their location.'''
-*Protestant Episcopal,
+*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/217430-redirection '''''Inventory of the Church Archives of Nevada: Roman Catholic Church'''''] (Reno, Nevada: Historical Records Survey, 1939. {{FSC|215911|item}} book 979.3 K2hc; film 1036527 item 7; fiche 6051185
-*Roman Catholic.
+*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/217195-redirection '''Inventory of the church archives of Nevada, Protestant Episcopal Church'''] (Reno, Nevada: Historical Records Survey, 1941. {{FSC|215958|item}} book 979.3 K2he; film 1036524 item 2; fiche 6051184
-For a history of seven major denominations in Nevada, see Leon L. Loofbourow, ''Steeples among the Sage . . .'' (Oakland,California: Lake Park Press, 1964; Family History Library book 979.3 K2L).
+----
-The Family History Library has a few records for some Nevada churches. The largest collection of Nevada church records is for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
+===Correspond with or visit the actual churches.===
+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.
-Many denominations have collected their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses for help in locating their records:
+===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 researcher.<br>
+<br>
+<span style="color:DarkViolet">'''Here you will find archive information unique to the state. Many more archives are kept by denomination. For denominational  archives, go to  [[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''Searching for Church Records by Denomination.''']]</span>
-'''The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints''' <br>Historical Department <br>The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints <br>50 East North Temple Street <br>Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3400 <br>Telephone: 800-406-1830<br>Telephone: 801-240-2785 <br>Fax: 801-240-1845 <br>http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library
+====Lutheran====
+'''South West California Synod / ELCA Region 2 Archives'''<br>
+E. Colorado St.<br>
+Glendale, CA 91205<br>
+Phone:(818) 937-4761<br>
+Email: archives@socalsynod.org<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.''']]
-'''Methodist''' <br>United Methodist Archives Center <br>Drew University Library <br>PO Box 127<br>Madison, New Jersey 07940-0127<br>Telephone: 973-408-3189 <br>FAX: 973-408-3909<br>Internet: [mailto:gcah@gcah.org gcah@gcah.org]
+====Protestant Episcopal====
-'''Protestant Episcopal''' <br>The Nevada Historical Society <br>1650 N. Virginia Street <br>Reno, NV 89503-1799 <br>Telephone: (775) 688-1190<br>Fax: (775) 688-2917
+[https://www.nvhistoricalsociety.org/research-library/ '''The Nevada Historical Society'''] <br>1650 N. Virginia Street <br>Reno, NV 89503-1799 <br>Phone: (775) 688-1190 ext. 227<br>Fax: (775) 688-2917
-(They have the records for the Nevada Diocese from 1862 to 1969.)
+*'''They have the records for the Nevada Diocese from 1862 to 1969.'''
+*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/217195-redirection '''Inventory of the church archives of Nevada, Protestant Episcopal Church'''] (Reno, Nevada: Historical Records Survey, 1941. {{FSC|215958|item}} book 979.3 K2he; film 1036524 item 2; fiche 6051184
-To learn more about the records of the Protestant Episcopal Church, see ''Inventory of the Church Archives of Nevada, Protestant Episcopal Church'' (Reno, Nevada: Historical Records Survey, 1941; Family History Library book 979.3 K2he; film 1036524 item 2; fiche 6051184).
+<br>
-'''Roman Catholic''' <br>Diocese of Las Vegas <br>Chancery Office <br>336 Cathedral Way <br>Las Vegas, NV 89109 <br>Telephone: 702-735-3500<br>Fax: 702-735-8941
+====Roman Catholic====
+*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/217430-redirection '''''Inventory of the Church Archives of Nevada: Roman Catholic Church'''''] (Reno, Nevada: Historical Records Survey, 1939. {{FSC|215911|item}} book 979.3 K2hc; film 1036527 item 7; fiche 6051185
+[https://dioceseoflasvegas.org/Home.shtml '''Diocese of Las Vegas''']<br>Chancery Office<br>336 Cathedral Way<br>Las Vegas, NV 89109<br>Phone: (702) 735-3500<br>Fax: (702) 735-8941
+----
+Mailing Address:<br>P.O. Box 18316<br>Reno, NV 89114-8316
+*Contact the [https://dioceseoflasvegas.org/Parishes.shtml '''local parish'''] and the '''Chancery Office''' for research requests.*
+The diocese includes the counties of: [[Clark County, Nevada Genealogy|Clark]], [[Lincoln County, Nevada Genealogy|Lincoln]], [[Nye County, Nevada Genealogy|Nye]] and [[White Pine County, Nevada Genealogy|White Pine]].<ref name="rome" />
+----
+[https://renodiocese.org/ '''Diocese of Reno''']<br>Chancery Office<br>290 S. Arlington<br>Reno, NV 89501-1713<br>Archives Phone: (775) 326-9440<br>Fax (775) 348-8619
+*Contact [https://renodiocese.org/home/about-our-diocese/our-parishes-2/ '''the local parish'''] and the '''Chancery Office'''with research requests.<br>
+The diocese includes the counties of: [[Churchill County, Nevada Genealogy|Churchill]], [[Douglas County, Nevada Genealogy|Douglas]], [[Elko County, Nevada Genealogy|Elko]], [[Esmeralda County, Nevada Genealogy|Esmeralda]], [[Eureka County, Nevada Genealogy|Eureka]], [[Humboldt County, Nevada Genealogy|Humboldt]], [[Lander County, Nevada Genealogy|Lander]], [[Lyon County, Nevada Genealogy|Lyon]], [[Mineral County, Nevada Genealogy|Mineral]], [[Pershing County, Nevada Genealogy|Pershing]], [[Storey County, Nevada Genealogy|Storey]] and [[Washoe County, Nevada Genealogy|Washoe]].<ref name="rome">[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>
+-----
-Mailing Address: <br>P.O. Box 18316 <br>Reno, NV 89114-8316
+===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:
+<br>
-http://www.lasvegas-diocese.org/index.php
+==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>
-Diocese of Reno <br>290 S. Arlington<br>Suite 200<br>Reno, NV 89501<br>Telephone: 702-329-9274<br>Fax 702-348-8619
+==Carefully compare any record you find to known facts about the ancestor==
+You will possibly find many different people with the '''same name as your ancestor,''' especially when a family stayed in a locality for several generations, and several children were named after the '''grandparents or aunts and uncles'''. Be prepared to find the correct church records by organizing in advance as many of these exact details about the ancestor '''as possible''':
+*'''name''', including '''middle name and maiden name'''
+*names of all '''spouses''', including middle and maiden name
+*exact or closely estimated '''dates of birth, marriage, and death'''
+*names and approximate birthdates of '''children'''
+*all known places of '''residence'''
+*'''occupations'''
+*'''military''' service details
+<br>
-http://www.catholicreno.org/main.htm
+[[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'''.]]
-To learn more about the records of the Catholic Church, see ''Inventory of the Church Archives of Nevada: Roman Catholic Church'' (Reno, Nevada: Historical Records Survey, 1939; Family History Library book 979.3 K2hc; film 1036527 item 7; fiche 6051185).
+==References==
-[[Category:Nevada]]
+<references />
+{{Nevada|Nevada}}{{USChurch}}
+[[Category:Nevada, United States|Church]]
+[[Category:U_S_States_Church_records]]