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Church baptism, marriage, and burial records are a major source of information about people from [[Maine|Maine]].  
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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:Maine churches.png|thumb|right|450px]]
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==Historical Background==
Before 1900 the largest religious groups in Maine were the [[Congregational Church in the United States|'''Congregational''']], [[Baptist Church in the United States|'''Baptist''']], [[Roman Catholic Church in the United States|'''Roman Catholic''']], and [[Methodist Church in the United States|'''Methodist''']] churches.


Before 1829, a few churches kept birth and death records, but most kept marriage records. For this time period there are almost no Methodist records and few Episcopal records. You may find some records by writing to the church in a town. Records for the Congregational Church and Society of Friends (Quakers) are in the Maine Historical Society.
==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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|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]]
|}


Before 1900 the largest religious groups in Maine were the Congregational, Baptist, Roman Catholic, and Methodist Episcopal churches. The Family History Library has some published and microfilmed church records for these groups.  
==Finding the Records==
===Look for online records.===


A helpful list of churches existing in 1940 is:
<br>


Historical Records Survey (Maine). ''Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations in Maine''. Portland: Maine Historical Records Survey Project, 1940. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=33078&disp=Directory+of+churches+and+religious+orga++ book 974.1 K24h; film 1035515 item 13].) These records show locations of over 1,700 churches and religious organizations in Maine and give a brief history of the beginning of the various religions in Maine.
{|
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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!
|}
*'''1734-1907''' {{RecordSearch|2787824|Maine, Church Records, 1734-1907}} at FamilySearch - [[Maine, Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images. Incomplete.
*'''1670-1907''' {{RecordSearch|1803978|Maine, Vital Records, 1670-1907}} at FamilySearch - [[Maine Vital Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images. Incomplete.
*'''1739-1900''' {{RecordSearch|1674856|Maine, Births and Christenings, 1739-1900}} at FamilySearch - [[Maine Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index.
*'''1771-1901''' {{RecordSearch|1674915|Maine, Marriages, 1771-1907}} at FamilySearch - [[Maine Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index.
*'''1841-1910''' {{RecordSearch|1674914|Maine, Deaths and Burials, 1841-1910}} at FamilySearch - [[Maine Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1854-1892''' [https://www.americanancestors.org/search/databasesearch/227/maine-marriages-by-reverend-hfa-patterson-1854-1892 Maine: Marriages by Reverend H.F.A. Patterson, 1854-1892] at American Ancestors - index & images ($)
====Catholic====
*'''1820-Onward''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20853/maine-catholic-burials?s=275764761 Maine Catholic Burials] at MyHeritage — index ($)


Many denominations have collected their records into central repositories. Many records of the Congregational and Society of Friends churches are at the Maine Historical Society. The following archives also have important collections of Maine church records:
=====The Drouin Collection=====
*'''1695-1954''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1111 '''Early U.S. French Catholic Church Records, 1695-1954'''] ($) (Ancestry). This database  contains the French Catholic parish records for Maine.


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


American Baptist Samuel Colgate Historical Society<br>1106 South Goodman Street<br>Rochester, NY 14602<br>Telephone: 716-473-1740<br>Fax: 716-473-1740 <br>Internet: http://www.baptisthistory.us/about.php
===Look for digital copies of church records in the FamilySearch Catalog. ===
*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://www.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=16&query=%2Bplace%3A%22United%20States%2C%20Maine%22 '''records of United States, Maine'''].
:::b. Click on '''Places within United States, Maine''' 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, Maine [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.
-----


=== Roman Catholic  ===
===Consult available finding aids.===


&nbsp;THE DROUIN COLLECTION:  
'''These aids generally provide lists of records that are known to exist and information on their location.'''
* [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/252106-redirection '''''Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations in Maine'''''.] Portland: Maine Historical Records Survey Project, 1940. These records show locations of over 1,700 churches and religious organizations in Maine and give a brief history of the beginning of the various religions in Maine.
----


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.  
===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.


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.
===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>
----
[https://www.mainehistory.org/library_holdings.shtml '''Maine Historical Society'''] <br>
489 Congress Street<br>
Portland, ME 04101<br>
Phone: 207-774-1822<br>
<br>
*[https://www.mainehistory.org/gen_overview.shtml '''Genealogy and Family History Research at MHS''']
*[https://www.mainehistory.org/services_research.shtml '''Research Services''']
*Many published and manuscript church records for Unitarian, Baptist, Quaker, Methodist, Congregational churches. Most extensive collection of Maine Church records in existence.
----
[https://acgs.org/research/ '''American-Canadian Genealogical Society Library''']<br>
1 Sundial Avenue, Suite 317N<br>
Manchester, New Hampshire 03103<br>
<br>
Tel: (603) 622-1554<br>
*[https://acgs.org/research/services/ '''Research Services''']
*[https://acgs.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/ACGS-Library-Holdings-Parish-Repertoires-and-Vital-Records.pdf '''Library Holdings Parish Repertoires and Vital Records''']
==== Roman Catholic  ====
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1111 '''Early U.S. French Catholic Church Records, 1695-1954'''] ($) (Ancestry). This database  contains the French Catholic parish records for Maine.
----
[http://www.portlanddiocese.org/info.php?info_id=59 '''Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland''']<br>P.O. Box 11559 (mailing address)<br>510 Ocean Avenue<br>Portland, Maine 04104-7559<br>Phone: (207) 773-6471
*If you are seeking individual baptismal records, marriage records, etc., please contact the parish where the sacrament was received. If you need addresses, please see the [https://portlanddiocese.org/search/node/parish%20directory '''Parish Directory.''']
The diocese includes the counties of: [[Androscoggin County, Maine Genealogy|Androscoggin]], [[Aroostook County, Maine Genealogy|Aroostook]], [[Cumberland County, Maine Genealogy|Cumberland]], [[Franklin County, Maine Genealogy|Franklin]], [[Hancock County, Maine]], [[Kennebec County, Maine Genealogy|Kennebec]], [[Knox County, Maine Genealogy|Knox]], [[Lincoln County, Maine Genealogy|Lincoln]], [[Oxford County, Maine Genealogy|Oxford]], [[Penobscot County, Maine Genealogy|Penobscot]], [[Piscataquis County, Maine Genealogy|Piscataquis]], [[Sagadahoc County, Maine Genealogy|Sagadahoc]], [[Somerset County, Maine Genealogy|Somerset]], [[Waldo County, Maine Genealogy|Waldo]], [[Washington County, Maine Genealogy|Washington]] and [[York County, Maine Genealogy|York]] ---
----


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" at https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/The_Drouin_Collection:_Six_databases .  
==== Episcopal  ====
[http://www.episcopalmaine.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=116 '''Archives of the Diocese of Maine''']<br>Attn: Archivist<br>143 State Street<br>Portland, ME 04101<br>Phone: (207) 772-1953, ext. 137<br>
*Contact [https://episcopalmaine.org/congregations/church-by-town '''the local parish first.''']  Episcopal archives only have records for closed churches.<br>


'''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.
===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>


==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==
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>


The Archives of the Diocese of Portland<br>P.O. Box 11559<br>510 Ocean Avenue<br>Portland, ME 04104-7559<br>Telephone: 207-77-6471<br>Fax: 207-773-0182 <br>Internet: http://www.portlanddiocese.net/info.php?info_id=205 <!--{12085461019520} -->
[[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'''.]]


=== Congregational  ===


The Congregational Library<br>14 Beacon Street<br>Boston, MA 02108<br>Telephone: 617-523-0470 <br>Internet: http://www.congregationallibrary.org/resources/archives/church-record-collections


=== Episcopal  ===


Archives of the Diocesan House<br>Attn: Archivist<br>143 State Street<br>Portland, ME 04101<br>Telephone: 1-800-244-6062 <br>Internet: http://www.diomaine.org/dioarchives.htm


=== Methodist  ===


Boston University School of Theology Library<br>745 Commonwealth Avenue<br>Boston, MA 02215<br>Telephone: 617-353-3034<br>Fax: 617-353-3061 <br>Internet: http://www.bu.edu/sth/archives/mhshome.html


=== Web Sites  ===
{{Maine | Maine}} {{USChurch}}
 
{{-}}</div>  
http://www.mainehistory.org/
[[Category:Maine, United States|Church]] [[Category:U_S_States_Church_records]]
 
http://mmchurchrecords.netfirms.com/<br>
 
[[Category:Maine]]
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