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| | Many religious groups have kept records of Delaware families. Before 1900 the largest denominations were the Baptist, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Quakers (Society of Friends). |
| | link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
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| | link2=[[United States Church Records|U.S. Church Records]]
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| | link3=[[Delaware, United States Genealogy|Delaware]]
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| | link4=
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| | link5=[[Delaware Church Records|Church Records]]
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| }}
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| <div style="float:right; margin:30px">
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| |style="border:1px solid DarkBlue; margin:70px; background:GhostWhite; width 15%; padding-right:15px; padding-left:15px; height:50px "|
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| <center>'''For greater success, use all the Wiki Articles in this series:'''</center>
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| *[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?|'''What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?''']]
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| *[[Determining the Church Your Ancestor Attended|'''Determining the Church Your Ancestor Attended''']]
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| *[[How to Find Church Records in the United States|'''How to Find Church Records in the United States''']]
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| *[[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''Searching for Church Records by Denomination''' ]]
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| *[[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by U.S. State|'''Searching for Church Records by U.S. State''']]
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| |}
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| </div>
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| ------
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| ==Historical Background==
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| |[[Image:Old Swedes Wilmington Delaware.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
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| | A transcription of the registers and minutes of nearly 100 church records from the 1680s to the 1930s was made by the Delaware Historical Records Survey. These are at the Delaware Public Archives and are on microfilm at the Family History Library (FHL films 006304-20). These records are listed in the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog under DELAWARE, [COUNTY], [TOWN] - CHURCH RECORDS. You will also find them listed under Historical Records Survey (Delaware) in the Author/Title Search of the microfiche catalog. |
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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).
| | An old list of church addresses and ministers is: |
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| 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.
| | ''Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations in Delaware''. Dover, Delaware: Historical Records Survey, 1942. (FHL book 975.1 E4h; film 1036702 item 3; fiche 6019975.) |
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| 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>
| | There is an index to many baptisms, 1759-1890, on microfilm under: |
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| ==Information Found in the Records==
| | Delaware. Bureau of Vital Statistics. ''Index Cards of Delaware Marriages, Baptisms, Births, and Death, 1689-1913''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1949. (FHL film 006423.) |
| 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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| {|
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| *[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Baptisms or Christenings|Baptisms or Christenings]]
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| *[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Marriages|Marriages]]
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| |style="vertical-align:top; padding-right:30px"|
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| *[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Funerals or Burials|Funerals or Burials]]
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| *[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Membership Lists|Membership Lists]]
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| |style="vertical-align:top; padding-right:30px"|
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| *[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Minutes or Historical Narrative|Minutes or Historical Narrative]]
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| |}
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| ==Finding the Records==
| | The following publications contain information concerning church members and groups: |
| ===Look for online records.===
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| <br>
| | Burr, Horace. ''The Records of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church, Wilmington, Delaware, for 1697-1773''. Wilmington, Delaware: Historical Society of Delaware, 1890. (FHL film 908217; another filming 1000156 item 4.) This book contains English translations and abstracts from the original church records. It also includes traditions, names, and dates. |
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| {|
| | Clark, Allen B. ''This Is Good Country: A History of the Amish of Delaware'', 1915-1988. Gordonville, Pennsylvania: Gordonville Print Shop, 1989. (FHL book 975.1 K2c.) This book has information about the European beginnings of the Mennonite and Amish groups, their migration, and settlement in Delaware. Includes traditions, names and dates. |
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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:
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| #'''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.
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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!
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| |}
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| ====FamilySearch====
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| *'''1650-1974''' {{RecordSearch|1447341|Delaware Vital Records, 1650-1974}} — [[Delaware Vital Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
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| *'''1680-1934''' {{RecordSearch|1922410|Delaware vital record index cards, 1680-1934}} — [[Delaware Vital Record Index Cards - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
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| *'''1707-1939''' {{RecordSearch|2787818|Delaware, Church Records, 1707-1939}}; index & images — [[Delaware Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
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| *'''1697-1886''' {{RecordSearch|2339318|Delaware Baptisms, 1697-1886}}, index, incomplete — [[Delaware Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
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| *'''1710-1896''' {{RecordSearch|1674747|Delaware Births and Christenings, 1710-1896}}, index, incomplete — [[Delaware Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
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| *'''1713-1919''' {{RecordSearch|1674782|Delaware Marriages, 1713-1919}}, index, incomplete — [[Delaware Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
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| *'''1750-1886''' {{RecordSearch|2340266|Delaware Church Deaths, 1750-1886}}, index, incomplete — [[Delaware Church Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
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| *'''1815-1955''' {{RecordSearch|1674781|Delaware Deaths and Burials, 1815-1955}}, index, incomplete — [[Delaware Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
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| ====Ancestry.com====
| | Clark, Raymond B. ''Delaware Church Records''. St. Michaels, Maryland: R. B. Clark, 1986. (FHL book 975.1 A1 number 14.) This contains baptisms, marriages, deaths, and tombstone inscriptions from several churches including Baptist, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Quaker churches for the period 1686-1880. |
| *'''1697-1886''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61913/ Delaware, U.S., Baptisms, 1697-1886] at Ancestry - index ($)
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| *'''1744-1912''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1508/ Delaware, Marriage Records, 1744-1912] at Ancestry - index ($)
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| *'''1750-1886''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61912/ Delaware, U.S., Church Deaths, 1750-1886] at Ancestry - index ($)
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| *'''1750-1899''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62267/ U.S., Southern Baptist Church Records, 1750-1899] at Ancestry - index & images ($)
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| *'''1750-1954''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61368/ Delaware, Marriage Records, 1750-1954] at Ancestry - index ($)
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| *'''1800-1932''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1672/ Delaware, Birth Records, 1800-1932] at Ancestry - index ($)
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| *'''1806-1933''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1673/ Delaware, Marriage Records, 1806-1933] at Ancestry - index ($)
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| *'''1861-1933''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1674/ Delaware Death Records, 1861-1933] at Ancestry - index ($)
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| ====Baptist====
| | Weis, Fredrick Lewis. ''The Colonial Clergy of Maryland, Delaware, and Georgia''. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing, 1978. (FHL book 975 D3w.) This is an alphabetical listing of the clergy in Delaware from 1638-1776, and includes names, dates, and places. |
| *'''1750-1899''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62267/ U.S., Southern Baptist Church Records, 1750-1899] at Ancestry - index & images ($)
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| ====Catholic====
| | Many denominations have collected their records into central repositories. The following are addresses of regional archives: |
| *{{FSC|629792|item|disp=Pre-1868 parish registers of the Diocese of Wilmington}}
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| *[https://www.lalley.com/?home.asp Searchable Parish Sacramental Registers, Diocese of Wilmington] All Baptism and Marriage Records for the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington through 1900 are now online. No index.
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| *[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/70648/ Web: Wilmington, Delaware, Catholic Diocese Cemeteries Index, 1876-2012], index ($)
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| ====Community of Christ, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints==== | | === Baptist === |
| *{{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
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| ====Presbyterian====
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| *[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61048/ U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970], index($)
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| ====Quaker Society of Friends====
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| *[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2189/ U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935], index($)
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| ====Other Collections==== | | American Baptist-Samuel Colgate Historical Library<br>1100 South Goodman Street<br>Rochester, NY 14620<br>Telephone: 585-271-1320 <br>(Closed to researchers until 2008)<br>Internet: [http://crcds.entrexp.com/orgMain.asp?orgid=165&storyTypeID=&storyID=&sid http://crcds.entrexp.com/orgMain.asp?orgid=165&storyTypeID=&storyID=&sid]<nowiki>=&amp;</nowiki> |
| *[http://www.awesomegenealogy.com/churchrecords.shtml Awesome Genealogy] has a few transcribed church records for [[Delaware Genealogy|Delaware]].
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| ===Books===
| | American Baptist Historical Society: http://www.baptisthistory.us/index.php |
| *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].
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| *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].
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| ==== Amish ====
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| 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].
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| ===Look for digital copies of church records in the FamilySearch Catalog. === | | === Methodist === |
| [[File:Family History Library.jpg|right|thumb|<center>'''FamilySearch Library'''<br>'''Salt Lake City, Utah'''</center>]]
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| *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.
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| *Online church records can be listed in the FamilySearch Catalog under the state, county, or town.
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| *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?''']
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| *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.
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| *To find records:
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| :::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'''].
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| :::b. Click on '''Places within United States, Delaware''' and a list of counties will appear.
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| :::c. Click on your county if it appears.
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| :::d. Click on the '''"Church records"''' topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
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| :::e. Click on '''Places within United States, Delaware [COUNTY]''' and a list of towns will appear.
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| :::f. Click on your town if it appears, or the location which you believe was the parish which served your town or village.
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| :::g. Click on the '''"Church records"''' topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
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| :::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.
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| ===Consult available finding aids.===
| | United Methodist Archives Center<br>Drew University<br>36 Madison Ave.<br>Madison, NJ 07940-4007<br>Telephone: 973-408-3125<br>Fax: (973) 408-3770 <br>Internet: http://www.drew.edu/depts/library/methodist/umac.aspx |
| '''These aids generally provide lists of records that are known to exist and information on their location.'''<br>
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| *[https://archives.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/156/2016/10/WPAChurchArchives.pdf Inventory of the Church Archives of Delaware] WPA
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| *[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] ($).
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| *[https://archives.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/156/2017/05/ZebleyChurches.pdf ''"The Churches of Delaware"''], e-book by Frank R. Zebley
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| *[https://guides.lib.udel.edu/c.php?g=85348&p=548259 Research Guides: Genealogy, Church Records, University of Delaware]
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| ====Lutheran and Protestant Episcopal====
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| *[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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| ----
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| ===Correspond with or visit the actual churches.=== | | === Presbyterian === |
| Some records are still held in the local churches. Contact the current minister to find out what records are still available.
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| *'''Make an appointment''' to look at the records. Or ask the minister of the church to make a copy of the record for you.
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| *To find church staff available, you might have to visit on Sunday.
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| *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".
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| *A '''donation''' ($25-$40) for their time and effort to help you would be appropriate.
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| *If the church has a website, you may be able to '''e-mail a message'''.
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| *See the [[Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy|'''Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy''']] for help with composing letters.
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| *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.
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| ===Check the church records collections in archives and libraries.===
| | The Presbyterian Historical Society<br>425 Lombard Street<br>Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516<br>Telephone: 215-627-1852<br>Fax: 215-627-0509 <br>Internet: http://www.history.pcusa.org/ |
| 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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| <br>
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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>
| | === <br>Roman Catholic === |
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| | Diocese of Wilmington Archives<br>P.O. Box 2030<br>Greenville, DE 19899<br>Telephone: 302-655-0597 <br>Internet: http://www.cdow.org/archives.html |
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| [https://archives.delaware.gov/ '''Delaware Public Archives''']<br>
| | === Society of Friends (Quaker) === |
| 121 Duke of York Street<br>
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| Dover, DE 19901<br>
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| <br>
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| Telephone: 302-744-5000<br>
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| Fax: 302-739-2578<br>
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| [https://archives.delaware.gov/contact-dpa/ Email]<br>
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| *[https://archives.delaware.gov/requesting-records/ '''Requesting Records''']
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| *[https://www.ancestry.com/search/categories/de_public_archives/ '''The Delaware Public Archives Digitized Records''']($)
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| ==== Roman Catholic ====
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| [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
| | Friends Historical Library<br>Swarthmore College<br>500 College Avenue<br>Swarthmore, PA 19081-1399<br>Telephone: 610-328-8496 <br>Fax: 610-690-5728<br>E-mail: [mailto:friends@swarthmore.edu friends@swarthmore.edu]<br>Internet: http://www.swarthmore.edu/fhl.xml |
| *[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.
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| 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>
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| ===Correspond with genealogical or historical societies.===
| | '''Websites''' |
| 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:
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| ==Next, go to the Wiki article for your ancestors' denomination. ==
| | Delaware Catholic Church registers: http://www.cdow.org/registers.html |
| 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.
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| {{Template:US-church-sidebar}}
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| <br>
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| ==Carefully compare any record you find to known facts about the ancestor==
| | Transcribed church records: http://www.awesomegenealogy.com/churchrecords.shtml |
| 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''':
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| *'''name''', including '''middle name and maiden name'''
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| *names of all '''spouses''', including middle and maiden name
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| *exact or closely estimated '''dates of birth, marriage, and death'''
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| *names and approximate birthdates of '''children'''
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| *all known places of '''residence'''
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| *'''occupations'''
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| *'''military''' service details
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| <br>
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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'''.]]
| | [[Category:Delaware]] |
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| {{Template:Pros-DE}}
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| === References ===
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| <references />
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| {{USChurch}}
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| [[Category:Delaware, United States]] [[Category:U_S_States_Church_records]] | |