FamilySearch Wiki

Georgia Church Records: Difference between revisions

VisualWikitext
({{USChurch}})
(Corrected Place ID Number from FS Catalog.)
 
(112 intermediate revisions by 19 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
''[[United States]]   [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[Georgia (state)|Georgia]]   [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[Georgia_Church_Records|Church Records]]''
{{GA-sidebar}}
{{breadcrumb
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
| link2=[[United States Church Records|U.S. Church Records]]
| link3=[[Georgia, United States Genealogy|Georgia]]
| link4=
| link5=[[Georgia Church Records|Church Records]]
}}


=== Introduction  ===


In the colonial period, the Church of England, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Moravian churches were the largest religous groups in Georgia. After 1900 the largest religious groups were the [[Baptist Church in the United States|Baptists]] and [[Methodist Church in the United States|Methodists]].<ref>Sydney E. Ahlstrom, ''A Religious History of the American People'' (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1972). {{FHL|282712|item|disp=FHL Book 973 K2ah}}.</ref>


The largest collection of Georgia church records can be found at the [[Georgia State Archives|Georgia State Archives]]. The archives borrowed pre-1940 church records from many local congregations and preserved them on microfilm. The collection is continually growing but is not complete.


The [[Family History Library|Family History Library]] has some Georgia church records, including records for Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, and Presbyterian congregations. Most are from the [[Georgia State Archives|Georgia State Archives]]. You may also want to use the library's histories of the Lutherans, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and others.  
<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===
In the colonial period, the Church of England, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Moravian churches were the largest religous groups in Georgia. After 1900 the largest religious groups were the [[Baptist Church in the United States|'''Baptists''']] and [[Methodist Church in the United States|'''Methodists''']].<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>


Many denominations have collected their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses to learn where their records are located.  
The composition of religious affiliation in Georgia is 70% Protestant, 9% Catholic, 1% Mormon, 1% Jewish, 0.5% Muslim, 0.5% Buddhist, and 0.5% Hindu. The largest Christian denominations by number of adherents in 2010 were the '''Southern Baptist Convention''' with 1,759,317; the '''United Methodist Church''' with 619,394; and the '''Roman Catholic Church''' with 596,384. <ref>"Georgia: Religion" in Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_(U.S._state)#Religion, accessed 29 June 2020.</ref>


=== Baptist  ===
==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]]
|}


[http://www.sbhla.org/links.htm Georgia Baptist Historical Collection]<br>Eugene W. Stetson Memorial Library<br>Mercer University<br>Macon, Ga 31207
==Finding the Records==
==Online Resources==


The Family History Library has microfilmed some research materials at Mercer University. For example, {{FHL|204489}} includes ten histories of various Baptist associations. There are also histories and inventories such as the following:
===Look for online records.===


*''Inventory of the Church Archives of Georgia: Atlanta Association of Baptist Churches'' {{WorldCat|29122660|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|180229|item|disp=FHL Film 1425645 Item 3; Book 975.8 K2hb}} A copy is available online at [https://archive.org/details/cu31924029785007 Archive.org].
<br>
*Campbell, Jesse H. ''Georgia Baptists: Historical and Biographical''. Richmond: H.K. Ellyson, 1847. [https://dcms.lds.org/view/action/ieViewer.do?from_proxy=true&dps_pid=IE87774&dps_dvs=1334595989066~773&dps_pid=IE87774&change_lng=en Digital Version]; {{WorldCat|5065358|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|195312|item|disp=FHL Film 1033617 Item 3; Book 975.8 K2c (1874 edition)}; 1847 edition {{FHL|314275|item|disp=FHL Film 206288 Item 2}} A copy of the 1874 edition is available at [https://archive.org/details/georgiabaptists00campgoog Archive.org].
*''History of the Baptist Denomination in Georgia.'' Atlanta, Ga.: J.P. Harrison &amp; Company, 1881. {{WorldCat|2545923|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|105941|item|disp=FHL Film 896565}}


=== Church of England (Anglican, Protestant Episcopal) ===
{|
|-
|
[[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!
|}


If your ancestor was a minister in Colonial Georgia, see:  
====FamilySearch====
*'''1754-1960''' {{RecordSearch|1674802|Georgia, births and christenings, 1754-1960}}, index, incomplete — [[Georgia Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
 
*'''1828-1991''' {{RecordSearch|2790246|Georgia, church vital records, 1828-1991}}, index, incomplete — [[Georgia, Church Vital Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*'''1808-1967''' {{RecordSearch|1674807|Georgia, marriages, 1808-1967}}, index, incomplete — [[Georgia Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
 
====Ancestry.com====
*[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60264/ Georgia, Select Births and Christenings, 1754-1960], index, incomplete ($)
 
=====Dutch Reformed=====
*'''1856-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60766/ U.S., Selected States Dutch Reformed Church Membership Records, 1701-1995] at Ancestry - index and images, incomplete.($)
*'''1856-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60524/ U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Vital Records, 1856-1970] at Ancestry - index and images, incomplete.($)
 
=====Presbyterian=====
*'''1701-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61048/ U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970] at Ancestry - index and images, incomplete.($)
*'''1822-1916''' [https://dlg.usg.edu/collection/gcl_lpc Lexington Presbyterian Church (Lexington, Ga.) Records, 1822-1916] at Digital Library of Georgia — index & images ($)
*'''1842-1900''' [https://dlg.usg.edu/collection/gcl_hnp Henry Newton Papers, 1842-1900 (Presbyterian Preacher] at Digital Library of Georgia — index & images ($)
 
===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://www.familysearch.org/help/fhcenters/locations/ '''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=50&query=%2Bplace%3A%22United%20States%2C%20Georgia%22 '''records of United States, Georgia'''].
:::b. Click on '''Places within United States, Georgia''' 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, Georgia [COUNTY]''' and a list of towns will appear.
:::f. Click on your town if it appears, or the location which you believe was the parish which served your town or village. 
:::g. Click on the '''"Church records"''' topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
:::h. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the listing for the record. [[File:FHL icons.png|75px]].  The magnifying glass indicates that the record is indexed. Clicking on the magnifying glass will take you to the index. Clicking on the camera will take you to an online digital copy of the records.
-----
 
===Consult available finding aids.===
'''These aids generally provide lists of records that are known to exist and information on their location.'''
====Baptist====
*'''1750-1899''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62267/ U.S., Southern Baptist Church Records, 1750-1899] at Ancestry - index & images ($)
*[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo1.ark:/13960/t3902q31p&view=1up&seq=7 Inventory of the church archives of Georgia : Atlanta association of Baptist churches, affiliated with Georgia Baptist convention,] prepared by the Georgia Historical records survey, Division of community service programs, works projects administration, e-book. Also at [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/22860/ Ancestry.com.] ($)
 
====Presbyterian====
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/213196 Inventory of the church archives of Georgia Presbyterian Churches : 1969 arrangement with indexes], e-book
----
 
===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.
 
===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>
 
<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>
====Georgia State Archives====
The largest collection of Georgia church records can be found at the [[Georgia State Archives|Georgia State Archives]]. '''The archives borrowed pre-1940 church records from many local congregations and preserved them on microfilm.''' <br>
 
[https://www.georgiaarchives.org/ '''Georgia State Archives''']<br>
5800 Jonesboro Road<br>
Morrow, GA 30260<br>
<br>
Telephone:  678-364-3710<br>
Fax:  678-364-3860<br>
*[https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/churchcards Georgia's Virtual Vault Church Records Microfilm Collection]<br>


*Frederick Lewis Weis's&nbsp;''The Colonial Clergy of Maryland, Delaware, and Georgia,''&nbsp;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&nbsp;in the {{FHL|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].
====Baptist====


=== Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)  ===
[http://www.sbhla.org/links.htm '''Georgia Baptist Historical Collection''']<br>Eugene W. Stetson Memorial Library<br>Mercer University<br>Macon, Ga 31207
=====Books=====
*[https://archive.org/details/georgiabaptists00campgoog ''Georgia Baptists: Historical and Biographical''.] Campbell, Jesse H.  Richmond: H.K. Ellyson, 1847.
*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/102916-redirection ''History of the Baptist Denomination in Georgia.'']  Atlanta, Ga.: J.P. Harrison &amp; Company, 1881.


Early church records, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for&nbsp;Georgia Wards and Branches can be found on film and are located at the LDS Family History Library in Salt Lake City. The film numbers, for each ward, can be locate through the [https://www.familysearch.org/#form=catalog Family History Library Catalog] . Or by refering to Jaussi, Laureen R., and Gloria D. Chaston. ''Register of Genealogical Society Call Numbers''. 2 vols. Provo, Utah: Genealogy Tree, 1982. {{FHL|129780|item|disp=FHL Fiche 6031507 (2 fiche); Book 979.2258 A3j}}. These volumes contain the film numbers for many (but not all) membership and temple record films.  
====Church of England (Anglican, Protestant Episcopal)====
Records are maintained in the local parish.<br>
If your ancestor was a minister in Colonial Georgia, see:  
*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].


=== Methodist ===
====Methodist====


[http://www.gcah.org/site/c.ghKJI0PHIoE/b.2901109/k.12B1/Researching_Your_United_Methodist_Ancestors.htm United Methodist Museum]<br>P.O. Box 24081<br>St. Simons Island, GA 31522 <br>Phone: (912) 638-4050<br>Fax: (912) 638-9050<br>E-mail Address: [mailto:methmuse@bellsouth.net <u>methmuse@bellsouth.net</u>]  
[http://gcah.org/research/how-to-research-your-family '''United Methodist Museum''']<br>P.O. Box 24081<br>St. Simons Island, GA 31522 <br>Phone: (912) 638-4050<br>Fax: (912) 638-9050<br>E-mail Address: [mailto:methmuse@bellsouth.net <u>methmuse@bellsouth.net</u>]  


For a history of the Methodist Church, see:  
For a history of the Methodist Church, see:  


*Harold Lawrence, ''Methodist Preachers in Georgia 1783-1900'' (Tignall, Georgia: Boyd Pub., 1984). {{WorldCat|11273795|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|240441|item|disp=FHL Book 975.8 K2L}}  
*Harold Lawrence, ''Methodist Preachers in Georgia 1783-1900'' (Tignall, Georgia: Boyd Pub., 1984). {{WorldCat|11273795|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|240441|item|disp=FS Library Book 975.8 K2L}}
*James Lloyd Knox, ''Methodist Preachers in Georgia 1783-1900, a supplement''. (Milledgeville, Georgia&nbsp;: Boyd Pub. Co., c1995). {{WorldCat|32248508|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|750884|item|disp=FHL Book  974.743 K2a}}
*James Lloyd Knox, ''Methodist Preachers in Georgia 1783-1900, a supplement''. (Milledgeville, Georgia : Boyd Pub. Co., c1995). {{WorldCat|32248508|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|750884|item|disp=FS Library Book  974.743 K2a}}
 
====Lutheran====
[http://www.crumleyarchives.org '''James R. Crumley Jr. Archives''']<br>
4201 Main St.<br>
Columbia, SC 29203 <br>
<br>
Phone: 803-461-3234<br>
E-mail: crumleyarchivist@gmail.com<br>
*Archives hold records for '''closed churches.'''  '''For open churches write directly to [[Lutheran Church in the United States#Correspond with or visit the actual churches.|the local church.''']]


=== Moravian  ===
====Moravian====
*'''The Southern Province Moravian Archives'''<br>
:457 S. Church Street<br>
:Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101<br>
:Phone: (336) 722-1742<br>
:Email: moravianarchives@mcsp.org<br>
*[https://moravianarchives.org/ '''Website''']
*[https://moravianarchives.org/our-memoir-collection/ '''Our Memoir Collection''']
*[https://moravianarchives.org/library-resources/ '''The Genealogy Bookshelves'''] List of family surnames in the collection.
*[https://moravianarchives.org/congregations/ '''Moravian Churches Historical List''']
*[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015025929681&view=1up&seq=4 '''1932 Catalog'''] Overview of older holdings
*[https://www.moravianarchives.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Moravian-Archives-Researcher-Application-Final.pdf '''Researcher Application'''] Schedule an appointment.
----
====Roman Catholic====


[http://www.moravianchurcharchives.org/general.php The Moravian Archives]<br>41 West Locust Street<br>Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018<br>United States of America<br>Phone: (610) 866-3255<br>Fax: (610) 866-9210
[https://archatl.com/offices/archives/ '''Archdiocese of Atlanta''']<br>
Office of Archives & Records<br>
2401 Lake Park Drive SE<br>
Smyrna, GA 30080-8862<br>
<br>
Main Office Phone Number: 404-920-7690<br>
Fax Number: 404-920-7691<br>
<br>
Sacramental records of Baptisms, Marriages, Confirmations, and Deaths are created and maintained at the individual parishes of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. If you are searching for a copy of your sacramental record and the sacrament occurred after 1930, then you will need to contact the parish in which the sacrament was performed. The Office of Archives and Records does not issue certificates.
*'''1840-1980''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=62456 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta Sacramental Records, 1840-1980] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*[https://archatl.com/offices/archives/sacramental-research/ Sacramental Research]
*'''Genealogical Research:'''<br>
::[https://2nix922u0v5c1unycf149lry-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/genealogical_research_request_form.pdf Genealogical Research Request Form]<br>
::Research on general family lines cannot be conducted by Archives staff. However, research for '''specific individuals''' can be done by the staff if the records are housed in the Office of Archives and Records.


For information concerning missions to the American Indians visit [http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/GUIDES/153.htm Moravian Missions Among American Indians.]&nbsp;For a map and list of missions visit [http://bdhp.moravian.edu/community_records/christianindians/missionmap.html Early Moravian Missions in Eastern Pennsylvania and Surrounding Areas 1740-1773.]
::The requester will be provided with a copy of the information contained in a specific record entry whenever possible. In the event that the Office of Archives and Records cannot provide the researcher with a copy of the record entry, staff will contact the individual who submitted the request.


Mission records are also available through {{FHL|301362|item}}. The records are indexed in ''Index to the records of the Moravian Mission among the Indians of North America'' by Carl John Fliegel. {{WorldCat|120374|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|53079|item|disp=FHL Book 970.1 F642i, 4 vol}}.
::Please complete the Genealogical Research Request Form supplied at the bottom of the page and submit it along with appropriate payment to the following address:


=== Roman Catholic  ===
:::Archdiocese of Atlanta<br>Office of Archives & Records<br>2401 Lake Park Drive SE<br>Smyrna, GA 30080-8862<br>


[http://www.archatl.com/offices/archives/ Office of Archives and Records]<br>Archdiocese of Atlanta<br>680 W. Peachtree Street, N.W.<br>Atlanta, GA 30308-1984<br>Phone: (404) 978-2772<br>Fax: (404) 885-7462
::The fee for genealogical research requests is $25.00. Payment can be made by check or money order (U.S. currency) made payable to the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Please note that the fee is not refundable in the event that no research results are obtained. The Office of Archives and Records can only conduct research up to one hour per genealogical research request.


The Archdiocese includes the counties of: [[Baldwin County, Georgia|Baldwin]], [[Banks County, Georgia|Banks]], [[Barrow County, Georgia|Barrow]], [[Bartow County, Georgia|Bartow]], [[Butts County, Georgia|Butts]], [[Carroll County, Georgia|Carroll]], [[Catoosa County, Georgia|Catoosa]], [[Chattooga County, Georgia|Chattooga]], [[Cherokee County, Georgia|Cherokee]], [[Clarke County, Georgia|Clarke]], [[Clayton County, Georgia|Clayton]], [[Cobb County, Georgia|Cobb]], [[Coweta County, Georgia|Coweta]], [[Dade County, Georgia|Dade]], [[Dawson County, Georgia|Dawson]], [[DeKalb County, Georgia|DeKalb]], [[Douglas County, Georgia|Douglas]], [[Elbert County, Georgia|Elbert]], [[Fannin County, Georgia|Fannin]], [[Fayette County, Georgia|Fayette]], [[Floyd County, Georgia|Floyd]], [[Forsyth County, Georgia|Forsyth]], [[Franklin County, Georgia|Franklin]], [[Fulton County, Georgia|Fulton]], [[Gilmer County, Georgia|Gilmer]], [[Gordon County, Georgia|Gordon]], [[Greene County, Georgia|Greene]], [[Gwinnett County, Georgia|Gwinnett]], [[Habersham County, Georgia|Habersham]], [[Hall County, Georgia|Hall]], [[Hancock County, Georgia|Hancock]], [[Haralson County, Georgia|Haralson]], [[Hart County, Georgia|Hart]], [[Heard County, Georgia|Heard]], [[Henry County, Georgia|Henry]], [[Jackson County, Georgia|Jackson]], [[Jasper County, Georgia|Jasper]], [[Lamar County, Georgia|Lamar]], [[Lincoln County, Georgia|Lincoln]], [[Lumpkin County, Georgia|Lumpkin]], [[Madison County, Georgia|Madison]], [[McDuffie County, Georgia|McDuffie]], [[Meriwether County, Georgia|Meriwether]], [[Monroe County, Georgia|Monroe]], [[Morgan County, Georgia|Morgan]], [[Murray County, Georgia|Murray]], [[Newton County, Georgia|Newton]], [[Oconee County, Georgia|Oconee]], [[Oglethorpe County, Georgia|Oglethorpe]], [[Paulding County, Georgia|Paulding]], [[Pickens County, Georgia|Pickens]], [[Pike County, Georgia|Pike]], [[Polk County, Georgia|Polk]], [[Putnam County, Georgia|Putnam]], [[Rabun County, Georgia|Rabun]], [[Rockdale County, Georgia|Rockdale]], [[Spalding County, Georgia|Spalding]], [[Stephens County, Georgia|Stephens]], [[Taliaferro County, Georgia|Taliaferro]], [[Towns County, Georgia|Towns]], [[Troup County, Georgia|Troup]], [[Union County, Georgia|Union]], [[Upson County, Georgia|Upson]], [[Walker County, Georgia|Walker]], [[Walton County, Georgia|Walton]], [[Warren County, Georgia|Warren]], [[White County, Georgia|White]], [[Whitfield County, Georgia|Whitfield]] and [[Wilkes County, Georgia|Wilkes]].<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>
::Please allow approximately four weeks for request(s) to be answered.
-----
[https://diosav.org/archives '''Diocese of Savannah Archives and Records''']<br>
Office of the Chancellor<br>
CATHOLIC PASTORAL CENTER<br>
2170 EAST VICTORY DRIVE<br>
SAVANNAH, GA 31404-3918<br>
<br>
PHONE: 912-201-4100<br>
Toll-Free (in GA): 888-295-7144 <br>
FAX: 912-201-4101<br>
:[https://diosav.org/archives/research '''Genealogy and Research''']
::Original Sacramental Registers from closed parishes are kept with care in the Diocesan Archives & Records Management Office. Information from sacraments celebrated and recorded more than eighty-five (85) years ago is available upon request without discrimination. A register falling within this time frame is accessible to the public if it is digitized, microfilmed, or a preservation copy. '''We currently have a selection of sacramental registers that have been digitized and are fully available to the public to view from our Reading Room.''' A full list of these registers will be available soon. Original Sacramental Registers are not open for public examination in order to protect the original books from wear and ensure the privacy of records that are less than eighty-five (85) years old. Research in original books must be conducted by authorized Diocesan personnel.
::A [https://diosav.org/component/edocman/genealogical-information/viewdocument/647?Itemid=0 '''Sacramental Information Request Form'''] must be completed for sacramental record searches conducted by the Diocese of Savannah Archives & Records Management Office. Because staff is limited, no sacramental information will be accepted over the phone or via e-mail and requests will take a minimum of 4-6 weeks. All requests must be accompanied with valid proof of identity (a photo id with a signature) from the person requesting those records. A $25 administrative fee will be required for each sacrament that is requested. The office accepts cash, a cashier’s check, or money orders made payable to the Catholic Diocese of Savannah. Personal checks are discouraged. This is a non-refundable administrative fee and will still be charged in the event that no results are obtained. Fees may be waived at the discretion of the Director of Archives & Records or Chancellor.
----


[http://diosav.org/node/205 Archivist, Catholic Diocese of Savannah]<br>601 East Liberty St.<br>Savannah, GA 31401<br>Phone: (912) 201-4070
===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.  


The diocese includes the counties of: [[Appling County, Georgia|Appling]], [[Atkinson County, Georgia|Atkinson]], [[Bacon County, Georgia|Bacon]], [[Baker County, Georgia|Baker]], [[Ben Hill County, Georgia|Ben Hill]], [[Berrien County, Georgia|Berrien]], [[Bibb County, Georgia|Bibb]], [[Bleckley County, Georgia|Bleckley]], [[Brantley County, Georgia|Brantley]], [[Brooks County, Georgia|Brooks]], [[Bulloch County, Georgia|Bulloch]], [[Burke County, Georgia|Burke]], [[Bryan County, Georgia|Bryan]], [[Calhoun County, Georgia|Calhoun]], [[Camden County, Georgia|Camden]], [[Candler County, Georgia|Candler]], [[Charlton County, Georgia|Charlton]], [[Chatham County, Georgia|Chatham]], [[Chattahoochee County, Georgia|Chattahoochee]], [[Clay County, Georgia|Clay]], [[Clinch County, Georgia|Clinch]], [[Coffee County, Georgia|Coffee]], [[Colquitt County, Georgia|Colquitt]], [[Columbia County, Georgia|Columbia]], [[Cook County, Georgia|Cook]], [[Crawford County, Georgia|Crawford]], [[Crisp County, Georgia|Crisp]], [[Decatur County, Georgia|Decatur]], [[Dodge County, Georgia|Dodge]], [[Dooly County, Georgia|Dooly]], [[Dougherty County, Georgia|Dougherty]], [[Early County, Georgia|Early]], [[Echols County, Georgia|Echols]], [[Effingham County, Georgia|Effingham]], [[Emanuel County, Georgia|Emanuel]], [[Evans County, Georgia|Evans]], [[Glascock County, Georgia|Glascock]], [[Glynn County, Georgia|Glynn]], [[Grady County, Georgia|Grady]], [[Harris County, Georgia|Harris]], [[Houston County, Georgia|Houston]], [[Irwin County, Georgia|Irwin]], [[Jeff Davis County, Georgia|Jeff Davis]], [[Jefferson County, Georgia|Jefferson]], [[Jones County, Georgia|Jones]], [[Lanier County, Georgia|Lanier]], [[Lee County, Georgia|Lee]], [[Liberty County, Georgia|Liberty]], [[Long County, Georgia|Long]], [[Lowndes County, Georgia|Lowndes]], [[Macon County, Georgia|Macon]], [[McIntosh County, Georgia|McIntosh]], [[Miller County, Georgia|Miller]], [[Mitchell County, Georgia|Mitchell]], [[Montgomery County, Georgia|Montgomery]], [[Muscogee County, Georgia|Muscogee]], [[Peach County, Georgia|Peach]], [[Pierce County, Georgia|Pierce]], [[Pulaski County, Georgia|Pulaski]], [[Quitman County, Georgia|Quitman]], [[Randolph County, Georgia|Randolph]], [[Richmond County, Georgia|Richmond]], [[Screven County, Georgia|Screven]], [[Seminole County, Georgia|Seminole]], [[Stewart County, Georgia|Stewart]], [[Sumter County, Georgia|Sumter]], [[Talbot County, Georgia|Talbot]], [[Tattnall County, Georgia|Tattnall]], [[Taylor County, Georgia|Taylor]], [[Telfair County, Georgia|Telfair]], [[Thomas County, Georgia|Thomas]], [[Tift County, Georgia|Tift]], [[Toombs County, Georgia|Toombs]], [[Treutlen County, Georgia|Treutlen]], [[Turner County, Georgia|Turner]], [[Twiggs County, Georgia|Twiggs]], [[Ware County, Georgia|Ware]], [[Wayne County, Georgia|Wayne]], [[Webster County, Georgia|Webster]], [[Wheeler County, Georgia|Wheeler]], [[Wilcox County, Georgia|Wilcox]] and [[Worth County, Georgia|Worth]].<ref name="rome" />  
==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>


== References  ==
==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>


'''A wiki article describing an online collection is found in:'''  
[[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'''.]]


[https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Georgia_Births_and_Christenings_%28FamilySearch_Historical_Records%29 Georgia Births and Christenings (FamilySearch Historical Records)<br>]
==References==
<references/>


[https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Georgia_Births_and_Christenings_%28FamilySearch_Historical_Records%29 <references />]


{{Georgia|Georgia}} {{USChurch}}
{{Georgia|Georgia}} {{USChurch}}


[[Category:Georgia|Church Records]] [[Category:U_S_States_Church_records]]
[[Category:Georgia, United States|Church Records]]  
[[Category:U_S_States_Church_records]]
<references />

Latest revision as of 16:03, 12 April 2024

Georgia Wiki Topics
Georgia flag.png
Beginning Research
Record Types
Georgia Background
Cultural Groups
Local Research Resources
Moderator



Historical Background

In the colonial period, the Church of England, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Moravian churches were the largest religous groups in Georgia. After 1900 the largest religious groups were the Baptists and Methodists.[1]

The composition of religious affiliation in Georgia is 70% Protestant, 9% Catholic, 1% Mormon, 1% Jewish, 0.5% Muslim, 0.5% Buddhist, and 0.5% Hindu. The largest Christian denominations by number of adherents in 2010 were the Southern Baptist Convention with 1,759,317; the United Methodist Church with 619,394; and the Roman Catholic Church with 596,384. [2]

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:

Finding the Records

Online Resources

Look for online records.


Caution sign.png

Online databases are incomplete. This can lead to two common errors:

  1. 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.
  2. 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!

FamilySearch

Ancestry.com

Dutch Reformed
Presbyterian

Look for digital copies of church records in the FamilySearch Catalog.

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, Georgia.
b. Click on Places within United States, Georgia 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, Georgia [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. FHL icons.png. 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.

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

Baptist

Presbyterian

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 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.

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.

Georgia State Archives

The largest collection of Georgia church records can be found at the Georgia State Archives. The archives borrowed pre-1940 church records from many local congregations and preserved them on microfilm.

Georgia State Archives
5800 Jonesboro Road
Morrow, GA 30260

Telephone: 678-364-3710
Fax: 678-364-3860

Baptist

Georgia Baptist Historical Collection
Eugene W. Stetson Memorial Library
Mercer University
Macon, Ga 31207

Books

Church of England (Anglican, Protestant Episcopal)

Records are maintained in the local parish.
If your ancestor was a minister in Colonial Georgia, see:

  • 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 FS Library Collection. For a copy nearest you, check WorldCat.

Methodist

United Methodist Museum
P.O. Box 24081
St. Simons Island, GA 31522
Phone: (912) 638-4050
Fax: (912) 638-9050
E-mail Address: methmuse@bellsouth.net

For a history of the Methodist Church, see:

Lutheran

James R. Crumley Jr. Archives
4201 Main St.
Columbia, SC 29203

Phone: 803-461-3234
E-mail: crumleyarchivist@gmail.com

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

Moravian

  • The Southern Province Moravian Archives
457 S. Church Street
Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101
Phone: (336) 722-1742
Email: moravianarchives@mcsp.org

Roman Catholic

Archdiocese of Atlanta
Office of Archives & Records
2401 Lake Park Drive SE
Smyrna, GA 30080-8862

Main Office Phone Number: 404-920-7690
Fax Number: 404-920-7691

Sacramental records of Baptisms, Marriages, Confirmations, and Deaths are created and maintained at the individual parishes of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. If you are searching for a copy of your sacramental record and the sacrament occurred after 1930, then you will need to contact the parish in which the sacrament was performed. The Office of Archives and Records does not issue certificates.

Genealogical Research Request Form
Research on general family lines cannot be conducted by Archives staff. However, research for specific individuals can be done by the staff if the records are housed in the Office of Archives and Records.
The requester will be provided with a copy of the information contained in a specific record entry whenever possible. In the event that the Office of Archives and Records cannot provide the researcher with a copy of the record entry, staff will contact the individual who submitted the request.
Please complete the Genealogical Research Request Form supplied at the bottom of the page and submit it along with appropriate payment to the following address:
Archdiocese of Atlanta
Office of Archives & Records
2401 Lake Park Drive SE
Smyrna, GA 30080-8862
The fee for genealogical research requests is $25.00. Payment can be made by check or money order (U.S. currency) made payable to the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Please note that the fee is not refundable in the event that no research results are obtained. The Office of Archives and Records can only conduct research up to one hour per genealogical research request.
Please allow approximately four weeks for request(s) to be answered.

Diocese of Savannah Archives and Records
Office of the Chancellor
CATHOLIC PASTORAL CENTER
2170 EAST VICTORY DRIVE
SAVANNAH, GA 31404-3918

PHONE: 912-201-4100
Toll-Free (in GA): 888-295-7144
FAX: 912-201-4101

Genealogy and Research
Original Sacramental Registers from closed parishes are kept with care in the Diocesan Archives & Records Management Office. Information from sacraments celebrated and recorded more than eighty-five (85) years ago is available upon request without discrimination. A register falling within this time frame is accessible to the public if it is digitized, microfilmed, or a preservation copy. We currently have a selection of sacramental registers that have been digitized and are fully available to the public to view from our Reading Room. A full list of these registers will be available soon. Original Sacramental Registers are not open for public examination in order to protect the original books from wear and ensure the privacy of records that are less than eighty-five (85) years old. Research in original books must be conducted by authorized Diocesan personnel.
A Sacramental Information Request Form must be completed for sacramental record searches conducted by the Diocese of Savannah Archives & Records Management Office. Because staff is limited, no sacramental information will be accepted over the phone or via e-mail and requests will take a minimum of 4-6 weeks. All requests must be accompanied with valid proof of identity (a photo id with a signature) from the person requesting those records. A $25 administrative fee will be required for each sacrament that is requested. The office accepts cash, a cashier’s check, or money orders made payable to the Catholic Diocese of Savannah. Personal checks are discouraged. This is a non-refundable administrative fee and will still be charged in the event that no results are obtained. Fees may be waived at the discretion of the Director of Archives & Records or Chancellor.

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.

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.

Major U.S. Religious Denominations



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


Dark thin font green pin Version 4.pngCarefully 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

  1. ↑ Sydney E. Ahlstrom, A Religious History of the American People (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1972). FS Library Book 973 K2ah.
  2. ↑ "Georgia: Religion" in Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_(U.S._state)#Religion, accessed 29 June 2020.


v • d• e
Links to Georgia (state)-related articles
Topics
Counties
Appling · Atkinson · Bacon · Baker · Baldwin · Banks · Barrow · Bartow · Ben Hill · Berrien · Bibb · Bleckley · Brantley · Brooks · Bryan · Bulloch · Burke · Butts · Calhoun · Camden · Candler · Carroll · Catoosa · Charlton · Chatham · Chattahoochee · Chattooga · Cherokee · Clarke · Clay · Clayton · Clinch · Cobb · Coffee · Colquitt · Columbia · Cook · Coweta · Crawford · Crisp · Dade · Dawson · Decatur · DeKalb · Dodge · Dooly · Dougherty · Douglas · Early · Echols · Effingham · Elbert · Emanuel · Evans · Fannin · Fayette · Floyd · Forsyth · Franklin · Fulton · Gilmer · Glascock · Glynn · Gordon · Grady · Greene · Gwinnett · Habersham · Hall · Hancock · Haralson · Harris · Hart · Heard · Henry · Houston · Irwin · Jackson · Jasper · Jeff Davis · Jefferson · Jenkins · Johnson · Jones · Lamar · Lanier · Laurens · Lee · Liberty · Lincoln · Long · Lowndes · Lumpkin · Macon · Madison · Marion · McDuffie · McIntosh · Meriwether · Miller · Mitchell · Monroe · Montgomery · Morgan · Murray · Muscogee · Newton · Oconee · Oglethorpe · Paulding · Peach · Pickens · Pierce · Pike · Polk · Pulaski · Putnam · Quitman · Rabun · Randolph · Richmond · Rockdale · Schley · Screven · Seminole · Spalding · Stephens · Stewart · Sumter · Talbot · Taliaferro · Tattnall · Taylor · Telfair · Terrell · Thomas · Tift · Toombs · Towns · Treutlen · Troup · Turner · Twiggs · Union · Upson · Walker · Walton · Ware · Warren · Washington · Wayne · Webster · Wheeler · White · Whitfield · Wilcox · Wilkes · Wilkinson · Worth
Extinct Co.
Colonial
Parishes
Major
Repositories
Migration
Routes
v • d• e
Links to U.S. Religion Records-related articles
Major
Religion
Adventist · Amish · Anabaptist · Apostolic Christian · Armenian Catholic · Armenian Evangelical · Armenian Orthodox · Assemblies of God · Baháʼí · Baptist · Catholic Apostolic · Brethren · Buddhist · 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 (Mormon) · Lutheran · Maronite Catholic Church · Melkite Greek Catholic Methodist · Mennonite · Moravian · Muslim · Orthodox Church in America (OCA) · Pentecostal · Presbyterian · Schwenkfelders · Serbian Orthodox · Roman Catholic · Russian Orthodox · Society of Friends (Quaker) · Ukrainian Orthodox · United Brethren in Christ · United Church of Christ · Unitarian/Universalist
By State
Retrieved from "https://integration-ru.familysearch.org/en/wiki/index.php?title=Georgia_Church_Records&oldid=5689432"