New York Church Records: Difference between revisions

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The first churches established in New York during the seventeenth century were the Dutch Reformed, French Protestant, and Lutheran churches. As New Englanders continued to migrate to New York, the Congregational Church (Puritans) and Society of Friends (Quakers) grew. Many New Yorkers joined both the Baptists and Presbyterians. By 1775 the Presbyterian Church was the largest denomination in New York.
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==Historical Background==
The first churches established in [[New York Genealogy|New York]] during the seventeenth century were the [[Dutch Reformed Church in the United States|'''Dutch Reformed''']], [[Huguenot Church in the United States|'''French Protestant (Huguenot)''']], and [[Lutheran Church in the United States|'''Lutheran''']] churches. As New Englanders continued to migrate to New York, the [[Congregational Church in the United States|'''Congregational Church (Puritans)''']] and [[Society of Friends (Quakers) in the United States|'''Society of Friends (Quakers)''']] grew. Many New Yorkers joined both the [[Baptist Church in the United States|'''Baptists''']] and [[Presbyterian Church in the United States|'''Presbyterians''']]. By 1775 the [[Presbyterian Church in the United States|'''Presbyterian''']] Church was the largest denomination in New York.


In the mid-1800s, the Methodist Church was the largest, followed by the Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Dutch Reformed, Congregational, Roman Catholic, Society of Friends, Universalist, Lutheran, Union, Christian, Unitarian, and Jewish.
In the mid-1800s, the [[Methodist Church in the United States|Methodist]] Church was the largest, followed by the [[Baptist Church in the United States|'''Baptist''']], [[Presbyterian Church in the United States|'''Presbyterian''']], [[Episcopal Church in the United States|'''Episcopal''']], [[Dutch Reformed Church in the United States|'''Dutch Reformed''']], [[Congregational Church in the United States|'''Congregational''']], [[Roman Catholic Church in the United States|'''Roman Catholic''']], [[Society of Friends (Quakers) in the United States|'''Society of Friends (Quakers)''']], [[Unitarian Church in the United States|'''Universalist''']], [[Lutheran Church in the United States|'''Lutheran''']], Union, Christian, [[Unitarian Church in the United States|'''Unitarian''']], and [[Jewish Records|'''Jewish''']].


Since then, the Roman Catholic Church has been the largest denomination (particularly in the large cities) due to the large number of immigrants from Ireland and eastern and southern Europe.
Since then, the [[Roman Catholic Church in the United States|'''Roman Catholic''']] Church has been the largest denomination (particularly in the larger cities) due to the large number of immigrants from Ireland and eastern and southern Europe.<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>
----
==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]]
|}


=== Locating Church Records ===
==Finding the Records==
===Look for online records.===


The Family History Library has several important collections of church records which are described below under the denominational headings. The names of individuals in many of these records are indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Many church records have been copied and filed with the Daughters of the American Revolution Cemetery, Church, and Town Records, described in [[New York Genealogy]]
<br>


The following guides describe the towns, denominations, record types, and years available:
{|
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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!
|}
====FamilySearch Indexes====
*'''1660-1954''' {{RecordSearch|2787817|New York, Church Records, 1660-1954}} at FamilySearch - [[New York, Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images Incomplete
*'''1640-1962''' {{RecordSearch|1680842|New York, Births and Christenings, 1640-1962}} at FamilySearch - [[New York Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index Incomplete
*'''1686-1980''' {{RecordSearch|1680847|New York, Marriages, 1686-1980}} at FamilySearch - [[New York Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index Incomplete
*'''1704-1962''' {{RecordSearch|2443988|New York, Church and Civil Births and Baptisms, 1704-1962}} at FamilySearch - [[New York, Church and Civil Births and Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1704-1995''' {{RecordSearch|2373836|New York, church and civil marriages, 1704-1995}} at FamilySearch - [[New York, Church and Civil Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index Incomplete
*'''1795-1952''' {{RecordSearch|1680846|New York Deaths and Burials, 1795-1952}} at FamilySearch - [[New York Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index Incomplete
*'''1824-1962''' {{RecordSearch|2373798|New York, Church and Civil Deaths, 1824-1962}} at FamilySearch - [[New York, Church and Civil Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index Incomplete


''Historical Records Survey. Guide to Vital Statistics Records of Churches in New York State (Exclusive of New York City)''. Two Volumes. Albany, New York: Historical Records Survey, 1942. (FHL book 974.7 K23h; films 908710 items 1–2 and 1293576; fiche 6046729.) There are numerous other Historical Records Survey inventories of New York church archives.
====MyHeritage Indexes====
*'''1660-1862''' [http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/new-york-baptisms-1660-1862?utm_source=fmp&utm_medium=email&utm_content=575799-A-29-A&utm_campaign=fridays&dclid=CInQ5_GqpMgCFelkMAodPDQO6Q New York Baptisms, 1660-1862]($), index, incomplete.
====Findmypast====
[https://www.findmypast.com/page/catholic-records '''Catholic Heritage Archive''']


''Historical Records Survey. (New York City.) Guide to Vital Statistics in the City of New York, Borough of [Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, or Richmond] Churches''. Five Volumes. New York, New York: Historical Records Survey, Work Projects Administration, 1942.
====Catholic====
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/new-york-roman-catholic-parish-baptisms New York Roman Catholic Parish Baptisms] at Findmypast ($), index and some images
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/new-york-roman-catholic-parish-marriages New York Roman Catholic Parish Marriages] at Findmypast ($), index and images
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/new-york-catholic-parish-registers-browse New York Catholic Parish Registers Browse] at Findmypast ($), images
=====The Drouin Collection=====
*'''1695-1954''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1111 '''Early U.S. French Catholic Church Records, 1695-1954'''] ($) (Ancestry).


* Bronx FHL book 974.7275 K23h; film 908038 item 3
====Dutch Reformed====
* Brooklyn
*'''1639-1989''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6961/ U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639-1989] at Ancestry - index and images, incomplete.($)
* Manhattan
*'''1701-1995''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60766/ U.S., Selected States Dutch Reformed Church Membership Records, 1701-1995] at Ancestry -  index and images, incomplete.($)
* Queens
*'''1727-1803''' [https://www.americanancestors.org/search/databasesearch/526/new-york-records-of-burials-in-the-dutch-church-1727-1803 New York: Records of Burials in the Dutch Church, 1727-1803] at American Ancestors - index & images ($)
* Richmond FHL book 974.726 K23h; film 908038 item 4
*'''1856-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60524/ U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Vital Records, 1856-1970] at Ancestry - index and images, incomplete.($)
*'''1856-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60767/ U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Membership Records, 1856-1970] at Ancestry - index and images, incomplete.($)
*'''1639-1801''' [https://www.americanancestors.org/search/databasesearch/473/new-york-ny-marriages-in-the-reformed-dutch-church-1639-1801 New York, NY: Marriages in the Reformed Dutch Church, 1639-1801] at American Ancestors - index & images ($)


''Historical Records Survey. Inventory of the Church Archives of New York City [various denominations]''. New York, New York: Historical Records survey, 1939–1941. These volumes are:
====Episcopal====
*'''1767-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61224/ New York, Episcopal Diocese of New York Church Records, 1767-1970] at Ancestry ($), index and images. Incomplete.
*'''1800-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61653/ New York, Episcopal Diocese of Central New York Church Records, 1800-1970] at Ancestry ($), index and images.
*'''1800-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61652/ New York, Episcopal Diocese of Rochester Church Records, 1800-1970] at Ancestry ($), index and images. Incomplete.
*'''1900-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61652/ New York, Episcopal Diocese of Rochester Church Records, 1800-1970] at Ancestry ($), index and images. Incomplete.


* Eastern Orthodox and Armenian (FHL book 974.71 K23eo; film 1425700 item 5).
====Lutheran====
* Lutheran (FHL book 974.71 K23L; film 1036522 item 5).
*'''1679-1771''' [https://www.americanancestors.org/search/databasesearch/523/new-york-early-records-of-the-lutheran-church-1697-1771 New York: Early Records of the Lutheran Church, 1697-1771] at American Ancestors -index & images ($)
* Methodist (FHL book 974.71 K23m; film 1036716 item 9).
*'''1722-1760''' [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/335750-lutheran-church-in-new-york-and-new-jersey-1722-1760-lutheran-records-in-the-ministerial-archives-of-the-staatsarchiv-hamburg-germany?offset=1 Lutheran Church in New York and New Jersey, 1722-1760 : Lutheran records in the ministerial archives of the Staatsarchiv, Hamburg, Germany], e-book.
* Presbyterian (FHL book 974.71 K23p; film 1033755 item 12).
*'''1781-1969'''  [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60722/ U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969], index and images, incomplete.($)
* Protestant Episcopal [Manhattan, Bronx, Richmond] (FHL book 974.71 K23en v. 2; film 1425700 item 6).
*'''1800-1947''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61584/ U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Swedish American Church Records, 1800-1947], index and images, incomplete.($)
* Protestant Episcopal [Brooklyn and Queens] (FHL book 974.71 K23eL v. 2; fiche 6046526).
*'''1850-Onward''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/new-york-st-lukes-evangelical-lutheran-church-baptisms New York, St Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Baptisms] at Findmypast — index & images ($)
* Reformed (FHL book 974.71 K23r; film 1035526 item 3).
*'''1850-Onward''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/new-york-st-lukes-evangelical-lutheran-church-confirmations New York, St Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Confirmations] at Findmypast — index & images ($)
* Roman Catholic (FHL book 974.71 K23rc; film 1036299 item 2).
*'''1850-Onward''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/new-york-st-lukes-evangelical-lutheran-church-deaths-and-burials New York, St Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Deaths and Burials] at Findmypast — index & images ($)
*'''1850-Onward''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/new-york-st-lukes-evangelical-lutheran-church-marriages New York, St Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Marriages] at Findmypast — index & images ($)
*'''1868-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61586/ U.S., Evangelical Covenant Church, Swedish American Church Records, 1868-1970], index, at Ancestry ($). Incomplete.
*'''1903''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/48277 Some early records of the Lutheran Church, New York, Holland Society of New York, 1903, p. 1-118]


Some denominations have collected their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses to learn where their records are located.
====Methodist====
*'''1775-1949''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9188/ New York and Vicinity, United Methodist Church Records, 1775-1949] at Ancestry ($), index and images. Incomplete.
*'''1887-1904''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62187/ New York, U.S., Frank S. Rowland Church Register, 1889-1917] at Ancestry - images ($)


=== Baptist ===
====Presbyterian====
*'''1701-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61048/ U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970], index and images, incomplete.($)
====Quaker (Society of Friends)====
*[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3753/ U.S., Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy], index, at Ancestry ($). Incomplete.
*'''1680-1940''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2705/ U.S., Hinshaw Index to Selected Quaker Records, 1680-1940], index, at Ancestry ($). Incomplete.
*'''1681-1935''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2189/ U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935], index & images ($). Incomplete.
*[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3042/ U.S., Surname Index to Quaker Records], index, at Ancestry ($). Incomplete.
*'''1600s-1700s''' - Potts, William John. '''"New York Marriages, From the Friends' Records of Philadelphia,"''' ''The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record'', Vol. 3, No. 1 (Jan. 1872):51-52.
**Digital version at [http://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/public-elibrary New York Family History] ($): Searchable index is free, viewing records requires membership.
**Microfilm at [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ '''FamilySearch Library''']: {{FSC|1181533|item|disp=FS Library Book 974.7 B2n v. 3}}.


'''American Baptist Samuel COLGATE Historical Library'''<br />1106 Goodman Street<br />Rochester, NY 14620-2532<br />Telephone: 716-473-1740<br />FAX: 716-473-1740<br />Internet: http://www.baptisthistory.us/about.php
====Other Collections====


For information about the availability of records, see Susan M. Eltscher, ''The Records of American Baptists in New York and Related Organizations'' (Rochester, New York: American Baptist Historical Society, 1982; FHL book 974.7 K23aA1 no. 655).
*[http://dunhamwilcox.net/ Dunham-Wilcox-Trott-Kirk] indexes church, cemetery, probate and other early New England, New York and New Jersey records with links to abstracts of the records.
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/137319 New York Church Records: Vosburgh Collection]. Included in the collection are Dutch Reformed, Lutheran, and some Presbyterian, Episcopal, Baptist, Congregational, and German Reformed records for Hudson Valley and Mohawk Valley churches (transcribed between 1913 and 1921).


=== Congregational ===
===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=901397&query=%2Bplace%3A%22United%20States%2C%20New%20York%22 '''records of United States, New York'''].
:::b. Click on '''Places within United States, New York''' 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, New York [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.
-----


'''The Congregational Library'''<br />14 Beacon Street<br />Boston, MA 02108<br />Telephone: 617-523-0470<br />FAX: 617-523-0491<br />Internet: http://www.14beacon.org/
===Consult available finding aids.===
'''These aids generally provide lists of records that are known to exist and information on their location.'''
<br>


=== Dutch Reformed ===
*[https://www.buffalolib.org/sites/default/files/special-collections/guides/ChurchRecords.pdf ''Church Records in Microfilm and Print By Denomination''] at Buffalo and Erie County Public Library.
<br>


'''Commission on History, Reformed Church in America'''<br />New Brunswick Theological Seminary<br />Gardner A. Sage Library<br />21 Seminary Place<br />New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1159<br />Telephone: 908-247-5243<br />Fax: 908-249-5412<br />Internet: http://www.nbts.edu/crcs/about.htm
----
The locations of records in these guides are as of 1940 and probably have changed if they were a private party.
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/180970 '''''Guide to Vital Statistics Records of Churches in New York State (Exclusive of New York City).'' 2 volumes''']
*Historical Records Survey. (New York City.) ''Guide to Vital Statistics in the City of New York, Borough of [Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, or Richmond] Churches''. 5 vols. New York, N.Y.: Historical Records Survey, Work Projects Administration, 1942. {{WorldCat|4025524|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; 
**[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/503692-guide-to-vital-statistics-in-the-city-of-new-york-borough-of-the-bronx-churches-sponsored-by-fiorello-h-la-guardia-mayor-of-the-city-of-new-york?offset=12 '''Bronx''']
**[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/409962-guide-to-vital-statistics-in-the-city-of-new-york-borough-of-brooklyn-churches?offset=2 '''Brooklyn''']
**[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/504870-guide-to-vital-statistics-in-the-city-of-new-york-borough-of-manhattan-churches?offset=1 '''Manhattan''']
**[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/505930-guide-to-vital-statistics-in-the-city-of-new-york-borough-of-queens-churches-sponsored-by-fiorello-h-la-guardia-mayor-of-the-city-of-new-york?offset=12 '''Queens''']
**[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/580357-guide-to-vital-statistics-in-the-city-of-new-york-borough-of-richmond-churches-sponsored-by-fiorello-h-la-guardia-mayor-of-the-city-of-new-york?offset=11 '''Richmond''']
<br>


The Family History Library has microfilm copies of many of the Dutch Reformed Church records at this archives. The collection is described in Melody Takken Meeter, compiler and Russell L. Gasero, editor, ''Guide to Local Church Records in the Archives of the Reformed Church in America and to Genealogical Resources in the Gardner Sage Library, New Brunswick Theological Seminary'' (New Brunswick, New Jersey: Historical Society of the Reformed Church in America, 1979; FHL book 974.9 A1 no. 103; fiche 6046480).
----
The locations of records in these guides are as of 1940 and probably have changed if they were a private party.<br>
* [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&query=%2Btitle%3AInventory%20%2Btitle%3Aof%20%2Btitle%3Athe%20%2Btitle%3AChurch%20%2Btitle%3AArchives%20%2Btitle%3Aof%20%2Btitle%3ANew%20%2Btitle%3AYork%20%2Btitle%3ACity '''Inventories of the Church Archives of New York''' (various denominations)'''''] '''Denominations include:'''
**[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/29351-inventory-of-the-church-archives-in-new-york-city-eastern-orthodox-churches-and-the-armenian-church-in-america?offset=1 '''Eastern Orthodox and Armenian''']
**[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/374432-inventory-of-the-church-archives-in-new-york-city-lutheran?offset=1 '''Lutheran''']
**[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/512371-inventory-of-the-church-archives-of-new-york-city-the-methodist-church?offset=1 '''Methodist''']
**[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/525864-inventory-of-the-church-archives-of-new-york-city-presbyterian-church-in-the-united-states-of-america?offset=1 '''Presbyterian: New York City''']
**[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/98840 '''Presbyterian excluding New York City''']
**[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/547749-inventory-of-the-church-archives-of-new-york-city-protestant-episcopal-church-in-the-united-states-of-america-diocese-of-new-york-including-manhatten-bronx-richmond-vol-2?offset=1 '''Protestant Episcopal (Manhattan, Bronx, Richmond)''']
**[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/509915-inventory-of-the-church-archives-of-new-york-city-protestant-episcopal-church-diocese-of-long-island-containing-brooklyn-and-queens?offset=1 '''Protestant Episcopal (Brooklyn and Queens)'''']
**[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/109546-inventory-of-the-church-archives-of-new-york-state-exclusive-of-new-york-city-protestant-episcopal-church-diocese-of-rochester?offset=1 '''Protestant Episcopal (Rochester)''']
**[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/507722-inventory-of-the-church-archives-of-new-york-state-exclusive-of-new-york-city-protestant-episcopal-church-diocese-of-western-new-york?offset=1 '''Protestant Episcopal (Western New York)''']
**[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/522838-inventory-of-the-church-archives-of-new-york-city-reformed-church-in-america?offset=1 '''Reformed Church in America''']
**[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/119598 '''Roman Catholic Church, archdiocese of New York. vol. 2''']
<br>
====Quakers (Society of Friends)====
*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/535149-new-york-city-church-archives-religious-society-of-friends-catalogue-records-in-possession-of-or-relating-to-the-two-new-york-yearly-meetings-of-the-religious-society-of-friends-and-their-subordinate-meetings?offset=1 '''''New York City Church Archives, Religious Society of Friends Catalogue''.] Cox, John, Jr.  New York, N.Y.: Historical Records Survey, 1938.
*'''"Quaker Records in New York,"''' in ''The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record'', Cox, John, Jr. [https://www.archive.org/stream/newyorkgenealog45gree#page/n770/mode/1up '''Vol. 45, No. 3 (Jul. 1914): pages 262-269''';]and  [https://www.archive.org/stream/newyorkgenealog45gree#page/n770/mode/1up '''Vol. 45, No. 4 (Oct. 1914): pages 366-373'''.] Includes brief histories of each monthly meeting (congregation); details of surviving records.
----


'''Commission on History, Reformed Church in America'''<br />122 E. 58th Street<br />New York, NY 10022<br />Telephone: 212-758-1871<br />Fax: 212-758-2232 <br />Internet: [http://www.rca.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?&pid=2050&srcid=838 http://www.rca.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?&amp;pid=2050&amp;srcid=838]
===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.


''The Year Book of the Holland Society of New York ''(New York, New York: The Holland Society of New York, 1886–1928/1929; FHL book 974.7 C4h; on 16 FHL films) contains historical material as well as church record abstracts and passenger lists. To use the year books, first consult the Index to Publications listed under the periodical ''De Halve Maen'' described in the "[[New York Periodicals|Periodicals]]" section of this outline. It indexes publications by name, subject, and locality. Most of the church records in these year books have been extracted for the International Genealogical Index (IGI).
===Check the church records collections in archives and libraries.===
Some church records have been deposited for preservation in government archives or in libraries. Watch for links to '''digitized, online records''' offered by the archives. Some archives provide '''research services''' for a fee. For others, if you cannot visit in person, you might hire a researcher.<br>
<br>
<span style="color:DarkViolet">'''Here you will find archive information unique to the state. Many more archives are kept by denomination. For denominational  archives, go to  [[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''Searching for Church Records by Denomination.''']]</span>


The Family History Library has the Holland Society's 128 volume ''Holland Society of New York Church Record Collection''. There are many microfilms and computer numbers for the collection. The records are listed in the Family History Library Catalog Author/Title Search under the title mentioned above and are also listed in the Locality Search under the individual cities or towns. This includes some German Reformed, French Reformed, Lutheran, and Episcopal records. An inventory of this collection is Marie J. Pierre, compiler, ''Index to LDS Microfilms of the Church Record Collection of the Holland Society of New York'' (New York, New York: The Holland Society of New York, 1990; FHL book 974.7 A1 No. 452).
====American-Canadian Genealogical Society Library====
[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''']


An index to original baptismal records, transcripts, microfilm, and published works of 17 congregations from 24 volumes of the aforementioned Dutch Reformed Church Record Collection is Wilson Ledley, compiler, ''Index to Baptismal Surnames in the Reformed Churches of Claverack, Cortlandt, Fishkill, Gallatin/Ancram, Gravesend, Hillsdale/Krum, Kaatsbaan/Saugerties, Kinderhook''. (New York, New York: The Holland Society of New York, 1990; FHL book 974.7 K22L).
====Baptist====
*'''1750-1899''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62267/ U.S., Southern Baptist Church Records, 1750-1899] at Ancestry - index & images ($)


The Family History Library also has many volumes of Hudson and Mohawk Valley Reformed and Lutheran records transcribed by Arthur C. M. Kelly, Gertrude Barber, and others. Many New York Dutch Reformed church records have also been published in periodicals such as the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record.
==== Dutch Reformed ====


The Family History Library has 99 of the 101 volumes of the ''Royden Woodward Vosburgh, New York Church Records: Vosburgh Collection ''(FHL films 017441–501). Included in the collection are Dutch Reformed, Lutheran, and some Presbyterian, Episcopal, Baptist, Congregational, and German Reformed records for Hudson Valley and Mohawk Valley churches (transcribed between 1913 and 1921). These records are listed under the title New York Church Records: Vosburgh Collection but are not listed under the cities and towns in the Family History Library Catalog. Two helpful lists of the churches, first by county and then by town, are at the beginning of film 017441.
'''Commission on History, Reformed Church in America<br>[https://www.nbts.edu/sage-library/ Gardner A. Sage Library]'''<br>New Brunswick Theological Seminary<br>21 Seminary Place<br>New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901<br>Telephone: (732) 246-1779<br>
*'''Sage Library is also home to the official Archives of the Reformed Church in America (RCA). If you are looking for archival records from an RCA church, genealogical information, or documentation about RCA policies and actions, please directly contact the RCA archivist, Matthew Gasero at mgasero@rca.org.'''
*[https://www.nbts.edu/sage-library/ '''Online Catalog''']
*The [[New York Church Records#Look for digital copies of church records listed in the FamilySearch Catalog.|'''FamilySearch collection''']]  has microfilmed and digitized copies of many of the Dutch Reformed church records from the above listed archive. The records are described in:
**Gasero, Russell L., ed. [http://images.rca.org/docs/archives/churchrecords.pdf '''''Guide to Local Church Records in the Archives of the Reformed Church in America and Other Repositories''.'''] New Brunswick, N.J.: Historical Society of the Reformed Church in America, 1979.
<br>[http://www.hollandsociety.org/library/ '''The Holland Society of New York Library''']<br>20 West 44th Street, 5th Floor<br>New York, NY 10036<br>Telephone: (212) 758-1675
*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/236246-inventory-and-digest-of-early-church-records-in-the-library-of-the-holland-society-of-new-york?offset=1 '''Inventory and digest of early church records in the library of the Holland Society of New York''']
*The [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library] has the Holland Society's 128 volume '''''Holland Society of New York Church Record Collection'''''. The records are listed in the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog '''FamilySearch Catalog'''] in the Place-names Search under the individual cities or towns. This includes some German Reformed, French Reformed, Lutheran, and Episcopal records. For an inventory of this collection, see:


=== Episcopal ===
An index to original baptismal records, transcripts, microfilm, and published works of 17 congregations from 24 volumes of the aforementioned Dutch Reformed Church Record Collection is Wilson Ledley, compiler, [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/524985 '''''Index to Baptismal Surnames in the Reformed Churches of Claverack, Cortlandt, Fishkill, Gallatin/Ancram, Gravesend, Hillsdale/Krum, Kaatsbaan/Saugerties, Kinderhook''.'''] (New York, N.Y.: The Holland Society of New York, 1990; available in the {{FSC|524985|item}}.


'''Episcopal Diocese of New York'''<br />1047 Amsterdam Avenue<br />New York, NY 10025<br />Telephone: 212-316-7400<br />Fax: 212-932-7345<br />Internet: http://www.dioceseny.org/
==== Roman Catholic  ====
'''[https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~localcatholic/history/US-NewYorkNY.htm Local Catholic Church and Family History Genealogical Research Guide]''' is a free online resource that identifies the parishes of many New York counties, years when parishes were created, contact information, as well as links to online records and research tips. New York City has exceptional coverage.
=====Drouin Collection=====
[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 from New York. It is the U.S. part of the U.S. and French-Canadian Drouin Collection. For more details see [[The Drouin Collection: Six databases|"The Drouin Collection: Six Databases"]]  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.


There are also dioceses of Albany, Central New York, Long Island, Rochester, and Western New York. The Family History Library has acquired many Episcopal records for Western New York. The names in many of these records are indexed in the International Genealogical Index.
[[File:Nystpatricks.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Saint Patricks, NYC]]
=====Diocesan Archives=====
[[File:Dark_thin_font_green_pin_Version_4.png|50px]]<span style="color:DarkViolet">Most Catholic records have not been gathered to central repositories. '''You must determine the town where your ancestors lived and the parish they most likely attended and then write to that parish.''' If a parish has closed, the records may have been sent to the diocesan archives or a nearby parish. If the diocese does not have an archives, the diocese chancellor usually knows where the records are. </span>


=== Jewish ===


Most synagogue records have not been centralized, so you must write to the local congregation. Addresses are listed in Sidney Lightman, editor, ''The Jewish Travel Guide'' (London, England: Jewish Chronicle Publications, 1990; FHL book 910.202 J556 1990).
[https://www.rcda.org/offices/archives '''Diocese of Albany Archives''']<br>40 North Main Ave.<br>Albany, New York 12203<br>Phone: (518) 453-6633
*[https://www.rcda.org/parishes/find '''Parish Finder'''] Each individual parish keeps records of baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages and funerals. Contact the parish to obtain these records.
*[https://www.rcda.org/parishes/institutional-records '''Institutional Records'''] Search here for location of records for closed and merged parishes.
The Albany Diocese includes the counties of: [[Albany County, New York Genealogy|Albany]], [[Columbia County, New York Genealogy|Columbia]], [[Delaware County, New York Genealogy|Delaware]], [[Fulton County, New York Genealogy|Fulton]], [[Greene County, New York Genealogy|Greene]], [[Hamilton County, New York Genealogy|Hamilton]](part), [[Herkimer County, New York Genealogy|Herkimer]] (part), [[Montgomery County, New York Genealogy|Montgomery]], [[Otsego County, New York Genealogy|Otsego]], [[Rensselaer County, New York Genealogy|Rensselaer]], [[Saratoga County, New York Genealogy|Saratoga]], [[Schenectady County, New York Genealogy|Schenectady]], [[Schoharie County, New York Genealogy|Schoharie]], [[Warren County, New York Genealogy|Warren]] and [[Washington County, New York Genealogy|Washington]].<ref name="rc">[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>
----
[https://dioceseofbrooklyn.org/offices/diocesan-offices/archives/ '''Diocese of Brooklyn  and Queens Archives''']<br>310 Prospect Park West<br>Brooklyn, New York 11215<br>Phone: (718) 965-7300
*[https://dioceseofbrooklyn.org/parishes/locator/ '''Parish Locator''']  Each individual parish keeps records of baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages and funerals. Contact the parish to obtain these records.<br>
*[https://dioceseofbrooklyn.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Genealogical-FAQs-1-Feb-22-2016.pdf '''Genealogical FAQ's''']
The Brooklyn Diocese includes the counties of: [[Kings (Brooklyn) County, New York Genealogy|Brooklyn]] and [[Queens County, New York Genealogy|Queens]].
----
[http://www.buffalodiocese.org/ '''Diocese of Buffalo''']<br>795 Main Street<br>Buffalo, New York 14203<br>Phone: (716) 847-8700
*[https://www.buffalodiocese.org/documents/Directory/April%20Directory%20V2.pdf '''Directory of Parishes'''] Parishes are listed at the end after all the offices and departments.  Each individual parish keeps records of baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages and funerals. Contact the parish to obtain these records.<br>
The Buffalo Diocese includes the counties of: [[Allegany County, New York Genealogy|Allegany]], [[Cattaraugus County, New York Genealogy|Cattaraugus]], [[Chautauqua County, New York Genealogy|Chautauqua]], [[Erie County, New York Genealogy|Erie]], [[Genesee County, New York Genealogy|Genesee]], [[Niagara County, New York Genealogy|Niagara]], [[Orleans County, New York Genealogy|Orleans]] and [[Wyoming County, New York Genealogy|Wyoming]].
----
[https://archny.org/ministries-and-offices/archives/genealogy/ '''Archdiocese of New York Archives''']<br>1011 First Avenue<br>New York City, New York 10022<br>Phone: (212) 371-1000
*[https://www.dor.org/parishes-campuses-cemeteries/parish-locator-and-mass-times/ '''Genealogy''']
::"The most frequent reference requests we get here at the Archives are of a genealogical nature. Until now, the Archives did not hold any sacramental requests and had to direct researchers to parishes throughout the Archdiocese. We are delighted to announce the first stage in making these records more readily available for all researchers. We have worked with Findmypast, a family history company, to digitize and make searchable all baptismal and marriage records of the Archdiocese prior to 1918. To explore the records, visit the [https://www.findmypast.com/page/catholic-records '''Catholic Heritage Archive''']. A list of all of the parishes included in the project can be found here.


'''American Jewish Historical Society Library<br />'''2 Thornton Road<br />Waltham, MA 02154<br />Telephone: 617-891-8110<br />Fax: 617-899-9208<br />Internet: http://www.ajhs.org/reference/library.cfm
*[https://archny.org/parish-finder/ '''Parish Finder''']  Each individual parish keeps records of baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages and funerals. Contact the parish to obtain these records.<br>  


'''Philadelphia Jewish Archives Centre at the Balch Institute<br />'''18 South 7th Street<br />Philadelphia, PA 19106-1423<br />Telephone: 215-925-8090<br />Internet: http://www.jewishgen.org/InfoFiles/balch.txt
The New York Diocese includes the counties of: [[Bronx County, New York Genealogy|Bronx]], [[Dutchess County, New York Genealogy|Dutchess]], [[New York (Manhattan) County, New York Genealogy|Manhattan]], [[Orange County, New York Genealogy|Orange]], [[Putnam County, New York Genealogy|Putnam]], [[Rockland County, New York Genealogy|Rockland]], [[Richmond (Staten Island) County, New York Genealogy|Staten Island]], [[Sullivan County, New York Genealogy|Sullivan]], [[Ulster County, New York Genealogy|Ulster]] and [[Westchester County, New York Genealogy|Westchester]].
----
[https://www.rcdony.org/offices/other-offices.html '''Diocese of Ogdensburg''']<br>PO Box 369<br>622 Washington Street<br>Ogdensburg, NY 13669<br>Phone: (315) 393-2920
*[https://www.rcdony.org/parishes-a-z.html '''Churches''']  Each individual parish keeps records of baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages and funerals. Contact the parish to obtain these records.<br>
The Ogdensburg Diocese includes the counties of: [[Clinton County, New York Genealogy|Clinton]], [[Essex County, New York Genealogy|Essex]], [[Franklin County, New York Genealogy|Franklin]], [[Hamilton County, New York Genealogy|Hamilton]] (part), [[Herkimer County, New York Genealogy|Herkimer]](part), [[Jefferson County, New York Genealogy|Jefferson]], [[Lewis County, New York Genealogy|Lewis]] (part) and [[St. Lawrence County, New York Genealogy|St. Lawrence]].
----
[http://www.dor.org/about/office-ministry-directory/archives/ '''Diocese of Rochester''']<br>1150 Buffalo Rd.<br>Rochester, New York 14624<br>Phone: (585) 328-3210
*[https://www.dor.org/parishes-campuses-cemeteries/parish-locator-and-mass-times/ '''Parish Locator''']  Each individual parish keeps records of baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages and funerals. Contact the parish to obtain these records.
The Rochester Diocese includes the counties of: [[Cayuga County, New York Genealogy|Cayuga]], [[Chemung County, New York Genealogy|Chemung]], [[Livingston County, New York Genealogy|Livingston]], [[Monroe County, New York Genealogy|Monroe]], [[Ontario County, New York Genealogy|Ontario]], [[Schuyler County, New York Genealogy|Schuyler]], [[Seneca County, New York Genealogy|Seneca]], [[Steuben County, New York Genealogy|Steuben]], [[Tioga County, New York Genealogy|Tioga]], [[Tompkins County, New York Genealogy|Tompkins]], [[Wayne County, New York Genealogy|Wayne]] and [[Yates County, New York Genealogy|Yates]].
----
[https://www.drvc.org/archives-2/ '''Diocese of Rockville Centre Archives''']<br>PO Box 9023<br>Rockville Centre, New York 11571-9023<br>Phone: (516) 678-5800<br>Email: [mailto:archive@drvc.org archives@drvc.org]
*[https://www.drvc.org/maps/ '''Parish Finder''']  Each individual parish keeps records of baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages and funerals. Contact the parish to obtain these records.<br>
The Diocese includes the counties of: [[Nassau County, New York Genealogy|Nassau]] and [[Suffolk County, New York Genealogy|Suffolk]] on Long Island. 
----
[https://www.syracusediocese.org/offices/archives/# '''Diocese of Syracuse Archives''']<br>240 East Onondaga St.<br>Syracuse, New York 13201<br>Phone: (315) 422-7203


This archives has the Philadelphia Hebrew Immigrant Society records, which include ship passenger lists, passage order books, and Lipschutz Steamship record books. These are on microfilm at the Family History Library.
*[https://www.syracusediocese.org/find-a-parish/ '''Find-a-Parish''' ]  Each individual parish keeps records of baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages and funerals. Contact the parish to obtain these records.


'''Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)<br />'''200 Park Avenue South<br />New York, NY 10003<br />Telephone: 212-967-4100<br />Internet: http://www.hias.org/
The Syracuse Diocese includes the counties of: [[Broome County, New York Genealogy|Broome]], [[Chenango County, New York Genealogy|Chenango]], [[Cortland County, New York Genealogy|Cortland]], [[Lewis County, New York Genealogy|Lewis]] (part), [[Madison County, New York Genealogy|Madison]], [[Oneida County, New York Genealogy|Oneida]], [[Onondaga County, New York Genealogy|Onondaga]] and [[Oswego County, New York Genealogy|Oswego]].
----


'''New York Public Library<br />'''Jewish Division<br />Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street<br />New York, NY 10018<br />Telephone: 212-930-0601<br />Fax: 212-642-0141<br />Internet: http://www.nypl.org/research/chss/jws/jewish.html
==== Society of Friends (Quakers)  ====
* '''"New York State Quaker Records in Print,"''' Bradley, A. Day. in ''National Genealogical Society Quarterly,'' Vol. 61 (1973):249-253.
**Microfilm at [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ '''FamilySearch Library''']:{{FSC|39597|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 B2ng v. 61 (1973)}}.
----
*'''''Quaker Census of 1828: Members of the New York Yearly Meeting, the Religious Society of Friends of New York, Ontario, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Quebec, at the Time of the Separation of 1828''' Fay, Loren V., editor.  ''Rhinebeck, N.Y.: Knshp, 1989 and is available in the {{FSC|425835|item}}. Use this to determine the monthly meeting a person attended. It includes name, age, and family group.
**To locate a copy nearest you, use [http://www.worldcat.org/title/quaker-census-of-1828-members-of-the-new-york-yearly-meeting-the-religious-society-of-friends-in-new-york-ontario-vermont-connecticut-massachusetts-and-quebec-at-the-time-of-the-separation-of-1828/oclc/20487290&referer=brief_results WorldCat].
----
*Marriages of some early New York Quakers are found in Philadelphia registers:  
**'''1600s-1700s''' - Potts, William John. '''"New York Marriages, From the Friends' Records of Philadelphia,"''' ''The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record'', Vol. 3, No. 1 (Jan. 1872):51-52.
***Digital version at [http://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/public-elibrary '''New York Family History'''] ($): [https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/online-records/search-results?first_name=&last_name=&keywords=New%20York%20Marriages%2C%20From%20the%20Friends%27%20Records%20of%20Philadelphi&term_field_collection_category=&op=Search&form_build_id=form-4rB1T6-am3PGUOJwTfSHjkThLW8e898uon-IOg5KuW8&form_id=nygb_search_global_form&last_name_modifier#optional '''Searchable index'''] is free, viewing records requires membership.
***Microfilm at [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ '''FamilySearch Library''']: {{FSC|1181533|item|disp=FS Library Book 974.7 B2n v. 3}}.
----
*'''"Quakers and Moravians in New York in 1755 and 1756,"''' Scott, Kenneth. in ''National Genealogical Society Quarterly,'' Vol. 58 (1970):253-257. {{FSC|1190932|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 B2ng v. 58 (1970)}}.


More New York Jewish records, sources, and archives are described in Genealogical Resources in the New York Metropolitan Area, mentioned in the "[[New York Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]" section of this outline.
-----


=== Lutheran ===
===Consult the PERSI index for records published in journals.===
[https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/ PERiodical Source Index (PERSI)] at Allen County Public Library; indexPERSI is an index to family and local history periodicals from 1847 to the present. Many of these periodicals publish church records. If you locate an index entry for a church, you will then need to find the periodical. Use the [http://worldcat.org./ '''WorldCat.org search engine'''] to find a library near you that carries the periodical. Library reference desks can be contacted to request a copy of articles, or you may need to hire a [[Hiring a Professional Researcher|'''researcher.''']]


'''Library of the Council National Lutheran'''<br />50 Madison Avenue<br />New York City, NY 10010<br />Internet: http://www.elca.org/ScriptLib/OS/Congregations/cdsSearch.asp?state=NY
===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>
Many church records have been copied and filed with the Daughters of the American Revolution Cemetery, Church, and Town Records, described in [[New York Genealogy|New York Genealogy]].


'''Evangelical Lutheran Church in America'''<br />Metropolitan New York Synod<br />360 Park Avenue, South<br />New York, NY 10016-8803<br />Telephone: 212-532-5369 <br />Internet: http://www.elca.org/archives/regsyn.html
==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>


Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod<br />Atlantic District<br />315 Park Avenue, South, Room 1920<br />New York, NY 10010 <br />Internet: http://www.elca.org/archives/regsyn.html
[[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'''.]]


=== Methodist ===
== References  ==


'''United Methodist Archives Center'''<br />General Commission on Archives and History of the United Methodist Church<br />Drew University Library<br />P.O. Box 127<br />Madison, NJ 07940<br />Telephone: 201-408-3189<br />Fax: 201-408-3909 <br />Internet: http://depts.drew.edu/lib/methodist/faq.php
<references /> {{New York|New York}}{{USChurch}} {{-}}


=== Presbyterian ===
[[Category:New_York,_United_States|Church Records]] [[Category:U_S_States_Church_records]]
 
'''Presbyterian Historical Society and Department of History'''<br />United Presbyterian Church in the USA<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/
 
The Family History Library has microfilm copies of most of the records at this archives.
 
=== Roman Catholic ===
 
Most Catholic records have not been gathered to central repositories. You must determine the town where your ancestors lived and the parish they most likely attended and then write to that parish.
 
If a parish has closed, the records will have been sent to the diocesan archives or to a nearby parish. If the diocese does not have an archives, the diocese chancellor usually knows where the records are.
 
The Family History Library has many Roman Catholic records for Western (filmed at Canisius College, Buffalo) and Northern New York. Catholic dioceses are located in Albany, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Ogdensburg, Rochester, Rockville Centre, and Syracuse.
 
'''Archdiocese of New York'''<br />1011 First Avenue<br />New York City, NY 10022<br />Telephone: 212-371-1000<br />Fax: 212-319-8265<br />Internet: http://www.ny-archdiocese.org/
 
=== Society of Friends ===
 
'''New York Yearly Meeting Archives'''<br />Haviland Records Room<br />15 Rutherford Place<br />New York, NY 10003<br />Telephone: 212-777-8866<br />Internet: http://www.westburyquakers.org/qt/archive/files/GENE1.htm
 
Many of the records in the archives are on microfilm at the Family History Library.'' The New York City and Long Island Quaker records, 1657–1940'', transcribed by John Cox, are published in William Wade Hinshaw's ''Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy'', Volume 3 (Ann Arbor, Michigan: Edwards Brothers, Incorporated, 1946; FHL book 973 D2he v. 3; film 432602).
 
A useful guide to New York Quaker records and research is:
 
Cox, John, Jr. ''New York City Church Archives, Religious Society of Friends Catalogue''. New York, New York: Historical Records Survey, 1938. (FHL film 017255.)
 
A helpful 1828 census was taken:
 
Fay, Loren V., editor. ''Quaker Census of 1828: Members of the New York Yearly Meeting, the Religious Society of Friends of New York, Ontario, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Quebec, at the Time of the Separation of 1828.'' Rhinebeck, New York: Knshp, 1989. (FHL book 974.7 K2fL.) Use this to determine the monthly meeting a person attended. Also includes name, age, and family group.

Latest revision as of 16:19, 22 April 2024

New York Wiki Topics
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Old Dutch Church

Historical Background[edit | edit source]

The first churches established in New York during the seventeenth century were the Dutch Reformed, French Protestant (Huguenot), and Lutheran churches. As New Englanders continued to migrate to New York, the Congregational Church (Puritans) and Society of Friends (Quakers) grew. Many New Yorkers joined both the Baptists and Presbyterians. By 1775 the Presbyterian Church was the largest denomination in New York.

In the mid-1800s, the Methodist Church was the largest, followed by the Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Dutch Reformed, Congregational, Roman Catholic, Society of Friends (Quakers), Universalist, Lutheran, Union, Christian, Unitarian, and Jewish.

Since then, the Roman Catholic Church has been the largest denomination (particularly in the larger cities) due to the large number of immigrants from Ireland and eastern and southern Europe.[1]

Information Found in the Records[edit | edit source]

To effectively use church records, become familiar with their content. Click on these links to learn about a specific record type:

Finding the Records[edit | edit source]

Look for online records.[edit | edit source]


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 Indexes[edit | edit source]

MyHeritage Indexes[edit | edit source]

Findmypast[edit | edit source]

Catholic Heritage Archive

Catholic[edit | edit source]

The Drouin Collection[edit | edit source]

Dutch Reformed[edit | edit source]

Episcopal[edit | edit source]

Lutheran[edit | edit source]

Methodist[edit | edit source]

Presbyterian[edit | edit source]

Quaker (Society of Friends)[edit | edit source]

Other Collections[edit | edit source]

  • Dunham-Wilcox-Trott-Kirk indexes church, cemetery, probate and other early New England, New York and New Jersey records with links to abstracts of the records.
  • New York Church Records: Vosburgh Collection. Included in the collection are Dutch Reformed, Lutheran, and some Presbyterian, Episcopal, Baptist, Congregational, and German Reformed records for Hudson Valley and Mohawk Valley churches (transcribed between 1913 and 1921).

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

FamilySearch Library
Salt Lake City, Utah
  • The FamilySearch Library (FS Library) has a substantial collection of original church records and transcripts on microfilm for churches in the United States.
  • Online church records can be listed in the FamilySearch Catalog under the state, county, or town.
  • If you find a record that has not yet been digitized, see How do I request that a microfilm be digitized?
  • Some records might have viewing restrictions, and can only be viewed at a FamilySearch Center near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations.
  • To find records:
a. Click on the records of United States, New York.
b. Click on Places within United States, New York 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, New York [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.[edit | edit source]

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


The locations of records in these guides are as of 1940 and probably have changed if they were a private party.


The locations of records in these guides are as of 1940 and probably have changed if they were a private party.


Quakers (Society of Friends)[edit | edit source]

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

Some records are still held in the local churches. Contact the current minister to find out what records are still available.

  • Make an appointment to look at the records. Or ask the minister of the church to make a copy of the record for you.
  • To find church staff available, you might have to visit on Sunday.
  • Ask for small searches at a time, such as one birth record or a specific marriage. Never ask for "everything on a family or surname".
  • A donation ($25-$40) for their time and effort to help you would be appropriate.
  • If the church has a website, you may be able to e-mail a message.
  • See the Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy for help with composing letters.
  • Each denomination page offers an online address directory of local churches for that denomination.

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

Some church records have been deposited for preservation in government archives or in libraries. Watch for links to digitized, online records offered by the archives. Some archives provide research services for a fee. For others, if you cannot visit in person, you might hire a researcher.

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

American-Canadian Genealogical Society Library[edit | edit source]

American-Canadian Genealogical Society Library
1 Sundial Avenue, Suite 317N
Manchester, New Hampshire 03103

Tel: (603) 622-1554

Baptist[edit | edit source]

Dutch Reformed[edit | edit source]

Commission on History, Reformed Church in America
Gardner A. Sage Library
New Brunswick Theological Seminary
21 Seminary Place
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
Telephone: (732) 246-1779


The Holland Society of New York Library
20 West 44th Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Telephone: (212) 758-1675

An index to original baptismal records, transcripts, microfilm, and published works of 17 congregations from 24 volumes of the aforementioned Dutch Reformed Church Record Collection is Wilson Ledley, compiler, Index to Baptismal Surnames in the Reformed Churches of Claverack, Cortlandt, Fishkill, Gallatin/Ancram, Gravesend, Hillsdale/Krum, Kaatsbaan/Saugerties, Kinderhook. (New York, N.Y.: The Holland Society of New York, 1990; available in the FS Library Collection.

Roman Catholic[edit | edit source]

Local Catholic Church and Family History Genealogical Research Guide is a free online resource that identifies the parishes of many New York counties, years when parishes were created, contact information, as well as links to online records and research tips. New York City has exceptional coverage.

Drouin Collection[edit | edit source]

Early U.S. French Catholic Church Records, 1695-1954 ($) (Ancestry). This database contains the French Catholic parish records from New York. It is the U.S. part of the U.S. and French-Canadian Drouin Collection. For more details see "The Drouin Collection: Six Databases" 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.

Saint Patricks, NYC
Diocesan Archives[edit | edit source]

Dark thin font green pin Version 4.pngMost Catholic records have not been gathered to central repositories. You must determine the town where your ancestors lived and the parish they most likely attended and then write to that parish. If a parish has closed, the records may have been sent to the diocesan archives or a nearby parish. If the diocese does not have an archives, the diocese chancellor usually knows where the records are.


Diocese of Albany Archives
40 North Main Ave.
Albany, New York 12203
Phone: (518) 453-6633

  • Parish Finder Each individual parish keeps records of baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages and funerals. Contact the parish to obtain these records.
  • Institutional Records Search here for location of records for closed and merged parishes.

The Albany Diocese includes the counties of: Albany, Columbia, Delaware, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton(part), Herkimer (part), Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington.[2]

Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens Archives
310 Prospect Park West
Brooklyn, New York 11215
Phone: (718) 965-7300

  • Parish Locator Each individual parish keeps records of baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages and funerals. Contact the parish to obtain these records.
  • Genealogical FAQ's

The Brooklyn Diocese includes the counties of: Brooklyn and Queens.

Diocese of Buffalo
795 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: (716) 847-8700

  • Directory of Parishes Parishes are listed at the end after all the offices and departments. Each individual parish keeps records of baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages and funerals. Contact the parish to obtain these records.

The Buffalo Diocese includes the counties of: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming.

Archdiocese of New York Archives
1011 First Avenue
New York City, New York 10022
Phone: (212) 371-1000

"The most frequent reference requests we get here at the Archives are of a genealogical nature. Until now, the Archives did not hold any sacramental requests and had to direct researchers to parishes throughout the Archdiocese. We are delighted to announce the first stage in making these records more readily available for all researchers. We have worked with Findmypast, a family history company, to digitize and make searchable all baptismal and marriage records of the Archdiocese prior to 1918. To explore the records, visit the Catholic Heritage Archive. A list of all of the parishes included in the project can be found here.
  • Parish Finder Each individual parish keeps records of baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages and funerals. Contact the parish to obtain these records.

The New York Diocese includes the counties of: Bronx, Dutchess, Manhattan, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Staten Island, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

Diocese of Ogdensburg
PO Box 369
622 Washington Street
Ogdensburg, NY 13669
Phone: (315) 393-2920

  • Churches Each individual parish keeps records of baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages and funerals. Contact the parish to obtain these records.

The Ogdensburg Diocese includes the counties of: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton (part), Herkimer(part), Jefferson, Lewis (part) and St. Lawrence.

Diocese of Rochester
1150 Buffalo Rd.
Rochester, New York 14624
Phone: (585) 328-3210

  • Parish Locator Each individual parish keeps records of baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages and funerals. Contact the parish to obtain these records.

The Rochester Diocese includes the counties of: Cayuga, Chemung, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne and Yates.

Diocese of Rockville Centre Archives
PO Box 9023
Rockville Centre, New York 11571-9023
Phone: (516) 678-5800
Email: archives@drvc.org

  • Parish Finder Each individual parish keeps records of baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages and funerals. Contact the parish to obtain these records.

The Diocese includes the counties of: Nassau and Suffolk on Long Island.

Diocese of Syracuse Archives
240 East Onondaga St.
Syracuse, New York 13201
Phone: (315) 422-7203

  • Find-a-Parish Each individual parish keeps records of baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages and funerals. Contact the parish to obtain these records.

The Syracuse Diocese includes the counties of: Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Lewis (part), Madison, Oneida, Onondaga and Oswego.

Society of Friends (Quakers)[edit | edit source]

  • Quaker Census of 1828: Members of the New York Yearly Meeting, the Religious Society of Friends of New York, Ontario, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Quebec, at the Time of the Separation of 1828 Fay, Loren V., editor. Rhinebeck, N.Y.: Knshp, 1989 and is available in the FS Library Collection. Use this to determine the monthly meeting a person attended. It includes name, age, and family group.
    • To locate a copy nearest you, use WorldCat.

Consult the PERSI index for records published in journals.[edit | edit source]

PERiodical Source Index (PERSI) at Allen County Public Library; indexPERSI is an index to family and local history periodicals from 1847 to the present. Many of these periodicals publish church records. If you locate an index entry for a church, you will then need to find the periodical. Use the WorldCat.org search engine to find a library near you that carries the periodical. Library reference desks can be contacted to request a copy of articles, or you may need to hire a researcher.

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

Some church records have been given to historical societies. Also, historical societies may be able to tell you where the records are being held. To find a society near you, consult these lists:
Many church records have been copied and filed with the Daughters of the American Revolution Cemetery, Church, and Town Records, described in New York Genealogy.

Next, go to the Wiki article for your ancestors' denomination.[edit | edit source]

There are frequently additional, nationwide or regional archives and online collections for each denomination. Find the article for your ancestors' denomination and follow the instructions there to access these sources.

Major U.S. Religious Denominations



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

You will possibly find many different people with the same name as your ancestor, especially when a family stayed in a locality for several generations, and several children were named after the grandparents or aunts and uncles. Be prepared to find the correct church records by organizing in advance as many of these exact details about the ancestor as possible:

  • name, including middle name and maiden name
  • names of all spouses, including middle and maiden name
  • exact or closely estimated dates of birth, marriage, and death
  • names and approximate birthdates of children
  • all known places of residence
  • occupations
  • military service details


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[edit | edit source]

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