Indiana Church Records: Difference between revisions

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== Online Resources ==
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<center>'''For greater success, use all the Wiki Articles in this series:'''</center>
*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?|'''What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?''']]
*[[Determining the Church Your Ancestor Attended|'''Determining the Church Your Ancestor Attended''']]
*[[How to Find Church Records in the United States|'''How to Find Church Records in the United States''']]
*[[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''Searching for Church Records by Denomination''' ]]
*[[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by U.S. State|'''Searching for Church Records by U.S. State''']]
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==Historical Background==
Before 1900, the largest religious groups in Indiana were the [[Roman Catholic Church in the United States|Roman Catholic]], [[Methodist Church in the United States|Methodist Episcopal]], Christian (Disciples of Christ), and [[Baptist Church in the United States|Baptist]] churches.<ref>William Chamberlin Hunt and United States Bureau of the Census, ''Religious Bodies: 1906'' (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1910), Vol. 1:309-311. Digital version at [http://books.google.com/books?id=Z6ZdiZWeStAC Google Books].</ref>


*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60715 Indiana, United Methodist Church Records, 1837-1970], index and images, ($)
==Information Found in the Records==
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8211 Indiana, Selected Quaker Meeting Directories, 1836-1921], ($), index/images.
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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*[[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]]
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*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Minutes or Historical Narrative|Minutes or Historical Narrative]]
|}


==Finding the Records==


Church records and the information they provide vary greatly, depending upon the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members (age; dates of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information; maiden name of wife; and death date), names of other relatives who were witnesses, or names of members of the congregation. The members of some churches were predominately of one nationality or ethnic group.


Before 1900, the largest religious groups in Indiana were the [[Roman Catholic Church in the United States|Roman Catholic]], [[Methodist Church in the United States|Methodist Episcopal]], Christian (Disciples of Christ), and [[Baptist Church in the United States|Baptist]] churches.<ref>William Chamberlin Hunt and United States Bureau of the Census, ''Religious Bodies: 1906'' (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1910), Vol. 1:309-311. Digital version at [http://books.google.com/books?id=Z6ZdiZWeStAC Google Books].</ref>
===Look for online records.===


For the historical background of religious groups in Indiana, see: {{Adoption Indiana Genealogical Society}}
<br>


*Rudolph, L. C. ''Hoosier Faiths: A History of Indiana Churches and Religious Groups''. Bloomington, Ind.: Indiana University Press, 1995. {{FHL|689155|item}} book 977.2 K2ru. This describes general history and Indiana history, and includes biographies of significant local leaders of 50 major religious groups. It is indexed.
{|
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[[File:Caution sign.png|70px]]
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Online databases are <span style="color:Red">'''incomplete'''</span>. This can lead to two common errors:
#'''Near matches:''' Researchers might <span style="color:Red">'''mistakenly accept an entry very similar to their ancestor'''</span>, thinking it is the only one available. Only use information that matches your ancestor in date, place, relationships, and other details.
#'''Stopping research''': Researchers might <span style="color:Red">'''assume the database proves church records do not exist'''</span>.  Actually the record is still out there, just not in this <span style="color:Red">'''incomplete'''</span> collection of records.  Keep searching!
|}
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/455899 Church records found in State of Indiana, Daughters of the American Revolution]
*'''1743-1966''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2790248 Indiana, Church Records, 1743-1966], index, and some images. Incomplete.
*'''1773-1933''' {{RecordSearch|1674814|Indiana, Births and Christenings, 1773-1933}} at FamilySearch - [[Indiana Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index; ''Also at: [https://www.americanancestors.org/search/databasesearch/1609/indiana-births-and-christenings-1773-1933 American Ancestors] ($), [http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/indiana-births-and-christenings-1773-1933 Findmypast] ($), [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30187/indiana-births-christenings-1773-1933?s=209190711 MyHeritage] ($)''
*'''1780-1992''' {{RecordSearch|1674830|Indiana, marriages, 1780-1992}}, indes. - [[Indiana Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
====Dutch Reformed====
*[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60767/ U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Membership Records, 1856-1970], index & images ($). Incomplete.
*[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60524/ U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Vital Records, 1856-1970], index & images ($). Incomplete.
====Lutheran====
*'''1781-1969'''  - [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60722/ U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969], index and images, incomplete.($)


Transcripts of many Indiana church records, including over 175,000 indexed names, are published in:
====Methodist====
*'''1837-1970''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60715 Indiana, United Methodist Church Records, 1837-1970], index & images ($) Card index to memoirs of Methodist ministers


*Heiss, Willard et al. ''Indiana Source Book: Genealogical Material from the Hoosier Genealogist.'' 10 vols. Indianapolis, Ind.: Indiana Historical Society, Family History Section, 1977-. {{FHL|360073|item}} book 977.2 D29h v. 1
====Presbyterian====
*[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61048/ U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970], index & images ($). Incomplete.
====Quaker====
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1674814 Abstracts of the records of the Society of Friends in Indiana]
*'''1681-1935''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2189/ U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935], index & images ($). Incomplete.
*'''1836-1921''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8211 Indiana, Selected Quaker Meeting Directories, 1836-1921] ($), index/images.


Protestant church records are a prime source for identifying the German hometowns and villages of American immigrants, see:  
===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=15&query=%2Bplace%3A%22United%20States%2C%20Indiana%22 '''records of United States, Indiana'''].
:::b. Click on '''Places within United States, Indiana''' 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, Indiana [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.===


*Minert, Roger P. et al.&nbsp;[http://www.pictonpress.com/store/show/1811 ''German Immigrants in American Church Records'']''.''&nbsp;Rockport, Maine: Picton Press, 2005. {{FHL|1316260|item}} book 973 W23g v. 1. Volume 1 covers Indiana Protestant records (primarily Lutheran records).
'''These aids generally provide lists of records that are known to exist and information on their location.'''
====Online====
*Heiss, Willard et al. [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/360073 ''Indiana Source Book: Genealogical Material from the Hoosier Genealogist.''] 10 vols. Indianapolis, Ind.: Indiana Historical Society, Family History Section, 1977-. {{FSC|360073|item}} book 977.2 D29h v. 1
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/150928''A Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations in Indiana'']. 3 vols. Indianapolis, Ind.: Historical Records Survey, 1941. Volume one pertains to Marion County. Volume two is for the Calumet Region (Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties). Volume three pertains to Northern Indiana, part one: Adventist Bodies-Mennonite Bodies; part two: Methodist- Y.W.C.A. In addition to an index to churches in Indiana, there is an index of denominations that includes the name and location of the churches.
*[https://indianahistory.org/wp-content/uploads/Hoosier-Baptist-Records-Roster-1.pdf 'A Roster of Baptist Associations in the State of Indiana]


The [[Family History Library|Family History Library]] has some church records and published histories. These include “pastor pocket records” kept by early circuit riders, and abstracts of numerous records of the Society of Friends. The following directories may help you find church records.  
====Books====
*Rudolph, L. C. and Judith E. Endelman. ''Religion in Indiana: A Guide to Historical Resources''. Bloomington, Ind.: Indiana Univ. Press, 1986. {{FSC|449816|item}} book 977.2 K23r. This book contains an excellent bibliography of published works, a list of repositories for the different denominations, and histories of congregations.
*Rudolph, L. C. ''Hoosier Faiths: A History of Indiana Churches and Religious Groups''. Bloomington, Ind.: Indiana University Press, 1995. {{FSC|689155|item}} book 977.2 K2ru. This describes general history and Indiana history, and includes biographies of significant local leaders of 50 major religious groups. It is indexed.


*[http://www.worldcatlibraries.org/wcpa/top3mset/3764551 ''A Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations in Indiana'']. 3 vols. Indianapolis, Ind.: Historical Records Survey, 1941. {{FHL|150928|item}} book 977.2 K24d; vols. 2 &amp; 3 on film{{FHL|150928|item}} film 1036694. The Family History Library does not have volume one, which pertains to Marion County. Volume two is for the Calumet Region (Lake, Porter, and LaPorte Counties). Volume three pertains to Northern Indiana, part one: Adventist Bodies-Mennonite Bodies; part two: Methodist- Y.W.C.A. In addition to an index to churches in Indiana, there is an index of denominations that includes the name and location of the churches.  
===Correspond with or visit the actual churches.===
*Rudolph, L. C. and Judith E. Endelman. ''Religion in Indiana: A Guide to Historical Resources''. Bloomington, Ind.: Indiana Univ. Press, 1986. {{FHL|449816|item}} book 977.2 K23r. This book contains an excellent bibliography of published works, a list of repositories for the different denominations, and histories of congregations.
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.


For brief histories and addresses of the various church denominations in Indiana, see pages 76–89 of:
===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>


*Robinson, Mona Robinson. ''Who’s Your Hoosier Ancestor?: Genealogy For Beginners.'' Bloomington, Ind.: Indiana University Press, 1992.&nbsp;{{FHL|567195|item}} book 977.2 D27r
<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>


=== Amish  ===
[http://www.indgensoc.org/ '''Indiana Genealogical Society''']<br>
<div style="width: 100%; float: left">
P.O. Box 10507<br>
Elkhart and Lagrange Counties in northeastern Indiana are home to the third largest concentration of Amish in North America. The Amish, or “plain people,” are a derivative of the Anabaptist heritage resulting from a division in the Mennonite churches of Europe in the 17th century. The [http://www.mennohof.org/ Mennof-Hof Amish and Mennonite Information Center] (510 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana, 46565-8983; 260-768-4117) tells the history of the Amish and Mennonite people.
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46852-0507<br>
*[http://www.indgensoc.org/board.php '''Directory of Regional Contacts''']


The Amish in several communities in Indiana have published directories of their communities at regular intervals from the 1980s to the present, including Elkhart-Lagrange-Noble Counties, Adams-Jay Counties, and Nappannee-Kokomo-Milroy. These volumes feature a wealth of information for each family, including husband’s name, wife’s maiden name, the names of each spouse’s parents, children’s names, dates of birth for each individual, children’s marriage partners, the family address, husband’s occupation, and notations of whether each child is living at home, married and living within the community, married and living in another Amish community, single and living outside the family home, or has left the Amish faith. The directories also include history of the communities and maps showing locations of Amish homesteads and schools.
*[http://www.indgensoc.org/membersonly/databases_free.pdf '''List of free databases''']
*[http://www.indgensoc.org/membersonly/databases_premium.pdf '''List of premium databases'''] ($)
----


Goshen College (1700 S. Main St., Goshen 46526) is home to the [http://www.mcusa-archives.org/ Mennonite Church USA Archives-Goshen] (Newcomer Center; 574-523-3080; toll-free 866-866-2872 ext. 23080; email [mailto:History@MennoniteUSA.org History@MennoniteUSA.org]) The archives houses the official records of the Mennonite Church and personal papers of Mennonites, Hutterites, Amish and other Anabaptist groups. Complementing the Archives is the [http://www.goshen.edu/mhl/Home/ Mennonite Historical Library] (Good Library, third floor; 574-535-7418; email [mailto:mhl@goshen.edu mhl@goshen.edu]). The collection of the Mennonite Historical Library includes genealogy resources, history books and Mennonite periodicals.  
====Amish====
Elkhart and Lagrange Counties in northeastern Indiana are home to the third largest concentration of Amish in North America.  
=====Community Directories=====
*[https://amishamerica.com/amish-directories/ '''All About Amish Directories''']
The Amish in several communities in Indiana have published directories of their communities at regular intervals from the 1980s to the present, including [https://www.worldcat.org/title/indiana-amish-directory-elkhart-lagrange-and-noble-counties/oclc/669455401 '''Elkhart-Lagrange-Noble Counties'''], [https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Indiana+Amish+directory+%3A+Adams+County+and+vicinity&qt=results_page '''Adams-Jay Counties'''], [https://www.worldcat.org/title/amish-directory-allen-county/oclc/1098213689&referer=brief_results '''Allen County and Vicinity''''], and [https://www.worldcat.org/title/amish-mennonite-directory-nappanee-indiana-volume-one/oclc/13943298 '''Nappannee-Kokomo-Milroy'''.] These volumes feature a wealth of information for each family, including husband’s name, wife’s maiden name, the names of each spouse’s parents, children’s names, dates of birth for each individual, children’s marriage partners, the family address, husband’s occupation, and notations of whether each child is living at home, married and living within the community, married and living in another Amish community, single and living outside the family home, or has left the Amish faith. The directories also include history of the communities and maps showing locations of Amish homesteads and schools.


Two colleges that participate in the Private Academic Library Network of Indiana (PALNI) have Mennonite-Anabaptist tradition and may be resources for records of or about these denominations in Indiana. These are [http://www.ambs.edu/library/ Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary] (3003 Benham Ave., Elkhart, 46517; phone 574-296-6253) and [http://www.goshen.edu/library/ Goshen College] (1700 S. Main St., Goshen, 46256; 574-535-7427). Their catalogs may be searched collectively by using the [http://www.palni.edu PALNI online catalog.]
=====Amish Archives=====
'''Mennonite Historical Library'''<br>
Harold and Wilma Good Library<br>
Goshen College<br>
1700 South Main Street<br>
Goshen, Indiana 46526<br>
<br>


=== Baptist  ===
Phone: (574) 535-7418<br>
Fax: (574) 535-7438<br>
Email: mhl@goshen.edu<br>
*[https://www.goshen.edu/mhl/ '''Website''']<br>
The archives houses the official records of the Mennonite Church and personal papers of Mennonites, Hutterites, Amish and other Anabaptist groups. <br>
<br>
'''Mennonite Historical Library'''<br>
Harold and Wilma Good Library<br>
Goshen College<br>
1700 South Main Street<br>
Goshen, Indiana 46526<br>
<br>


[[Image:Indiana churches.png|thumb|right|500px|Indiana churches.png]] Indiana Baptist Collection <br>[http://www.franklincollege.edu/ Franklin College Library ]<br>101 Branigin Blvd<br>Franklin, IN 46131-2623<br>Phone: (317) 738-8162 or 1-(800) 852-0232<br>Fax: (317) 738-8787<br>Email: [mailto:library@franklincollege.edu library@franklincollege.edu]
Phone: (574) 535-7418<br>
Fax: (574) 535-7438<br>
Email: mhl@goshen.edu<br>
The collection of the Mennonite Historical Library includes genealogy resources, history books and Mennonite periodicals.  
<br>


An 1899 directory of Baptist ministers lists biographical details about many ministers born or serving in the state:<ref>Davis points out that not all ministers participated, see: Robert S. Davis, "Some Baptist Ministers of South Carolina at the Turn of the Century," ''The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research,'' Vol. 32, No. 1 (Winter 2004):13-22. {{FHL|43856|item|disp=FHL Book 975.7 B2sc v. 32}}</ref>  
'''Mennonite Church USA Archives'''<br>
3145 Benham Ave, Suite 1<br>
Elkhart, IN 46517<br>
<br>
Telephone: 574-523-3080<br>
*[http://mennoniteusa.org/what-we-do/archives/ '''Website''']
<br>


*''The Ministerial Directory of the Baptist Churches in the United States of America.'' Oxford, Ohio: Ministerial Directory Co., 1899. Digital version at [http://books.google.com/books?id=f9gpAAAAYAAJ Google Books].
====Baptist====
*'''1750-1899''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62267/ U.S., Southern Baptist Church Records, 1750-1899] at Ancestry - index & images ($)
'''Indiana Baptist Collection''' <br>[http://library.franklincollege.edu/ Franklin College Library] <br>101 Branigin Blvd<br>Franklin, IN 46131-2623<br>Phone: (317) 738-8162 or 1-(800) 852-0232<br>Fax: (317) 738-8787<br>Email: [mailto:library@franklincollege.edu library@franklincollege.edu]


=== Church of Christ  ===
*See also: [https://books.google.com/books?id=f9gpAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false ''The Ministerial Directory of the Baptist Churches in the United States of America.''] Oxford, Ohio: Ministerial Directory Co., 1899.<ref>Davis points out that not all ministers participated, see: Robert S. Davis, "Some Baptist Ministers of South Carolina at the Turn of the Century," ''The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research,'' Vol. 32, No. 1 (Winter 2004):13-22. {{FSC|43856|item|disp=FS Library Book 975.7 B2sc v. 32}}</ref>


*Indiana Delegates to Church of Christ Convention, Danville (1916) (members only database, [http://www.indgensoc.org Indiana Genealogical Society])
====Disciples of Christ====


=== Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) ===
[http://www.libdex.com/country/usa/indiana/indianapolis/library_24719.html '''Christian Theological Seminary Library'''] <br>1000 W. 42nd St. <br>Indianapolis, IN 46208 <br>Phone: (317) 924-1331 <br>Fax: (317) 923-1961<br>


Early church records, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for&nbsp;Indiana 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 FamilySearch 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 book 979.2258 A3j; fiche 6031507). These volumes contain the film numbers for many (but not all) membership and temple record films.  
====Lutheran====
[http://www.capital.edu/elca-region-6-archives/ '''ELCA Region 6 Archives''']<br>
Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University<br>
2199 East Main Street<br>
Columbus, OH 43209-2334<br>
<br>
Phone: (614) 236-6855<br>
E-mail: reg6archives@capital.edu<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.''']]


=== Disciples of Christ  ===
====Methodist====
[http://www.depauw.edu/library/archives/ '''Archives of DePauw University and Indiana United Methodism''']<br>Roy O. West Library <br>11 E Larabee St <br>P.O. Box 37<br>Greencastle, IN 46135-0037<br>Phone: (765) 658-4406 <br>Fax: (765) 658-4423 <br>E-mail: [mailto:archives@depauw.edu archives@depauw.edu]


[http://www.libdex.com/country/usa/indiana/indianapolis/library_24719.html Christian Theological Seminary Library ]<br>1000 W. 42nd St. <br>Indianapolis, IN 46208 <br>Phone: (317) 924-1331 <br>Fax: (317) 923-1961<br>
The FamilySearch Library has some Indiana Methodist histories and church records. Try a title search in the FamilySearch Catalog for "Indiana Methodist"


=== Episcopal  ===
*Deceased Ministers of Norwest Indiana Conference, Methodist Church (1854-1898) (members only database, [http://www.indgensoc.org Indiana Genealogical Society])
 
*Clergy of Indiana Diocese, Episcopal Church (1838-1888) (members only database, [http://www.indgensoc.org Indiana Genealogical Society])
*Ministers of Indiana Conference, Episcopal Church (1888) (members only database, [http://www.indgensoc.org Indiana Genealogical Society])
 
=== Lutheran  ===
 
[http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/History/ELCA-Archives.aspx Archives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]<br>321 Bonnie Lane, <br>Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
 
Alternate mailing address:<br>8765 W. Higgins Rd.<br>Chicago, IL 60631 <br>(Appointments in advance of visits is advised)
 
Phone: (847) 690-9410<br>Fax: (847) 690-9502<br>E-mail: [mailto:archives@elca.org archives@elca.org]
 
[http://www.elca.org/os/archives/geneal.html This] archive has microfilms of German, Danish, and Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran congregations. Many of their records can be borrowed on microfilm for a small fee. You can write to ask if they have records of a specific congregation. For information about lists of some of the church records in their collection, see [[United States Church Records]].
 
*Ministers of Indiana Conference, Evangelical Church (1915) (members only database, [http://www.indgensoc.org Indiana Genealogical Society])
 
=== Methodist  ===
 
<br>[http://www.depauw.edu/library/archives/ Archives of DePauw University and Indiana United Methodism]<br>Roy O. West Library <br>11 E Larabee St <br>P.O. Box 37<br>Greencastle, IN 46135-0037<br>Phone: (765) 658-4406 <br>Fax: (765) 658-4423 <br>E-mail: [mailto:archives@depauw.edu archives@depauw.edu]
 
The Family History Library has some Indiana Methodist histories and church records. Try a title search in the FamilySearch Catalog for "Indiana Methodist"
 
*Deceased Ministers of Norwest Indiana Conference, Methodist Church (1854-1898) (members only database, [http://www.indgensoc.org Indiana Genealogical Society])  
*Deceased Ministers of Northern Indiana Conference, Methodist Church (1844-1916) (members only database, [http://www.indgensoc.org Indiana Genealogical Society])
*Deceased Ministers of Northern Indiana Conference, Methodist Church (1844-1916) (members only database, [http://www.indgensoc.org Indiana Genealogical Society])


=== Moravian  ===
====Presbyterian====


[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://libguides.hanover.edu/c.php?g=497344&p=4691370 '''Archives of the Presbyterian Church of Indiana''']<br>Duggan Library <br>P.O. Box 287 <br>Hanover, IN 47243-0287 <br>Phone: (812) 866-7165 <br>Fax: (812) 866-7172 <br>


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.]
====Roman Catholic====
[[File:Dark_thin_font_green_pin_Version_4.png|50px]]<span style="color:DarkViolet">'''The records of all four Roman Catholic dioceses in Indiana are available on digitized microfilm at the [[Indiana Church Records#Look for digital copies of church records listed in the FamilySearch Catalog.|'''FamilySearch Library''']]. These records include the dioceses of Evansville, Fort Wayne-South Bend, Gary, and Lafayette, plus the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, all to about 1916. They have been digitized and can be used at a [[FamilySearch Centers|FamilySearch Center]] near you.'''  </span><br>
----
[https://www.archindy.org/archives/ '''Archdiocese of Indianapolis Archives''']<br>
1400 N. Meridian Street<br>
Indianapolis, IN 46202<br>
Phone:800-382-9836 <br>
*[https://www.archindy.org/archives/research.html '''Research in the Archives''']
*[https://www.archindy.org/archives/genealogy.html '''Genealogy Services''']
:The Archives can respond to genealogical research requests that take less than 1 hour to complete, with a maximum of 6 requests permitted each year.  The archives has some older sacramental records, but it is not a complete listing for each parish.  There is no single database containing sacramental records that is searchable by name. The archives can provide copies of available sacramental records originating prior to 1930. Sacramental records for individuals who are or may still be living are considered confidential; requests for these records must be [https://www.archindy.org/parishes/index.html '''directed to the parish'''] and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  
<br>


Mission records are also available in the {{FHL|301362|item}}. The records are indexed in the {{FHL|53079|item}}Book 970.1 F642i.  
:The Archdiocese includes the counties of: [[Bartholomew County, Indiana Genealogy|Bartholomew]], [[Brown County, Indiana Genealogy|Brown]], [[Clark County, Indiana Genealogy|Clark]], [[Crawford County, Indiana Genealogy|Crawford]], [[Dearborn County, Indiana Genealogy|Dearborn]], [[Decatur County, Indiana Genealogy|Decatur]], [[Fayette County, Indiana Genealogy|Fayette]], [[Floyd County, Indiana Genealogy|Floyd]], [[Franklin County, Indiana Genealogy|Franklin]], [[Hancock County, Indiana Genealogy|Hancock]], [[Harrison County, Indiana Genealogy|Harrison]], [[Hendricks County, Indiana Genealogy|Hendricks]], [[Henry County, Indiana Genealogy|Henry]], [[Jackson County, Indiana Genealogy|Jackson]], [[Jefferson County, Indiana Genealogy|Jefferson]], [[Jennings County, Indiana Genealogy|Jennings]], [[Johnson County, Indiana Genealogy|Johnson]], [[Lawrence County, Indiana Genealogy|Lawrence]], [[Marion County, Indiana Genealogy|Marion]], [[Monroe County, Indiana Genealogy|Monroe]], [[Morgan County, Indiana Genealogy|Morgan]], [[Ohio County, Indiana Genealogy|Ohio]], [[Orange County, Indiana Genealogy|Orange]], [[Owen County, Indiana Genealogy|Owen]], [[Parke County, Indiana Genealogy|Parke]], [[Perry County, Indiana Genealogy|Perry]], [[Putnam County, Indiana Genealogy|Putnam]], [[Ripley County, Indiana Genealogy|Ripley]], [[Rush County, Indiana Genealogy|Rush]], [[Scott County, Indiana Genealogy|Scott]], [[Shelby County, Indiana Genealogy|Shelby]], [[Switzerland County, Indiana Genealogy|Switzerland]], [[Union County, Indiana Genealogy|Union]], [[Vermillion County, Indiana Genealogy|Vermillion]], [[Washington County, Indiana Genealogy|Washington]], and [[Wayne County, Indiana Genealogy|Wayne]].<ref name="rome" />
----
[http://www.evdio.org/chancellor.html '''Diocese of Evansville''']<br>4200 N. Kentucky Ave.<br>P.O. Box 4169<br>Evansville, IN 47724-0169<br>Phone: (812) 424-5536
*'''Records for the Diocese of Evansville have been digitized and can be used at a [[FamilySearch Centers|FamilySearch Center]] near you.''' For recent records not digitized, [http://www.evdio.org/parishes-map.html '''contact each local parish.''']


=== Presbyterian  ===
:The diocese includes the counties of: [[Daviess County, Indiana Genealogy|Daviess]], [[Dubois County, Indiana Genealogy|Dubois]], [[Gibson County, Indiana Genealogy|Gibson]], [[Greene County, Indiana Genealogy|Greene]], [[Knox County, Indiana Genealogy|Knox]], [[Martin County, Indiana Genealogy|Martin]], [[Pike County, Indiana Genealogy|Pike]], [[Posey County, Indiana Genealogy|Posey]], [[Spencer County, Indiana Genealogy|Spencer]], [[Sullivan County, Indiana Genealogy|Sullivan]], [[Vanderburgh County, Indiana Genealogy|Vanderburgh]], and [[Warrick County, Indiana Genealogy|Warrick]].<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>
----
[http://www.diocesefwsb.org/diocesan-offices/diocesan-archives/ '''Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend''']<br>Archbishop Noll Catholic Center,<br>915 South Clinton<br>P.O. Box 390<br>Fort Wayne, IN 46801<br>Phone: (260) 422-4611
*'''Records for the Dioceses of Fort Wayne-South Bend have been digitized and can be used at a [[FamilySearch Centers|FamilySearch Center]] near you.''' For recent records not digitized, [http://www.diocesefwsb.org/Find-a-Parish '''contact each local parish.''']


[http://library.hanover.edu/presbyterian.html Archives of the Presbyterian Church of Indiana]<br>Duggan Library <br>P.O. Box 287 <br>Hanover, IN 47243-0287 <br>Phone: (812) 866-7165 <br>Fax: (812) 866-7172 <br>
:The diocese includes the counties of: [[Adams County, Indiana Genealogy|Adams]], [[Allen County, Indiana Genealogy|Allen]], [[DeKalb County, Indiana Genealogy|Dekalb]], [[Elkhart County, Indiana Genealogy|Elkhart]], [[Huntington County, Indiana Genealogy|Huntington]], [[Kosciusko County, Indiana Genealogy|Kosciusko]], [[LaGrange County, Indiana Genealogy|LaGrange]], [[Marshall County, Indiana Genealogy|Marshall]], [[Noble County, Indiana Genealogy|Noble]], [[Steuben County, Indiana Genealogy|Steuben]], [[St. Joseph County, Indiana Genealogy|St. Joseph]], [[Wabash County, Indiana Genealogy|Wabash]], [[Wells County, Indiana Genealogy|Wells]] and [[Whitley County, Indiana Genealogy|Whitley]].<ref name="rome" />
----
[http://www.dcgary.org/ '''Diocese of Gary''']<br>9292 Broadway<br>Merrillville, IN 46410<br>Phone: (219) 769-9292
*'''Records for the Dioceses of Gary have been digitized and can be used at a [[FamilySearch Centers|FamilySearch Center]] near you.''' For recent records not digitized, [https://supportyourparish.org/gary-in '''contact each local parish.''']


=== Roman Catholic  ===
:The diocese includes the counties of: [[Lake County, Indiana Genealogy|Lake]], [[LaPorte County, Indiana Genealogy|LaPorte]], [[Porter County, Indiana Genealogy|Porter]] and [[Starke County, Indiana Genealogy|Starke]].<ref name="rome" />
----
[https://dol-in.org/ '''Diocese of Lafayette''']<br>P.O. Box 260<br>Lafayette, IN 47902-0260<br>Phone: (765) 742-4852
*'''Records for the Diocese of Lafayette have been digitized and can be used at a [[FamilySearch Centers|FamilySearch Center]] near you.''' For recent records not digitized, contact each local parish.


[http://www.nd.edu/ University of Notre Dame Archives]<br>607 Hesburgh Library<br>Notre Dame, IN 46556 <br>Phone: (574) 631-6448<br>Fax: (574) 631-7980<br>E-mail: [mailto:archives@nd.edu archives@nd.edu]
:The diocese includes the counties of: [[Benton County, Indiana Genealogy|Benton]], [[Blackford County, Indiana Genealogy|Blackford]], [[Boone County, Indiana Genealogy|Boone]], [[Carroll County, Indiana Genealogy|Carroll]], [[Cass County, Indiana Genealogy|Cass]], [[Clinton County, Indiana Genealogy|Clinton]], [[Delaware County, Indiana Genealogy|Delaware]], [[Fountain County, Indiana Genealogy|Fountain]], [[Fulton County, Indiana Genealogy|Fulton]], [[Grant County, Indiana Genealogy|Grant]], [[Hamilton County, Indiana Genealogy|Hamilton]], [[Howard County, Indiana Genealogy|Howard]],[[Jasper County, Indiana Genealogy|Jasper]], [[Jay County, Indiana Genealogy|Jay]], [[Madison County, Indiana Genealogy|Madison]], [[Miami County, Indiana Genealogy|Miami]], [[Montgomery County, Indiana Genealogy|Montgomery]], [[Newton County, Indiana Genealogy|Newton]], [[Pulaski County, Indiana Genealogy|Pulaski]], [[Randolph County, Indiana Genealogy|Randolph]], [[Tippecanoe County, Indiana Genealogy|Tippecanoe]], [[Tipton County, Indiana Genealogy|Tipton]], [[Warren County, Indiana Genealogy|Warren]], and [[White County, Indiana Genealogy|White]].<ref name="rome" />  


The records of all four Roman Catholic dioceses in Indiana are available on microfilm at the [[Family History Library|Family History Library]]. These records include the dioceses of Evansville, Fort Wayne-South Bend, Gary, and Lafayette, plus the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, all to about 1916. The early church records of Vincennes, in what is now Knox County, have been microfilmed and are available at the Family History Library.
<br>


[http://www.evansville-diocese.org/ Diocese of Evansville]<br>4200 N. Kentucky Ave.<br>P.O. Box 4169<br>Evansville, IN 47724-0169<br>Phone: (812) 424-5536
-----
 
*[https://archivesspace.library.nd.edu/repositories/2/archival_objects/615460 '''Parish and Institutional Records Collection: Manuscripts and Microfilm'''] This page lists the parish records held in the collection.<br>
The diocese includes the counties of: [[Daviess County, Indiana Genealogy|Daviess]], [[Dubois County, Indiana Genealogy|Dubois]], [[Gibson County, Indiana Genealogy|Gibson]], [[Greene County, Indiana Genealogy|Greene]], [[Knox County, Indiana Genealogy|Knox]], [[Martin County, Indiana Genealogy|Martin]], [[Pike County, Indiana Genealogy|Pike]], [[Posey County, Indiana Genealogy|Posey]], [[Spencer County, Indiana Genealogy|Spencer]], [[Sullivan County, Indiana Genealogy|Sullivan]], [[Vanderburgh County, Indiana Genealogy|Vanderburgh]], and [[Warrick County, Indiana Genealogy|Warrick]].<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>
 
[http://www.diocesefwsb.org/diocesan-offices/diocesan-archives/ Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend]<br>Archbishop Noll Catholic Center,<br>915 South Clinton<br>P.O. Box 390<br>Fort Wayne, IN 46801<br>Phone: (260) 422-4611
 
The diocese includes the counties of: [[Adams County, Indiana Genealogy|Adams]], [[Allen County, Indiana Genealogy|Allen]], [[DeKalb County, Indiana Genealogy|Dekalb]], [[Elkhart County, Indiana Genealogy|Elkhart]], [[Huntington County, Indiana Genealogy|Huntington]], [[Kosciusko County, Indiana Genealogy|Kosciusko]], [[LaGrange County, Indiana Genealogy|LaGrange]], [[Marshall County, Indiana Genealogy|Marshall]], [[Noble County, Indiana Genealogy|Noble]], [[Steuben County, Indiana Genealogy|Steuben]], [[St. Joseph County, Indiana Genealogy|St. Joseph]], [[Wabash County, Indiana Genealogy|Wabash]], [[Wells County, Indiana Genealogy|Wells]] and [[Whitley County, Indiana Genealogy|Whitley]].<ref name="rome" />
 
[http://www.dcgary.org/ Diocese of Gary]<br>9292 Broadway<br>Merrillville, IN 46410<br>Phone: (219) 769-9292
 
The diocese includes the counties of: [[Lake County, Indiana Genealogy|Lake]], [[La Porte County, Indiana Genealogy|La Porte]], [[Porter County, Indiana Genealogy|Porter]] and [[Starke County, Indiana Genealogy|Starke]].<ref name="rome" />
 
[http://www.archindy.org/archives/index.html Archdiocese of Indianaplolis]<br>1400 N. Meridian Street<br>Indianapolis, IN 46202<br>Phone: (800) 382-9836
 
The Archdiocese includes the counties of: [[Bartholomew County, Indiana Genealogy|Bartholomew]], [[Brown County, Indiana Genealogy|Brown]], [[Clark County, Indiana Genealogy|Clark]], [[Crawford County, Indiana Genealogy|Crawford]], [[Dearborn County, Indiana Genealogy|Dearborn]], [[Decatur County, Indiana Genealogy|Decatur]], [[Fayette County, Indiana Genealogy|Fayette]], [[Floyd County, Indiana Genealogy|Floyd]], [[Franklin County, Indiana Genealogy|Franklin]], [[Hancock County, Indiana Genealogy|Hancock]], [[Harrison County, Indiana Genealogy|Harrison]], [[Hendricks County, Indiana Genealogy|Hendricks]], [[Henry County, Indiana Genealogy|Henry]], [[Jackson County, Indiana Genealogy|Jackson]], [[Jefferson County, Indiana Genealogy|Jefferson]], [[Jennings County, Indiana Genealogy|Jennings]], [[Johnson County, Indiana Genealogy|Johnson]], [[Lawrence County, Indiana Genealogy|Lawrence]], [[Marion County, Indiana Genealogy|Marion]], [[Monroe County, Indiana Genealogy|Monroe]], [[Morgan County, Indiana Genealogy|Morgan]], [[Ohio County, Indiana Genealogy|Ohio]], [[Orange County, Indiana Genealogy|Orange]], [[Owen County, Indiana Genealogy|Owen]], [[Parke County, Indiana Genealogy|Parke]], [[Perry County, Indiana Genealogy|Perry]], [[Putnam County, Indiana Genealogy|Putnam]], [[Ripley County, Indiana Genealogy|Ripley]], [[Rush County, Indiana Genealogy|Rush]], [[Scott County, Indiana Genealogy|Scott]], [[Shelby County, Indiana Genealogy|Shelby]], [[Switzerland County, Indiana Genealogy|Switzerland]], [[Union County, Indiana Genealogy|Union]], [[Vermillion County, Indiana Genealogy|Vermillion]], [[Washington County, Indiana Genealogy|Washington]], and [[Wayne County, Indiana Genealogy|Wayne]].<ref name="rome" />
 
[http://www.dol-in.org/Default.aspx Diocese of Lafayette]<br>P.O. Box 260<br>Lafayette, IN 47902-0260<br>Phone: (765) 742-4852
 
The diocese includes the counties of: [[Benton County, Indiana Genealogy|Benton]], [[Blackford County, Indiana Genealogy|Blackford]], [[Boone County, Indiana Genealogy|Boone]], [[Carroll County, Indiana Genealogy|Carroll]], [[Cass County, Indiana Genealogy|Cass]], [[Clinton County, Indiana Genealogy|Clinton]], [[Delaware County, Indiana Genealogy|Delaware]], [[Fountain County, Indiana Genealogy|Fountain]], [[Fulton County, Indiana Genealogy|Fulton]], [[Grant County, Indiana Genealogy|Grant]], [[Hamilton County, Indiana Genealogy|Hamilton]], [[Howard County, Indiana Genealogy|Howard]],[[Jasper County, Indiana Genealogy|Jasper]], [[Jay County, Indiana Genealogy|Jay]], [[Madison County, Indiana Genealogy|Madison]], [[Miami County, Indiana Genealogy|Miami]], [[Montgomery County, Indiana Genealogy|Montgomery]], [[Newton County, Indiana Genealogy|Newton]], [[Pulaski County, Indiana Genealogy|Pulaski]], [[Randolph County, Indiana Genealogy|Randolph]], [[Tippecanoe County, Indiana Genealogy|Tippecanoe]], [[Tipton County, Indiana Genealogy|Tipton]], [[Warren County, Indiana Genealogy|Warren]], and [[White County, Indiana Genealogy|White]].<ref name="rome" />  


'''University of Notre Dame Archives Repository'''<br>
607 Hesburgh Library<br>
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 <br>
<br>  
<br>  
Phone: (574) 631-6448<br>
E-mail: archives@nd.edu<br>
::Catholic Church records collected by Francis P. Clark of Catholic parishes that closed during the 1950s and following Vatican II throughout Kentucky and the Ohio Valley. During this era, when many Catholic parishes would close, the priests would throw out their old record books. Patrick developed relationships with priests throughout the region and personally visited closing parishes and collected record books, ephemera, and photographs which he later donated to the Notre Dame University Archives where he worked as supervisor of the microfilm department.


St. Francis Xavier (Vincennes, Indiana). ''Parish Registers, 1780–1960''. Microfilmed 1985. {{FHL|473063|item}}film 1433361-65. The original records are at St. Francis Xavier Church, Vincennes, Indiana. They list baptisms, confirmations, communions, marriages, deaths, and graves of soldiers who served in the War of 1812, the Black Hawk War (1835), the Mexican War, and the Civil War. These records may have information about persons from various parts of what is now Indiana and persons traveling through Vincennes.
====Society of Friends (Quakers)====
 
[[File:51Mfe3vII+L. AC .jpg|right|thumb|350px|<center>'''Lily Library'''</center>]]
Other microfilmed Roman Catholic records for Vincennes are also listed in the FamilySearch Catalog, such as St. Thomas (1865–1984) and St. John the Baptist (1847–1947).
*'''Friends Collection'''<br>'''Earlham College'''<br>Lilly Library<br>801 National Road West<br>Richmond, Indiana 47374-4095<br>Phone: 765 983-1743<br> Email: tomh@earlham.edu<br>
 
**[http://library.earlham.edu/c.php?g=82612&p=4380870 '''Website''']
'''The Drouin Collection'''<br><br> [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1111 Early U.S. French Catholic Church Records, 1695-1954] ($) (Ancestry). This database only contains the French Catholic parish records from the United States in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, and Pennsylvania. 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"]]
:*[http://www.quakerinfo.org/resources/genealogy '''Quaker Information Center: A Gateway to Quakerism: A service of Earlham School of Religion''']
 
::Covers Indiana and Western and Northern Yearly Meetings
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.
<br>
 
*Heiss, Willard. ''[http://sites.rootsweb.com/~quakers/indiana.htm Abstracts of the Records of the Society of Friends in Indiana]'', 6 vols. Indianapolis, Ind.: Indiana Historical Society, 1962-1977. {{FSC|405295|item}} book 977.2 K28h; {{FSC|405295|item}} fiche 6051380-386. This includes records of births, marriages, deaths, removals, dismissals, and memberships. [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/mb?a=listis;c=598733452 Another source]
=== <br>Society of Friends (Quakers) ===
*Nelson, Jacquelyn S. ''Indiana Quakers Confront the Civil War''. Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana Historical Society, 1991. {{FSC|472199|item}} book 977.2 H2n. Appendix C lists Indiana Friends (Quakers) who served in the Civil War. For each man, it generally lists birth date, parents’ names, monthly meeting and county thereof, company, regiment, rank, and death date.
 
Many Quaker records are kept at the [http://www.indianahistory.org/ Indiana Historical Society]. (See the “[[Indiana Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]” section above for the address.)
 
Another library with Quaker records is:
 
[http://www.earlham.edu/~libr/content/friends/ Earlham College]<br>Friends Collection <br>Lilly Library <br>801 National Road West <br>Richmond, IN 47374-4095 <br>Phone: (765) 983-1511 <br>Fax: (765) 983-1304
 
An important source for information about Indiana Quakers is:
 
*Heiss, Willard. ''[http://www.rootsweb.com/~quakers/indiana.htm Abstracts of the Records of the Society of Friends in Indiana]'', 6 vols. Indianapolis, Ind.: Indiana Historical Society, 1962-1977. {{FHL|405295|item}} book 977.2 K28h;&nbsp;{{FHL|405295|item}} fiche 6051380-386. This includes records of births, marriages, deaths, removals, dismissals, and memberships.


A unique source listing many Indiana Quakers is:


*Nelson, Jacquelyn S. ''Indiana Quakers Confront the Civil War''. Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana Historical Society, 1991. {{FHL|472199|item}} book 977.2 H2n. Appendix C lists Indiana Friends (Quakers) who served in the Civil War. For each man, it generally lists birth date, parents’ names, monthly meeting and county thereof, company, regiment, rank, and death date.


The Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog lists church records under:


INDIANA, [COUNTY]- CHURCH RECORDS INDIANA, [COUNTY], [TOWN]- CHURCH RECORDS
===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.


'''Missions'''
==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>


*Francis Godfroy (trading house-St. Joseph)
==Carefully compare any record you find to known facts about the ancestor==
*Carey Mission
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''':
*Miami Union Baptist Church
*'''name''', including '''middle name and maiden name'''
*Wahcaconah Church
*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>


== References ==
[[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'''.]]
==References==


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[[Category:Indiana, United States|Church]] [[Category:U_S_States_Church_records]]
[[Category:Indiana, United States|Church]]  
[[Category:U_S_States_Church_records]]

Latest revision as of 21:12, 16 April 2024

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

Historical Background[edit | edit source]

Before 1900, the largest religious groups in Indiana were the Roman Catholic, Methodist Episcopal, Christian (Disciples of Christ), and Baptist churches.[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!

Dutch Reformed[edit | edit source]

Lutheran[edit | edit source]

Methodist[edit | edit source]

Presbyterian[edit | edit source]

Quaker[edit | edit source]

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

Online[edit | edit source]

Books[edit | edit source]

  • Rudolph, L. C. and Judith E. Endelman. Religion in Indiana: A Guide to Historical Resources. Bloomington, Ind.: Indiana Univ. Press, 1986. FS Library Collection book 977.2 K23r. This book contains an excellent bibliography of published works, a list of repositories for the different denominations, and histories of congregations.
  • Rudolph, L. C. Hoosier Faiths: A History of Indiana Churches and Religious Groups. Bloomington, Ind.: Indiana University Press, 1995. FS Library Collection book 977.2 K2ru. This describes general history and Indiana history, and includes biographies of significant local leaders of 50 major religious groups. It is indexed.

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.

Indiana Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 10507
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46852-0507

Amish[edit | edit source]

Elkhart and Lagrange Counties in northeastern Indiana are home to the third largest concentration of Amish in North America.

Community Directories[edit | edit source]

The Amish in several communities in Indiana have published directories of their communities at regular intervals from the 1980s to the present, including Elkhart-Lagrange-Noble Counties, Adams-Jay Counties, Allen County and Vicinity', and Nappannee-Kokomo-Milroy. These volumes feature a wealth of information for each family, including husband’s name, wife’s maiden name, the names of each spouse’s parents, children’s names, dates of birth for each individual, children’s marriage partners, the family address, husband’s occupation, and notations of whether each child is living at home, married and living within the community, married and living in another Amish community, single and living outside the family home, or has left the Amish faith. The directories also include history of the communities and maps showing locations of Amish homesteads and schools.

Amish Archives[edit | edit source]

Mennonite Historical Library
Harold and Wilma Good Library
Goshen College
1700 South Main Street
Goshen, Indiana 46526

Phone: (574) 535-7418
Fax: (574) 535-7438
Email: mhl@goshen.edu

The archives houses the official records of the Mennonite Church and personal papers of Mennonites, Hutterites, Amish and other Anabaptist groups.

Mennonite Historical Library
Harold and Wilma Good Library
Goshen College
1700 South Main Street
Goshen, Indiana 46526

Phone: (574) 535-7418
Fax: (574) 535-7438
Email: mhl@goshen.edu
The collection of the Mennonite Historical Library includes genealogy resources, history books and Mennonite periodicals.

Mennonite Church USA Archives
3145 Benham Ave, Suite 1
Elkhart, IN 46517

Telephone: 574-523-3080


Baptist[edit | edit source]

Indiana Baptist Collection
Franklin College Library
101 Branigin Blvd
Franklin, IN 46131-2623
Phone: (317) 738-8162 or 1-(800) 852-0232
Fax: (317) 738-8787
Email: library@franklincollege.edu

Disciples of Christ[edit | edit source]

Christian Theological Seminary Library
1000 W. 42nd St.
Indianapolis, IN 46208
Phone: (317) 924-1331
Fax: (317) 923-1961

Lutheran[edit | edit source]

ELCA Region 6 Archives
Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University
2199 East Main Street
Columbus, OH 43209-2334

Phone: (614) 236-6855
E-mail: reg6archives@capital.edu

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

Methodist[edit | edit source]

Archives of DePauw University and Indiana United Methodism
Roy O. West Library
11 E Larabee St
P.O. Box 37
Greencastle, IN 46135-0037
Phone: (765) 658-4406
Fax: (765) 658-4423
E-mail: archives@depauw.edu

The FamilySearch Library has some Indiana Methodist histories and church records. Try a title search in the FamilySearch Catalog for "Indiana Methodist"

Presbyterian[edit | edit source]

Archives of the Presbyterian Church of Indiana
Duggan Library
P.O. Box 287
Hanover, IN 47243-0287
Phone: (812) 866-7165
Fax: (812) 866-7172

Roman Catholic[edit | edit source]

Dark thin font green pin Version 4.pngThe records of all four Roman Catholic dioceses in Indiana are available on digitized microfilm at the FamilySearch Library. These records include the dioceses of Evansville, Fort Wayne-South Bend, Gary, and Lafayette, plus the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, all to about 1916. They have been digitized and can be used at a FamilySearch Center near you.

Archdiocese of Indianapolis Archives
1400 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone:800-382-9836

The Archives can respond to genealogical research requests that take less than 1 hour to complete, with a maximum of 6 requests permitted each year. The archives has some older sacramental records, but it is not a complete listing for each parish. There is no single database containing sacramental records that is searchable by name. The archives can provide copies of available sacramental records originating prior to 1930. Sacramental records for individuals who are or may still be living are considered confidential; requests for these records must be directed to the parish and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.


The Archdiocese includes the counties of: Bartholomew, Brown, Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Decatur, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Hancock, Harrison, Hendricks, Henry, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion, Monroe, Morgan, Ohio, Orange, Owen, Parke, Perry, Putnam, Ripley, Rush, Scott, Shelby, Switzerland, Union, Vermillion, Washington, and Wayne.[3]

Diocese of Evansville
4200 N. Kentucky Ave.
P.O. Box 4169
Evansville, IN 47724-0169
Phone: (812) 424-5536

The diocese includes the counties of: Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Martin, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Sullivan, Vanderburgh, and Warrick.[3]

Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
Archbishop Noll Catholic Center,
915 South Clinton
P.O. Box 390
Fort Wayne, IN 46801
Phone: (260) 422-4611

The diocese includes the counties of: Adams, Allen, Dekalb, Elkhart, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Marshall, Noble, Steuben, St. Joseph, Wabash, Wells and Whitley.[3]

Diocese of Gary
9292 Broadway
Merrillville, IN 46410
Phone: (219) 769-9292

The diocese includes the counties of: Lake, LaPorte, Porter and Starke.[3]

Diocese of Lafayette
P.O. Box 260
Lafayette, IN 47902-0260
Phone: (765) 742-4852

  • Records for the Diocese of Lafayette have been digitized and can be used at a FamilySearch Center near you. For recent records not digitized, contact each local parish.
The diocese includes the counties of: Benton, Blackford, Boone, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Delaware, Fountain, Fulton, Grant, Hamilton, Howard,Jasper, Jay, Madison, Miami, Montgomery, Newton, Pulaski, Randolph, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Warren, and White.[3]


University of Notre Dame Archives Repository
607 Hesburgh Library
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556

Phone: (574) 631-6448
E-mail: archives@nd.edu

Catholic Church records collected by Francis P. Clark of Catholic parishes that closed during the 1950s and following Vatican II throughout Kentucky and the Ohio Valley. During this era, when many Catholic parishes would close, the priests would throw out their old record books. Patrick developed relationships with priests throughout the region and personally visited closing parishes and collected record books, ephemera, and photographs which he later donated to the Notre Dame University Archives where he worked as supervisor of the microfilm department.

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

Lily Library
  • Friends Collection
    Earlham College
    Lilly Library
    801 National Road West
    Richmond, Indiana 47374-4095
    Phone: 765 983-1743
    Email: tomh@earlham.edu
Covers Indiana and Western and Northern Yearly Meetings


  • Heiss, Willard. Abstracts of the Records of the Society of Friends in Indiana, 6 vols. Indianapolis, Ind.: Indiana Historical Society, 1962-1977. FS Library Collection book 977.2 K28h; FS Library Collection fiche 6051380-386. This includes records of births, marriages, deaths, removals, dismissals, and memberships. Another source
  • Nelson, Jacquelyn S. Indiana Quakers Confront the Civil War. Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana Historical Society, 1991. FS Library Collection book 977.2 H2n. Appendix C lists Indiana Friends (Quakers) who served in the Civil War. For each man, it generally lists birth date, parents’ names, monthly meeting and county thereof, company, regiment, rank, and death date.



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.

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. ↑ William Chamberlin Hunt and United States Bureau of the Census, Religious Bodies: 1906 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1910), Vol. 1:309-311. Digital version at Google Books.
  2. ↑ Davis points out that not all ministers participated, see: Robert S. Davis, "Some Baptist Ministers of South Carolina at the Turn of the Century," The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, Vol. 32, No. 1 (Winter 2004):13-22. FS Library Book 975.7 B2sc v. 32
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 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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