Mauritius Church Records

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Church Records

For information about records for non-Christian religions in Mauritius, go to the Religious Records page.

Online Resources and Websites

• 1700s-1900s Henri Maurel collection of transcribed parish registers, 1700s-1900s at Cercle de Généalogie Maurice - Rodrigues - index
• 1728-1811 Ile de France (Mauritius) French Overseas Civil Registration and Parish Registers, 1728-1811 at iREL - index & images
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms, Mauritius at Findmypast - index & images ($)
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms, Africa at Findmypast - index & images ($)
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages, Mauritius at Findmypast - index & images ($)
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages, Africa at Findmypast - index & images ($)
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials at Findmypast - index & images ($)

Historical Background

Christianity is the religion adhered to by 32.7 per cent of the population of Mauritius. Of these, 80.3 per cent are Roman Catholics. The Mauritian Creole and Franco-Mauritian ethnic groups are mostly Christian and significant parts of the Sino-Mauritian ethnic group are also mainly Christian. Mauritius got independence in 1968 and there was no state religion in Mauritius defined in the constitution. The religious organizations present at the time of independence, namely, Roman Catholic Church, Church of England, Presbyterian Church, Seventh-day Adventist. Roman Catholics were the majority Christians with a total of 26 per cent of the total Mauritian population, while all others, totaling six per cent, were Seventh-day Adventists, Anglicans, Pentecostals, Presbyterians, Evangelicals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Assemblies of God.

Information Recorded in the Records

Different denominations, different time periods, and practices of different record keepers will effect how much information can be found in the records. This outline will show the types of details which might be found (best case scenario):

Baptisms

In Catholic and Anglican records, children were usually baptized a few days after birth, and therefore, the baptism record proves date of birth. Other religions, such as Baptists, baptized at other points in the member's life. Baptism registers might give:

baptism date the infant's name parents' names father's occupation

status of legitimacy occasionally, names of grandparents names of witnesses or godparents, who may be relatives

birth date and place the family's place of residence death information, as an added note or signified by a cross

Marriages

Marriage registers can give:

the marriage date the names of the bride and groom indicate whether the bride and groom were single or widowed their ages

birth dates and places for the bride and groom their residences their occupations

birthplaces of the bride and groom parents' names (after 1800) the names of previous spouses and their death dates names of witnesses, who might be relatives.

Burials

Burial registers may give:

the name of the deceased the date and place of death or burial the deceased's age place of residence

cause of death the names of survivors, especially a widow or widower deceased's birth date and place parents' names, or at least the father's name

How to Find Records

Digital Copies of Church Records in the FamilySearch Catalog

Watch for digitized copies of church records to be added to the collection of the FamilySearch Library. 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 Mauritius.

b. Click on Places within Mauritius and a list of towns will appear.

c. Click on your town if it appears, or the location which you believe was the parish which served your town or village.

d. Click on the "Church records" topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.

e. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the listing for the record. . 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.

Writing for Records

You will probably need to write to or email the national archives, the diocese, or local parish priests to find records. See French Letter Writing Guide or Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy for help with composing letters.

Anglican (Episcopal) Church Records

Writing for Records

• Google Maps search results for Anglican churches in Mauritius

Historical Background

The Anglican Church has been present in Mauritius since the take-over by the British in 1810. The civil Church was established when the first Civil Chaplain, Revd Henry Shepherd was appointed on 6 May 1812. This was followed by the consecration of the first Bishop of Mauritius in 1854 and the incorporation of the Anglican Diocese of Mauritius in 1973 by Parliament. Today there are 19 parishes in the Island of Mauritius and Rodrigues.

Assembly of God Church Records

Writing for Records

• Google Maps search results for Assembly of God churches in Mauritius

Catholic Church Records

Writing to a Local Parish

Earlier records can be held at the diocese, with more recent records still kept in the local parish. To locate the mailing address or e-mail address for a diocese or local parish, consult:

• The Catholic Directory: Mauritius

Historical Background

The Catholic Church in Mauritius is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome. There are just over 300,000 Catholics in Mauritius, about a quarter of the total population. The country is divided into two territorial jurisdictions: Port-Louis and Vicariate Apostolic of Rodrigues.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Records

Online Records

Online information is available to current members, for deceased members and immediate family members who are still living. Sign in to FamilySearch and then select Family Tree in the drop-down menu.

Historical Background

In modern times, missionary work began in the Mascarenes in 1979 under the direction of the International Mission. In 1986, the islands were transferred to the South Africa Johannesburg Mission. A branch (a small congregation) was established in Mauritius in 1982 by the first full-time missionaries on the island. The Mascarene Islands Mission was created in 1988, at which time there were 400 members on the islands in three branches in Reunion and two in Mauritius. Subsequently, the headquarters of the mission was transferred to Durban, South Africa. In 1998 Mauritius became part of the newly created Madagascar Mission. Total Church Membership: 529. Congregations: 3.

Congregationalist Records

Online Records

• London Missionary Society (Council for World Mission) at SOAS

Jehovah's Witnesses Church Records

Writing for Records

• Google Maps search results for Jehovah's Witnesses churches in Mauritius

Methodist Records

Online Records

• Methodist Missionary Society at SOAS

Orthodox Church Records

Dioceses and Archdiocese of the Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria and of All Africa

Mauritius is included in the Archdiocese of Madagascar.

Writing for Records

• Google Maps search results for Orthodox churches in Mauritius

Historical Background

The Church of "Transfiguration of Christ" falls under the jurisdiction of the Holy Archdiocese of Madagascar and Indian Ocean, which is administered by the Greek Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa. The foundation stone of the church was laid with the blessings of his Beatitude Petros VII Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All of Africa by his Grace Bishop Nectarios of Madagascar and Mauritius on Sunday the 12th May 2002.

Pentecostal/Evangelical Church Records

Writing for Records

• Google Maps search results for Pentecostal churches in Mauritius
• Google Maps search results for Evangelical churches in Mauritius
• List of Pentecostal churches in Mauritius

Presbyterian Church Records

Online Records

• Presbyterian Church of England Foreign Missions Committee at SOAS

Writing for Records

• Google Maps search results for Presbyterian churches in Mauritius

Historical Background

The Presbyterian Church of Mauritius emerged from the Church of Scotland's and the Independent church of Mauritius' discussion with the help of the Rev Jean Le Brun in 1814, they created a single congregation. Now it consists of 4 French speaking and 1 English speaking congregations (St. Columba in Phoenix). These are the St. André in, St. Columba, St. Jean, St. Joseph and St. Pierre parishes throughout the island. The churches are located in Rose Hill, Mauritius, Grand Gaube, Pointe-aux-Piments, Phoenix, Mauritius and Port Louis, Mauritius It has presbyterian church government with parish council, synodal council and Synod and subscribes the Westminster Confession of Faith. Total membership is approximately 800-900.

Seventh-day Adventist Church Records

Writing for Records

• Google Maps search results for Seventh-day Adventist churches in Mauritius

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