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New York Church Records: Difference between revisions

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== Church Development  ==
==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.


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 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''']].


[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.
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:
{|
|-
|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]]
|}


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)]], Universalist, [[Lutheran Church in the United States|Lutheran]], Union, Christian, Unitarian, and [[Jewish Records|Jewish]].<ref>Sydney E. Ahlstrom, ''A Religious History of the American People'' (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1972). {{FHL|282712|item|disp=FHL Book 973 K2ah}}.</ref>
==Finding the Records==
===Look for online records.===


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.
<br>


The [[Family History Library|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|New York Genealogy]].
{|
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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!
|}
====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


The following guides describe the towns, denominations, record types, and years available:  
====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. ''Guide to Vital Statistics Records of Churches in New York State (Exclusive of New York City).'' 2 volumes - {{WorldCat|2291005|disp=At various libraries(WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|180970|item|disp=974.7 K23h vol. 1 & 2, also on microfilm}}.
====Catholic====
*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)}};&nbsp;
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/new-york-roman-catholic-parish-baptisms New York Roman Catholic Parish Baptisms] at Findmypast ($), index and some images
**Bronx {{FHL|202505|item|disp=FHL book 974.7275 K23h, also on microfilm}}
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/new-york-roman-catholic-parish-marriages New York Roman Catholic Parish Marriages] at Findmypast ($), index and images
**Brooklyn, digital book at [http://dcms.lds.org/view/action/ieViewer.do?from_proxy=true&dps_pid=IE211901&dps_dvs=1336595660051~675&dps_pid=IE211901&change_lng=en FamilySearch]
*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/new-york-catholic-parish-registers-browse New York Catholic Parish Registers Browse] at Findmypast ($), images
**Manhattan {{FHL|609562|item|disp=FHL book 974.71 K23ma, also on microfilm}}
=====The Drouin Collection=====
**Queens {{FHL|202513|item|disp=FHL book 974.7243 K23h, also on microfilm}}
*'''1695-1954''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1111 '''Early U.S. French Catholic Church Records, 1695-1954'''] ($) (Ancestry).
**Richmond, digital book at [http://dcms.lds.org/view/action/ieViewer.do?from_proxy=true&dps_pid=IE106941&dps_dvs=1336596394248~661&dps_pid=IE106941&change_lng=en FamilySearch]; {{FHL|202508|item|disp=FHL book 974.726 K23h, also on microfilm}}


*''Historical Records Survey. Inventory of the Church Archives of New York City [various denominations]''. New York, N.Y.: Historical Records Survey, 1939–1941. {{WorldCat|12712396|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}
====Dutch Reformed====
*'''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.($)
*'''1701-1995''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60766/ U.S., Selected States Dutch Reformed Church Membership Records, 1701-1995] at Ancestry -  index and images, incomplete.($)
*'''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 ($)
*'''1856-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60524/ U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Vital Records, 1856-1970] at Ancestry - index and images, incomplete.($)
*'''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.($)
*'''1639-1801''' [https://www.americanancestors.org/search/databasesearch/473/new-york-ny-marriages-in-the-reformed-dutch-church-1639-1801 New York, NY: Marriages in the Reformed Dutch Church, 1639-1801] at American Ancestors - index & images ($)


*Buffalo and Erie County Public Library holdings. ''Church Records in Microfilm and Print By Denomination.'' [https://www.buffalolib.org/sites/default/files/pdf/genealogy/subject-guides/ChurchRecords.pdf PDF of inventory]
====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.


Denominations include:  
====Lutheran====
*'''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 ($)
*'''1722-1760''' [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/335750-lutheran-church-in-new-york-and-new-jersey-1722-1760-lutheran-records-in-the-ministerial-archives-of-the-staatsarchiv-hamburg-germany?offset=1 Lutheran Church in New York and New Jersey, 1722-1760 : Lutheran records in the ministerial archives of the Staatsarchiv, Hamburg, Germany], e-book.
*'''1781-1969'''  [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60722/ U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969], index and images, incomplete.($)
*'''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.($)
*'''1850-Onward''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/new-york-st-lukes-evangelical-lutheran-church-baptisms New York, St Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Baptisms] at Findmypast — index & images ($)
*'''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 ($)
*'''1850-Onward''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/new-york-st-lukes-evangelical-lutheran-church-deaths-and-burials New York, St Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Deaths and Burials] at Findmypast — index & images ($)
*'''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]


**Eastern Orthodox and Armenian {{WorldCat|4025691|disp=At various libraries(WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|107022|item|disp=FHL book 974.71 K23eo, also on microfilm}}
====Methodist====
**Lutheran: online at [https://web.archive.org/web/20140818210202/http://www.nycnuts.net/genealogy/church/wpa_lutheran/ NYCnuts.net]; {{WorldCat|4025535|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|226032|item|disp=FHL book 974.71 K23L, also on microfilm}}
*'''1775-1949''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9188/ New York and Vicinity, United Methodist Church Records, 1775-1949] at Ancestry ($), index and images. Incomplete.
**Methodist: online at [http://archive.is/p5i8C NYCnuts.net]; {{WorldCat|4025557|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|210758|item|disp=FHL book 974.71 K23m, also on microfilm}};
*'''1887-1904''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62187/ New York, U.S., Frank S. Rowland Church Register, 1889-1917] at Ancestry - images ($)
**Presbyterian: online at [https://web.archive.org/web/20140407214348/http://nycnuts.net/genealogy/church/wpa_presbyterian/index.html NYCnuts.net]; {{WorldCat|14959916|disp=At various libraries(WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|107523|item|disp=FHL book 974.71 K23p, also on microfilm}}
**Protestant Episcopal [Manhattan, Bronx, Richmond]: online at [https://web.archive.org/web/20140407214333/http://nycnuts.net/genealogy/church/wpa_episcopal/index.html NYCnuts.net]; {{WorldCat|4103942|disp=At various libraries(WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|107501|item|disp=FHL book 974.71 K23en v. 2, also on microfilm}}
**Protestant Episcopal [Brooklyn and Queens] {{WorldCat|223754788|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|106657|item|FHL book 974.71 K23eL v. 2, also on microfilm}}
**Protestant Episcopal [New York State] {{WorldCat|4059196|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}};
**Protestant Episcopal [Rochester] [http://dcms.lds.org/view/action/ieViewer.do?from_proxy=true&dps_pid=IE100904&dps_dvs=1334602652514~278&dps_pid=IE100904&change_lng=en Book online at FamilySearch.org]; {{WorldCat|4015959|dispp=At various libraries(WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|185178|item|disp=FHL book 974.7 K23he, also on microfilm}}
**Protestant Episcopal [Western New York] {{WorldCat|30985561|disp=At various libraries(WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|item|185174|disp=FHL book 974.7 K23hp, also on microfilm}}
**Reformed: online at [https://archive.org/details/inventoryofchurc00hist_4 NYCnuts.net]; {{WorldCat|36874383|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|107940|item|disp=FHL book 974.71 K23r, also on microfilm}}
**Roman Catholic: online at [https://web.archive.org/web/20140803112512/http://nycnuts.net/genealogy/church/wpa_roman_catholic/index.html NYCnuts.net]; {{WorldCat|16172424|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|119598|item|disp=FHL book 974.71 K23rc vol. 2, also on microfilm}}<br>
<div style="float: left; width: 100%">
''Some denominations have collected their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses to learn where their records are located:''
</div>


== 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}}.


[http://www.abhsarchives.org/ American Baptist Historical Society]<br>3001 Mercer University Dr.<br>Atlanta, Georgia 30341<br>Phone: (678) 547-6680
====Other Collections====


Researchers must make an appointment. For information about the availability of records, see:
*[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).


*Eltscher, Susan M. ''The Records of American Baptists in New York and Related Organizations. ''The book is available in the {{FHL|268933|item}}. For a copy nearest you, use [http://www.worldcat.org/title/records-of-american-baptists-in-new-york-and-related-organizations/oclc/11270309&referer=brief_results WorldCat].
===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.
-----


== Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)  ==
===Consult available finding aids.===
'''These aids generally provide lists of records that are known to exist and information on their location.'''
<br>


Early church records, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for&nbsp;New York&nbsp;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 located through the [http://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|129780|item|disp=FHL book 979.2258 A3j; fiche 6031507}}). These volumes contain the film numbers for many (but not all) membership and temple record films.  
*[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>


== Congregational  ==
----
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>


[http://www.14beacon.org/ The Congregational Library]<br>14 Beacon Street<br>Boston, Massachusetts 02108<br>Telephone: (617) 523-0470<br>
----
[[Image:New York churches.png|thumb|right|400px]]  
The locations of records in these guides are as of 1940 and probably have changed if they were a private party.<br>
== Dutch Reformed  ==
* [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.
----


[https://www.rca.org/archives The Archives of the&nbsp;Reformed Church in America]<br>New Brunswick Theological Seminary<br>Gardner A. Sage Library<br>21 Seminary Place<br>New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-1159<br>Phone: (732) 246-1779
===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 [[Family History Library|Family History Library]] has microfilm copies for many of the Dutch Reformed Church records at&nbsp;the&nbsp;above named&nbsp;archive. The collection is described in Melody Takken Meeter, compiler and Russell L. Gasero, editor, and is available in the {{FHL|571213|item}}. To check for a book copy nearest you,&nbsp;use&nbsp;[http://www.worldcat.org/title/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/oclc/6836089&referer=brief_results WorldCat].&nbsp;
===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 Year Book of the Holland Society of New York'', available in the {{FHL|110300|item}}, 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. 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).  
====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''']


The [[Family History Library|Family History Library]] has the Holland Society's 128 volume ''Holland Society of New York Church Record Collection''.&nbsp;The records are listed in the 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:
====Baptist====
*'''1750-1899''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62267/ U.S., Southern Baptist Church Records, 1750-1899] at Ancestry - index & images ($)


*Pierre, Marie J., comp. ''Index to LDS Microfilms of the Church Record Collection of the Holland Society of New York.'' New York, N.Y.: The Holland Society of New York, 1990. {{FHL|623471|item}}
==== Dutch Reformed  ====


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;&nbsp;available in the {{FHL|524985|item}}.  
'''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:


The [[Family History Library|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.  
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}}.


The {{FHL|137319|item}} has 99 of the 101 volumes of the ''Royden Woodward Vosburgh, 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). Two helpful lists of the churches, first by county and then by town, are at the beginning of the {{FHL|137319|item}}film&nbsp;017441.  
==== 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.


[https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_nInBUWECUReXpuTzUxdWlMdUE/edit?pli=1 Listings and Indexes] of baptisms, marriages, deaths, and memberships of the Flatlands Protestant Dutch Reformed Church of Flatlands, New York, 1825 - 1914. For microfilm of original typescript, see {{FHL|982373|item 7|disp=FHL Film 982373 item 7}}
[[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>


== Episcopal  ==
[https://www.dioceseny.org/the-diocese/diocesan-archives/ Episcopal Diocese of New York]<br>1047 Amsterdam Avenue<br>New York, New York 10025<br>Phone: (212) 316-7400<br>Fax: (212) 932-7345<br>There are also dioceses of Albany, Central New York, Long Island, Rochester, and Western New York. The [[Family History Library|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.
In 1816 Eleazor WIlliams, an Episcopalian missionary began serving&nbsp;the Oneida Indians. In 1823 the first group of&nbsp;Oneida were removed from New York to Wisconsin.&nbsp; The&nbsp;removal continued&nbsp;for twenty years.
== Jewish  ==
See [[New York Ethnic, Political, or Religious Groups#Jewish_Records|Jewish Records]].
== Lutheran  ==
'''Library of the Council National Lutheran'''<br>50 Madison Avenue<br>New York City, NY 10010
'''Evangelical Lutheran Church in America'''<br>[http://www.elca.org/About/History/Archives?_ga=1.171238624.1142178518.1465611185 ELCA Archives]<br>321 Bonnie Lane<br>Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007<br>Phone: (847) 690-9410
'''Atlantic District Lutheran Church Missouri Synod'''<br>[https://www.ad-lcms.org/ Website]<br>171 White Plains Road<br>Bronxville, New York 10708<br>Phone: (914) 337-5700<br>Fax: (914) 337-7471
For family history research visit the [http://www.lutheranhistory.org/ Concordia Historical Institue]<br>804 Seminary Place<br>St. Louis, Missouri 63105
'''1862-1955 - '''Family Search Historical Records has digital images of baptism, marriage, and burial records for {{RecordSearch|1921435|New York, New York City, Saint Peter's Lutheran Church Records, 1862-1955}}.
'''A wiki article describing an online collection is found at:'''<br>
[[New York, New York City, Saint Peter's Lutheran Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)|New York, New York City, Saint Peter's Lutheran Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]<br>
== Methodist  ==
[http://www.gcah.org/research 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, New Jersey 07940<br>Phone: (973) 408-3189<br>Fax: (973) 408-3909 <br>
== Moravian  ==
[http://www.moravianchurcharchives.org/research/ 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
For information concerning missions to the American Indians visit [https://journals.psu.edu/phj/article/viewFile/23180/22949 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.]<br>
:*Moravian Church. ''Records of the Moravian Mission Among the Indians of North America.'' New Haven Connecticut&nbsp;: Research Publications, 1969. {{FHL|301362|item|disp=FHL films 1017681-1017720}} These records are indexed in:<br>
::*Fliegel, Carl John, Compiler. ''Index to the Records of the Moravian Mission among the Indians of North America''. New Haven, Connecticut&nbsp;: Research Publication, 1970. {{FHL|53079|item|disp=FHL book 970.1 F642i}}
*'''1755-1756''' - Scott, Kenneth. "Quakers and Moravians in New York in 1755 and 1756," ''National Genealogical Society Quarterly,'' Vol. 58 (1970):253-257. {{FHL|39597|item|disp=FHL Book 973 B2ng v. 58 (1970)}}.
== Presbyterian  ==
[https://www.history.pcusa.org/services/reference/genealogy-and-family-history-research Presbyterian Historical Society and Department of History]<br>United Presbyterian Church in the USA<br>425 Lombard Street<br>Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147-1516<br>Telephone: 215-627-1852<br>Fax: 215-627-0509<br>
:*Hotchkin, James H. ''A History of the Purchase and Settlement of Western New York: and of the Rise, Progress and Present State of the Presbyterian Church in that Section.'' New York: M.W. Dodd, 1848. Digital version at [http://www.archive.org/details/historyofpurchas00hotc Internet Archive]; {{FHL|181177|item|disp=FHL book&nbsp;974.7 K2h; film 808352 Item 2}}
== Roman Catholic  ==
[[File:Nystpatricks.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Saint Patricks, NYC]]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. <br><br>
If a parish has closed, the records&nbsp;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.
Ann Mensch's [http://localcatholic.webs.com/newyork.htm Local Catholic Church and Family History &amp; 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.<br>
New York is divided into eight dioceses:
[http://www.rcda.org/Offices/archives/ '''Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany: Archives''']<br>40 North Main Ave.<br>Albany, New York 12203<br>Phone: (518) 453-6633
The Albany Diocese&nbsp;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]],&nbsp;[[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&nbsp;[[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/ '''Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn''']<br>310 Prospect Park West<br>Brooklyn, New York 11215<br>Phone: (718) 965-7300
The Brooklyn Diocese&nbsp;includes&nbsp;the counties of:&nbsp;[[Kings (Brooklyn) County, New York Genealogy|Brooklyn]] and [[Queens County, New York Genealogy|Queens]].<ref name="rc" />


[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  
[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.


The Buffalo Diocese&nbsp;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]].<ref name="rc" />
*[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>  
 
[http://archnyarchives.org/genealogy/ '''Archdiocese of New York''']<br>1011 First Avenue<br>New York City, New York 10022<br>Phone: (212) 371-1000
 
Each individual parish keeps records of baptisms, first communions, confirmations, marriages and funerals. Contact the parish to obtain these records.<br>
 
The New York Diocese&nbsp;includes the counties of:&nbsp;[[Bronx County, New York Genealogy|Bronx]], [[Dutchess County, New York Genealogy|Dutchess<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1288888425484_179" />]], [[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]].<ref name="rc" />  


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/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


The Ogdensburg Diocese includes the&nbsp;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]].<ref name="rc" />
*[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.
 
[http://www.dor.org/about/office-ministry-directory/archives/ '''The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester''']<br>1150 Buffalo Rd.<br>Rochester, New York 14624<br>Phone: (585) 328-3210
 
The Rochester Diocese includes the counties&nbsp;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]].<ref name="rc" />
 
[https://www.drvc.org/diocesan-archives/diocesan-archives.html '''The Diocese of Rockville Centre''']<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]
 
The Diocese includes the counties of: [[Nassau County, New York Genealogy|Nassau]] and [[Suffolk County, New York Genealogy|Suffolk]]&nbsp;on Long Island.&nbsp;
 
Genealogy records (sacramental registers) are&nbsp;held by&nbsp;individual parishes.&nbsp; No genealogical records are stored at the Diocesan Archives.<ref name="rc" />
 
[https://www.syracusediocese.org/offices/archives/# '''Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse''']<br>240 East Onondaga St.<br>Syracuse, New York 13201<br>Phone: (315) 422-7203
 
Genealogy records (sacramental registers) are held by individual parishes.
 
The Syracuse Diocese&nbsp;includes the counties&nbsp;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]].<ref name="rc" />
 
The [[Family History Library|Family History Library]] has many Roman Catholic records for Western (filmed at Canisius College, Buffalo) and Northern New York.&nbsp;It has very few Roman Catholic records for the City of New York.&nbsp;<br>
 
'''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"]]
 
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.
 
== Society of Friends (Quakers)  ==
Records for Quakers (Society of Friends) who lived in New York can be located at [[Swarthmore College Friends Historical Library|Swarthmore College Friends Historical Library]]
 
Many of the records are also on microfilm at the [[Family History Library|Family History Library]]. ''The New York City and Long Island Quaker Records, 1657–1940'', transcribed by John Cox, are published in:
 
*Hinshaw, William Wade. ''Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy. 6 Vols''. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Edwards Brothers, 1936-1950. Volume III covers New York Monthly Meetings. {{FHL|192159|item}} 973 D2he 1969; digital version at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48130 Ancestry] ($). To locate copies nearest you, use [http://www.worldcat.org/title/encyclopedia-of-american-quaker-genealogy-vol-i-vi/oclc/255684770&referer=brief_results WorldCat].
 
A useful guide to New York Quaker records and research is:<br>
 
*Cox, John, Jr. ''New York City Church Archives, Religious Society of Friends Catalogue''. New York, N.Y.: Historical Records Survey, 1938 and is available in the {{FHL|119319|item}}. To locate a copy nearest you, use [http://www.worldcat.org/title/new-york-city-church-archives-religious-society-of-friends-catalogue/oclc/51309205&referer=brief_results WorldCat.]
 
Cox's 1914 guide is available online:
 
*Cox, John, Jr. "Quaker Records in New York," ''The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record'', Vol. 45, No. 3 (Jul. 1914):262-269; Vol. 45, No. 4 (Oct. 1914):366-373. Digital versions at Internet Archive (free): [http://www.archive.org/stream/newyorkgenealog45gree#page/n560/mode/1up Vol. 45:262], [http://www.archive.org/stream/newyorkgenealog45gree#page/n770/mode/1up Vol. 45:366]; [http://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/public-elibrary New York Family History] ($); {{FHL|161380|item|disp=FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 45}}. Includes brief histories of each monthly meeting; details of surviving records.<br>
 
Bradley identified New York Quaker records that had been published before 1973:
 
*Bradley, A. Day. "New York State Quaker Records in Print," ''National Genealogical Society Quarterly,'' Vol. 61 (1973):249-253. {{FHL|39597|item|disp=FHL Book 973 B2ng v. 61 (1973)}}.


A helpful 1828 census was taken:  
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]].
----


*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, N.Y.: Knshp, 1989 and is available&nbsp;in the&nbsp;{{FHL|425835|item}}. Use this to determine the monthly meeting a person attended. It&nbsp;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].
==== 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)}}.


For a history of New York Quakers, see:
-----


*Bowden, James. ''The History of the Society of Friends in America''. 2 vols. London: W. &amp; F.G. Cash, 1850-1854. Digital version of Vol. 1&nbsp;at [http://books.google.com/books?id=n1lCAAAAIAAJ Google Books]; {{FHL|207376|item}} 973 F2bj v. 1 [Volume 1 includes New York.]
===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.''']]


Marriages of some early New York Quakers are found in Philadelphia registers:
===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]].


*'''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] ($); {{FHL|1181533|item|disp=FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 3}}.
==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>


:*'''1755-1756''' - Scott, Kenneth. "Quakers and Moravians in New York in 1755 and 1756," ''National Genealogical Society Quarterly,'' Vol. 58 (1970):253-257. {{FHL|39597|item|disp=FHL Book 973 B2ng v. 58 (1970)}}.
[[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  ==
== References  ==

Latest revision as of 16:19, 22 April 2024

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


Old Dutch Church

Historical Background

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

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

Finding the Records

Look for online records.


Caution sign.png

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

  1. Near matches: Researchers might mistakenly accept an entry very similar to their ancestor, thinking it is the only one available. Only use information that matches your ancestor in date, place, relationships, and other details.
  2. Stopping research: Researchers might assume the database proves church records do not exist. Actually the record is still out there, just not in this incomplete collection of records. Keep searching!

FamilySearch Indexes

MyHeritage Indexes

Findmypast

Catholic Heritage Archive

Catholic

The Drouin Collection

Dutch Reformed

Episcopal

Lutheran

Methodist

Presbyterian

Quaker (Society of Friends)

Other Collections

  • 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.

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.

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)

Correspond with or visit the actual churches.

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

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

Check the church records collections in archives and libraries.

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

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

American-Canadian Genealogical Society Library

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

Tel: (603) 622-1554

Baptist

Dutch Reformed

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

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

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

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)

  • 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.

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.

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.

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

Major U.S. Religious Denominations



Carefully compare any record you find to known facts about the ancestor

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

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


Dark thin font green pin Version 4.pngCarefully evaluate the church records you find to make sure you have really found records for your ancestor and not just a "near match". If one or more of the details do not line up, be careful about accepting the entry as your ancestor. There are guiding principles for deciding how to resolve discrepancies between records that are seemingly close. For more instruction in evaluating evidence, read the Wiki article, Evaluate the Evidence.

References

  1. ↑ Sydney E. Ahlstrom, A Religious History of the American People (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1972). FS Library Book 973 K2ah.
  2. ↑ 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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