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''[[United States|United States ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[California|California ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[California_Church_Records|Church Records]]''
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{{Adoption_CA_State_Genealogical_Alliance}}<br>Before 1900 the largest religious groups in [[California|California]] were the [[Roman Catholic Church in the United States|Catholic]], [[Methodist Church in the United States|Methodist]], [[Presbyterian Church in the United States|Presbyterian]], and [[Congregational Church in the United States|Congregational]] churches.{{cn}}
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<center>'''For greater success, use all the Wiki Articles in this series:'''</center>
*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?|'''What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?''']]  
*[[Determining the Church Your Ancestor Attended|'''Determining the Church Your Ancestor Attended''']]
*[[How to Find Church Records in the United States|'''How to Find Church Records in the United States''']]  
*[[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''Searching for Church Records by Denomination''' ]]
*[[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by U.S. State|'''Searching for Church Records by U.S. State''']]  
|}
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------
==Historical Background==
The largest religious denominations by number of adherents as a percentage of California's population in 2014 were the '''Catholic Church''' with 28 percent, Evangelical Protestants with 20 percent, and Mainline Protestants with 10 percent. Together, all kinds of Protestants accounted for 32 percent. Those unaffiliated with any religion represented 27 percent of the population.
<br>


The [[Family History Library|Family History Library]] has several histories of the Catholic, Presbyterian, Latter-day Saint, and Methodist churches in [[California|California]].  
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) the largest denominations by adherents in 2010 were the '''Roman Catholic''' Church with 10,233,334; '''The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with 763,818'''; and the '''Southern Baptist Convention''' with 489,953.
<br>


=== Missions  ===
The first priests to come to California were '''Roman Catholic missionaries from Spain'''. Roman Catholics founded 21 missions along the California coast, as well as the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco. California continues to have a large Roman Catholic population due to the large numbers of Mexicans and Central Americans living within its borders. California has twelve dioceses and two archdioceses, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Archdiocese of San Francisco, the former being the largest archdiocese in the United States. <ref>"California: Religion", in Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California#Religion, accessed 27 June 2020.</ref>
<br>


Ausustine Mission, Cabazon Mission, Cahuilla Mission, Campo Mission,Inaja-Cosmit Mission, La Jolla Mission, La Posta Mission,&nbsp;La Purisima 1787, Los Coytes Mission, Manzanita Mission, Mesa Grande&nbsp;Mission, Morongo Mission,&nbsp;Pala Mission, Pauma and Yuma Mission, Pechanga Mission, Ramona Mission, Rincon Mission, &nbsp;San Antonio 1771, Santa Barbara 1786, San Buenaventura 1782,&nbsp;&nbsp;San Carlos 1770, Santa Clara 1777, Santa Cruz 1791, San Diego 1769, San Fernando 1797, San Francisco 1776, San Gabriel 1771, San Jose 1797, San Juan Bautista 1797, San Juan Capistrano 1776, San Louis Obispo, San Louis Rey 1798, San Miguel 1797, San Pasqual Mission, San Rafael 1817, Santa Rosa Mission, Santa Ynez 1804, Santa Ysabel Mission, Soboba Mission, Solano 1823, Soledad 1771, Sycuan Mission, Torres-Martinez Mission, Yuma Mission.  
==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]]
|}


Additional resources are available for the following missions through the [http://www.huntington.org/Information/ECPPmain.htm Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens] through the Early California Population Project which is a database of the information contained in the mission records. The granting agencies that have supported this project are The John Randolph Haynes and Dorothy Haynes Foundation, the California State Library (Library Services and Technology Act), the Dan Murphy Foundation, the Giles W. &amp; Elise G. Mead Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The records date from 1769 to 1850. You do have register an agree to use this resource for research purposes only.  
==Finding the Records==
===Look for online records.===


===== Baja California Missions  =====
<br>


*Santa Maria de los Angeles
{|
*Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
|-
*San Francisco de Borja
|
*Santa Gertrudis
[[File:Caution sign.png|70px]]
*&nbsp;San Miguel
|
*Santo Tomas
Online databases are <span style="color:Red">'''incomplete'''</span>. This can lead to two common errors:
*San Ygnacio
#'''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.
*San Vicente
#'''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!
*Todos Santos
|}


===== Alta California Missions  =====
*[http://www.huntington.org/Information/ECPPmain.htm Early California Population Project] Database of information contained in early mission records.<br>
====FamilySearch Historical Records====


*&nbsp;La Purisima Concepcion
*'''1864-1985''' {{RecordSearch|2790461|California, Church Records, 1864-1985}} at FamilySearch; index — [[California, Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*&nbsp;San Antonio de Padua
*'''1812-1988''' {{RecordSearch|1674703|California Births and Christenings, 1812-1988}} at FamilySearch; index — [[California Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*&nbsp;Santa Barbara
*'''1850-1945''' {{RecordSearch|1674735|California Marriages, 1850-1945}} at FamilySearch; index — [[California Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*San Buenaventura
*'''1776-2000''' {{RecordSearch|3518938|California Deaths and Burials, 1776-2000}} at FamilySearch; index — [[California Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*San Carlos Borromeo
====FamilySearch Digitized====
*San Diego
=====Congregational=====
*Santa Clara
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1088440  Records of the American Missionary Association (Congregational) among the Chinese : principally in California]
*Santa Cruz
====Ancestry.com====
*San Francisco de Asis Mission and Presidio
=====Presbyterian=====
*San Fernando
*'''1701-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61048/ U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970], index and images, incomplete.($)
*San Francisco Solano
=====Lutheran=====
*San Gabriel Arcangel
*'''1800-1947''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61584/ U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Swedish American Church Records, 1800-1947], index and images, incomplete.($)
*Santa Ynes
*'''1781-1969'''  - [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60722/ U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969], index and images, incomplete.($)
*San Juan Bautista
*'''1781-1969'''  - [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60722/ U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969], index and images, incomplete.($)
*San Juan Capistrano
*San Jose
*Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
*San Luis Obispo
*San Luis Rey
*San Miguel Arcangel
*San Rafael


<br>
=====Dutch Reformed=====
*'''1639-1989''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6961/ U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639-1989], index and images, incomplete.($)
*'''1701-1995''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60766/ U.S., Selected States Dutch Reformed Church Membership Records, 1701-1995], index and images, incomplete.($)
*'''1856-1970''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60524/ U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Vital Records, 1856-1970], index and images, incomplete.($)


===== Presidios =====
===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=11&query=%2Bplace%3A%22United%20States%2C%20California%22 '''records of United States, California'''].
:::b. Click on '''Places within United States, California''' 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, California [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.
-----


*Santa Barbara Presidio
===Consult available finding aids.===
'''These aids generally provide lists of records that are known to exist and information on their location.'''
*Temple, Thomas W. ''An Alphabetical Listing of the California Mission Vital Records.'' Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1985. {{FSC|268675|item}} 1307621 item 4; fiche 6047009
*Weber, Francis J. ''A Select Guide to California Catholic History.'' Los Angeles, Calif.: Westernlore Press, 1966. {{FSC|120668|item}} 979.4 K21c
*Bowman, J.N. "The Parochial Books of the California Missions, 1961," ''The Quarterly'' (Historical Society of Southern California)], Vol. 43, No. 3. {{FSC|4940|item}} 979.4 B2s
*Barton, Noel R. "Genealogical Research in the Records of the California Missions," ''Genealogical Journal'', Vol. 4, No. 1. {{FSC|244938|item}} 973 D25gj v. 3-4 (1974-1975)


<br>
===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.


===== Other  =====
===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>


*Los Angeles Plaza Church
<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>


=== Roman Catholic  ===
====Lutheran====
'''South West California Synod / ELCA Region 2 Archives'''<br>
1300 E. Colorado St.<br>
Glendale, CA 91205<br>
Phone:(818) 937-4761<br>
E-mail: archives@socalsynod.org<br>
*Archives hold records for '''closed churches.'''  '''For open churches write directly to [[Lutheran Church in the United States#Correspond with or visit the actual churches.|the local church.''']]


The first Catholic missions were organized in 1769. Most of the mission records begin in 1770 and are on film. The Family History Library and the Bancroft Library have extensive collections of the early records. For the index to these records, see:
====Methodist====


*Temple, Thomas W. ''An Alphabetical Listing of the California Mission Vital Records.'' Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1985. {{FHL|268675|item}} 1307621 item 4; fiche 6047009
[https://www.pacific.edu/university-libraries/find/holt-atherton-special-collections.html '''Holt-Atherton Church Archives''']<br>University of the Pacific<br>3601 Pacific Avenue<br>Stockton, CA 95211<br>Phone: (209) 946-2404<br>Fax: (209) 946-2810


The following sources may help you find Catholic mission records:
====Presbyterian====


*Weber, Francis J. ''A Select Guide to California Catholic History.'' Los Angeles, California: Westernlore Press, 1966. {{FHL|120668|item}} 979.4 K21c
[http://www.sfts.edu/student/library_sfts.asp '''San Francisco Theological Seminary Library''']<br>105 Seminary Road<br>San Anselmo, CA 94960<br>Phone: (415) 451-2845
*Bowman, J.N. "The Parochial Books of the California Missions, 1961," ''The Quarterly'' (Historical Society of Southern California)], Vol. 43, No.&nbsp;3. {{FHL|4940|item}} 979.4 B2s
====Roman Catholic====
*Barton, Noel R. "Genealogical Research in the Records of the California Missions," ''Genealogical Journal'', Vol. 4, No. 1. {{FHL|244938|item}} 973 D25gj v. 3-4 (1974-1975)
'''Most records are maintained at the parish level. Check the diocese websites for information on parishes within or if they offer record services.'''
-----
*[https://sfarch.org/archives '''Archdiocese of San Francisco''']
::The Archdiocese includes the counties of: [[Marin County, California Genealogy|Marin]], [[San Francisco County, California Genealogy|San Francisco]] and [[San Mateo County, California Genealogy|San Mateo]].
<br>The Archives of the Archdiocese of San Francisco don't keep sacramental records. Use the following Guide to locate genealogical resources:<br>
::[https://sfarch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/AASF_Guide-to-Genealogy-Research_20220420.pdf '''Sacramental Records and Genealogy Research Guide''']


Many original mission records and other Catholic records have been gathered into central repositories. These include:
----
*[https://dioceseofmonterey.org/archivist '''Diocese of Monterey''']<br>P.O. Box 2048<br>Monterey, CA 93942<br>Phone: (831) 373-2127<br>Fax: (831) 655-4809<br>Email: Archives@dioceseofmonterey.org<br>
::[https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5sz94qz72aj7iif/AABuyqBFObUsYpvgN9b3X65Ra?dl=0&preview=Application+for+Family+History+Fillable+Rev+8-28-18.pdf '''Application for Family History Information''']
::The diocese includes the counties of: [[Monterey County, California Genealogy|Monterey]], [[Santa Cruz County, California Genealogy|Santa Cruz]], [[San Benito County, California Genealogy|San Benito]] and [[San Luis Obispo County, California Genealogy|San Luis Obispo]].


Santa Barbara (Old Mission)
----'''Oakland Diocese'''
::The diocese includes the counties of: [[Alameda County, California Genealogy|Alameda]] and [[Contra Costa County, California Genealogy|Contra Costa]].


[http://www.sbmission.org/ Old Mission Santa Barbara]<br>2201 Laguna Street<br>Santa Barbara, CA 93105<br>Phone:&nbsp;(805) 682-4713<br>E-mail: [mailto:research@sbmal.org research@sbmal.org]  
----
*[https://www.scd.org/archives#contacts '''Diocese of Sacramento Historical Archives''']<br>2110 Broadway<br>Sacramento, CA 95818<br>Phone: (916) 733-0299
:*[https://www.scd.org/parishes '''Local parishes''']  
::The diocese includes the counties of: [[Amador County, California Genealogy|Amador]], [[Butte County, California Genealogy|Butte]], [[Colusa County, California Genealogy|Colusa]], [[El Dorado County, California Genealogy|El Dorado]], [[Glenn County, California Genealogy|Glenn]], [[Lassen County, California Genealogy|Lassen]], [[Modoc County, California Genealogy|Modoc]], [[Nevada County, California Genealogy|Nevada]], [[Placer County, California Genealogy|Placer]], [[Plumas County, California Genealogy|Plumas]], [[Sacramento County, California Genealogy|Sacramento]], [[Shasta County, California Genealogy|Shasta]], [[Sierra County, California Genealogy|Sierra]], [[Siskiyou County, California Genealogy|Siskiyou]], [[Solano County, California Genealogy|Solano]], [[Sutter County, California Genealogy|Sutter]], [[Tehama County, California Genealogy|Tehama]], [[Trinity County, California Genealogy|Trinity]] and [[Yolo County, California Genealogy|Yolo]].


A guide to this extensive collection is:  
----
*[http://www.sbdiocese.org/ministries/MinistryInfo.cfm?id=1380055 '''Diocese of San Bernardino Archives Office''']<br>1201 E. Highland Ave.<br>San Bernardino, CA 92404<br>Phone: (909) 475-5397<br>Fax: (909) 474-4907<br>Email:archives@sbdiocese.org<br>[https://www.sbdiocese.org/ministries/MinistryInfo.cfm?id=1380055 '''Website''']<br>
::The diocese includes the counties of: [[Riverside County, California Genealogy|Riverside]] and [[San Bernardino County, California Genealogy|San Bernardino]].


*Geiger, Maynard J. ''Calendar of Documents in the Santa Barbara Mission Archives.'' Washington: Academy of American Franciscan History, 1947. {{FHL|129301|item}} 979.491 A5. Contact the Santa Barbara Mission Archives to ask if a more recent list has been compiled.
----
[https://www.sdcatholic.org/ '''Diocese of San Diego''']<br>3888 Paducah Drive<br>San Diego, CA 92117


[http://www.dioceseoffresno.org/archives/index.html Diocese of Fresno Archives]<br>1550 North Fresno Street<br>Fresno, CA 93703-3788<br>Phone: (559) 488-3788
Mailing Address''<br>''P.O. Box 85728<br>San Diego, CA 92186-5728<br>Phone: (858) 490-8200<br>Fax: (858) 490-8272<br>E-mail:gperfecto@symbolsdcatholic.org
::The diocese includes the counties of: [[Imperial County, California Genealogy|Imperial]] and [[San Diego County, California Genealogy|San Diego]].


The diocese includes the counties of: [[Fresno County, California|Fresno]], [[Inyo County, California|Inyo]], [[Kern County, California|Kern]], [[Kings County, California|Kings]], [[Madera County, California|Madera]], [[Mariposa County, California|Mariposa]], [[Merced County, California|Merced]] and [[Tulare County, California|Tulare]]  
----'''Diocese of San Jose'''
The diocese includes the county of: [[Santa Clara County, California Genealogy|Santa Clara]].


[http://www.la-archdiocese.org/ Archdiocese of Los Angeles]<br>3424 Wilshire Boulevard<br>Los Angeles, CA 90010-2202<br>Phone: (213) 637-7000 <br>E-mail: [mailto:info@la-archdiocese.org info@la-archdiocese.org]
----


[http://www.archdiocese.la/about/archival/index.php Archival Center for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles]<br>15151 San Fernando Mission Boulevard<br>Mission Hills, CA 91345<br>Phone: (818) 365-1501<br>Fax: (818) 361-3276
'''Diocese of Santa Rosa'''
::The diocese includes the counties of: [[Del Norte County, California Genealogy|DelNorte]], [[Humboldt County, California Genealogy|Humboldt]], [[Lake County, California Genealogy|Lake]], [[Mendocino County, California Genealogy|Mendocino]], [[Napa County, California Genealogy|Napa]] and [[Sonoma County, California Genealogy|Sonoma]].


The Archdiocese includes the counties of: [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles]], [[Santa Barbara County, California|Santa Barbara]] and [[Ventura County, California|Ventura]]  
----
'''Stockton Diocese'''
::The diocese includes the counties of: [[Alpine County, California Genealogy|Alpine]], [[Calaveras County, California Genealogy|Calaveras]], [[Mono County, California Genealogy|Mono]], [[San Joaquin County, California Genealogy|San Joaquin]], [[Stanislaus County, California Genealogy|Stanislaus]] and [[Tuolumne County, California Genealogy|Tuolumne]].


[http://www.dioceseofmonterey.org/ Diocese of Monterey]<br>P.O. Box 2048<br>Monterey, CA 93942<br>Phone: (831) 373-4345


The diocese includes the counties of: [[Monterey County, California|Monterey]], [[Santa Cruz County, California|Santa Cruz]], [[San Benito County, California|San Benito]] and [[San Luis Obispo County, California|San Luis Obispo]]
----'''Catholic Indian Missions'''


[http://www.oakdiocese.org/departments/div1d.htm Diocese of Oakland]<br>2121 Harrison St., Sutie 100<br>Oakland, CA 94612<br>Phone: (510) 893-4711
For more historical background on California Indian missions, see
*[https://accessgenealogy.com/native/california-indian-missions.htm California Indian Missions, AccessGenealogy]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_missions_in_California Wikipedia: Spanish Missions in California]
*[[Indigenous Peoples of California]]
'''Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions Records'''<br>
Special Collections and Archives<br>
Raynor Memorial Libraries<br>
Marquette University<br>
1355 W. Wisconsin Avenue<br>
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233<br>


The diocese includes the counties of: [[Alameda County, California|Alameda]] and [[Contra Costa County, California|Contra Costa]]  
P.O. Box 3141<br>
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-3141<br>
*[https://www.marquette.edu/search/#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=Bureau%20of%20Catholic%20Indian%20Missions%20Records%20California&gsc.sort= '''Website''']


[http://www.rcbo.org/ Diocese of Orange]<br>2811 East Villa Real Drive<br>Orange, CA 92867-1999<br>Phone: (714) 282-3000
====Seventh-day Adventist====
*[https://library.llu.edu/ '''Del E. Webb Memorial Library''']<br>
Loma Linda University<br>
11072 Anderson St.<br>
Loma Linda, CA 92350 <br>
Phone: 909-558-4550
===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:


Mailing Address<br>P.O. Box 14195<br>Orange, CA 92863-1595
==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>


The diocese includes the county of: [[Orange County, California|Orange]]
==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>


[http://www.diocese-sacramento.org/diocese/archives.html Diocese of Sacramento Historical Archives]<br>2110 Broadway<br>Sacramento, CA 95818<br>Phone: (916) 733-0299
[[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'''.]]


The diocese includes the counties of: [[Amador County, California|Amador]], [[Butte County, California|Butte]], [[Colusa County, California|Colusa]], [[El Dorado County, California|El Dorado]], [[Glenn County, California|Glenn]], [[Lassen County, California|Lassen]], [[Modoc County, California|Modoc]], [[Nevada County, California|Nevada]], [[Placer County, California|Placer]], [[Plumas County, California|Plumas]], [[Sacramento County, California|Sacramento]], [[Shasta County, California|Shasta]], [[Sierra County, California|Sierra]], [[Siskiyou County, California|Siskiyou]], [[Solano County, California|Solano]], [[Sutter County, California|Sutter]], [[Tehama County, California|Tehama]], [[Trinity County, California|Trinity]] and [[Yolo County, California|Yolo]]


[http://www.sbdiocese.org/ministries/MinistryInfo.cfm?id=1380055 Diocese of San Bernardino Archives Office]<br>1201 E. Highland Ave.<br>San Bernardino, CA 92404<br>Phone: (909) 475-5399
{| style="float:right; "
|-
|{{MormonLDSRemoval}}
|}


The diocese includes the counties of: [[Riverside County, California|Riverside]] and [[San Bernardino County, California|San Bernardino]]
==References==


[http://www.diocese-sdiego.org/ Diocese of San Diego]<br>3888 Paducah Drive<br>San Diego, CA 92117
<references/>  


Mailing Address''<br>''P.O. Box 85728<br>San Diego, CA 92186-5728<br>Phone: (858) 490-8200<br>Fax: (858) 490-8272
{{California|California}} {{USChurch}}


The diocese includes the counties of: [[Imperial County, California|Imperial]] and [[San Diego County, California|San Diego]]
[[Category:U_S_States_Church_records]]
 
[http://www.sfarchdiocese.org/about-us/departments-and-offices/office-of-the-archives/?search=archives Archdiocese of San Francisco Archives]<br>St. Patrick Seminary<br>320 Middlefield Road<br>Menlo Park, CA 94025<br>Phone: (650) 328-6502
 
The Archdiocese includes the counties of: [[Marin County, California|Marin]], [[San Francisco County, California|San Francisco]] and [[San Mateo County, California|San Mateo]]
 
[http://www.dsj.org/ Diocese of San Jose]<br>1150 North 1st Street, Suite 100<br>San Jose, CA 95112-4966<br>Phone: (408) 983-0295
 
The diocese includes the county of: [[Santa Clara County, California|Santa Clara]]
 
[http://www.santarosacatholic.org/ Diocese of Santa Rosa]<br>985 Airway Court<br>Santa Rosa, CA 95403<br>Phone: (707) 545-7610
 
Mailing Address<br>P.O. Box 1297<br>Santa Rosa, CA 95402
 
The diocese includes the counties of: [[Del Norte County, California|DelNorte]], [[Humboldt County, California|Humboldt]], [[Lake County, California|Lake]], [[Mendocino County, California|Mendocino]], [[Napa County, California|Napa]] and [[Sonoma County, California|Sonoma]]
 
[http://www.stocktondiocese.org/ Diocese of Stockton]<br>1105 North Lincoln Street<br>Stockton, CA 95203<br>Phone: (209) 466-0636
 
The diocese includes the counties of: [[Alpine County, California|Alpine]], [[Calaveras County, California|Calaveras]], [[Mono County, California|Mono]], [[San Joaquin County, California|San Joaquin]], [[Stanislaus County, California|Stanislaus]] and [[Tuolumne County, California|Tuolumne]]
 
=== Methodist  ===
 
[http://library.uop.edu/ha/ua/index.asp Holt-Atherton Church Archives]<br>University of the Pacific<br>3601 Pacific Avenue<br>Stockton, CA 95211<br>Phone: (209) 946-2404<br>Fax: (209) 946-2810
 
=== Presbyterian  ===
 
[http://www.sfts.edu/student/library_sfts.asp San Francisco Theological Seminary Library]<br>105 Seminary&nbsp;Road<br>San Anselmo, CA 94960<br>Phone: (415) 451-2845
 
=== Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ===
 
[http://www.elca.org/who-we-are/history/elca-archives/regional-archives.aspx Region 2 Archives]''(Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming)''<br>Carol Schmalenberger <br>ELCA Region 2 Archives <br>Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary <br>2770 Marin Avenue <br>Berkeley, CA 94708-1597 <br>(510) 524-5264 <br>E-mail: archives@plts.edu
 
<br>{{California|California}}
 
===  ===
 
Church

Latest revision as of 15:48, 12 April 2024

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

Historical Background

The largest religious denominations by number of adherents as a percentage of California's population in 2014 were the Catholic Church with 28 percent, Evangelical Protestants with 20 percent, and Mainline Protestants with 10 percent. Together, all kinds of Protestants accounted for 32 percent. Those unaffiliated with any religion represented 27 percent of the population.

According to the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) the largest denominations by adherents in 2010 were the Roman Catholic Church with 10,233,334; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with 763,818; and the Southern Baptist Convention with 489,953.

The first priests to come to California were Roman Catholic missionaries from Spain. Roman Catholics founded 21 missions along the California coast, as well as the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco. California continues to have a large Roman Catholic population due to the large numbers of Mexicans and Central Americans living within its borders. California has twelve dioceses and two archdioceses, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Archdiocese of San Francisco, the former being the largest archdiocese in the United States. [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 Historical Records

FamilySearch Digitized

Congregational

Ancestry.com

Presbyterian
Lutheran
Dutch Reformed

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

  • Temple, Thomas W. An Alphabetical Listing of the California Mission Vital Records. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1985. FS Library Collection 1307621 item 4; fiche 6047009
  • Weber, Francis J. A Select Guide to California Catholic History. Los Angeles, Calif.: Westernlore Press, 1966. FS Library Collection 979.4 K21c
  • Bowman, J.N. "The Parochial Books of the California Missions, 1961," The Quarterly (Historical Society of Southern California)], Vol. 43, No. 3. FS Library Collection 979.4 B2s
  • Barton, Noel R. "Genealogical Research in the Records of the California Missions," Genealogical Journal, Vol. 4, No. 1. FS Library Collection 973 D25gj v. 3-4 (1974-1975)

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.

Lutheran

South West California Synod / ELCA Region 2 Archives
1300 E. Colorado St.
Glendale, CA 91205
Phone:(818) 937-4761
E-mail: archives@socalsynod.org

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

Methodist

Holt-Atherton Church Archives
University of the Pacific
3601 Pacific Avenue
Stockton, CA 95211
Phone: (209) 946-2404
Fax: (209) 946-2810

Presbyterian

San Francisco Theological Seminary Library
105 Seminary Road
San Anselmo, CA 94960
Phone: (415) 451-2845

Roman Catholic

Most records are maintained at the parish level. Check the diocese websites for information on parishes within or if they offer record services.

The Archdiocese includes the counties of: Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo.


The Archives of the Archdiocese of San Francisco don't keep sacramental records. Use the following Guide to locate genealogical resources:

Sacramental Records and Genealogy Research Guide
  • Diocese of Monterey
    P.O. Box 2048
    Monterey, CA 93942
    Phone: (831) 373-2127
    Fax: (831) 655-4809
    Email: Archives@dioceseofmonterey.org
Application for Family History Information
The diocese includes the counties of: Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito and San Luis Obispo.

Oakland Diocese

The diocese includes the counties of: Alameda and Contra Costa.
The diocese includes the counties of: Amador, Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity and Yolo.
The diocese includes the counties of: Riverside and San Bernardino.

Diocese of San Diego
3888 Paducah Drive
San Diego, CA 92117

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 85728
San Diego, CA 92186-5728
Phone: (858) 490-8200
Fax: (858) 490-8272
E-mail:gperfecto@symbolsdcatholic.org

The diocese includes the counties of: Imperial and San Diego.

Diocese of San Jose

The diocese includes the county of: Santa Clara.

Diocese of Santa Rosa

The diocese includes the counties of: DelNorte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma.

Stockton Diocese

The diocese includes the counties of: Alpine, Calaveras, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tuolumne.


Catholic Indian Missions

For more historical background on California Indian missions, see

Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions Records
Special Collections and Archives
Raynor Memorial Libraries
Marquette University
1355 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233

P.O. Box 3141
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-3141

Seventh-day Adventist

Loma Linda University
11072 Anderson St.
Loma Linda, CA 92350
Phone: 909-558-4550

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:

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.


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The usage of "Mormon" and "LDS" on this page is approved according to current policy.


References

  1. ↑ "California: Religion", in Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California#Religion, accessed 27 June 2020.
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