Botswana Church Records

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Botswana

Church Records

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

Online Resources and Websites

• South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records (Stellenbosch Archive), 1690-2011, index and images, includes Botswana
• South Africa, Reformed Church Records, 1856-1988, images, includes Botswana
  
  

• British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms, Botswana, index and images, ($)
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms, Africa, index and images, ($)
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages, Africa, index and images, ($)
• British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials, index and images, ($)

Historical Background

An estimated 77% of the country's citizens identify as Christians. Anglicans, Methodists, and the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa make up the majority of Christians. There are also congregations of Lutherans, Baptists, Roman Catholics, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), the Dutch Reformed Church, Mennonites, Seventh-day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses in the country.

Information Recorded in the Records

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

Baptisms

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

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

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

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

Marriages

Marriage registers can give:

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

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

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

Burials

Burial registers may give:

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

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

How to Find Records

Digital Copies of Church Records in the FamilySearch Catalog

Watch for digitized copies of church records to be added to the collection of the FamilySearch Library. Some records might have viewing restrictions, and can only be viewed at a Family History Center near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations. To find records:

a. Click on the records of Botswana.

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

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

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

e. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the listing for the record. . The magnifying glass indicates that the record is indexed. Clicking on the magnifying glass will take you to the index. Clicking on the camera will take you to an online digital copy of the records.

Writing for Records

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

Catholic Church Records

Writing to a Local Parish

To locate the mailing address or e-mail address for a local parish, consult:

• The Catholic Directory: Botswana

Historical Background

The Catholic Church in Botswana is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in the Vatican City. Catholics represent about 5-6% of the total population. Initially Catholic missionaries were not allowed in Botswana by native tribes at the urging of Protestant missionaries who arrived first. Missionaries began to work in Botswana in 1928, and were noted for setting up schools and clinics. The church in Botswana is organized into the Diocese of Gaborone, which serves the southern portion of the country, and the Diocese of Francistown, which serves the faithful of northern communities.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Records

Online Records

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

Historical Background

Total Church Membership: 3,524. Congregations:15.
Missionary work in Botswana began in 1990. Among the first converts was Kwasi Agyare Dwomoh, an architect from Ghana working for the Botswana government. Dwomoh was called as the first branch president in 1991. A branch is a small congregation. He later became the first district president in Botswana. By March of 1992, the fast-growing branch was ready to be divided into two branches as the membership had grown to 160. And in 1992 a third branch was organized in the city of Lobatse.

Anglican (Episcopal) Church Records

Writing for Records

• Google Maps search results for Anglican churches in Botswana

Baptist Church Records

Writing for Records

• Google Maps search results for Baptist churches in Botswana

Jehovah's Witnesses Church Records

Writing for Records

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

Lutheran Church Records

Writing for Records

• Google Maps search results for Lutheran churches in Botswana

Mennonite Church Records

Writing for Records

Brethren In Christ Church
Plot 38817 Block6, Tlokweng
Gaborone, Botswana

PO Box 81207
Gaborone, Botswana

Phone number: 392 8492

Historical Background

​Mennonite Central Committee began work in Botswana in the 1970s, providing schoolteachers and training in job skills. As a result of friendships with local African-Initiated Churches,Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission - with which Mennonite Mission Network is a partner--was invited to send Bible teachers. Beginning in 1975, six Mennonite denominations have sent workers to Botswana. In addition to Bible teaching among African-Initiated Churches, these workers are involved in AIDS education and counseling, community development, youth ministry, friendship evangelism, teaching and issues related to families.

Methodist Church Records

Writing for Records

• Google Maps search results for Methodist churches in Botswana

Seventh-day Adventist Church Records

Writing for Records

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

United Congregational Church Records

Writing for Records

• Google Maps search results for United Congregational churches in Botswana

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