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== Online Resources ==
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*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2790182 '''1831-1994''' - Alabama, Church Records, 1831-1994]. Index and images, incomplete.
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*[http://www.archives.alabama.gov/AlChurchRecs/search.cfm Alabama Church and Synagogue Records Collection Database] Index to the collection.
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*[http://bpldb.bplonline.org/db/episcopal Alabama Episcopal Church Records]. 1830's to 1970's. Index.
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=== Alabama Churches General Information  ===


Church records and the information they provide vary greatly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age; dates of baptism, christening or birth; marriage information, such as the bride’s maiden name and the names of both sets of parents; death or burial date; admissions; and removals. Records may include names of other relatives who were witnesses or members of the congregation. The members of some churches were predominately of one nationality or ethnic group. Church records are important for Alabama family research because civil authorities in Alabama did not begin registering vital statistics until after 1908.


Roman Catholic church records for Mobile date from about 1700. In the 1800s, the largest religious groups in [[Alabama, United States Genealogy|Alabama]] were the [[Baptist Church in the United States|Baptist]], [[Methodist Church in the United States|Methodist]], and [[Presbyterian Church in the United States|Presbyterian]] churches.<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><ref>[http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/state/01_2000.asp Association of Religion Data Archives]) </ref>  
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To find information about churches up to 1870, such as when the churches were founded, names of ministers and early members, and associated cemeteries, see:
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<center>'''For greater success, use all the Wiki Articles in this series:'''</center>
*Daughters of the American Revolution (Alabama). ''Some Early Alabama Churches (Established Before 1870).'' Birmingham, Alabama: Parchment Press, 1973. {{FHL|216586|item|disp=FHL book 976.1 K2d, film 1026262 item 8}}
*[[Determining the Church Your Ancestor Attended|'''Determining the Church Your Ancestor Attended''']]  
*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?|'''What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?''']]  
*[[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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The {{FHL|405785|subject_id|disp=Family History Library}} has a few church records for Alabama, but most remain with the local churches. Also search for local (city and county) church records in the&nbsp;[[FamilySearch Catalog Place-name Search|FamilySearch Catalog]]. Some denominations have collected their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses to learn where records of a particular denomination are located.


=== Baptist  ===
==Historical Background==
[[Image:First Baptist Montgomery.jpg|thumb|right|320x230px|<center>First Baptist Church, Montgomery</center>]]  
Alabama is located in the middle of the Bible Belt, a region of numerous '''Protestant Christians'''. A majority of people in the state identify as '''Evangelical Protestant'''. As of 2010, the three largest denominational groups in Alabama are the [[Baptist Church in the United States|'''Southern Baptist Convention''']], [[Methodist Church in the United States|'''The United Methodist Church''']], and '''non-denominational Evangelical Protestant'''. Many Baptist and Methodist congregations became established in the Great Awakening of the early 19th century, when preachers proselytized across the South. The [[Presbyterian Church in the United States|'''Presbyterian''']] churches were strongly associated with Scots-Irish immigrants of the 18th century and their descendants.<ref> Wikipedia contributors, "Alabama", in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,'' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama#Religion, accessed May 2020. </ref>
Special Collection, Samford University Library<br>Samford University<br>[http://library.samford.edu/ Harwell Goodwin Davis Library]<br>800 Lakeshore Dr.<br>Birmingham, AL 35229-0001<br>Phone: (205)726-2748<br>  
==Prepare by Collecting Background Information==
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>


See [[Alabama Archives and Libraries|Alabama Archives and Libraries]]. The Samford University Library Website has an inventory of their records and contains many different Alabama denominations in their collection besides Baptist. Also included are [http://library3.samford.edu/search~S27?/X(american%20Missionary%20association)&SORT=D/X(american%20Missionary%20association)&SORT=D&SUBKEY=(american%20Missionary%20association)/1%2C38%2C38%2CB/frameset&FF=X(american%20Missionary%20association)&SORT=D&1%2C1%2C microfilmed records] of the American Missionary Association, a interdenominational missionary society devoted to abolitionist principles beginning in 1846.
'''Carefully evaluate''' the church records you find to make sure you have really found records for your ancestor and not just a '''"near match"'''. For more instruction in evaluating evidence, read the Wiki article, [[Evaluate the Evidence|'''Evaluate the Evidence'''.]]


For histories of the Baptist Church, see:
==Look for online records.==
Some records have been digitized and posted online, where they are easily searched. These are listed at the top of this page and on the [[Alabama Online Genealogy Records|'''Alabama Online Genealogy Records page''']].


*Holcombe, Hosea. ''A History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Alabama. 1840.'' Reprint, Bessemer, Alabama: West Jefferson County Historical Society, 1974. {{FHL|192489|item|disp=FHL book 976.1 K21h}} This history of the Baptist Church to 1840 is indexed.
'''Ancestry.com, FindMyPast.com, and MyHeritage.com can be searched free of charge at your local [https://familysearch.org/locations/ family history center] or the [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Family_History_Library Family History Library] in Salt Lake City, Utah.
*Flynt, F. Wayne. ''Alabama Baptists: Southern Baptists in the Heart of Dixie.'' Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1998.  
<br>
*Bledsoe, W.C. ''History of the Liberty (East) Baptist Association of Alabama.'' Atlanta, Ga.: Constitution Job Office, 1886. Digital version at [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/138629-history-of-the-liberty-east-baptist-association-of-alabama?viewer=1&offset=1#page=1&viewer=picture&o=info&n=0&q= FamilySearch Digital Library].
*Riley, B.F. ''A Memorial History of the Baptists of Alabama: Being an Account of the Struggles and Achievements of the Denomination from 1808 to 1923.'' Philadelphia: The Judson Press, 1923. Digital version at [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/134953-a-memorial-history-of-the-baptists-of-alabama-being-an-account-of-the-struggles-and-achievements-of-the-denomination-from-1808-to-1923?viewer=1&offset=1#page=1&viewer=picture&o=info&n=0&q= FamilySearch Digital Library].


An 1899 directory of Baptist ministers lists biographical details about many ministers born or serving in the state: <ref>Davis points out that not all ministers participated, see: Robert S. Davis, "Some Baptist Ministers of South Carolina at the Turn of the Century," ''The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research,'' Vol. 32, No. 1 (Winter 2004):13-22. {{FHL|43856|item|disp=FHL Book 975.7 B2sc v. 32}}</ref>
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*''The Ministerial Directory of the Baptist Churches in the United States of America.'' Oxford, Ohio: Ministerial Directory Co., 1899. Digital version at [http://books.google.com/books?id=f9gpAAAAYAAJ Google Books].
 
=== The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)  ===
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Early church records, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for Alabama Wards and Branches can be found on film and are located at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Family History Library in Salt Lake City. The film numbers, for each ward, can be located through the [https://www.familysearch.org/#form=catalog FamilySearch Catalog&nbsp;] or by referring 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.
 
=== Episcopal  ===
[[Image:St. Mary's-on-the-Highlands Episcopal Church Dec 2012.jpg|thumb|right|400x220px|<center>St. Mary's on the Highland Episcopal Church</center>]]
{| width="60%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
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| bgcolor="#cccccc" colspan="7" | <center>'''Episcopal Statistics in Alabama 1830 to 1898<ref>R.H. Cobbs and W.C. Whitaker, "Statistics of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Alabama," ''Transactions of the Alabama Historical Society,'' Vol. 2 (1898):83-89. Digital version at [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/532416-transactions-of-the-alabama-historical-society-v-2-1897-1898?viewer=1&offset=1#page=1&viewer=picture&o=info&n=0&q= FamilySearch Digital Library].</ref>'''</center>
|-
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| Baptisms
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| Confirmations
[[File:Caution sign.png|100px]]
| Marriages
|
| Burials
Online databases are <span style="color:Red">'''incomplete'''</span>. This can lead to two common errors:
| Deacons Made
#'''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.
| Priests Ordained
#'''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!
| Churches Consecrated
|-
| <center>24,921</center>  
| <center>15,402</center>  
| <center>5,574</center>
| <center>11,184</center>
| <center>75</center>
| <center>65</center>  
| <center>30</center>
|}
|}
*'''1807-1947''' - [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1248908?availability=Family%20History%20Library Alabama miscellaneous church records, 1807-1947] at FamilySearch - images
*'''1831-1994''' - {{RecordSearch|2790182|Alabama, Church Records, 1831-1994}} at FamilySearch Historical Records - index and images
*'''1881-1930''' - {{RecordSearch|1661470|Alabama, Births and Christenings, 1881-1930}} at FamilySearch Historical Records - Index only. [https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Alabama_Births_and_Christenings,_Coverage_Table_-_FamilySearch_Historical_Records Coverage Table]
*'''1816-1957''' - [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1674672 Alabama Marriages, 1816-1957] at FamilySearch Historical Records - Index. [https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Alabama_Marriages,_Coverage_Table_-_FamilySearch_Historical_Records Coverage Table]
*Links to nationwide collections are listed in [[United States Online Genealogy Records|'''United States Online Genealogy Records.''']]


A list of the Episcopal congregations in Alabama before 1939 is:  
===Anglican/Episcopal Collections===
*[http://bpldb.bplonline.org/db/episcopal Alabama Episcopal Church Records]. 1830's to 1970's. Index.
*'''1832-1972''' - [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/70662/ Web: Alabama, Episcopal Church Registers Index, 1832-1972] at Ancestry.com - index.
*'''1837-1970''' - [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61748/ Alabama, Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, Church Records, 1837-1970] at Ancestry.com ($) - index and images.
*'''1830s-1970s''' - [http://bpldb.bplonline.org/db/episcopal Alabama Episcopal Church Records] at the Birmingham Public Library - index


*''Inventory of the Church Archives of Alabama: Protestant Episcopal Church.'' Birmingham, Alabama: Alabama Historical Records Survey Project, 1939. {{FHL|214903|item|disp=FHL book 976.1 K2h; film 897366 item 3}}; digital version at [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/540603-inventory-of-the-church-archives-of-alabama-protestant-episcopal-church?offset=1 FamilySearch Books]. This gives the location of each church with a brief history and describes the types and years of records that existed for each congregation in 1939.
===Methodist Collections===
*'''1830-1920''' - [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1246931?availability=Family%20History%20Library Methodist Episcopal Church, 1832-1920, Alabama] at FamilySearch - images
*'''1836-1928''' - [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1246933?availability=Family%20History%20Library Circuit Methodist Episcopal churches in Alabama, 1836-1928] at FamilySearch - images
*'''1836-1919''' - [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1246932?availability=Family%20History%20Library Circuit Methodist Episcopal churches, 1836-1919, Alabama] at FamilySearch - images
*'''1830-1934''' - [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1246949?availability=Family%20History%20Library Methodist Episcopal Church records, 1830-1934, Alabama] at FamilySearch - images


For a history, consult:  
==Look for digital copies of church records in the FamilySearch Catalog. ==
*The [[Family History Library|Family History Library]] (FHL) has a substantial collection of original church records and transcripts on microfilm for churches in the United States. These include records of many denominations, particularly the [[Society of Friends (Quakers) in the United States|'''Society of Friends (Quaker)''']], [[Presbyterian Church in the United States|'''Presbyterian''']], [[Congregational Church in the United States|'''Congregational''']], [[Lutheran Church in the United States|'''Lutheran''']], '''Reformed''', and [[Roman Catholic Church in the United States|'''Roman Catholic''']] churches.
*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://familysearch.org/locations/ '''Family History 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=356&query=%2Bplace%3A%22United%20States%2C%20Alabama%22 '''records of United States, Alabama'''].
:::b. Click on '''Places within United States, Alabama''' 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, Alabama [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.


*Whitaker, Walter C. ''History of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Alabama 1763-1891.'' Birmingham, Ala.: Roberts &amp; Son, 1898. Digital version at [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/186487-history-of-the-protestant-episcopal-church-in-alabama-1763-1891?offset=1 FamilySearch Books] - free.
==Consult available finding aids.==


=== Methodist  ===
'''These aids generally provide lists of records that are known to exist and information on their location.'''
[[Image:Fort Deposit, Alabama United Methodist Church.JPG|right|thumb|420x290px|<center>Fort Deposit, Alabama United Methodist Church</center>]]
*[https://archives.alabama.gov/findaids/v8813_Denomination.pdf '''Finding Aid for Church and Synagogue Records Collections, 1805-2008'''] Browsable list. This collection contains the records of major denominations within Alabama, including '''Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, Episcopal, Jewish, Methodist and Presbyterian'''.
[http://www.huntingdon.edu/ Houghton Memorial Library]<br>Huntingdon College <br>1500 E. Fairview Avenue<br>Montgomery, AL 36106-2148 <br>Phone: (334) 833-4421<br>Fax: (334) 263-4465 <br>E-mail: [mailto:edidwell@huntingdon.edu <u>edidwell@huntingdon.edu</u>]
*[https://library3.samford.edu/search~S27/?searchtype=Y&searcharg=church+records&searchscope=27&m=&SORT=D '''Catalog of church records in Samford University libraries''']
*PERSI is the '''Periodical Source Index''' and is available at [https://search.findmypast.com/search/periodical-source-index '''FindMyPast.com:PERSI.'''] PERSI is an index to family and local history periodicals from 1847 to the present. Many of these periodicals publish church records.
===Baptist Records===
*[http://www.sbhla.org/churchrecords.asp '''Church Records on Microfilm: Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archive'''] Includes information on ordering records.
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Baptist_churches_on_the_National_Register_of_Historic_Places_in_Alabama '''List of Baptist churches on the National Register of Historic Places in Alabama'''] - to find churches that existed in earlier times.
===Episcopal/Anglican Records===
*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/540603-inventory-of-the-church-archives-of-alabama-protestant-episcopal-church?offset=1 '''''Inventory of the Church Archives of Alabama: Protestant Episcopal Church'''].'' Birmingham, Alabama: Alabama Historical Records Survey Project, 1939. This gives the location of each church with a brief history and describes the types and years of records that existed for each congregation in 1939. Information on record location usually gives the name and address of the 1939 rector, though it no longer applies. Generally, the records are stored with the current rector; so if the address given is the church itself, it still applies.


[http://library.bsc.edu/ Charles Andrew Rush Library]<br>Birmingham-Southern College<br>900 Arkadelphia Road<br>P.O. Box 549020 <br>Birmingham, AL 35254-9990 <br>Phone: (205) 226-4740 <br>Fax: (205) 226-4743
===Presbyterian Records===
*Hall, James H.B. "The History of the Cumberland '''Presbyterian Church in Alabama Prior to 1826'''," ''Transactions of the Alabama Historical Society,'' Vol. 4 (1904):365-394. Digital version at [http://archive.org/stream/transactionsala03socigoog#page/n380/mode/2up '''Internet Archive''']. Identifies '''minute books''' available for early Presbyteries. The early Presbyteries did not keep records of baptisms, marriages, and burials.


Histories of the Methodist Church in Alabama include:
==Research church record holdings in archives.==
 
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 [https://algensoc.org/main/researchers.html '''researcher.''']<br>
*Lazenby, Marion Elias, ''History of Methodism in Alabama and West Florida''. N.p., 1960. {{FHL|192480|item|disp=FHL book 976.1 K2L}}. This book includes a list of deceased ministers and a name and subject index.
===Alabama Catholic Archives===
 
*[http://www.bhmdiocese.org/ '''Diocese of Birmingham''']<br>2121 3rd Ave.<br>P.O. Box 12047<br>North Birmingham, AL 35202-2047<br>Phone: (205) 838-8322 <br>
*West, Anson. ''A History of Methodism in Alabama.'' Nashville, Tenn.: Pub. House, Methodist Episcopal Church South, 1893. Digital version at [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/99303-a-history-of-methodism-in-alabama?offset=1 FamilySearch Books] - free.
All records are maintained in the local parishes.<br>
 
=== Presbyterian  ===
 
[[Image:First Presbyterian Huntsville May 2011 01.jpg|right|thumb||240x380px|<center>First Presbyterian Huntsville</center>]]
 
[http://www.history.pcusa.org/ Presbyterian Historical Society ]<br>425 Lombard Street<br>Philadelphia, PA 19147 <br>Phone: (215) 627-1852 <br>Fax: (215) 627-0509
 
Early Presbyteries (with years organized): Alabama Presbytery (1821), Elyton Presbytery&nbsp;(1831), Birmingham Presbytery (1896), Talladega Presbytery (1836), Springville Presbytery (1880), Robert Donnell Presbytery (1890), The New Hope Presbytery(1838), and The McGready Presbytery (1840/1).<ref>James H.B. Hall, "The History of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Alabama Prior to 1826," ''Transactions of the Alabama Historical Society,'' Vol. 4 (1904):392-394. Digital version at [http://archive.org/stream/transactionsala03socigoog#page/n408/mode/2up Internet Archive] - free.</ref>
 
Histories of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church include:
 
*Hall, James H.B. "The History of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Alabama Prior to 1826," ''Transactions of the Alabama Historical Society,'' Vol. 4 (1904):365-394. Digital version at [http://archive.org/stream/transactionsala03socigoog#page/n380/mode/2up Internet Archive] - free. Identifies minute books available for early Presbyteries. The early Presbyteries did not keep records of baptisms, marriages, and burials.
 
=== Roman Catholic ===
[http://www.bhmdiocese.org/ Diocese of Birmingham]<br>2121 3rd Ave.<br>P.O. Box 12047<br>North Birmingham, AL 35202-2047<br>Phone: (205) 838-8322  


The diocese includes the counties of: [[Bibb County, Alabama Genealogy|Bibb]], [[Blount County, Alabama Genealogy|Blount]], [[Calhoun County, Alabama Genealogy|Calhoun]], [[Chambers County, Alabama Genealogy|Chambers]], [[Cherokee County, Alabama Genealogy|Cherokee]], [[Chilton County, Alabama Genealogy|Chilton]], [[Clay County, Alabama Genealogy|Clay]], [[Cleburne County, Alabama Genealogy|Cleburne]], [[Colbert County, Alabama Genealogy|Colbert]], [[Coosa County, Alabama Genealogy|Coosa]], [[Cullman County, Alabama Genealogy|Cullman]] , [[DeKalb County, Alabama Genealogy|DeKalb]], [[Etowah County, Alabama Genealogy|Etowah]], [[Fayette County, Alabama Genealogy|Fayette]], [[Franklin County, Alabama Genealogy|Franklin]], [[Greene County, Alabama Genealogy|Greene]], [[Hale County, Alabama Genealogy|Hale]], [[Jackson County, Alabama Genealogy|Jackson]], [[Jefferson County, Alabama Genealogy|Jefferson]], [[Lamar County, Alabama Genealogy|Lamar]], [[Lauderdale County, Alabama Genealogy|Lauderdale]], [[Lawrence County, Alabama Genealogy|Lawrence]], [[Limestone County, Alabama Genealogy|Limestone]], [[Madison County, Alabama Genealogy|Madison]], [[Marengo County, Alabama Genealogy|Marengo]], [[Marion County, Alabama Genealogy|Marion]], [[Marshall County, Alabama Genealogy|Marshall]], [[Morgan County, Alabama Genealogy|Morgan]], [[Perry County, Alabama Genealogy|Perry]], [[Pickens County, Alabama Genealogy|Pickens]], [[Randolph County, Alabama Genealogy|Randolph]], [[Shelby County, Alabama Genealogy|Shelby]], [[Sumter County, Alabama Genealogy|Sumter]], [[St. Clair County, Alabama Genealogy|St. Clair]], [[Talladega County, Alabama Genealogy|Talladega]], [[Tallapoosa County, Alabama Genealogy|Tallapoosa]], [[Tuscaloosa County, Alabama Genealogy|Tuscaloosa]], [[Walker County, Alabama Genealogy|Walker]] and [[Winston County, Alabama Genealogy|Winston]].<ref name="rome">[https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=a945f185eab041378d595f6c0a7f628f Map of the Roman Catholic Dioceses in the United States of America], Office of Catholic Schools Diocese of Columbus, accessed 3 Nov 2010.</ref>  
The diocese includes the counties of: [[Bibb County, Alabama Genealogy|Bibb]], [[Blount County, Alabama Genealogy|Blount]], [[Calhoun County, Alabama Genealogy|Calhoun]], [[Chambers County, Alabama Genealogy|Chambers]], [[Cherokee County, Alabama Genealogy|Cherokee]], [[Chilton County, Alabama Genealogy|Chilton]], [[Clay County, Alabama Genealogy|Clay]], [[Cleburne County, Alabama Genealogy|Cleburne]], [[Colbert County, Alabama Genealogy|Colbert]], [[Coosa County, Alabama Genealogy|Coosa]], [[Cullman County, Alabama Genealogy|Cullman]] , [[DeKalb County, Alabama Genealogy|DeKalb]], [[Etowah County, Alabama Genealogy|Etowah]], [[Fayette County, Alabama Genealogy|Fayette]], [[Franklin County, Alabama Genealogy|Franklin]], [[Greene County, Alabama Genealogy|Greene]], [[Hale County, Alabama Genealogy|Hale]], [[Jackson County, Alabama Genealogy|Jackson]], [[Jefferson County, Alabama Genealogy|Jefferson]], [[Lamar County, Alabama Genealogy|Lamar]], [[Lauderdale County, Alabama Genealogy|Lauderdale]], [[Lawrence County, Alabama Genealogy|Lawrence]], [[Limestone County, Alabama Genealogy|Limestone]], [[Madison County, Alabama Genealogy|Madison]], [[Marengo County, Alabama Genealogy|Marengo]], [[Marion County, Alabama Genealogy|Marion]], [[Marshall County, Alabama Genealogy|Marshall]], [[Morgan County, Alabama Genealogy|Morgan]], [[Perry County, Alabama Genealogy|Perry]], [[Pickens County, Alabama Genealogy|Pickens]], [[Randolph County, Alabama Genealogy|Randolph]], [[Shelby County, Alabama Genealogy|Shelby]], [[Sumter County, Alabama Genealogy|Sumter]], [[St. Clair County, Alabama Genealogy|St. Clair]], [[Talladega County, Alabama Genealogy|Talladega]], [[Tallapoosa County, Alabama Genealogy|Tallapoosa]], [[Tuscaloosa County, Alabama Genealogy|Tuscaloosa]], [[Walker County, Alabama Genealogy|Walker]] and [[Winston County, Alabama Genealogy|Winston]].<ref name="rome">[https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=a945f185eab041378d595f6c0a7f628f Map of the Roman Catholic Dioceses in the United States of America], Office of Catholic Schools Diocese of Columbus, accessed 3 Nov 2010.</ref>  


[http://www.mobilearchdiocese.org/archives/archives.cfm?AOMDeptID=21 Archdiocese of Mobile Archives]<br>14 S. Franklin St.<br>Mobile, AL 36602<br>Phone: (251) 415-3850  
*[http://mobarch.org/ministries-offices/archives/ '''Archdiocese of Mobile Archives''']<br>14 S. Franklin St.<br>Mobile, AL 36602<br>Phone: (251) 415-3850  
 
"The records for the Cathedral parish from 1704-1739 have been published and are available for purchase by mail. Until more of our records are published, '''the archives will try to honor requests for individual sacramental information as staff/volunteer time is available'''.
The Archdiocese includes the counties of: [[Autauga County, Alabama Genealogy|Autauga]], [[Baldwin County, Alabama Genealogy|Baldwin]], [[Barbour County, Alabama Genealogy|Barbour]], [[Bullock County, Alabama Genealogy|Bullock]], [[Butler County, Alabama Genealogy|Butler]], [[Choctaw County, Alabama Genealogy|Choctaw]], [[Clarke County, Alabama Genealogy|Clarke]], [[Coffee County, Alabama Genealogy|Coffee]], [[Conecuh County, Alabama Genealogy|Conecuh]], [[Covington County, Alabama Genealogy|Covington]], [[Crenshaw County, Alabama Genealogy|Crenshaw]], [[Dale County, Alabama Genealogy|Dale]], [[Dallas County, Alabama Genealogy|Dallas]], [[Elmore County, Alabama Genealogy|Elmore]], [[Escambia County, Alabama Genealogy|Escambia]], [[Geneva County, Alabama Genealogy|Geneva]], [[Henry County, Alabama Genealogy|Henry]], [[Houston County, Alabama Genealogy|Houston]], [[Lee County, Alabama Genealogy|Lee]], [[Lowndes County, Alabama Genealogy|Lowndes]], [[Macon County, Alabama Genealogy|Macon]], [[Mobile County, Alabama Genealogy|Mobile]], [[Monroe County, Alabama Genealogy|Monroe]], [[Montgomery County, Alabama Genealogy|Montgomery]], [[Pike County, Alabama Genealogy|Pike]], [[Russell County, Alabama Genealogy|Russell]], [[Washington County, Alabama Genealogy|Washington]] and [[Wilcox County, Alabama Genealogy|Wilcox]].<ref name="rome" />
*Make each request in writing using [http://mobarch.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Genealogical_Research-Individual_Sacramental_Request2.pdf '''this form.'''] Print it, fill out as completely as possible for each record requested, and mail.
[[Image:St. Leo's Catholic Church Demopolis 03.JPG|right|thumb|300x270px|<center>St. Leo's Catholic Church Demopolis</center>]]
*There is a $10 fee to search for each sacramental record requested. This is for the search, so it is payable regardless of whether we are able to find the record.
For further information about local church records, please refer to county or city pages.
*Please mail all forms with payment for the total number of requests.
 
*We can only supply the information contained in the sacramental record (translated where applicable), not an official certificate and not a copy of the original entry.
'''The Drouin Collection'''  
*We will not honor requests for research of general family lines." (In other words, request a specific event, but don't ask them to find everything about a family at once.)
 
[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1111 Early U.S. French Catholic Church Records, 1695-1954]&nbsp; 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 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.  
 
'''State of Alabama'''
 
[http://www.archives.state.al.us/ Dept. of Archives and History]<br>624 Washington Ave.<br>Montgomery, AL 36130-3601<br>Collection includes:
 
*Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Mobile, Alabama)  
*Family Records, 1700-1860
*Scattered issues of Mobile and Birmingham Catholic newspapers in originals
*Local Catholic cemetery gravestone transcriptions and funeral home records
*Items pertaining to Catholic education in Alabama (yearbooks, students and faculty lists), scattered localities and dates.


Some of the records of this diocese are available on microfilms at the Family History Library.  
The Archdiocese includes the counties of: [[Autauga County, Alabama Genealogy|Autauga]], [[Baldwin County, Alabama Genealogy|Baldwin]], [[Barbour County, Alabama Genealogy|Barbour]], [[Bullock County, Alabama Genealogy|Bullock]], [[Butler County, Alabama Genealogy|Butler]], [[Choctaw County, Alabama Genealogy|Choctaw]], [[Clarke County, Alabama Genealogy|Clarke]], [[Coffee County, Alabama Genealogy|Coffee]], [[Conecuh County, Alabama Genealogy|Conecuh]], [[Covington County, Alabama Genealogy|Covington]], [[Crenshaw County, Alabama Genealogy|Crenshaw]], [[Dale County, Alabama Genealogy|Dale]], [[Dallas County, Alabama Genealogy|Dallas]], [[Elmore County, Alabama Genealogy|Elmore]], [[Escambia County, Alabama Genealogy|Escambia]], [[Geneva County, Alabama Genealogy|Geneva]], [[Henry County, Alabama Genealogy|Henry]], [[Houston County, Alabama Genealogy|Houston]], [[Lee County, Alabama Genealogy|Lee]], [[Lowndes County, Alabama Genealogy|Lowndes]], [[Macon County, Alabama Genealogy|Macon]], [[Mobile County, Alabama Genealogy|Mobile]], [[Monroe County, Alabama Genealogy|Monroe]], [[Montgomery County, Alabama Genealogy|Montgomery]], [[Pike County, Alabama Genealogy|Pike]], [[Russell County, Alabama Genealogy|Russell]], [[Washington County, Alabama Genealogy|Washington]] and [[Wilcox County, Alabama Genealogy|Wilcox]].<ref name="rome" />


Alabama church records are listed in the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under:
===Other Denominational Archives===
For archives of other denominations, see [[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''Searching for Church Records by Denomination'''.]]


:ALABAMA — '''CHURCH RECORDS'''  
===State Archives===
:ALABAMA, [COUNTY] — '''CHURCH RECORDS'''
'''Alabama Department of Archives and History'''<br>
:ALABAMA, [COUNTY], [TOWN] — '''CHURCH RECORDS'''
P.O. Box 300100<br>
624 Washington Ave.<br>
Montgomery, AL 36130<br>
<br>
Telephone:334-242-4435<br>


== Websites  ==
*[https://archives.alabama.gov/findaids/v8813_Denomination.pdf '''Finding Aid for Church and Synagogue Records Collections, 1805-2008'''] Browsable list. This collection contains the records of major denominations within Alabama, including '''Baptist, Catholic, Church of Christ, Episcopal, Jewish, Methodist and Presbyterian'''.
**[http://www.archives.alabama.gov/AlChurchRecs/search.cfm '''Index to Churches in the Alabama Church and Synagogue Records Collection Database'''] at the Alabama Archives - index.
*[https://archives.alabama.gov/referenc/newform2.html '''Research Request Form and Instructions''']
*[https://archives.alabama.gov/ '''Website''']<br>


*http://www.genealogy.com/5_grnwd.html
'''Collection includes: '''Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Mobile; family records 1700-1860, some Catholic school records, some Catholic newspapers, Catholic cemetery records, and funeral home records.'''
*http://www.accessgenealogy.com/church/alabama.htm
*http://www.censusfinder.com/alabama.htm


== References ==
===University Archives===
'''Samford University Library'''<br>
800 Lakeshore Drive<br>
Birmingham, AL 35229<br>
<br>
Telephone:205-726-2196<br>
E-mail: referenc@samford.edu<br>
*[https://library3.samford.edu/search~S27/?searchtype=Y&searcharg=church+records&searchscope=27&m=&SORT=D '''Catalog of church records in Samford University libraries''']
*[https://algensoc.org/main/researchers.html '''Alabama Genealogical Society AGS RESEARCHERS LIST''']


{{reflist}}
==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:
*[https://altttp.genealogyvillage.com/societies.htm '''Historical & Genealogical Societies of Alabama''']
*[https://archives.alabama.gov/Research/societies.pdf '''Alabama County Historical and Genealogical Societies''']
*[http://www.daddezio.com/society/hill/SH-AL-001.html '''List of Alabama Societies''']<br>


{{Alabama|Alabama}}{{USChurch}}
==References==
[[fr:Modification de Alabama Registres Paroissiaux]]
<references/>
[[Category:Alabama, United States|Church Records]] [[Category:U_S_States_Church_records]]
[[Category:Sandbox]]
Hanna5974
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