Zambia Church Records
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For information about records for non-Christian religions in Zambia, go to the Religious Records page.
Dutch Reformed Records
How to Find the Records
Online Resources and Websites
- 1660-2011 - South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records, Stellenbosch Archive 1660-2011 at FamilySearch
- 1690-2011 - South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Records (Stellenbosch Archive), 1690-2011 at FamilySearch
- 1838-1991 - South Africa, Netherdutch Reformed Church Registers (Pretoria Archive), 1838-1991 at FamilySearch
- 1947-1972 - Zambia, Livingstone, church records at FamilySearch Catalog
More Dutch Reformed records are available on the FamilySearch Catalog. Search for places within Zambia.
Historical Background
The Dutch Reformed Church reached South Africa at the end of the 19th century and soon after entered Zambia. The first congregation was established in Lusaka and expanded rapidly. For more information, see Reformed Church in Zambia.
Information Recorded in the Records
Baptism registers usually list:
- Name
- Date and place of baptism
- Date of birth
- Names of parents, sometimes including mother's maiden name
- Name of person performing baptism
Marriage registers usually list:
- Date and place of marriage
- Names and ages of bride and groom
- Race of bride and groom
- Country of birth and marital status of bride and groom
- Occupation and residence of bride and groom
- Marriage by license or banns
- Names of persons giving consent
- Names of witnesses
- Name of officiant at ceremony
Burial registers usually list:
- Date and place of burial
- Name and age of deceased
- Residence at time of death
- Who performed burial ceremony
Roman Catholic Records
How to Find the Records
Online Resources and Websites
Catholic church records are available on the FamilySearch Catalog for Lusaka, Zambia. The records (baptism, marriage, death, and First Communion registers and confirmations) are available from 1953 to 2016.
Historical Background
Roman Catholicism reached Zambia in 1879 by Jesuit missionaries. Jesuit missions were then established in Zambia throughout the next few decades. In the 1900s, two archdioceses, Kasama and Lusaka, were created. For more information, see Catholic Church in Zambia.
Information Recorded in the Records
Baptism registers usually list:
- Name
- Date of baptism and birth
- Parents
- Village/parish
- Godparent
Marriage registers usually list:
- Name of bride and groom
- Date of marriage
- Baptism place and number (sometimes date)
- Permanent home
- Parents
- Witnesses
Death registers usually list:
- Date of death
- Name
- Place of origin
- Baptism place, date, and number
- Spouse
- Age or birth date
- Cause of death
- Burial date and place
First Communion registers usually list:
- Name
- Birth date
- Parents
- Baptism place, date, and number
- First Communion date
Confirmation registers usually list:
- Date
- Name
- Birth date and number
- Relationships (spouse or children)
- Village
- Name and village of godparents
Other Denominations
Anglican Records
The first Anglican missionary to the area arrived in 1861, although the first Anglican mission was not established until 1911. Anglicanism has a smaller influence in Zambia compared to other African nations. For more information, see Church of the Province of Central Africa and Christianity in Zambia.
Branhamite Records
Branhamism was developed by William M. Branham in the mid-1900s. Branham was a minister, faith healer, and follower of Pentecostalism who initiated a healing revival in the 1940s. His campaigns led him throughout the United States and the world. In 1952, he held a revival meeting in South Africa. After his death, the followers of Branham continued to establish and expand missions on every continent. By 2000, there were growing missions throughout Africa. For more information, see William M. Branham and Religion in Zambia.
Evangelical Records
Evangelical Protestantism reached South Africa in 1834; the movement began to grow and expand beginning in 1859. East Africa experienced a revival during the 1920s and 1930s. For more information, see Evangelicalism.
Lutheran Records
Lutheranism was brought to Africa by European traders in the 17th century. During the early-1800s, missionary activities expanded throughout Africa. For more information, see Lutheranism and Religion in Zambia.
New Apostolic Records
The New Apostolic Church has a significant presence in Zambia. For more information, see New Apostolic Church and Religion in Zambia.
Pentecostal Records
Pentecostalism entered Africa in the early-1900s. The movement was established in South Africa in 1908 and then spread throughout South Africa and southern Africa. For more information, see African Pentecostalism, Pentecostalism in South Africa, and Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa.
Presbyterian Records
Presbyterianism entered Zambia in the late-1800s through the work of the Church of Scotland. The first presbytery in Zambia was formed in 1899. Other missions and congregations were then established in Zambia. The Synod of Zambia, one of five synods of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, was created in 1984. For more information, see Church of Central Africa Presbyterian and Church of Central Africa Presbyterian – Synod of Zambia.
Seventh Day Adventist Records
The Seventh Day Adventist Church was established in 1863. The Church began to be expanded outside of the United States during the 1870s. For more information, see Seventh-day Adventist Church and Religion in Zambia.
References