Kansas Church Records

Kansas Wiki Topics

Beginning Research

Record Types

Kansas Background

Cultural Groups

Local Research Resources

For greater success, use all the Wiki Articles in this series:

Historical Background

Before 1900 the largest religious groups in Kansas were the Methodist-Episcopal, Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Disciples of Christ ^[1]

DeZurko published a religious history of Kansas:

Early Kansas Churches (online) DeZurko, Edward R. Manhattan, Kansas: Kansas State College, 1949. FHL Collection book 978.1 A1 no. 35; film 928360 item 4

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:

Minutes or Historical Narrative

Finding the Records

Look for online records.

Ancestry.com, FindMyPast.com, and MyHeritage.com can be searched free of charge at your local family history center or the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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

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.
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!

1861-1918 - Kansas, Swedish Church Records, 1861-1918 at FamilySearch — index
1861-1918 - Kansas, Swedish Church Vital Records, 1861-1918 at FamilySearch — index
1826-1992 - Kansas, Church Records, 1826-1992 - index and images, very incomplete

Look for digital copies of church records listed in the FamilySearch Catalog.

Family History Library
Salt Lake City, Utah

The Family History Library (FHL) 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 Family History Center near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations.
To find records:

a. Click on the records of United States, Kansas.

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

. 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.

Baptist

American Baptist—Samuel Colgate Historical Society
1106 South Goodman Street
Rochester, NY 14620
Phone: (716) 473-1740
Fax: (716) 473-1740

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)

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

Early, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church records for Kansas Wards and Branches can be found on film and are located at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. The film numbers, for each ward, can be locate through the 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 book 979.2258 A3j; fiche 6031507). These volumes contain the film numbers for many (but not all) membership and temple record films.

Disciples of Christ

Disciples of Christ Historical Society
1101 19th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: (615) 327-1444
Fax: (615) 327-1445

Jesuit Mission

Jesuit Mission and College Records, 1832-1967. FHL film: 590422-590423

Methodist

Baker University Library
606 Eighth Street
Baldwin City, KS 66006
Phone: (913) 594-8414
Fax: (913) 594-6721

Memorial Library
Southwestern College
100 College Street
Winfield, KS 67156
Phone: (316) 221-8225
Fax: (316) 221-2499

Moravian

The Moravian Archives
41 West Locust Street
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018
United States of America
Phone: (610) 866-3255
Fax: (610) 866-9210

For information concerning missions to the American Indians visit Moravian Missions Among American Indians. For a map and list of missions visit Early Moravian Missions in Eastern Pennsylvania and Surrounding Areas 1740-1773.

Mission records are also available in the FHL Collection. The records are indexed in the FHL CollectionBook 970.1 F642i.

Moravian, Chippewa and Munsee Mission Family records FHL film: 982250 Item 6

Protestant

First Protestant Osage Mission, 1820-1837. FHL book: 970.3 OS1g

Presbyterian

Presbyterian Historical Society
United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.
425 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (215) 627-1852
Fax: (215) 627-0509