Minnesota Church Records: Difference between revisions

*'''1798-1991''' - {{RecordSearch|2790243|Minnesota, Church Records, 1798-1991}}. Index and images, incomplete.

*'''1840-1980''' - {{RecordSearch|1680827|Minnesota, Births and Christenings, 1840-1980}} Index only. Incomplete.

*'''1849-1950''' - {{RecordSearch|1680832|Minnesota, Marriages, 1849-1950}} Index only.  Incomplete.

*'''1835-1900''' - {{RecordSearch|1680831|Minnesota, Deaths and Burials, 1835-1900}} Index only. Incomplete.

*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2550 Minnesota, Births and christenings Index, 1840-1980] Index only ($)  

*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2561 Minnesota, Marriages Index, 1849-1950] Index only ($)

*'''1701-1970''' - [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61048/ U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970], index and images, incomplete.($)

====Lutheran====

*'''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.($)

====Dutch Reformed====

*'''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.($)

*'''1856-1970''' - [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60767/ U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Membership Records, 1856-1970], index and images, incomplete.($)

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

[[File:Family History Library.jpg|right|thumb|<center>'''Family History Library'''<br>'''Salt Lake City, Utah'''</center>]]

*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.  

*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.   

:::a. Click on the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=369&query=%2Bplace%3A%22United%20States%2C%20Minnesota%22 '''records of United States, Minnesota'''].

*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/216672-redirection '''''Guide to Church Vital Statistics Records in Minnesota: Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals.'' (Online)'''] St. Paul, Minnesota: Historical Records Survey, 1942. (Family History Library {{FHL|30400|title-id|disp=book 977.6 K23h; microfilm 962275 item 2}}.) This list is by county, then town or city. It mentions the church records of some congregations that existed at the church in 1940 and gives the years that the records were available.  

*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/278472-redirection '''''Directory of Churches and Religious Organizations in Minnesota'' (Online)'''.] St. Paul, Minnesota: Historical Records Survey, 1941. (Family History Library {{FHL|200329|title-id|disp=book 977.6 K24h; microfilm 1036193 item13; microfiche 6051165}}.) This volume contains an incomplete list of churches; many congregations were missed. Information is arranged first by denomination, then district or conference, then the name of the church. Entries include the address of the church, year of incorporation, and often the name of the minister in 1941.

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>

 

[http://www.14beacon.org/ Congregational Library]<br>14 Beacon Street<br>Boston, MA 02108<br>Phone: (617) 523-0470<br>Fax: (617) 523-0491

 

The Congregational Historical Society is also located in the same building. The Congregational Library has a collection of church records and biographies on church leaders. However, they do not have a master surname index to their collection. They have a few items for Minnesota, including records from the Church of the Open Door.

 

Before beginning research and to have a better understanding of the makeup of the denominations and the location of these records, see:

 

*Hage, Anne A., ''Church Records in Minnesota: A Guide to Parish Records of Congregational, Evangelical, Reformed, and United Church of Christ Churches, 1851–1981''. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Minnesota Conference, United Church of Christ, 1983. (Family History Library {{FHL|244596|title-id|disp=book 977.6 K2h}}.) This source mentions the kinds and dates of records at each church up to 1981.

 

 

 

[http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Synodical-Relations/Regions.aspx Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), Region 3]<br>2481 Como Avenue<br>St. Paul, MN 55108<br>Phone: (651) 641-3205  

 

The American Lutheran Church (ALC) Archives are now part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) Archives. They have divided their records into nine regions. Region 3 covers Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. If a church is still active, the regional archive can help locate their records. The records of Minnesota churches that have been disbanded are at this archive. For a partial list of Lutheran church records, see:

 

*''ALC Congregations on Microfilm''. Dubuque, Iowa: The Archives, [197–?]. (Family History Library {{FHL|269930|title-id|disp=microfiche 6330690–93}} [set of 4.]) No circulation to Family History Centers. Arranged by state and city of congregation. The microfiche number for Minnesota is 6330691. There are over 200 churches listed in Minnesota with the city, name of the church, type of records, county, and their microfilm or microfiche number.

 

[http://www.elca.org/ Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)]'''<br>'''8765 West Higgins Road<br>Chicago, IL 60631-4198<br>Phone: (773) 380-2818<br>Fax: (773) 380-2977

 

This archive has microfilm copies of part of the records at the Region 3 facility in St. Paul. They can help locate records of a congregation if you know the name of the congregation.

 

 

'''United Methodist Annual Conference'''<br>122 West Franklin Avenue, Room 400<br>Minneapolis, MN 55404<br>Phone: (612) 870-0058, ext. 249

 

This conference includes all United Methodist congregations in the state of Minnesota as well as the earlier churches from which they were formed. Some earlier churches include: Methodist, Methodist Episcopal, Methodist Protestant, Evangelical United Brethren, United Brethren, and United Evangelical.

 

The first conference, which was formed in 1856, was known as Evangelical Gemeindschaft, or Evangelical Association. There is information about the conference and its congregations before 1856. The conference can help identify and locate existing records. The records may include membership, preparatory membership, baptism, marriage, a few death records, and occasionally a column that lists what happened to the member.

 

*Hobart, Chauncey. ''History of Methodism in Minnesota''. 1887. Reprint, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota: Park Genealogical Books, 1992. (Family History Library {{FHL|586588|title-id|disp=book 977.6 K2hc}}.) This history contains a glossary of terms used in nineteenth-century Methodism and an every-name index to biographies included in the work.

 

[http://www.history.pcusa.org/ Presbyterian Historical Society and Department of History]<br>United Presbyterian Church USA<br>425 Lombard Street<br>Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516<br>Phone: (215) 627-1852<br>Fax: (215) 627-0509

 

The Presbyterian congregations own their records. The Presbyterian Historical Society and Department of History have a card file catalog that lists the congregations by the local town name only and this does not include the state. They sort the new records by zip code. They can help you find records if you give them the name of the town. If you know where your ancestor lived, check with the congregations still in existence in that area.  

 

 

*Campbell, E. V. ''History of the Churches of the Presbytery of St. Cloud''. St. Cloud, Minnesota: Journal Press, 1907?. (Family History Library {{FHL|623025|title-id|disp=microfilm 1845852 item3}}.) Gives information about the organization and early life of the Presbyterian Church especially in St. Cloud area.

 

 

[http://www.archspm.org/index.php Archdiocese of St. Paul]<br>226 Summit Avenue<br>St. Paul, MN 55102<br>Phone: (651) 291-4400<br>Fax: (651) 290-1629  

 

The Archdiocese of St. Paul has records dating back 150 years that include early sacramental records and correspondence between church and government. They also have correspondence from the Catholic Colonization Society based in Chicago. This correspondence deals with finding and placing Catholic immigrants. They have microfilmed many of their sacramental records. These are available at the archdiocese office. Call or write ahead for an appointment. Several lists of their microfilmed parish records have been published in the last few years of the Minnesota Genealogist.

 

[http://www.dnu.org/ Diocese of New Ulm]<br>1400 6th Street N.<br>New Ulm, MN 56073-2099<br>Phone: (507) 359-2966<br>Fax: (507) 354-3667

 

The Diocese of New Ulm has microfilmed records available at the Family History Library and the diocesan office.  

 

[http://www.crookston.org/ Diocese of Crookston]<br>1200 Memorial Drive<br>PO Box 610<br>Crookston, MN 56716<br>Phone: (218) 281-4533<br>Fax: (218) 281-3328  

 

 

[http://www.dioceseduluth.org/ Diocese of Duluth]<br>2830 East 4th Street<br>Duluth, MN 55812<br>Phone: (218) 724-9111<br>Fax: (218) 724-1056  

 

 

[http://www.stcdio.org/ Diocese of St. Cloud]<br>214 South 3rd Avenue <br>St. Cloud, MN 56301<br>Phone: (320) 251-2340<br>Fax: (320) 251-0470  

[http://www.dow.org/ Diocese of Winona]<br>55 West Sanborn Street<br>Winona, MN 55987<br>Phone (507) 454-4643<br>Fax (507) 454-8106  

 

The diocese includes the counties of: [[Blue Earth County, Minnesota Genealogy|Blue Earth]], [[Cottonwood County, Minnesota Genealogy|Cottonwood]], [[Dodge County, Minnesota Genealogy|Dodge]], [[Faribault County, Minnesota Genealogy|Faribault]], [[Fillmore County, Minnesota Genealogy|Fillmore]], [[Freeborn County, Minnesota Genealogy|Freeborn]], [[Houston County, Minnesota Genealogy|Houston]], [[Jackson County, Minnesota Genealogy|Jackson]], [[Martin County, Minnesota Genealogy|Martin]], [[Mower County, Minnesota Genealogy|Mower]], [[Murray County, Minnesota Genealogy|Murray]], [[Nobles County, Minnesota Genealogy|Nobles]], [[Olmsted County, Minnesota Genealogy|Olmsted]], [[Pipestone County, Minnesota Genealogy|Pipestone]], [[Rock County, Minnesota Genealogy|Rock]], [[Steele County, Minnesota Genealogy|Steele]], [[Waseca County, Minnesota Genealogy|Waseca]], [[Watonwan County, Minnesota Genealogy|Watonwan]], [[Winona County, Minnesota Genealogy|Winona]] and [[Wabasha County, Minnesota Genealogy|Wabasha]].<ref name="rome" />  

 

 

*Catholic Church. Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. ''Official Minnesota Catholic Directory, 1989: Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Diocese of Crookston, Diocese of Duluth, Diocese of New Ulm, Diocese of St. Cloud, Diocese of Winona''. St. Paul, Minnesota. The Catholic Bulletin, 1988. (Family History Library {{FHL|355072|title-id|disp=book 977.6 K24c}}.) This directory gives the address and telephone number of each church and includes a list of towns and the diocese to which the town belongs. These directories are updated yearly.

 

 

The Minnesota Historical Society has records of some individual churches and religious groups. Only a few of the church records held by the Minnesota Historical Society have been microfilmed. They have an inventory for each series of church records that lists the contents of each roll of film. These copies are available through inter-library loan.

*[http://www.daddezio.com/society/hill/SH-MN-NDX.html '''Society Hill List of Minnesota Societies''']<br>