Church Records - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

St Nicholas Baptism / Burial Records

KMMcCombs — 2009-10-27 02:45:07Z

During a recent trip to Salt Lake City I was searching the St Nicholas Parish Church records from the 1700's and 1800's. Several entries had the initials "WH" following the entry. Male, female, young, old. Anybody know what this stands for? A few people suggested this designated wool wrappings as they were pressing that to support the wool trade at that time. I'm not sure there are enough entries to support that idea.

Re: Refused request for church records

MelbaCPierce — 2009-09-26 14:04:13Z

You would think they would have sense enough to ask their congregations for volunteer help with such things.

Spiritualist Records????

barb95831 — 2009-07-03 19:50:03Z

I'm trying to find out any information I can about my ancestor, Abel Chandler, who was an itinerant preacher in the spiritualist church.

I have a letter of his saying that he was preaching on spiritualism to large gatherings. The letter is from the mid 1800s in which he asks to have mail sent to bluffdale, IL.

Did the Spiritualist church keep records? If so, where could I look?

Can you find someone by Religion? -- Smith

honibear37 — 2009-06-29 12:33:49Z

I have been told that my real dad was a Jehovah's Witness.
Can you find someone by there religion?

Re: Dutch Reformed Church Records

frostfreedet — 2009-05-05 00:44:10Z

Have you tried contacting the Church?

If it is no longer active, try posting your query on the Essex Co, NJ Message Board.

You have posted on the Revolutionary War / New Jersey board, which is about the RW 1775-1783.

Good hunting!

Dutch Reformed Church Records

CarolJeanneT — 2009-05-01 02:36:14Z

Does anyone know who to contact for the congregant records of the Belleville Dutch Reformed Church? It was Second River. I am trying to help someone find her ancestors from the 1890s.
This is the family she is trying to find: My grandparents names were Frederick Spatz born in Dec. 1867 and Sarah Campbell Spatz who came from Ireland in 1887. My aunt was born in Oct 1890. So, if they were married at this church it was sometime between 1887 and 1890. This was the church my mother attended growing up so there might be other records that will help me.

Please contact me at nanaturk@verizon.net.

Re: Refused request for church records

RebeccaRawson1811 — 2009-02-28 21:52:44Z

I have never experienced this for myself in as much as a reply like that but I have been passed from person to person or just had my requests never replied to and in both cases never got any information I needed or was searching for.

To be honest I would think they'd encourage this type of searching because it keeps the history of the parish alive which is exactly why our ancestors kept these kinds of records.

If they aren't going to pass on the information themselves for genealogical information you would think they would hand over entire copies of the records to someone who can.

It goes to show that many people miss the point of these records these days and what we can learn of ourselves and history from them. Quite sad really.

Refused request for church records

56Barbara — 2009-02-27 21:59:23Z

Hello,

I requested a Baptismal record from St. Patrick's in Nashua, New Hampshire, they sent this letter instead.

"In recent years, several parishes in Nashua have been consolidated, and further consolidation is expected within a decade. One of the consequences of the consolidation has been an increase in the amount of data each parish is expected to record and preserve. The workload on our secretarial staff has increased accordingly. For this reason, we are no longer able to provide genealogical data concerning sacraments admistered at the old Immaculate Conception Church, Saint Patrick Church, and Saint Casimir Church.[all in Nashua] We are also no longer able to provide genealogical data for burials in Saint Patrick Cemetery and Holy Cross Cemetery. The retrieval and transmission of such information is quite time-consuming and interferes with our staff's efforts to keep up the daily operation of the parish. Births, deaths, and marriages are matters of public record obtainable from civil authorities who are staffed for such requests. Very often, families themslves are a valuable source for providing such information."

Has anyone else experienced this? Barbara

Salem High Open House & Showcase

gailkucker — 2008-11-05 19:57:25Z

Salem High School Open House & Showcase will be held on Thursday, November

20th, from 6:30 to 8:00PM. Parents & Students of 8th Grade Students are

cordially invited to attend. We will conduct tours of the building. Displays on

Academics, Extra-curricular Activities, Athletics, and Guidance available. Please

Join us!

Re: Looking for Records on Grandmother

cherokeemist111 — 2008-09-11 19:25:53Z

since i posted last time about my grand mother i have got all information stright great grand mother francis adaline ray married mannassah cannon my name is Doris

Re: religious affiliations?

nikkisbc — 2008-08-28 12:54:58Z

thanks for the reply. that's pretty much what i was thinking but the problem i'm having is that the death record does not specify a place of burial and that's what i'm looking for. the marriage record would be another way to go though. i'll have to figure out where they were married first but i may have a lead on that. thanks again!

Re: religious affiliations?

chatterchit — 2008-08-28 03:30:04Z

The records that provide clues to religious affiliations are usually: burial records, marriage records, and baptisms. Often these are compiled through a place of worship.

Start with a death certificate. That can state where the person was buried. If it's on church grounds, search for your ancestors in that church's records.

A civil (city, county, state) record of marriage can have a minister/priest/rabbi, etc. listed as the officiator. Try to track down where that person officiated.

Trace the ethnic background of your ancestors. Certain groups are linked with specific religions (although it's not a 100% correlation, of course.)

Obituaries and wedding announcements in newspapers may tell you your ancestors' religion, too.

You need to find as many original documents as possible in order to piece their histories, including their religious histories together.

religious affiliations?

nikkisbc — 2008-08-23 01:22:15Z

Hello all, I was just wondering what kinds of records give clues to an individual/family group's religious affiliation? Or rather, how do you know which to which church a family/individual belonged? I often hear about the usefulness of church records in genealogy but if you don't know whether your ancestors were catholic, presbyterian, lutheran, baptist, etc. how would you know which church to contact when searching for information? Thanks very much!

Re: United Brethren Church

lsteele45 — 2008-08-15 17:09:59Z

Was this Oscar Wilson born in Missouri?, did his dad die in the Civil War, Was his mother Margaret Borum? I am looking for descendants of an Oscar Wilson

Re: Looking for information re: Coley Springs Baptist Church, Warrenton, nc

elwyant1 — 2008-07-29 23:41:18Z

I am researching for a friend whose brother did the DNA and came up with DAVIS as matches. William Oliver, Mike, and Carl Vernon Davis. Do you have any info of Davis and Hughes together?

Thanks,

Re: Need Records for Merhodist Episcopal Church in Latrobe PA

mrsmariamfa2008 — 2008-07-24 00:16:36Z

MRS MARIAM S. ABACHA.
Address: Plot: 102.IKOYI -Inland
NIGERIA.

E-MAIL:mrssani_abaa@yahoo.com.ar

Sir.

This letter is not intended to cause any embarrassment but just to contact your esteem self-following the knowledge of your high repute and Trustworthiness..
I am Mrs.Mariam S. Abacha, the Wife of formal late Nigerian Head of State who died on the 8th of June 1998.If you are conversant with world news, you would understand better, while I got your contacts through my personal research.

Please, I need your assistance to make this happen, and please do not undermine it because it will also be a source of enlistment to you, also you have absolutely nothing to loose in assisting my family and I instead, you have so much to gain. The head of state General Sani Abacha, transferred the money through a Lebanese businessman, Chagoury and a Jewish business man, Mr. Mark Rissar to bank accounts overseas, instead, he used PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS (PIN) and declared the contents as Bearer Bonds and Treasury Bills. Also the firm issued him with a certificate of deposit of the consignments notes, which I have these information in my custody now.

You must have heard over the media reports and the Internet on the recovery of various huge sums of money deposited by my late husband in different Banks and security firms abroad. Some of these banks and security firms willingly gave divulge their banking secrets and disclosed to the civilian administration of My Country, about my family’s cash lodgment and monetary transactions with them. Please, I repose great confidence in you and I hope you will not betray my confidence in you. I have secretly deposited the sum of $65,000,000.00 with a security firm abroad whose name is withheld for now until we open communications. The money is contained in a metal box consignment with Security Deposit Number 008480GM. I shall be grateful if you could receive this fund into your Bank account for safekeeping. This arrangement is known to you and My Family Attorney / My Son (Mohammed) only. So I will deal directly with you.

I am proposing a 20% share of the fund to you for your kind assistance. I shall provide for you all the documents of the fund deposit with the security firm, and raise a power of attorney to enable you claim and receive this fund into your bank account. I have done a thorough homework and fine-tuned the best way to create you as the beneficiary to the funds and affect the transfer accordingly. Is rest assured that the modalities I have resolved to finalize the entire project guarantees our safety and the successful transfer of the funds. So, you will be absolutely right when you say that this project is risk free and viable. If you are capable and willing to assist my family. You contact me at once via email:mrssani_abaa@yahoo.com.ar with following details below:

1. YOUR NAME
2. MILLING ADDRESS
3. PHONE AND FAX NUMBERS
4. BANK ACCOUNT

Also this transaction demands absolute confidentiality. On condition
must you disclose it to anybody irrespective of your relation with the person?
Remember, loose lips sinks ship.

Best Regards.

Mrs.Mariam Abacha.

View this website!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_909000/...

Methodist Church Queens County New Brunswick Canada

PatriciaAnderson43 — 2008-07-23 16:16:30Z

Seeking information on Samuel John Austin Sr. who acidentally drowned in July 1824 at Grand Point, Queens Co., NB.
I believe he was connected with the Methodist Church and hope to attain information to confirm birth, marriage, and death records for him and his family.
His first wife - Elizabeth ? b. USA d. NB
their child - Mary Austin b. abt 1786 NB d. Boston Suffolk Co USA 1856 married ?

His second wife - Eva Gabel b. abt 1765 d. Sept 7, 1854
m. November 23, 1788 in Gagetown NB
d/o David Gabel, Sr and Catherine Rhinehart.

Their Children:
Samuel John Austin, Jr
David Hurley Austin
Sarah Eve Austin
Elizabeth Austin
Catherine Austin
Nathaniel James Priest Austin
Justus Earl Austin
John Edward Austin
Phoebe Anne Austin
Margaret Eve Austin
Charlotte Amelia Austin

I found a family tree on ancestry.com regarding this family but wish to confirm information especially on Samuel John Austin, Sr so that I may find his lineage. I've been told he may be connected to John Austin of Connecticutt and I hope a death or marriage record may help verify.
Patty (Atkinson) Anderson
New Brunswick, Canada

Salem Zion Reformed Congregation, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia area?)

gmorris10183 — 2008-07-20 20:12:45Z

I have a Glenwood Cemetary (which was moved to Broomall, PA in 1926) record for a Fredericka Fahner, buried 9/1/1861. The owner of the plot is listed as the Salem Zion Reformed Congregation.

Does anyone know of this church. I have found several with similar names, but nothing really matches.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Denise
Upper Darby, PA

Re: Rev. Coleman Carlisle Union Co. S.C.

2003-04-26 03:41:19Z

Web site for Rev. Coleman Carlisle, includes photos of his grandchildren.

http://www.angelfire.com/sc3/carlislehistory

Vatican letter directs bishops to keep parish records from Mormons

Aloeper — 2008-05-05 14:33:20Z

I use microfilmed Catholic records all the time. What does this mean for research:

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0802443.htm

Will this restrict access to the records that have already been microfilmed? Many of us non-Mormons use the FHL holdings, how this limit research? Who can we contact to inform the Vatican that microfilmed records are used by more people than just Mormon?

Closure of the Scottish Catholic Archives, Edinburgh

smithjohn192837 — 2008-05-05 09:56:38Z

Closure of the Scottish Catholic Archives, Edinburgh

Rather worrying news and coverage of this issue can be found at

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7380046.stm

and

http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Church39s-plans-to-resite...

Make your view known before it is too late.

Keep the collection together!

Closure of the Scottish Catholic Archives, Edinburgh

smithjohn192837 — 2008-05-05 09:50:32Z

REV WILLIAM MORRIS born 1863

conniejane1 — 2008-03-25 12:33:40Z

can anyone help me to find out when William morris born 1863 in shropshire england became the reverend William Morris and about his missionary work? thank you

Re: Private baptism

jksdelver — 2008-02-06 15:02:51Z

Could be and probably have taken place at home as fas as I am aware

Private baptism

emmasully — 2008-02-06 13:54:02Z

Hi had just found my grandads baptism record and it says private baptism at the side of the parish register.

Does this mean that they though he was likely to die? he was a twin so it could be that they were early or small. Or could it be if the mother was unwell - would they do it in church without the mother being there?

Re: The Church of the New Jerusalem in Philadelphia, PA

Bobbi_Doll_123 — 2008-01-18 06:00:09Z

Thank you for your reply. I neglected to ask for an alert when anyone replied. I just found it.

Thank you once again.

Bobbi

Letters to the Church

plantsncn1 — 2007-11-10 18:38:55Z

Hello,

I have found an old news article that refers to a family member who was a congregationalist being removed from the church. The article then states after several years of dissenting he was given a "letter to the Baptist Church in Shoreham" I am not familiar with this procedure could someone with the knowledge please explain.

Regards,
Judy

Re: History Mennonite Cemetery Ohio

jim1vvdnhnlsujq998t7jvuuiv51oni5 — 2007-10-15 02:15:09Z

I have information about the Mennonite Cemetery. Reply for more information.

Looking for records of Zion Lutheran Church Northampton or Berks Co., PA

bbkingst — 2007-09-09 13:56:10Z

Searching for records of the family of Jacob and Elizabeth Shicks/Sheeks/Sheaks or various other spellings from about the 1780's until about 1812.
It is said they lived in the Northampton - Berks area of Pennsylvania, and were members at Zion Lutheran.
Known children I need to document are:
Michael, John, Jacob, Christopher, Nicholas and George. There also were girls, but they are unknown as of yet.
Any help at all finding birth or baptismal records of the children would be greatly appreciated by many.
Thanks for your time.
Love,
Barb

Re: The Church of the New Jerusalem in Philadelphia, PA

gravehoppin — 2007-07-12 18:33:14Z

This article refers to a "New Jerusalem" that was to be established in Philadelphia. "The Leatherwood God" was the title given a man by the name of Joseph C. Dylks who was responsible for the creation of the "New Jerusalem" spoken of in this article. I don't know whether this is the same church, and I have nothing further on this one, but it may be of some help. There are the names of some of his followers and the story of his teachings within:
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During the 1820's we know there was a great excitement about religion in the eastern part of the United States. This story takes place in 1828 in Leatherwood, Ohio which is in Guernsey County. Kirtland, Ohio where the Saints are located 3 years later lies not far to the north in the same state. The following is a condensed account of THE LEATHERWOOD GOD by R.H. Tanneyhill and was published in 1869. This account appears in the FOREACRE FAMILY OF GUERNSEY CO., OHIO by C.F. Fedorchak and S.D. Foraker.
----------------------------------------------------------
THE LEATHERWOOD GOD Religious imposters have flourished in almost every portion of the historic period. Such an imposter was Joseph C. Dylks, whose advent, teachings and unhallowed pretensions form one of the most interesting and curious episodes in the history of the Ohio Valley.

About the middle of August, 1828, a camp meeting was held on the lands of one Casper Overley, two and a half miles northwest of the Salesville Temple, in the immediate vicinity of the M.E. chapel called Miller's Meeting House (Leatherwood Church). [note by Jerry Mower: Salesville was a town founded by George BRILL]. This meeting was held by the United Brethren Church and began on Wednesday and was to continue until Sunday. On Sunday afternoon, Reverend John Crum addressed a large congregation at the service, some persons having come from over twenty miles away. He was in the middle of his sermon when a tremendous voice shouted "Salvation" and was followed instantly by a sound, likened by all who heard it to the snort of a horse.

The minister and the congregation were taken by surprise and all eyes turned to see what had happened. There in the midst of the congregation was a stranger of odd appearance. No one had seen him come into the congregation and his manner of dress and personal appearance heightened the astonishment of the people. He was about 5'8" tall, with black eyes and jet-black hair, which was long and glossy and drawn back from his low forehead and hung in a mass over his shoulders. He was dressed in a black broadcloth suit, frock coat, white cravat and wore a yellow beaver hat, and appeared to be between the ages of forty-five and fifty. When we reflect that this was the day of linsey-wool hats, hunting shirts, and buckskins, and that there was not another male in the congregation in a broadcloth coat, we see at once how these considerations complicated the question of how he got into the congregation unnoticed.

When the congregation was dismissed, many sought the acquaintance of Dylks, and he was invited home to supper by Mr. Pulley. He stayed with the Pulleys for several days, and also visited in the community. He attended the various religious meetings and sometimes led at the services. He seemed to be a master of the Bible, quoting any portion of it necessary for the illustration of his subject. He began to declare himself to be a celestial being, bearing in his person a heavenly mission. He told certain members of the community that he had come into the camp meeting in his spiritual body, and then took on his corporeal body. He finally made the assertion that he was the Messiah come to set up the millienium and establish a kingdom that should never end. He also claimed that he would never die, and all who believed on him would never die, and that no one could harm him or touch a single hairof his head.

Conspicuous among the number led astray by the secret teaching of Dylks were MICHAEL BRILL, JOHN BRILL, and ROBERT MCCORMICK. Michael Brill and John Brill were brothers, and Robert McCormick was a son-in-law of John Brill. The Brills had come to Guernsey Co. from Loudoun Co. Va (they were the sons of Christopher Brill). Michael Brill's family at that time consisted of several daughters and one son. John Brill was his younger brother and he also had another brother, George Brill, Sr. who was not taken in by Dylks and his claims. [Note from Jerry Mower: Actually they came from Bedford Co., Pa but had previously lived in Loudoun Co., Va. and John was the oldest brother of the family.]

Robert McCormick was born in Ireland and he married Catharine Brill, daughter of John Brill. McCormick, had come to America in 1805-1806, landing in Philadelphia and was a school teacher. He was also a member and local preacher of the United Brethren Church. Michael and John Brill were also respected men in the community and leaders in the United Brethren Church.

The delusion of Dylks spread with a rapidity scarcely ever equaled in the history of religous fanaticism. Family was set against family, parent against child, husband against wife, neighbor against neighbor, dividing and conquering until the whole church membership of the community were overwhelmed by it, except GEORGE BRILL, SR. and JAMES FOREACRE. James Foreacre was also a son-in-law of John Brill and at this time, lived on John Brill's farm.

Christopher Brill, son of George Brill, Sr. also believed in Dylks, and he went to live with his uncle, Michael Brill, and tried on numerous occasions to convert his father, and his brother, George Brill, Jr. who was a minister in the United Brethren Church. He was unable to convert them, and they were unable to sway him away from his belief in Dylks. James Foreacre, son-in-law of John Brill and brother-in-law of Robert McCormick was deeply mortified by their course of action, and was determined to see if Dylks could not be frightened from the vicinity. Several weeks passed before Dylks and some of his "little flock" gathered at McCormick's, and James Foreacre, hearing of the meeting, got his brother, John to go with him to McCormick's to help arrest Dylks. Another man, Mr. Gifford, whose daughter, Mary, was also a believer of Dylks, also was bent on exposing Dylks, in order to save his daughter from this folly, Mr. Gifford and several other men set out on the same evening as the Foreacre party to perform the same task---discrediting Dylks.

The Foreacres went in the meeting first and tried to get Dylks, but were driven out by the "little flock". John Foreacre then cut a club and said, "I'll have Dylks or die in the attempt." The Gifford party had arrived by this time, and they entered by one door, and the Foreacres returned again through another, and the little flock was taken by surprise. Christopher Brill [son of George] took up a 3-legged stool and got ready to throw it, when he thought---"Why should I fight for a God?" Dylkes tried to hide in the corner, but Gifford seized him and tore out a considerable lock of his hair to carry to his daughter, Mary, to show her that Dylks' claims were unfounded. Dylks was carried before Squire James Frame, to be charged, but Frame informed the party that he had no law by which to try a God. They then took him to Washington, where Squire Omstot agreed with Squire Frame that there was not violation of any law, and that in "this country, every man has a right to worship what God he pleases."---Dylks finally escaped from the Foreacre party, and hid out in a wooded area on the lands of William St. Clair, who also was one of his believers. This was near the land of Michael Brill, and between these two men, Dylks was given food and comfort, and was able to remain in hiding.

Dylks still managed to hold some of his believers, and he told them that since his program had met with so much opposition, he was going to Philadelphia to establish a "New Jersualem". Michael Brill, Robert McCormick, and another believer, Reverend Davis, agreed to accompany Dylks to Philadelphia. The party split up before reaching Philadelphia, but were to meet later on there. Brill and McCormick went on together into Philadelphia, but never did meet up with Dylks or Davis. Finally footsore and moneyless, they made their way to Baltimore, where they were able to borrow money from the pledge of their tobacco crop, and went home by stage. Dylks was never seen again in the Guernsey County, Ohio community, although Davis did return to tell the followers that the New Jerusalem would be established. The firmness with which the followers of Dylks adhered to their faith was surprising for it is very doubtful indeed whether any of them ever yielded up his belief. Michael Brill died, still believing in Dylks, and McCormick lived for many years after the disappearance of Dylks, dressing much as Dylks did and wearing his hair so long that it hung below his shoulders. McCormick also died, still believing in Dylks.
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churches in Clayton county Iowa

LorriPutman — 2007-05-20 03:56:00Z

Would like to know what churches were operating in Clayton county in 1840 to 1875 and how to contact them.Please and Thank you.

churches in Barry county Missouri

LorriPutman — 2007-05-20 03:54:29Z

Would like to know what churches were operating in Barry county in 1850 to 1905 and how to contact them.Please and Thank you.

churches in McDonald county Missouri

LorriPutman — 2007-05-20 03:52:58Z

Would like to know what churches where operating in McDonald county in 1860 to 1890 and how to contact them.Please and Thank you.

Zoar Church, Spencer County, Indiana

wolfpriestess — 2007-05-19 12:10:36Z

From "Historical Sketches of Circuits, Missions and Stations of Indiana Conference of the Evangelical Associatrion 1835-1922" Volume II. (Volume I contains sketches of pastors. Both are held at the Center for Evangelical United Brethren Heritage in Dayton, OH.

This history includes Salem in Rockport and Zoar, four miles N.W. The history of each dates back to 1844 (and is practically identical) when A. Nicolai and G.G. Platz began preaching here. They held a special meeting at Zoar, resulting in conversions, accessions, and the organization of a class. In 1846 J. Trometer also preached here occasionally. November 12-16, ’47, Nicolai held a meeting at Anth. Miller’s, which was one of great spiritual power. Ten souls were saved. Whole families were won for Christ and the church. The first church (log) at Zoar, “Busch Church” was built in 1850 on a lot on A. Miller's farm. Fr. Wiethaup, pastor. It was dedicated the same year likely by Geo. A. Blank, P.E. The second (frame) church was built in 1875 by N.F. Platz and dedicated this year, and for some reason rededicated Sept 18, 1880. In 1920 this church was struck by lightening and consumed, and the $1,500.00 insurance on it was applied to the improvement of the one in Rockport in 1923. These places belonged to Dubois, later called Huntingburg Circuit until 1868, except one year in 1861 when it was a mission. Membership in Zoar in 1854 was Melchoir Mayer (leader) and wife Mary; Henry Rohmig and wife; Regina Krueger (Maas) mother of Rev. C.P. Maas; Marg. Bachman and daughter Marg.; Joseph and Lena Fisher; Kath. Beik; George, Susan and Jacob Deschler; Anthon and Marg. Miller; John and Jacobin Blesch; Mother and Kath. Schumaker; Katharine, Henry, and Carl Maas; Magd. Blesch; Kath. And John Krueger; John and Sophia Fundie; Theresa Zimmerman; Fr. And Barbara Meyer; john Kebortz; Kath. Meyer; Adam Long. Membership in Rockport: Aug. Sunderman (leader); Henry and Marg. Niehaus; Chr. And Barbara Schumaker; Joseph and Christina Roth; John and Christina Rohming, and John and Christina Haas. In 1855 the church in town was built, being located in the N.W. corner of the town. Prior to this preaching was in in Schumaker’s home. In April, 1856, the first quarterly meeting was held in the church yet unfinished, but, said the pastor, “It was dedicated with new-born souls.” The outlook for a substantial German society here was then good. 1868 Rockport and vicinity were taken up as a mission. C.F. Matthias, pastor. In 1869 the Conference promised Rockport $300.00, for buying or building a parsonage, provided that it be counted to the mission as rent at the rate of $100.00 a year. For pastors see Volume I. In 1871-72 it was with Huntingburg. In 1873 it was a mission again. This year the new parsonage was buit here. In 1876 it became a part of the South Indiana Conference, Fr. Weithaup, pastor; -78, C. Stier; ’79 with Huntingburg; 080-82, alone, N.F. Platz; ’83, G.M. Hallwachs; ’84-85, J.M. Kronmiller; ’86, E. Bohlander. A new church was built in town more centrally located. ’87-88, J. Mundorf with Owensboro, Ky., added; ’89, Ger. Koch; ’90, to be supplied; ’91-92, J. Bruckert. After 1893 appointments were by the Indiana Conference. ’16, R. Wise, who resigned and the field by its own request was without a pastor; ’17-’19, Fr. Reutpoehler; ’20-21, under the supervision of Linnwood Society in Evansville, Indiana. 1922 without pastor; 1923, Carl Koertge. Church was remodeled.
Then old parsonage being unfit for residence it was sold in 1907, and in 1908 a new one was bought with adequate accommodations. From these two societies went forth four ministers: Mel. Mayer, 1855; Chs. Koch, 1873; W.H. Freshley, 1900; and C.P. Maas, 1902.

A following entry is entitled “Zion Church, Spencer Co., Ind.” and reads as follows:
This society was likely the same as the one called Mt. Senty or Grand View near the town of that name, where lived the Miller’s; Meuser’s; Ernst Hassel’s; Niehaus’; Koch’s; and Bachman’s. A church was built here and dedicated July 3, 1853. B. Uphaus, pastor. But it later disbanded, and merged with Zoar and Salem Classes.

Re: Records of the first American Baptist church in Rhode Island 1639

johnbaker4382 — 2007-04-03 09:57:15Z

the church is in stonylane r.i., i don't have all members, my relative was rev. thomas baker. i would like to know which college bought the reconds in the 1960's i think some in ontario canada?

Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey

JoMac53 — 2007-03-09 00:39:29Z

The Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey, has a helpful page for locating records.

They list all the parishes and where the records are for closed and merged parishes. They list the churches by founding dates and tell what the main ethnicity of the parish was (Irish, German, Italian, etc) where applicable.

There's a contact listed for the archives for help, too, if you don't know the parish or need some other help.

http://www.rcan.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=feature.display&...

Re: How to write a letter requesting Church records

phildantona — 2007-02-10 20:01:26Z

Hi Sue,

Not sure if anyone has posted this tip yet, but if you want to write the letter in German (might be nice to show respect for the culture), you can generally find pretty cheap translation services on some work-for-hire freelance boards (like Elance, for example). Maybe that's not in your budget, but I wanted to let you know.

- Phil D'Antona

Re: General question about church records

storknurse — 2006-12-04 12:09:47Z

The answer is entirely date and location dependent. Some records are readily available on microfilm, fiche, or CDs, especially pre-1920. It also makes a difference which country. In Canada there were no civil records until recent years so all vital data was kept by the churches. Much of this has been microfilmed. Depending on the diocese, some priests now refuse to make records available, especially of living people, while others allow access. Increasingly, the Catholic church has been closing records.

Regards,
Sharyn

Re: The Church of the New Jerusalem in Philadelphia, PA

robertleconey — 2006-12-03 10:06:20Z

im also interested in the records for this church i have found only the first part which is at the geneoloy society still looking for the rest

Re: General question about church records

JoMac53 — 2006-11-26 00:52:09Z

Thanks, Sharyn. I hope I don't hit any of those closed doors. I just sent letters to eight Catholic churches within a mile of where I think my great-grandparents lived when they got married and had twins, asking for baptism and marriage records, since NY diocese apparently doesn't keep any centralized records. I'll wait with fingers crossed but I'll try not to get my hopes up, either, because I know it's a long shot.

Jo

General question about church records

JoMac53 — 2006-11-23 04:05:47Z

I was just wondering if there are rules about who can obtain what records from Catholic churches. Do you have to be a relative, are there time limits, is it up to each church, things like that. Any advice before I delve into this area of researching my ancestors?

Thanks.
Jo

Re: How to write a letter requesting Church records

cwitze — 2006-11-15 02:51:20Z

Even in a smaller town, talk to your bank about euros....they may be able to get some, tho it might take a few days.

Re: How to write a letter requesting Church records

2006-11-14 11:55:10Z

Thanks again, Eileen. I'll have to do some checking around to see if I can find a place that sells them. Sounds like wriitng the letter is the easy part!

I appreciate your help.
Sue

Re: How to write a letter requesting Church records

2006-11-14 11:51:16Z

Thanks Chris. This information helped me a lot. I am going to take your advice and send my letter to see what it will cost me to get copies of the records. That sounds like a logical move.

As for the euros, I'll wait and see what kind of response I get before doing anything further. I don't live in a large city so it might be more of a challenge to buy euros than to write the the letter in the first place! But we'll see...

Thanks again. I appreciate your response.
Sue

Re: How to write a letter requesting Church records

cwitze — 2006-11-13 15:05:04Z

Don't send money up front...they'll tell you what they want (eg, 30 €/hr and 5 €/Xerox copy). I had one church send a record to me for no charge....somebody was in a good mood.

The euro € is the European currency, and you can buy different size packets of them at large banks, esp in big cities or at international airports (eg, Kennedy). IOMs are expensive. Wait to see what the church tells you...sometimes they take a US check in $$ and ask for an exchange fee (maybe $10)....and that's often cheaper than an IOM. And if the fee isn't much, and you can get euros, just send cash.

Re: How to write a letter requesting Church records

2006-11-13 12:21:53Z

Any decent-sized bank should be able to sell you a money order denominated in Euros -- the currency in all of Europe. I believe in the US, you can also purchase them through Western Union, but since I do not live there, I cannot say for certain.

Re: How to write a letter requesting Church records

g11171 — 2006-11-13 12:21:16Z

You can get an International Money order from any bank or US Postal Service. Be prepared for the money order to cost around $25.

Re: How to write a letter requesting Church records

2006-11-13 12:01:05Z

Thanks Chris. I appreciate your reply.

I have looked at the sites you mentioned and have my letter written. I am pretty sure that the church in town holds these records as I already have a "partial" that someone was able to get for me.

Now that I've gotten this far, I guess my quandry is whether to send money up front or ask for a quote for research first. I hesitate to send anything initially, not knowing what an appropriate amount might be. What is your thought?

As for the payment, how does one send money overseas? I am not familiar with euros and was told by another researcher that I could use an international money order.

I appreciate your help.
Thanks!
Sue

Re: How to write a letter requesting Church records

2006-11-13 11:53:23Z

Hi Eileen,

Thanks for your response. Yes, I have checked the LDS site and no, they do not have the records I am looking for. The only other alternative that I could think of was to write directly to the church in town.

I appreciate the information regarding fees. I wasn't sure if I needed to send payment up front or not. And, then, I wasn't sure what amount would be appropriate. I have read information online about doing it either way, and was trying to get some feedback from other researchers on which way seems to work best. BTW...where do you get an international money order? I have been told that using euro-dollars is a good idea, but I don't know much about that either.

Thanks again.
Sue

Re: How to write a letter requesting Church records

cwitze — 2006-11-12 18:33:56Z

You should do some more on-line searching first. Sites like Ancestry.com, LDS, and http://www.cyndislist.com/ can lead you to instructions for all this, including typical letters (often in German) that you can use....I think LDS actually sells a pamphlet with this topic discussed in detail. If you find the Kirchenkreis that the church belongs to, you have a good chance of getting their email address (a lot of churches have email, esp in the larger cities), a much more convenient way of communicating with them than letters. Note: the records may be copied at a central archive location that you really should be addressing rather than the church itself. Sometimes the church/archive won't pull the records for you, you have to hire a local researcher....they can recommend one. And watch out for fees...the foreign exchange conversion can be very costly. I send cash (I have a bucket of euros for this), I've never had a problem.