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Archiver > OHGREENE > 2005-03 > 1110499456


From: "Debbie Carder" <>
Subject: Re: [OHGREENE-L] Re: Availability of Church Records
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2005 19:04:16 -0500
References: <20050309.173223.4840.114497@webmail22.lax.untd.com>


How do you contact the United Methodist Church Archives?
----- Original Message -----
From: <>
To: <>
Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2005 8:31 PM
Subject: Re: [OHGREENE-L] Re: Availability of Church Records


>
> I would add a few other things I've found in working with church records.
>
> Sometimes whether something is there in a local church is random. In the
> 1970's, on my first genealogical expedition, I went to my grandmother's
> birthplace and found the oldest Norwegian Lutheran church and the current
> pastor. He had a single book of records, which happened to include her
> baptismal record from 1878! Someone had found it in an attic when their
> parent died, and returned it to the the church. Incidently, it proved we'd
> always celebrated her birthday on the wrong date!
>
> The United Methodist Church Archives holds data for all the predescessor
> churches, mostly in their Annual Conferences, a geographical designation.
> My ancestor started out Methodist, and their archives were a gold mine.
> When I started, they weren't charging for the list of "appointments," or
> what churches and dates the person served. They may be charging now but
> it is invaluable information. Later I paid them for more detailed
> information, which included copies of letters and so on. They were
> supernice at all levels. I have original material I'll be donating to
> their archives when I'm done with them.
>
> After he left the Methodist church, this ancestor became a Baptist. Don't
> bother to send your $25/hour to the national archives of the American
> Baptist Church in Rochester. They admit they have nothing of use to
> genealogists because they never required their churches or ministers to
> submit any records. But they say you can your money and they'll look. I
> wouldn't, even though I have an ancestor who was Baptist. Their site does
> have a list of ministers, and mine wasn't there. Had he been, it might
> have been worth a try.
>
> Then he left the Baptists for reasons unknown and became a Disciples of
> Christ minister. My interaction with the Disciples Archives was an email
> response saying that I could use their Archives for free or pay
> researchers. While I understand they can't research for free, I'm on
> social security disabilty and can't afford to get there or pay the
> research fees. Sigh.
>
> Anyway, I hope these suggestions about the denominations I know something
> about will help somebody out there.
>
> Doris Waggoner
> Seattle
>
>
>
>
>
> -- wrote:
> I was asked if these church records can be a source open to genealogists.
>
> Yes and No. These are not public records. Yes, religious records can
> be a
> source, BUT...
>
> Active congregations make their own decisions about whether they will look
> or
> not or let you look for information.
>
> Religious archives usually have either volunteer or part time
> archivists/curators. I do this myself in Berkeley, but I am a volunteer
> and do it only two
> days a week. I'm very busy when I work, but I do get inquiries which I
> try to
> answer on a limited basis. Here, San Francisco has no county records
> before
> 1906 when the great earthquake and fire disaster burned them all. So
> people
> are desperate to find information.
>
> Usually I can't help them, but may be able to give them the Lutheran
> church
> body of the pastor who married or batized them if they have a Bible
> certificate
> with a name and church on it and then refer them to the church if it still
> exists or, if it does not, to the archives which MAY hold them. I say
> MAY
> because in the past many records did not get sent to a central repository.
> Active
> congregations keep all their own records on site usually.
>
> If the congregation which closes does not deposit their records or was not
> affiliated with a church body (independent), then records could be found
> in a
> historical society, a library, an antique store, estate sale, or someone's
> home
> or sent to the dump.
>
> Church records are kept chronologically, so it is unreasonable to ask a
> vague
> query. It needs to be specific within a few years of the occasion with
> names and dates and places. If you're fortunate, someone will have
> abstracted
> the information and alphabetized it! Most active congregations have not
> had
> someone do this, but in the east, many have been done and placed with
> libraries,
> historical or genealogical societies. Some religious groups gather their
> own records in specific places.
>
> Usually anything important that is wanted (marriages, deaths, etc) can be
> found in a county office. If it's early in a county's or state's
> history, it
> may not have been recorded at all as a matter of negligence, inconvenience
> and
> distance to the county seat or lack of incentive to do so.
>
> Remember when writing to churches or their archives...
> 1. Be specific - give names, dates, and places (church name, city or
> county), and denomination if you know it.
>
> 2. Ask if they charge for genealogical service. Most archives do, from
> $25 first hour and up and some charge for copies made as well. The
> Lutheran
> Archives in Columbus charges $30 for the first hour but you can go there
> as well
> with an appointment.
>
> 3. To go there yourself, call and make an appointment in most cases, as
> their
> hours are limited.
>
> Carol Schmalenberger, Clark County native of Bethel Lutheran
> Archives of Region 2 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Berkeley, CA.
>
>
> ==============================
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