Maine, Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains church records from various denominations in Maine. The record content and time period varies by denomination and locality. As Maine was part of Massachusetts until March 1820, some localities may be recorded as Massachusetts.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in this record:
 * The names of the members
 * Dates and places for significant events such as birth, marriage, and death
 * The names of parents

Coverage Table
This table shows the number of records by event type based on the state and counties used after Maine's statehood in 1820. Records where no event place other than Maine were listed are displayed as Maine. For a link to a list of indexed records from other localities included in this section see the Known Issues section of this article.

Inventory
This table lists the contents of the films indexed to create this collection. The link in the DGS column will open a new window where you can see the images for that film. The link in the Images column will open a new window with the first image for that item. The link in the Title column will open a new window where you can see the FamilySearch Catalog record describing the film.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know: If you know the location or name of the church you may look at the above table and click on the link to find the images for that church or location.
 * Name of the individual
 * Approximate date and location of event

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Search for vital records such as birth, marriage, and death
 * Search for the family in census records
 * Use the information found in the record to find land, probate and immigration records
 * Use the information in the church records to find obituaries and cemetery records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby town or county
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Maine.
 * Maine Guided Research
 * Maine Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * edited by Rhonda R. McClure, Genealogist's handbook for New England research 6th ed. Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic Genealogical Society®, 2022 FS Library 974 D27mr
 * Maine, church records : COLLECTION RECORD, 1734-1907
 * William Leo Lucey, The Catholic Church in Maine Francestown, New Hampshire : Marshall Jones Company, c1957 FS Library 974.1 K2L

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * Maine Historical Records Survey Project, Division of Professional and Service Projects, Work Projects Administration, Directory of churches and religious organizations in Maine Portland, Maine : Historical Records Survey (Maine), 1940
 * Rev. Stephen Allen of Maine Conference and Rev. W.H. Pillsbury of East Maine Conference, History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 Augusta, Maine : Charles E. Nash, 1887
 * Henry S. Burrage,History of the Baptists in Maine Portland, Maine : Marks Printing House, 1904

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.