Guadeloupe Church Records

For information about records for non-Christian religions in Guadeloupe, go to the Religious Records page.

Online Resources and Websites
 '''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.
 * 1639-1830: at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * Guadeloupe Civil Registration and Parish Registers, 1639-1907, index and images.
 * Saint Martin Civil Registration and Parish Registers, 1770-1907, index and images.

Historical Background
About 80% of the population are Roman Catholic. Guadeloupe is in the diocese of Basse-Terre (et Pointe-à-Pitre). Other major religions include Jehovah's Witnesses and various Protestant denominations.

Information Recorded in the Records
Different denominations, different time periods, and practices of different record keepers will effect how much information can be found in the records. This outline will show the types of details which might be found (best case scenario):

Baptisms
In Catholic and Anglican records, children were usually baptized a few days after birth, and therefore, the baptism record proves date of birth. Other religions, such as Baptists, baptized at other points in the member's life. Baptism registers might give:

Marriages
Marriage registers can give:

Burials
Burial registers may give:

Digital Copies of Church Records in the FamilySearch Catalog
Watch for digitized copies of church records to be added to the collection of the FamilySearch Library. 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 of Guadeloupe'''.
 * b. Click on Places within Guadeloupe and a list of towns will appear.
 * c. Click on your town if it appears, or the location which you believe was the parish which served your town or village.
 * d. Click on the "Church records" topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
 * e. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the listing for the record. FHL icons.png. 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.

Writing for Records
You will probably need to write to or email the national archives, the diocese, or local parish priests to find records. See French Letter Writing Guide for help with composing letters.

Writing to a Local Parish
Earlier records can be held at the diocese, with more recent records still kept in the local parish. To locate the mailing address or e-mail address for a diocese or local parish, consult:
 * The Catholic Directory: Guadeloupe

Historical Background
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Basse-Terre and Pointe-à-Pitre, more simply known as the Diocese of Basse-Terre, is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the Caribbean. The diocese comprises the entirety of the French overseas department of Guadeloupe, one of the Leeward Lesser Antilles.

Online Records
Online information is available to current members, for deceased members and immediate family members who are still living. Sign in to FamilySearch and then select Family Tree in the drop-down menu.

Historical Background
In June 1984, West Indies Mission President Kenneth Zabriskie sent French-speaking missionaries to Guadeloupe who had been transferred from French-speaking missions in Europe. Through their efforts the Grande-Terre Branch was organized in August 1984. Because of Guadeloupe’s connection to France, there have been several members from France who have lived on the island for a few years and brought valuable experience to the Church there. In April 1998, West Indies Mission President Kenneth J. Mason dedicated the first chapel in Guadeloupe at Basse-Terre.

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Jehovah's Witnesses churches in Guadeloupe

Writing for Records

 * Church lists by town Click on the ">" symbol to the right of each town.
 * Guadeloupe — List of church types
 * Google Maps search results for churches in Guadeloupe
 * Seventh-day Adventist Directory