Vanuatu Church Records

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

Online Resources and Websites

 * French Overseas New Hebrides Civil Registration and Parish Registers, 1898-1911, index and images.
 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms, Vanuatu, index and images, ($)
 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials, index and images, ($)
 * PAMBU Vanuatu Church Records Contains brief biographical notes on ministers and missionaries. Lists records available at Pacific Manuscripts Bureau.

Historical Background
Christianity is the predominant religion in Vanuatu, consisting of several denominations. The Presbyterian Church in Vanuatu, adhered to by about one-third of the population, is the largest of them and makes Vanuatu the most Presbyterian country in the world. Roman Catholic and Anglican are other common denominations. The less significant groups are the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Church of Christ, Neil Thomas Ministries (NTM), Jehovah's Witnesses, and others.

An estimated 32% is Presbyterian, 13% Roman Catholic, 13% Anglican, and 11% Seventh-day Adventist. Groups that together constitute 14% include the Church of Christ 3.8%, United Pentecostal Church UPCIV Assemblies of God, and other Christian denominations. Jehovah's Witnesses, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) also are active.

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 FamilySearch Center near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations. To find records:
 * a. Click on the records of Vanuatu.
 * b. Click on Places within Vanuatu 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 or Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy for help with composing letters.
 * Church Listings for Vanuatu'''
 * Google Maps search results for churches in Vanuatu

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: Vanuatu

Historical Background
The Catholic Church in Vanuatu is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome. Catholics constitute 13% of the population of Vanuatu. The church is organized into one diocese based in the capital of Port Vila.

The first ever mass in Oceania was performed on May 14, 1606, when Spanish explorer Pedro de Quiros landed on the island with four priests and eight brothers, some of which were Franciscans and St John of God, and celebrated Pentecost. In 1875 mostly Catholic Tannese settlers wrote to the French government asking that the islands be claimed by France.

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
Fiji Suva Mission President Ebbie L. Davis organized the Port Vila Branch (a small congregation) in July 1973. Missionary work began in Vanuatu in 1974 after several Latter-day Saint Tongan families moved there. Over the years, government restrictions on visas slowed the work. Non-native missionaries were expelled from Vanuatu in 1982. More missionaries were eventually allowed and Church membership increased. Additional branches were organized in the 1990s on the islands of Efate, Espiritu Santo, Tanna, and Ambae. At the request of Church members living on the island of Mere Lava, missionaries began visiting that island in 2002. The Church responded with aid via the missionaries in the wake of an earthquake in November 2002. Total Church Membership: 10,210. Congregations: 37.

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Anglican churches in Vanuatu

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Baptist churches in Vanuatu

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Church of Christ churches in Vanuatu

Writing for Records

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

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Neil Thomas Ministries in Vanuatu

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Pentecostal/Assembly of Giod churches in Vanuatu

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Presbyterian churches in Vanuatu

Historical Background
The Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu (French: Église presbytérienne de Vanuatu), or the Presbitirin Jyos Blong Vanuatu in Bislama, is the largest Christian denomination in Vanuatu. It was created by missionaries of the London Missionary Society in the mid-1800s. In 1838. Rev John William arrived on the Island of Futuna. In Eromango Rev. William was martyred and eaten. In 1941 Apela and Samuele were placed to Futuna. Both of them were martyred. They prepared the way of Presbyterians from Canada, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand. The Presbyterian Mission Synod contributed the mission in the New Hebrides now called Vanuatu. Even today the Scottish Presbyterian tradition is visible in the life of the Vanuatuan church. The church developed rapidly from the south to the north. It employed indigenous pastors and teachers. The church become autonomous in 1948 as the Presbyterian Church in the New Hebrides. Vanuatu became free from the British and French colonization in 1980. Most of the members of the new government were Presbyterians, because the Presbyterian church is the only denomination that established a theological seminary and concentrated on educating the Ni-Vanuatu

The denomination has approximately 78,000 members and 400 congregations, as well as 450 house fellowships in 6 presbyteries as of January 1, 2006. It is the largest denomination in the country, representing more than 30% of the population of Vanuatu.[5]

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Seventh-day Adventist churches in Vanuatu