Marshall Islands Church Records

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

Historical Background
In 2009, major religious groups in the Republic of the Marshall Islands are United Church of Christ (formerly Congregational) (51.5%), Assemblies of God (24.2%), Roman Catholic church (8.4%), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) (9.5%),[2] Bukot Nan Jesus (also known as Assembly of God Part Two) (2.2%), Baptist (1.0%), Seventh-day Adventists (0.9%), Full Gospel (0.7%), Baha'i Faith (0.6%).[1] Persons without any religious affiliation account for a small percentage of the population.[1] The Jehovah's Witnesses are believed to have a few hundred practitioners.

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 records of Marshall Islands.
 * b. Click on Places within Marshall Islands 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 Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy for help with composing letters.
 * Google Maps search results for churches in Marshall Islands

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: Marshall Islands

Historical Background
The Roman Catholic Apostolic Prefecture of the Marshall Islands is a Latin rite apostolic prefecture in the South Sea Republic of the Marshall Islands. As per 2014, it has 4,975 Catholics (9.5% of 52,500 total population), pastorally served in nine churches in 11 parishes, by 6 priests (1 diocesan, 5 religious), 1 deacon, 15 lay religious (5 brothers, 10 sisters) and a seminarian.[1]

Missionaries from the Order of Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (M.S.C.) arrived in 1898. In 1905, a pre-diocesan jurisdiction was established as Mission sui juris of Marshall Islands, on territory split off from the then Apostolic Vicariate of New Pomerania (mainly New Britain, in the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea). On April 5, 1923, the independent mission was suppressed, its territory being merged into the then Apostolic Vicariate of Mariana, Caroline and Marshall Islands. On April 23, 1993, Pope John Paul II split the former Diocese of Carolines-Marshalls into the Apostolic Prefecture of the Marshall Islands and the Diocese of Caroline Islands.

Online Records
Online church information is available to current members, 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
The Marshall Islands are a republic made up of two atoll chains in the South Pacific.

MAJURO Missionaries arrived in Majuro 3 February 1977. By the end of 1977, there were 27 converts on the island. The Laura Branch was created 11 May 1978. By the end of 1979, there were 177 members. Church buildings for the Laura and Rita branches were started in September 1984 and dedicated 13-14 January 1986, respectively. By 1987, Majuro had a district with five branches, and by 1990, Majuro had 1,100 members.

KWAJALEIN/EBEYE The Kwajalein Island Branch in the Marshall Islands was organized in 1978, made up entirely of United States citizens serving in the military or as civil service personnel. Missionaries opened the island of Ebeye on 16 May 1989.

Total Church Membership: 6,576. Congregations: 13.

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Assembly of God churches in Marshall Islands

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Baptist churches in Marshall Islands

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Full Gospel churches in Marshall Islands

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Jehovah's Witnesses churches in the Marshall Islands

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Salvation Army churches in Marshall Islands

Writing for Records

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

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for United Church of Christ (formerly Congregational) churches in Marshall Islands