Kenya Church Records

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

Online Resources and Websites

 * 1838-1991 - - index and images. Includes Kenya.
 * 1906-1963 - Parish registers, Gereformeerde Kerk, Eldoret (Kenya) - 1906-1963 - images
 * 1908-1965 - Parish registers, 1908-1965 Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk. Gemeente Rensburgrus (Eldoret, Kenya)
 * 1949-1975 - Kenya, Vergenoeg, church records - images


 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms, Kenya, index and images, ($)
 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms, Africa, index and images, ($)
 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages, Kenya, index and images, ($)
 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages, Africa, index and images, ($)
 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials, index and images, ($), 1908-1965] - images

Historical Background
The predominant religion of Kenya is Christianity; roughly 80% of the total population are Christians. The Christian denominations found in Kenya include: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, Presbyterian, Reformed, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, and Pentecostal

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 [COUNTRY LINK records of Kenya].
 * b. Click on Places within Kenya 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 GuideLetter Writing Guide for Genealogy for help with composing letters.

Writing to a Local Parish
To locate the mailing address or e-mail address for a local parish, consult:
 * The Catholic Directory: Kenya

Historical Background
Roman Catholicism was first brought to Kenya in the 1400s by Portuguese sailors and later spread rapidly by missionaries. Records were usually kept by the parish.

Online Records
Information is available to current members only 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.

Writing for Records

 * [ Google Maps search results for Anglican churches in Kenya]

Writing for Records

 * [ Google Maps search results for Baptist churches in Kenya]

Writing for Records
The denomination in Kenya became known as the Reformed Church of East Africa. The records for the Dutch Reformed Church have been maintained in good condition. The records were written in Dutch, Afrikaans, and English.
 * [ Google Maps search results for Dutch Reformed churches in Kenya]

Writing for Records

 * [ Google Maps search results for Eastern Orthodox churches in Kenya]

Historical Background
Orthodoxy entered Kenya in the 1940s. The first archdiocese was established in 1959. For more information, see Religion in Kenya and Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa.

Writing for Records

 * [ Google Maps search results for Jehovah's Witnesses churches in Kenya]

Writing for Records

 * [ Google Maps search results for Lutheran churches in Kenya]

Writing for Records

 * [ Google Maps search results for Methodist churches in Kenya]

Writing for Records

 * [ Google Maps search results for Pentecostal churches in Kenya]

Writing for Records

 * [ Google Maps search results for Presbyterian churches in Kenya]

Quaker Church Records
Quakerism entered Kenya in 1902. From there, it spread throughout Kenya. For more information, see Religion in Kenya and Quakers in Africa.

Writing for Records

 * [ Google Maps search results for Seventh-day Adventist churches in Kenya]