Ohio, Diocese of Toledo, Catholic Parish Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

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Collection Time Period
This information pertains to church records created 1840-1930.

Collection History
Church records in the United States began in the early 1600s. They can be found in the churches, church archives, or university archives. They normally records christenings, confirmations, marriages, and deaths. An infant’s christening usually took place within a few days or few weeks of the birth, depending on the religion. Some churches, such as the Baptists, baptized only adults not infants. Members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints blessed their infants when they were a few weeks or a few months old. Many religions tested the church knowledge of those that had been baptized as infants and then confirmed them a member of that religion. Frequently, a person’s age at confirmation was between 14 and 20. Church records in Ohio cover about 33% of the population.

Why This Collection Was Created
To know who were members, Churches were required to record the date a person was baptized into the Christian religion. Many churches also recorded the date of birth along with the date of baptism. Church were also required to record the burial and marriage dates of the members of the local congregation. Only some churches performed confirmations and were required to record the names of those that were confirmed members of the church.

Collection Reliability
To know who were members, Churches were required to record the date a person was baptized into the Christian religion. Many churches also recorded the date of birth along with the date of baptism. Church were also required to record the burial and marriage dates of the members of the local congregation. Only some churches performed confirmations and were required to record the names of those that were confirmed members of the church.

Collection Description
Entries are recorded in register books in columns or in paragraphs without columns.

Record Content


Genealogical information in church birth and christening records is:


 * Birth and christening dates and places
 * Names of parents and children, witnesses and godparents

Genealogical information in church confirmation records:


 * Names of parents and children
 * Birth and christening dates and places
 * Ages of children confirmed

Genealogical information in church death and burial records is:


 * Names of persons, their parents, spouses and children
 * Birth, death and burial dates and places
 * Ages of persons
 * Places of residence

Genealogical information in church marriage records:


 * Names of husbands and wives, parents and witnesses
 * Birth, marriage and divorce dates and places
 * Ages of husbands and wives
 * Places of residence

How To Use The Collection
Use christening and birth records of christenings (baptisms) to identify a person’s birth date and place. They are an excellent substitute for civil birth information. Use church records of confirmations to identify a person’s birth date and place or his or her age. If only the age is given, use it to calculate the person’s birth date. Use church records of deaths or burials to identify a person’s birth date and place. Use age at death or burial to calculate a person’s birth date. They are an excellent substitute for civil death information. Use church records of marriages to identify a couple, the marriage date and place, and to begin compiling a family group. They are an excellent substitute for civil marriage information.

Related Websites
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Related Articles
Ohio Church Records

Sources of Information for this Collection
Name of Church denomination and congregation. Type of record. From URL, date accessed or downloaded. Digital reference number, Ohio, county, specific place (either town, township, or city), volume number, page number.

Name of Church denomination and congregation. Type of record. Salt Lake City: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, [filming date]. Microform number, item number. Ohio, county, specific place (either town, township, or city), volume number, page number.

How To Cite Your Sources
Instructions for citing this source can be found at: Cite Your Sources (Source Footnotes)