Vanuatu Church Records

For information about records for non-Christian religions in Vanuatu, 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.


 * 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 Family History 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
To locate the mailing address or e-mail address for a local parish, consult:
 * The Catholic Directory: Vanuatu

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
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

Writing for Records

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