Indigenous Peoples of the United States Church Records

United States American Indian Research  Church Records

A number of denominations in the United States proselyted among the American Indians. Some of the more active groups who sent missionaries among the native population were:


 * Catholic
 * For records:
 * Marquette University (Upper Midwest and general U.S.),
 * Gonzaga university (Pacific Northwest and Alaska),
 * Diocesan Archives (area covered by Diocese)
 * Family History Library (Spanish Mission records of California and New Mexico abstract and copies of originals on microfilm )
 * Methodist
 * For records: Kansas Historical Society; local historical societies
 * Moravian
 * For records: Moravian Archives; local historical societies
 * Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
 * For records: Family History Library
 * Early "Mormon Missions among the Indians of North America: Catawba, Lemhi (Snake), Tooele (Paiute), Southern Indian (Paiute, Navajo) Wind River (Shoshone) and in Indian Territory
 * Presbyterian
 * For Records: Presbyterian Historical Society; local historical societies.
 * American Indian Mission Association (mentioned in a treaty)
 * Baptist
 * For records: Kansas and Oklahoma Historical Societies, and Family History Library
 * Quaker
 * For Records: Swathmore college

The records created varied among the denominations. Some kept records of individuals who were baptized or who joined with that denomination. Some kept only reports of activities among the native tribes or groups. Some have preserved correspondence with their respective oversight boards and/or government offices.

It was not uncommon, when records of Indian individuals were kept, to list those individuals under a "Christian" name, rather than their native name. This makes it more difficult to determine whether or not names in the church records are for the same individual as those in government records.