How to Find Church Records in the United States

Step 1: Look for online record collections.
Many records have been digitized and posted online, where they are easily searched. More are being added all the time.
 * Each state Church Records page lists several online collections.
 * Each state has an Online Genealogy Records page. In addition, statewide church records collections are listed on the United States Online Genealogy Records.
 * Ancestry.com Birth, Marriage, and Death Records, ($) - can be searched for free at any [[Family History Centers|Family History Center.]
 * MyHeritage.com, ($) - can be searched for free at any [[Family History Centers|Family History Center.] Select a state under "Refine Further in the left sidebar.
 * USGenWeb Archives
 * Cyndislist.com (Click on “U” for United States, then click on a state and then "Religion & Churches")
 * American Ancestors, specializes in New England.

International Genealogical Index

 * Many church christenings and marriages (such as the Congregational, Dutch Reformed, and Lutheran) have been listed in the International Genealogical Index (IGI). IGI data is now found by searching FamilySearch Historical Records.

Step 2: Look for digital copies found in the FamilySearch catalog.

 * The Family History Library (FHL) has a substantial collection of original church records and transcripts on microfilm for churches in the United States. These include records of many denominations, particularly the Society of Friends (Quaker), Presbyterian, Congregational, Lutheran, Reformed, and Roman Catholic churches.
 * Online church records can be listed in the FamilySearch Catalog state-wide, county-wide, or for a town.
 * 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 United States, Alabama.
 * b. Click on Places within United States, Alabama and a list of counties will appear.
 * c. Click on your county if it appears.
 * d. Click on the "Church records" topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
 * e. Click on Places within United States, Alabama [COUNTY] and a list of towns will appear.
 * f. Click on your town if it appears, or the location which you believe was the parish which served your town or village.
 * g. Click on the "Church records" topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
 * h. 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.

Step 4: Search church records stored in archives in person or by correspondence.
Some church records have been deposited for preservation in government archives or in libraries. Watch for links to digitized, online records offered by the archives. Some archives provide research services for a fee. For others, if you cannot visit in person, you might hire a researcher.

Denominational Archives
For archives of a particular religion, go to Major Religious Denominations and Their Archives.

Step 5: Correspond with genealogical or historical societies.
Some church records have been given to historical societies. Also, historical societies may be able to tell you where the records are being held. To find a society near you, consult this list:
 * List of Alabama Societies

Step 7: Correspond with or visit the actual churches.

 * Some denominations centralize storage of church records in archives.
 * The most recent records are still held in the local churches. For addresses for these, see listings under each denomination.

How to Write a Letter

 * See the Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy for help with composing letters.

Address Lists
Because there are so many different denominations with congregations in Alabama, the address lists merit their own page in the Wiki. To find addresses for churches, for each denomination, next go to Alabama Church Directories.

General Tips
Learn what churches were available in the towns where your ancestor settled. They may have attended the local church because of its proximity, even though they were members of another church. On the other hand, your ancestor may have traveled some distance to attend their preferred church in the next town or county. There is also the possibility that an ancestor may have started out with one church and converted to another church. Look at county histories and city directories for this information.