Illinois, Diocese of Belleville, Catholic Parish Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes Catholic church records from 1729 to 1956 from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belleville, Illinois. The records included are baptism, first communion, confirmation, marriage, and death. (The confirmation records end at 1907, and the marriage records end at 1930.) This collection may also include some censuses, Catholic church history, family records, and financial records.

The text of these records is in either English or Latin. (The link at the bottom right that translates words from Latin to English may be useful.)

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Baptism
 * Name of Child (usually only first name)
 * Names of Parents (sometimes the mother’s maiden name is given)
 * Baptism Date
 * Birth Date (occasionally the birth date is not listed)
 * Sponsors’ Names (these are often adult family members)
 * Priest Name (who conducted the baptism)

Marriage
 * Marriage Date
 * Groom’s Name
 * Bride’s Name (sometimes her maiden name is given)
 * Parents’ Names

Death
 * Death Date
 * Name of Deceased
 * Name of Spouse
 * Father’s Name
 * Church Membership
 * Priest’s Name

Collection Content
There were many Roman Catholics in Illinois after 1860, particularly in the northern industrial areas. They were good record keepers because priests were able to read and write, unlike many church members at that time.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The approximate date of a baptism, marriage or death
 * The names of your ancestor's parents
 * The name of an intended spouse

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor’s church record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use christening and birth records of christenings (baptisms) to identify a person’s birth date and place. These are an excellent substitute for civil birth records
 * Use confirmation records to identify a person’s birth date and place and his or her age. If only the age is given, use it to calculate the person’s death date
 * Use death or burial records to identify a person’s birth date and place. Use age at the time of death or burial to calculate the person’s birth date. These are an excellent substitute for civil death records
 * Use marriage records to identify a couple and the marriage date and place and to begin compiling a family group. These are an excellent substitute for civil marriage records
 * Use church records in general to identify other family members who may have served as witnesses to an event

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for alias names, nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Look for an index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby localities

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Illinois.
 * Illinois Guided Research
 * Illinois Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.