View source for Kentucky Church Records

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<center>'''For greater success, use all the Wiki Articles in this series:'''</center>
*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?|'''What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?''']] 
*[[Determining the Church Your Ancestor Attended|'''Determining the Church Your Ancestor Attended''']] 
*[[How to Find Church Records in the United States|'''How to Find Church Records in the United States''']] 
*[[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''Searching for Church Records by Denomination''' ]]
*[[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by U.S. State|'''Searching for Church Records by U.S. State''']] 
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[[Image:Kentucky churches.png|thumb|right|500px]] 
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==Historical Background==
Before 1900 the largest religious groups in [[Kentucky, United States Genealogy|Kentucky]] were the [[Baptist Church in the United States|'''Baptist''']], [[Methodist Church in the United States|'''Methodist''']], [[Roman Catholic Church in the United States|'''Roman Catholic''']], and [[Presbyterian Church in the United States|'''Presbyterian''']] churches.<ref>Sydney E. Ahlstrom, ''A Religious History of the American People'' (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1972). {{FHL|282712|item|disp=FHL Book 973 K2ah}}.</ref>

==Information Found in the Records==
To effectively use church records, become familiar with their content. Click on these links to learn about a specific record type:
{|
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*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Baptisms or Christenings|Baptisms or Christenings]]
*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Marriages|Marriages]]
|style="vertical-align:top; padding-right:30px"|
*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Funerals or Burials|Funerals or Burials]]
*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Membership Lists|Membership Lists]]
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*[[What Can I Find in U.S. Church Records?#Minutes or Historical Narrative|Minutes or Historical Narrative]]
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==Finding the Records==
===Look for online records.===
'''Ancestry.com, FindMyPast.com, and MyHeritage.com can be searched free of charge at your local [https://www.familysearch.org/help/fhcenters/locations/ family history center] or the [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Family_History_Library Family History Library] in Salt Lake City, Utah.
<br>

*'''1818-1995''' - {{RecordSearch|2790250|Kentucky, Church Records, 1818-1995}} Index and images, incomplete
*'''1839-1960''' - {{RecordSearch|1674843|Kentucky, Births and Christenings, 1839-1960}} Index only, incomplete 
*'''1785-1979''' - {{RecordSearch|1674849|Kentucky, Marriages, 1785-1979}} Index only. 
*'''1843-1970''' - {{RecordSearch|1674848|Kentucky, Deaths and Burials, 1843-1970}} Index only.

====Online Books====
=====Baptist=====
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/760362 '''''A History of Baptists in Kentucky.'''''] Frank M. Masters. Louisville, Kentucky: Kentucky Baptist Historical Society, 1953''. 
*[https://archive.org/details/historyofkentuck01inspen '''''A History of Kentucky Baptists: From 1769 to 1885, Including More Than 800 Biographical Sketches'''''. Vol. 1] [https://archive.org/details/historyofkentuck02inspen Vol. 2]  Spencer, John H; Spencer, Burrilla B., ed
*[http://books.google.com/books?id=f9gpAAAAYAAJ '''''The Ministerial Directory of the Baptist Churches in the United States of America.'''''] George William Lasher Oxford, Ohio: Ministerial Directory Co., 1899.

=====Catholic=====
* [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/70285 '''''The Centenary of Catholicity in Kentucky''.'''] Webb, Benjamin J. Louisville, Ky.: Charles A. Rogers, 1884. 
::Olson, Mary M. ''A Complete Index to Webb’s Centenary of Catholicity in Kentucky: Including an Appendix on All Catholic Churches and Missions in Kentucky''. Rineyville, Ky.: M.M. Olson, 1983. {{FHL|303205|item|disp=FHL book 976.9 K2w index}}
*[http://www.archive.org/details/sketchesofearlyc00spal '''''Sketches of the Early Catholic Missions of Kentucky, 1787 to 1827'''''.] Spalding, M. J.  Louisville, Ky.: B.J. Webb &amp; Brother, 1844. Indexed by surname.
=====Methodist=====
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=26765 '''The history of Methodism in Kentucky'''], ($), index. [http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89067565259;view=1up;seq=7 Vol. 2]<br><br>

=====Presbyterian=====
*[https://books.google.com/books?id=qtFLAAAAMAAJ '''''History of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 2nd ed''.'''] Nashville, Tennessee: Board of Publication of Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1888. 
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/439629 '''''Shane Manuscript Collection''''']. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1966–1967. {{FHL|439629|item|disp=FHL Film 498615 (1st of 36 films)}}. An index to the Kentucky papers in this collection is: Hall, William K. ''The Shane Manuscript Collection: A Genealogical Guide to the Kentucky and Ohio Papers''. Galveston, Texas: Frontier Press, 1990. {{FHL|525495|item|disp=FHL Book 974.811 A3h}}. This name index shows the Shane Manuscript reel number and the corresponding Family History Library film number. [https://www.worldcat.org/title/shane-manuscript-collection-a-genealogical-guide-to-the-kentucky-and-ohio-papers/oclc/23174419 '''WorldCat]

====Other Collections====
*[https://www.theancestorhunt.com/blog/free-kentucky-online-church-records '''The Ancestor Hunt: Free Kentucky Online Church Records''']

===Look for digital copies of church records in the FamilySearch Catalog. ===
[[File:Family History Library.jpg|right|thumb|<center>'''Family History Library'''<br>'''Salt Lake City, Utah'''</center>]]
*The [[Family History Library|Family History Library]] (FHL) has a substantial collection of original church records and transcripts on microfilm for churches in the United States. 
*Online church records can be listed in the FamilySearch Catalog under the state, county, or town.
*If you find a record that has not yet been digitized, see [https://beta.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-request-that-a-microfilm-be-digitized '''How do I request that a microfilm be digitized?''']
*Some records might have viewing restrictions, and can only be viewed at a [https://www.familysearch.org/help/fhcenters/locations/ '''Family History Center'''] near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations.  
*To find records: 
:::a. Click on the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=363&query=%2Bplace%3A%22United%20States%2C%20Kentucky%22 '''records of United States, Kentucky'''].
:::b. Click on '''Places within United States, Kentucky''' 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, Kentucky [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. [[File:FHL icons.png|75px]].  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.
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===Consult available finding aids.===

'''These aids generally provide lists of records that are known to exist and information on their location.'''

===Correspond with or visit the actual churches.===
Some records are still held in the local churches. Contact the current minister to find out what records are still available. 
*'''Make an appointment''' to look at the records. Or ask the minister of the church to make a copy of the record for you.
*To find church staff available, you might have to visit on Sunday.
*Ask for small searches at a time, such as one birth record or a specific marriage. Never ask for "everything on a family or surname".   
*A '''donation''' ($25-$40) for their time and effort to help you would be appropriate. 
*If the church has a website, you may be able to '''e-mail a message'''.
*See the [[Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy|'''Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy''']] for help with composing letters.
*Each [[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''denomination page''']] offers an [[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''online address directory of local churches''']] for that denomination.

===Check the church records collections in archives and libraries.===
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.<br>
<br>
<span style="color:DarkViolet">'''Here you will find archive information unique to the state. Many more archives are kept by denomination. For denominational  archives, go to  [[United States Church Records#Searching for Church Records by Denomination|'''Searching for Church Records by Denomination.''']]</span>
====Baptist====
[http://library.sbts.edu/ '''Southern Baptist Theological Seminary''']<br>Archives and Special Collections<br>Boyce Centennial Library<br>2825 Lexington Road<br>Louisville, KY 40280<br>E-mail: [mailto:archives@sbts.edu archives@sbts.edu] <br>
:It has Baptist Church histories and Southern Seminary information and photographs. It also has minutes from Baptist Churches and Baptist Church associations. Mostly the records are from Southern Baptists, but there are also records from American, "colored," and Primitive Baptist congregations. Minute books do not contain birth, marriage, or death information. They may, however, help to verify the membership of an individual, tell if someone was disciplined for offenses, or track the movement of a minister.

====Lutheran====
[http://www.capital.edu/elca-region-6-archives/ '''ELCA Region 6 Archives''']<br>
Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University<br>
2199 East Main Street<br>
Columbus, OH 43209-2334<br>
<br>
Phone: (614) 236-6855<br>
E-mail: reg6archives@capital.edu<br>
*Archives hold records for '''closed churches.'''  '''For open churches write directly to [[Lutheran Church in the United States#Correspond with or visit the actual churches.|the local church.''']]


====Methodist====
The state of Kentucky is covered by two Methodist conferences that oversee the missions and business of the church. The Kentucky Annual Conference oversees the majority of the churches in Kentucky, while the Redbird Missionary Conference oversees the state’s Southeastern counties. <span style="color:DarkViolet">'''The conferences have collected records from churches that have closed. Records of existing congregations are generally still in the churches. '''</span>

'''[http://www.kyumc.org/ Kentucky Annual Conference]'''<br>2000 Warrington Way<br>Browenton Building, Suite 28<br>Louisville, KY 40222-340<br>Telephone: 1-502-425-388<br>Fax: 1-502-426-5181 

'''[http://www.rbmission.org/ Redbird Mission Conference]'''<br>6 Queendale Center<br>Beverley, KY 40913<br>Telephone: 1-606-598-5915<br>Fax: 1-606-598-6405

====Roman Catholic====
*[https://archivesspace.library.nd.edu/repositories/2/archival_objects/615460 '''Parish and Institutional Records Collection: Manuscripts and Microfilm'''] This page lists the parish records held in the collection.<br>

'''University of Notre Dame Archives Repository'''<br> 
607 Hesburgh Library<br> 
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 <br> 
<br> 
Phone: (574) 631-6448<br> 
E-mail: archives@nd.edu<br> 
::Catholic Church records collected by Francis P. Clark of Catholic parishes that closed during the 1950s and following Vatican II throughout Kentucky and the Ohio Valley. During this era, when many Catholic parishes would close, the priests would throw out their old record books. Patrick developed relationships with priests throughout the region and personally visited closing parishes and collected record books, ephemera, and photographs which he later donated to the Notre Dame University Archives where he worked as supervisor of the microfilm department. 
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'''Records of existing Catholic parishes are generally kept in the individual churches, though copies of the sacramental records are sent to the appropriate diocese.''' 
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:'''[http://www.covingtondiocese.org/ Diocese of Covington]'''<br>
Records are maintained [https://covdio.org/buildings-properties-2/parish-boundaries/ '''at the parish level.''']<br>
The '''Diocese of Covington''' serves the following Kentucky counties: [[Boone County, Kentucky Genealogy|Boone]], [[Bracken County, Kentucky Genealogy|Bracken]], [[Campbell County, Kentucky Genealogy|Campbell]], [[Carroll County, Kentucky Genealogy|Carroll]], [[Fleming County, Kentucky Genealogy|Fleming]], [[Gallatin County, Kentucky Genealogy|Gallatin]], [[Grant County, Kentucky Genealogy|Grant]], [[Harrison County, Kentucky Genealogy|Harrison]],&nbsp;[[Kenton County, Kentucky Genealogy|Kenton]], [[Lewis County, Kentucky Genealogy|Lewis]], [[Mason County, Kentucky Genealogy|Mason]], [[Owen County, Kentucky Genealogy|Owen]], [[Pendleton County, Kentucky Genealogy|Pendleton]].<ref name="rome">[http://www.cdeducation.org/oym/connections/dioceseusmap.htm Map of the Roman Catholic Dioceses in the United States of America], Office of Catholic Schools Diocese of Columbus, accessed 3 Nov 2010.</ref> 
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:'''[http://www.cdlex.org/ Diocese of Lexington]'''<br>
Records are maintained [https://www.cdlex.org/parishfinder '''at the parish level.''']<br>The '''Diocese of Lexington''' serves the following Kentucky counties: [[Anderson County, Kentucky Genealogy|Anderson]], [[Bath County, Kentucky Genealogy|Bath]], [[Bell County, Kentucky Genealogy|Bell]], [[Boyd County, Kentucky Genealogy|Boyd]], [[Bourbon County, Kentucky Genealogy|Bourbon]], [[Boyle County, Kentucky Genealogy|Boyle]], [[Breathitt County, Kentucky Genealogy|Breathitt]],&nbsp;[[Carter County, Kentucky Genealogy|Carter]], [[Clark County, Kentucky Genealogy|Clark]], [[Clay County, Kentucky Genealogy|Clay]], [[Elliott County, Kentucky Genealogy|Elliott]], [[Estill County, Kentucky Genealogy|Estill]], [[Fayette County, Kentucky Genealogy|Fayette]], [[Floyd County, Kentucky Genealogy|Floyd]], [[Franklin County, Kentucky Genealogy|Franklin]], [[Garrard County, Kentucky Genealogy|Garrard]], [[Greenup County, Kentucky Genealogy|Greenup]], [[Harlan County, Kentucky Genealogy|Harlan]], [[Harrison County, Kentucky Genealogy|Harrison]], [[Jackson County, Kentucky Genealogy|Jackson]], [[Jessamine County, Kentucky Genealogy|Jessamine]], [[Johnson County, Kentucky Genealogy|Johnson]], [[Knott County, Kentucky Genealogy|Knott]], [[Knox County, Kentucky Genealogy|Knox]], [[Laurel County, Kentucky Genealogy|Laurel]], [[Lawrence County, Kentucky Genealogy|Lawrence]], [[Lee County, Kentucky Genealogy|Lee]], [[Leslie County, Kentucky Genealogy|Leslie]], [[Letcher County, Kentucky Genealogy|Letcher]], [[Lincoln County, Kentucky Genealogy|Lincoln]], [[McCreary County, Kentucky Genealogy|McCreary]], [[Madison County, Kentucky Genealogy|Madison]], [[Magoffin County, Kentucky Genealogy|Magoffin]], [[Martin County, Kentucky Genealogy|Martin]], [[Menifee County, Kentucky Genealogy|Menifee]], [[Mercer County, Kentucky Genealogy|Mercer]], [[Montgomery County, Kentucky Genealogy|Montgomery]], [[Morgan County, Kentucky Genealogy|Morgan]], [[Nicholas County, Kentucky Genealogy|Nicholas]], [[Owsley County, Kentucky Genealogy|Owsley]], [[Perry County, Kentucky Genealogy|Perry]], [[Pike County, Kentucky Genealogy|Pike]], [[Powell County, Kentucky Genealogy|Powell]], [[Pulaski County, Kentucky Genealogy|Pulaski]], [[Rockcastle County, Kentucky Genealogy|Rockcastle]], [[Rowan County, Kentucky Genealogy|Rowan]], [[Scott County, Kentucky Genealogy|Scott]], [[Wayne County, Kentucky Genealogy|Wayne]], [[Whitley County, Kentucky Genealogy|Whitley]], [[Wolfe County, Kentucky Genealogy|Wolfe]], [[Woodford County, Kentucky Genealogy|Woodford]].

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:'''[https://www.archlou.org/services-directory/archdiocesan-agencies-facilities/archives/ Archdiocese of Louisville]'''<br>
Records are maintained [https://www.archlou.org/parishes/find-a-parish/ '''at the parish level.''']<br>
The '''Archdiocese of Louisville''' serves the following Kentucky counties: [[Barren County, Kentucky Genealogy|Barren]], [[Bullitt County, Kentucky Genealogy|Bullitt]], [[Casey County, Kentucky Genealogy|Casey]], [[Clinton County, Kentucky Genealogy|Clinton]], [[Cumberland County, Kentucky Genealogy|Cumberland]], [[Green County, Kentucky Genealogy|Green]], [[Hardin County, Kentucky Genealogy|Hardin]], [[Hart County, Kentucky Genealogy|Hart]], [[Henry County, Kentucky Genealogy|Henry]], [[Jefferson County, Kentucky Genealogy|Jefferson]], [[Larue County, Kentucky Genealogy|Larue]], [[Marion County, Kentucky Genealogy|Marion]], [[Meade County, Kentucky Genealogy|Meade]], [[Metcalfe County, Kentucky Genealogy|Metcalfe]], [[Monroe County, Kentucky Genealogy|Monroe]], [[Nelson County, Kentucky Genealogy|Nelson]], [[Oldham County, Kentucky Genealogy|Oldham]], [[Russell County, Kentucky Genealogy|Russell]], [[Shelby County, Kentucky Genealogy|Shelby]], [[Spencer County, Kentucky Genealogy|Spencer]], [[Taylor County, Kentucky Genealogy|Taylor]], [[Trimble County, Kentucky Genealogy|Trimble]], [[Washington County, Kentucky Genealogy|Washington]].
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:[http://www.owensborodio.org/ '''Diocese of Owensboro''']<br>
Office of Archives and Records<br>
McRaith Catholic Center<br>
600 Locust Street<br>
Owensboro, KY 42301<br>
<br>
Phone:270-683-1545<br>
E-mail: archives@pastoral.org<br>
*[https://owensborodiocese.org/sacramental-registers-in-the-archives/?rform=0 '''Sacramental Registers in the Archives'''] Sacramental records created 72 or more years ago are open and available for research use.
::The Archives currently holds registers that contain sacramental records dating from 1868 to 1996 for approximately 23 parishes, missions, and religious communities within the current boundaries of the Diocese of Owensboro. The bulk of these records date from the mid-1870s through the 1940s, and most were created by '''parishes that are now closed or merged with other parishes.''' This link has a complete browsable list of records available.
*For open parishes, direct requests to [https://owensborodiocese.org/category/directory/parishes/ '''the local parish.''']<br>

The '''Diocese of Owensboro''' serves the following Kentucky counties: [[Allen County, Kentucky Genealogy|Allen]], [[Ballard County, Kentucky Genealogy|Ballard]], [[Breckinridge County, Kentucky Genealogy|Breckinridge]], [[Caldwell County, Kentucky Genealogy|Caldwell]], [[Calloway County, Kentucky Genealogy|Calloway]], [[Carlisle County, Kentucky Genealogy|Carlisle]], [[Christian County, Kentucky Genealogy|Christian]], [[Crittenden County, Kentucky Genealogy|Crittenden]], [[Daviess County, Kentucky Genealogy|Daviess]], [[Edmonson County, Kentucky Genealogy|Edmonson]], [[Fulton County, Kentucky Genealogy|Fulton]], [[Graves County, Kentucky Genealogy|Graves]], [[Grayson County, Kentucky Genealogy|Grayson]], [[Hancock County, Kentucky Genealogy|Hancock]], [[Henderson County, Kentucky Genealogy|Henderson]], [[Hickman County, Kentucky Genealogy|Hickman]], [[Hopkins County, Kentucky Genealogy|Hopkins]], [[Livingston County, Kentucky Genealogy|Livingston]], [[Logan County, Kentucky Genealogy|Logan]], [[Lyon County, Kentucky Genealogy|Lyon]], [[McCracken County, Kentucky Genealogy|McCracken]], [[McLean County, Kentucky Genealogy|McLean]], [[Marshall County, Kentucky Genealogy|Marshall]], [[Meade County, Kentucky Genealogy|Meade]], [[Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Genealogy|Muhlenberg]], [[Ohio County, Kentucky Genealogy|Ohio]], [[Simpson County, Kentucky Genealogy|Simpson]], [[Todd County, Kentucky Genealogy|Todd]], [[Trigg County, Kentucky Genealogy|Trigg]], [[Union County, Kentucky Genealogy|Union]], [[Warren County, Kentucky Genealogy|Warren]], [[Webster County, Kentucky Genealogy|Webster]].
:
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{{Adoption KYGenWeb}}

===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 these lists: 
*[http://www.daddezio.com/society/hill/SH-KY-NDX.html '''Society Hill List of Kentucky Societies''']<br>

==Next, go to the Wiki article for your ancestors' denomination. ==
There are frequently additional, nationwide or regional archives and online collections for each denomination.  Find the article for your ancestors' denomination and follow the instructions there to access these sources.
{{Template:US-church-sidebar}}
<br>

==Carefully compare any record you find to known facts about the ancestor==
You will possibly find many different people with the '''same name as your ancestor,''' especially when a family stayed in a locality for several generations, and several children were named after the '''grandparents or aunts and uncles'''. Be prepared to find the correct church records by organizing in advance as many of these exact details about the ancestor '''as possible''':
*'''name''', including '''middle name and maiden name'''
*names of all '''spouses''', including middle and maiden name
*exact or closely estimated '''dates of birth, marriage, and death'''
*names and approximate birthdates of '''children'''
*all known places of '''residence'''
*'''occupations'''
*'''military''' service details
<br>

[[File:Dark_thin_font_green_pin_Version_4.png|50px]]'''Carefully evaluate''' the church records you find to make sure you have really found records for your ancestor and not just a '''"near match"'''. If one or more of the details do not line up, be careful about accepting the entry as your ancestor. There are guiding principles for deciding how to resolve discrepancies between records that are seemingly close. For more instruction in evaluating evidence, read the Wiki article, [[Evaluate the Evidence|'''Evaluate the Evidence'''.]]
==References==

<references /> 
{{Kentucky|Kentucky}} {{USChurch}}{{-}}</div> 
[[Category:Kentucky, United States|Church]] 
[[Category:U_S_States_Church_records]]