(This page's most recent update is September 2024)
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Another underutilized genealogy resource is Church Records. We tend to focus our research on civil records but need to be aware that often church records pre-date civil records and are also a great resource. In the BMD Records section of this website, there are about 15,000 collections of civil records that are available online. Yes, that’s a lot, but we need to also search church records as well.
What can we find in church or synagogue records? Here’s just a short list of what nuggets we can find:
- Baptisms and Christenings
- Marriages
- Deaths
- Burials
- Confirmations
- Membership lists
- Church Minutes
- Church Directories
- Transfer Letters
- Bar or Bat Mitzvahs
- Sunday School lists
- Church newsletters
In addition, many folks also documented important events in family bibles, so they need to be searched as well if the event information has been digitized.
Here are a couple of articles that you might find useful:
- U.S. Church Records Research Guide
- United States Church Records
- A Genealogist’s Guide to Using Catholic Records in Genealogy Research
There is a large number of Free Online Church Record collections; the links for the state are below:
Note: Some links listed take you to a FamilySearch Collection of digital images. Near the bottom of the page under Film/Digital Notes is the name of each sub-collection. If there is a camera icon at the right of the name (in the Format column) then the collections’ images are browsable. If there is a camera with a key icon, it is only available at a Family History Center or affiliated library. If there is a film reel icon, then it is only available in microfilm format, not digital. To take full advantage make sure that you are logged in to FamilySearch. The results may be different if you are signed in, rather than not.
Pennsylvania Church Records
- Abbottstown, Saint Johns Lutheran Church, Births or Christenings, 1850-1877
- Abington, Abington Presbyterian Church, Marriage Record, 1716-1821
- Albany Township, Berks County, New Bethel Lutheran and Reformed Church, Church Record, 1762-1976
- Alburtis, Lehigh County, Huff’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Record, 1814-2008
- Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, Records of Smithfield United Church of Christ
- Allemengel, Gnadenhütten, Moravian Church, Records
- Allentown, Asbury United Methodist, Church Record, 1891-2008
- Allentown, Lehigh County, United Church of Christ, Record, 1912-2008
- Allentown, St. Michael’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Records, 1876-2008
- Allentown; Nativity Lutheran Church, Church Record, 1956-2009
- Amity Township, Berks County, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Births or Christenings, 1759-1802
- Andersonburg, Perry County, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church; Parish Registers, 1855-1956
- Barnesville, Schuylkill County, Faith United Church of Christ, Record, 1944-2006
- Barnesville-Delano Charge, Schuylkill County, Church Record, 1983-2005
- Beaver Township, Clarion County, St. Paul’s Churches, Church Records
- Bedminster Township, Bucks County, Tohickon Union Church, Church Records, Reformed Congregation 1745-1869, Lutheran Congregation 1749-1840
- Berks County, Hamburg, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Records, 1756-2006
- Berks County, St. John’s Host Church Records
- Bethlehem, Bethany United Church of Christ, Church Records
- Bethlehem, Northampton County; Salem Lutheran Church, Church Record, 1851-2007
- Bethlehem; Christ Church United Church of Christ, Church Record, 1849-2008
- Bethlehem; St. John’s Windish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Church Records
- Boyertown, Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, Record, 1852-2007
- Boyertown; St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Church Records, 1811-2008
- Bucks County, Doylestown, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Record, 1862-2008
- Bucks County, Quakertown, Church Records, 1881-2004
- Bucks County, Spinnerstown, Trinity United Church of Christ Record, 1843-2008
- Carbon County, Bowmanstown, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Record, 1894-2008
- Carbon County, Jim Thorpe, Grace St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Records, 1873-1897
- Carbon County, Jim Thorpe, Transcribed Church Record, 1860-1887
- Carbon County, Lansford, First Presbyterian Church Record, 1879-1971
- Carbon County, Lansford, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Records, 1894-1961
- Carbon County, Nesquehoning, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Records, 1901-2004
- Carbon County, Packer Township, St. Matthew Lutheran Church Record, 1895-1975
- Carbon County, Weatherly, Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Record, 1864-1887
- Carbon County, Weissport, Jacob’s United Church of Christ, Records, 1745-2007
- Carbon County, Weissport, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Records, 1745-1928
- Carlisle, Cumberland, First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Births and Christenings, 1787-1875
- Carlisle, First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Marriages, 1790-1880
- Catasauqua; First Presbyterian Church, Church Records, 1839-2007
- Churchville, Bucks County, Presbyterian Church, Marriage Record, 1738-1810
- Churchville, Bucks County; North and Southampton Reformed Dutch Church, Records, 1704-1820
- Colebrook, Lebanon, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Births or Christenings, 1776-1820
- Danielsville, Salem United Methodist Church Record, 1865-1977
- Darlington, Free Presbyterian Church, Congregational Records, [1847-1868]
- Dauphin County, Klinger Church, Records
- Doylestown; Salem United Church of Christ, Record, 1897-2008
- Earl Township (near New Holland), Lancaster County, Seltenreich Reformed Church, Church Records 1746-1800
- Easton, First Reformed Church of Easton, Church Records, 1760 to 1852
- Elizabethtown, Christ Lutheran Church, Births and Christenings, 1770-1875
- Elizabethtown, Lancaster, Christ Lutheran Church, Marriages, 1779-1880
- Emmaus, Lehigh, Moravian Church Record, 1840-1900
- Emmaus, St. John’s United Church of Christ Record, 1876-2008
- Exeter Township, Berks County, Schwarzwald Reformed Church, Records
- Fisher, Millcreek Presbyterian Church, Church Records, 1914-1956
- Fleetwood; Christ (Mertz) Evangelical Lutheran Church, Church Records, 1713-2009
- Gettysburg, Saint James Evangelical Lutheran Church, Births or Christenings, 1819-1875
- Gettysburg, Saint James Evangelical Lutheran Church, Marriages, 1830-1879
- Gratz, Simeon’s Reformed Church, Church Records, 1905-1969
- Hamburg, Church Records of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran, 1834-1998
- Hanover, York County, Saint Matthew’s Lutheran Church; Parish Register, 1865-1893
- Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County, Heidelberg Church, History and Church Records, 1740-1978
- Hellertown; Christ Evangelical and Reformed Church, Church Records, 1827-1997
- Inventory of Church Archives of Pennsylvania, including Records of Pennsylvania Jewish Congregations – Questionnaires (denomination by County) 1937-1940
- Juniata, St. Paul’s Reformed Church, Church Records, 1906-1950
- Lancaster, First Reformed Congregation, Church Records, 1736-1806
- Leacock, Episcopal Marriages from the Registers of Christ Church, 1828-1850
- Leesport, Bern Reformed Church, Leesport, Church Records
- Lehigh County, Allentown, Church Records, 1725-2008
- Lehigh County, Allentown, Church Records, 1884-2007
- Lehigh County, Allentown, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ Record, 1928-2006
- Lehigh County, Neffs, Church Record, 1765-2007
- Lehigh County, Whitehall, Church Record, 1861-2007
- Lehigh County, Whitehall, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Record, 1947-2009
- Lehigh County, Zionsville, Zions Evangelical Lutheran Church Records, 1758-1998
- Lehighton, St. John’s Lutheran and Reformed Church Records, 1849-2005
- Lenhartsville, Friedens Church, Records, 1858-1943
- Lischy’s Reformed Church (also known as St. Peter’s Church) North Codorus Township, York County Church Records 1773-1834
- Littlestown, Adams, Christ Reformed Church, Births or Christenings, 1745-1871
- Lycoming County, Marriages, Deaths, Baptisms, Births
- Manheim, Lancaster, Zion Lutheran Church, Births or Christenings, 1759-1875
- Manheim, Lancaster, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Marriages, 1771-1880
- Marshallton, Society of Friends. Bradford Monthly Meeting, Church Records, 1809-1813
- Mertztown; Longswamp United Church of Christ, Record, 1762-2008
- Mifflin Township, Dauphin County, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Marriages 1854-1873
- Mifflintown, Juniata County, Messiah Lutheran Church, Parish Records, 1801-1867
- Milton, Northumberland County, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Marriages, 1845-1850
- Montgomery County, Pennsburg, Church Record, 1855-2008
- Nazareth; St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, Church Records, 1829-1978
- North & South Hampton, Bucks County, Low Dutch Church, Church Records, 1737-1834
- Northampton County, Bethlehem, Wesley United Methodist Church Record, 1857-2009
- Northampton County, Hecktown, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Record, 1763-2007
- Northampton County, Northampton, Church Record, 1904-2007
- Northampton, Zion’s Stone United Church of Christ Record, 1771-1999
- Palmerton, First United Church of Christ, Records, 1911-2006
- Palmerton, St. John’s Episcopal Church Records, 1906-2008
- Penn Township, Lancaster County, Church Records, 1754-1898
- Pennsylvania Catholic Church Records from the 1700s
- Pennsylvania, Church Records by County
- Pequea, St. John’s Church, Marriages from the Parish Register, 1828-1843
- Philadelphia Congregations Early Records
- Philadelphia, Christ Church, Record of the Inscriptions of the Tablets and Grave-stones
- Philadelphia, First Presbyterian Church, Marriage Record, 1702-1745, 1760-1803
- Philadelphia, German Reformed Church, Early Marriage Records
- Philadelphia, Mt. Hermon Reformed Church, Church Records, 1906-1966
- Philadelphia, Old Swede’s Church (Gloria Dei), Early Marriage Record, 1750-1810
- Philadelphia, St. Joseph’s Church, Baptisms, 1758-1775
- Philadelphia, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Church Records, 1891-1981 [St.
- Philadelphia, St. Michael’s and Zion Lutheran Church, Marriage Record, 1745-1800
- Philadelphia, St. Paul’s Church, Marriage Record, 1759-1806
- Philadelphia, Third Presbyterian Church, Marriage Record, 1785-1799
- Philadelphia. First Baptist Church, Church Records, 1691-1900
- Philadelphia; Eighth Presbyterian Church, Records, 1822-1856
- Pipersville, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Record, 1740-2008
- Pittsburgh, St. Paul’s United Evangelical Church, Church Records, 1846-1946
- Pittsburgh, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Church Records, 1899-1972
- Pittsburgh; First Presbyterian Church, Baptism Records, 1857-1894
- Quakertown; First United Church of Christ, Church Record, 1854-2007
- Rayne Township, Indiana County, Washington Presbyterian Church, Records
- Reading, Berks County, Earl Grimley Wolford Circuit, Church Records, 1928-1970
- Reading, Christ Church, Christ Episcopal Church, Marriages, 1767-1850
- Reading, Christ Episcopal Church, Births or Christenings, 1763-1850
- Reading, First Reformed Church, Baptisms, Marriages, and Funerals from 1771-1905
- Reading, First United Church of Christ, Records
- Rehrersburg, Trinity United Church of Christ, Burial Records
- Rehrersburg, Tulpehocken Township, Berks County, Altalaha Lutheran Church, Baptisms, Nov. 1757-Nov. 1851
- Richlandtown, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Record, 1808-2007
- Ringtown, Aurand Memorial United Methodist, Church Record, 1870-2006
- Ringtown, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Record, 1800s-1992
- Rockland Township, Berks County, Mertz Church, Births or Christenings, 1738-1769
- Rockland Township, Berks County, Mertz Church, Marriages, 1749-1767
- Schaefferstown, Lebanon County, Heidelberg Reformed Church, Church Record, 1765-1864
- Schuylkill County, Ashland, St. John’s Episcopal Church (Memorial Church of St. John) Record, 1856-1979
- Schuylkill County, Barnesville, Christ United Church of Christ, Church Records, 1956-1961
- Schuylkill County, Barnesville, St. Peter’s United Church of Christ Record, 1914-2006
- Schuylkill County, Donaldson, Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Records, 1849-2004
- Schuylkill County, Frackville, Christ Episcopal Church Record, 1876-1979
- Schuylkill County, Frackville, North Parish Church Record, 1980-2007
- Schuylkill County, Girardville, Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Records, 1882-2006
- Schuylkill County, Hegins, Joliet United Methodist Church Record, 1975-1997
- Schuylkill County, Hegins, Methodist Episcopal Church, Tremont Circuit, Church Records, 1847-1975
- Schuylkill County, Minersville, First English Baptist Church Records, 1840-1995
- Schuylkill County, Minersville, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Record, 1846-1984
- Schuylkill County, Ringtown, Church Records, 1842-2005
- Schuylkill County, Tamaqua, Church Records, 1846-2007
- Schuylkill County, Tremont, Church Records, 1898-2006
- Schuylkill County, Tremont, St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Church Records, 1864-2004
- Sellersville; Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Church Record, 1827-2001
- Shoenersville, Christ Lutheran and Reformed Church, Complete Record of All Members, Sunday School Record, Persons Buried on Old and New Cemeteries
- Shoenersville, Christ Lutheran Church, Church Record, 1782-1833
- Shoenersville, Christ Reformed Church, Church Record, 1781-1856
- Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County, Trindle Springs Lutheran Church, Births and Christenings, 1803-1874
- Slatington, St. John’s United Church of Christ Record, 1870-2008
- South Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Records, 1782-1866
- South Whitehall Township, Jordan Lutheran Congregation, Church Record, 1740-1801
- South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Jordan Reformed Church, Church Record, 1765-1858
- Springtown, Salem United Methodist Church, Record, 1841-2008
- St. Gabriels Church, Morlatton (Douglasville), Records
- St. John’s Lutheran and Reformed Church, Tamaqua Cemetery, Pastoral Records, 1820-1936
- Sumneytown, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Record, 1858-2008
- Sumneytown; Friedens United Church of Christ, Church Record, 1861-2008
- Tamaqua, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Record, 1862-2008
- Tilden Township, Berks County, St. Michael’s Reformed Church, Church Record, 1810-1858
- Tremont, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Record, 1830-2006
- Trexlertown, Upper Macungie Township, Lehigh County, Trexlertown Union Church, Church Record, 1784-1882
- Trumbauersville, Lower Milford or Swamp Reformed Church, Church Record, 1769-1843
- Tulpehocken Township, Berks County, Host Reformed Church, Baptisms 1748-1895; Marriages 1752-1760 and 1855
- Tulpehocken Township, Berks County, Host Reformed Church, Marriages 1752-1760.
- Tulpehocken, Berks County, Christ Church, Church Record
- Upper Paxton Township, Dauphin, Klingers Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Church, Births or Christenings, 1787-1875
- Upper Paxton Township, Dauphin, Saint Jacobs (Stone) Lutheran and Reformed Church, Births or Christenings, 1756-1875
- Upper Tulpehocken Township, Berks County, Miscellaneous Church Records
- Upper Tulpehocken Township, Zion Lutheran Church, Church Record, 1745-1863
- Uwchland, Society of Friends. Uwchlan Preparative Meeting, Church Records, 1775-1783
- Warfordsburg; Warfordsburg Presbyterian Church,Church Records, 1868-1967
- Weatherly; First Presbyterian Church, Church Records, 1840-2007
- York, First Reformed Church, First (Trinity) Reformed Church, Church Record, 1744-1853
- York, Moravian Church, Records
- York, Saint Johns Episcopal Church, Births or Christenings, 1785-1875
- York, Saint Johns Episcopal Church, Marriages, 1811-1878
Good Luck and Happy Hunting!