Religious institutions' records are often neglected and untapped as sources of family history information. Sometimes it takes some effort to locate the correct congregation to which our ancestors belonged, but once found, the records can be rich in detail about a family's life. Depending on the group or sect, the volume and quality of the member information will vary. However, a constant across almost every organization is a sense of pride in the congregation and its history. Often, a congregation will compile and publish a history, perhaps in commemoration of a milestone anniversary or some other event. Such a book may provide details of your family's life in that geographical area and in that congregation.
In "Along Those Lines . . ." this week, let's examine congregational histories and discuss the types of information they may provide. In addition, I want to share information about a terrific new book in which you may be interested.
Your Family's Historical Religious Context
Throughout history, religious organizations have provided strength, stability, and support in their communities. Beyond the spiritual aspects of their activities, they have also provided a focal point for social interaction. Members have formed strong common bonds with one another, often resulting in marriages between families. Sometimes large numbers of the congregation's members relocated to other geographical areas for a variety of reasons or split from their original group to form a new congregation.
Your family may have been part of a religious group that migrated from one area to another. One of my own ancestors came from Scotland to America in the early 1700s and settled in Cecil County, Maryland. His family was Presbyterian, and in the 1750s, they migrated through the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and to Mecklenburg County in the southern part of North Carolina. He was accompanied by his parents, two of his brothers and their families, his minister, and at least 20 other families I have been able to document. They settled and established a new church in that area that, over time, resulted in two other Presbyterian churches in the vicinity. These people went on to build their community and to become active in civil affairs, including the organization of resistance and rebellion against the English crown. Published histories of the congregations detail the founding of these churches and recount the activities of its members throughout the centuries.
Not every church or synagogue has a history filled with extraordinary events, but their role in their communities is no less significant. A book titled Pressing Toward the Mark, written by Bill Page and published in 1991 by the First Baptist Church of Mebane, North Carolina, was published on the 90th anniversary of the founding of the church. It contains a history of the church and its place in the historical context of that area. It provides membership statistics; detailed biographical information about every pastor; the names and life details of a number of prominent members; the names and terms of pastors, clerks, treasurers, Sunday schools superintendents, and directors of the Women's Missionary Society/Union; and the names of all members at the time of publication. In addition, there are photographs of pastors, groups, individuals, and significant events in the church's history. I found my own grandfather in a photograph of the 1947 groundbreaking ceremony for a new sanctuary building. As a result, I was able to conduct some additional research to learn more about my grandparents' membership and activities in the church, as well as details about my mother and her sisters.
Locating the Histories
Some congregations' histories may be formally published in book form, while others may only be typed and photocopied. You are sure to find a copy in the church or synagogue library, and chances are good that you will find a copy at the local public library. Other sources for such histories are the national or regional administrative locations for the religious group, the state archives or state library, and genealogical and/or historical societies. If you are researching a congregation that no longer exists, contact the office of a present-day congregation and request the name, address, and telephone number of the national or regional administrative offices. Staff at those offices can usually tell you if a congregation has dissolved or merged with another and where to locate older records. Sometimes originals or copies of records are sent to a headquarters location for storage.
As you can see, the history of a religious organization may shed some insight on your ancestors' membership and details of their roles in the life of the group and the community. You may find that your ancestors' arrival in an area coincided with the establishment of a church, and by tracing the origins of other founding members, it may be possible to trace your own ancestors to a previous place of residence. Good luck with your research!
New Book
Family historians often play the role of family conservators, responsible for the care and preservation of all types of family treasures. If you are intimidated or confused by the challenges of caring for some of these items, there is an excellent new book available to help you. Caring for Your Family Treasures: Heritage Preservation is written by Jane S. Long and Richard W. Long and edited by Inge-Lise Eckmann. The authors are experts in the field of preservation and conservation and provide authoritative discussions on all types of materials you might be responsible for preserving. These include documents and books, photographs of all types, clothing and decorative textiles, furniture, jewelry and silverware, musical instruments, art work, clocks and watches, ceramics and glass, military mementos, dolls, teddy bears, and other more unusual family artifacts.
Each chapter clearly explains the physical factors that may damage or destroy your precious family possessions and provides detailed techniques for maintenance and preservation. Scores of representative photographs and easy-to-understand checklists are provided for each type of item. The book also provides reference resources for finding professional help and locating materials for cleaning and storage, along with tips on security and insurance. I have not seen a better book on the subject for the family preservationist. The book retails for $24.95 and is published by Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 100 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10011. Its ISBN is 0-8109-2909-0.
Happy Hunting!
George
Genealogy Cruise 2001: A Family History Odyssey
NOW is the time to make your reservations for the perfect winter getaway! Join two of your favorite online columnists from Ancestry.com, George Morgan and Drew Smith, on Genealogy Cruise 2001: A Family History Odyssey! We're headed on a terrific cruise from Tampa Bay to Key West and back on February 1-4, 2001. Along the line, we'll enjoy the pleasure of oceangoing sailing and present five on-board genealogy workshops. There will also be lots of time in Key West for shopping, touring the famous cemetery, visiting Hemingway House and Audubon House and more. For the itinerary, workshop schedule, and complete registration information, visit the Web site. Space is limited and the ship is filling up fast!
George G. Morgan is a proud member of the International Society of Family History Writers and Editors, Inc. He would like to hear from you at atl@ahaseminars.com, but due to the volume of e-mail received, he is unable to answer every message. Please note that he cannot assist you with your individual research. Visit George's Web site for information about speaking engagements. George is also the author of The Genealogy Forum on America Online, which is available in the Ancestry.com Online Store.
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"Along Those Lines"
