Congregational Records Access Policies

Lutheran records are maintained and organized by and for local congregations. They are usually composed of chronological listings of pastoral acts, such as Baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and burials. In some cases, records of communions and membership lists may be included. Other parish records include congregational annual and council meeting minutes, financial and legal documents, parish newsletters or other printed items, including congregational histories, as well as similar records for congregational organizations, such as women's, men's or youth groups.
Most of the information essential to tracing your family genealogy will be contained in congregational records, especially in the records of pastoral acts. It is essential that your letter of request to any historical society or church archives contain as much information as possible, including full names, relevant dates, and place names. If you do not have this information, it is highly recommended that you turn to other resources, such as federal census records, county tax rolls, county probate records, or similar sources, before you contact a Lutheran archives. This would be especially true if you are not sure that your relatives were Lutheran. Do not assume that because you are Lutheran, or some of your relatives may have been Lutheran in the past that all family members were Lutheran. Secondly do not assume that because your relatives were German, Swedish, Norwegian, etc., that they were Lutheran. Be prepared to find that your relatives may not have belonged to any church. Furthermore, the term "evangelical" does not guarantee that a congregation was Lutheran. German Reformed and other Protestant groups also use this term.

REGION 8 ARCHIVES - CONGREGATION RECORDS ACCESS POLICY

ORIGINAL PARISH REGISTERS

1. Permission to use the original DISBANDED PARISH RECORDS will be granted ONLY AFTER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN MET:

· Neither a translation/transcription or a microfilm copy of the particular record is available or the microfilm copy is illegible; AND

· For records generated less than fifty (50) years from the date of the request, permission is received in writing from the appropriate synod's bishop; AND

· Arrangements have been made at least two weeks in advance with the Region 8 Archivist at Gettysburg, or a designated agent thereof.

2. Permission to use the original ACTIVE PARISH RECORDS will be granted ONLY AFTER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN MET:

· Neither a translation/transcription or a microfilm copy of the particular record is available, or the microfilm copy is illegible; AND

· Written permission is granted by the respective congregation's pastor and/or congregation council president, and a copy thereof has been submitted to the Region 8 Archivist; AND

· Arrangements have been made at least two weeks in advance with the part-time Region 8 Archivist at Gettysburg, or a designated agent thereof.

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