Genealogical Research at Region 8 Archives

INFORMATION CONTAINED IN ORIGINAL PARISH REGISTERS are available to the General Public under strict guidelines.

Most early Lutheran church records (ca. 1700 - ca. 1830) were recorded in German and written in old German script. In nearly all cases, the records are nearly impossible for the average researcher to translate. However, many records of active and disbanded Lutheran churches in south-central Pennsylvania, some in Maryland, and a few in eastern Pennsylvania and northern Virginia have been translated/transcribed and/or microfilmed.

Due to limited resources, neither the Region 8 Archivist nor the A. R. Wentz Library staff can do any general research for the public or genealogists that is not directly connected with the mission of the Region 8 Archives.

FOR ACCESS TO INFORMATION WITHIN PARISH REGISTERS, TRANSCRIPTS are available for public inspection on Wednesdays and Saturdays 9-5 PM at the ADAMS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY located in Schmucker Hall on the Seminary campus. Direct inquiries to:

ADAMS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
111 SEMINARY RIDGE
P O BOX 4325
GETTYSBURG PA 17325-4325

Call ahead to insure that they have transcripts of the congregation records you seek - (717) 334-4723.

Many church records are AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM through the research services of:

THE GENEALOGICAL DEPARTMENT
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS
50 EAST NORTH TEMPLE STREET
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84150

Some records are also available through:

The Historical Society of Pennsylvania
1300 Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107

PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE PARISH REGISTER MICROFILMS, PART OF THE COLLEC-TIONS OF THE A. R. WENTZ LIBRARY ON THE LUTHERAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY CAMPUS, IS LIMITED TO WRITTEN REQUESTS UNDER SPECIFIC CONDITIONS. Telephone request cannot be handled. The Region 8 Archives Advisory Committee and the Wentz Library's chief librarian have authorized Mrs. Sara Mummert of the seminary's staff, who is very familiar with the records, to respond to written requests for searches through the microfilmed parish registers ONLY. HER SEARCH IS NOT A COMPLETE GENEALOGICAL EXPLORATION. MOREOVER, THERE CAN BE NO GUARANTEE THAT THE INFORMATION DESIRED WILL BE FOUND. The Research Fee is $25/hr., minimum charge of $50 (1 hr. research time plus a one-time service fee - preparation of response, postage, and 6 pages copies), payable in advance.

Region 8 Archives Genealogical Research Services

The Region 8 Archivist will provide research services for clients other than synod officials. However, a research fee will be charged (See Charges for Research and Copies).

The guiding principles for providing research services are based on the philosophy that research performed may benefit or support synod officials in performing their duties, support the duties of the Region 8 archivist, or the records are in questionable condition.

The Region 8 Archives will provide a research service in the following situations:

1. Inquiries from pastors or individuals regarding their baptisms, marriages, & etc. from records of disbanded congregations that are on deposit in the archives. These inquiries will be the only requests handled free of charge;

2. Inquiries from pastors and/or congregation committee members involved in preparing anniversary booklets for their congregations, or for present or former pastors;

3. Requests for specific information other than baptisms from congregation archivists;

4. Specific questions from researchers, scholars and some genealogists for information that cannot be found through any other sources and the records are in poor condition (see Region 8 Archives Congregation Records Access policy);

5. Some requests from genealogists desiring information on an ancestor who was a Lutheran minister;

6. Specific inquiries from scholars referencing church history.

See the charges page for costs of services.