Where are the records kept?
Almost all church records are kept at the local church level of organization. If the church merges with another church the records are transferred to the new church. If the church closes without a successor church the records are transferred either to an administrative district or national archive of that church's organization.

How to obtain church genealogy helpful records?
Ask questions and more questions!

• Does the church still exist?
• If not, what was the successor church or churches? Or, where is the church record archive?
• How do you contact the local church or archive officials?
• What are the church's policies about record research?
• What language are the records written in?
• Are there local volunteers to help you from a distance or will you have to come in person?
• Are the records organized? Are there any indexes?

Legal Rights
As a citizen you have legal rights to see some PUBLIC vital records. However, churches are PRIVATE organizations and you probably do not have any legal rights to see their records. Therefore, it important to be very courteous, understanding and respectful of the policies the church has regarding researching their records.

Evangelical Association Church Successor Church: Evangelical United Brethren Church Dissolved sometime around 1922 Was located in building that was used in 1947 by Calvary Lutheran Church Two Historical Jewish Congregations in Antigo Kahaal Adaas Yesiu (synagogue) Building purchased from Seventh Day Adventists in 1909. Congregation dissolved August 11, 1915. First Congregational Church of Antigo 628 Clermont St. Antigo, WI Established 1883 Successor church: Faith United Church of Christ First Church of Christ Scientist a.ka. Christian Science (Eddy) Church Official Web Site Church of Christ, Science Members held services in various buildings since January 1895. Church was incorporated may 27, 1916 Church building erected in 1921 SW corner of Superior St. & 7th Ave. on the old site of the Fred Herman planning Mill and today is a parking lot for the McDonald's Restaurant. 703 7th Ave. Antigo, WI Methodist Episcopal Church, established in 1883 On Third Ave. where St. Hyacinth's Polish Catholic Church was erected. Successor church: First Methodist Church, 623 Clermont St. erected in 1895 Successor church: United Methodist Church, 2034 W. 5th Ave., built in 199? St. Mary's Catholic Church Pearson, WI It was located on top of a hill just west of Deer Road on the north side of County Highway "T" in the SW 1/4 of Sec. 5, T33N, R12E. It was built in 1914 and discontinued in 1951 when a new building was built in Pickerel. The building was moved a little over a mile to County Highway "TT" and used as a museum and antique shop. Later it was converted into a home. St. Mary's Catholic Church Erected in 1901 735 Deleglise St. Successor church: Saint Mary & Hyacinth Parish Center Unity Evangelical Church, established in 1890 a.k.a. "Deutsche Evangelische Einigkeits Geminde" Brick structure completed in 1897. Deleglise St. January 5, 2004, Antigo Daily Journal PrimeTime Supplement Zion Evangelical Church Organized May 19, 1888 Located NE corner of Edison St. & 7th Ave. Robert Dessureau noted in his book he could not located records about their pastors.