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Home / History of the Archdiocese / Archives / Accessing Genealogy Records
Accessing Sacramental Records for Genealogy
 It is the responsibility of the Archdiocese of Detroit, acting through the pastors of the various parishes, to supervise how sacramental records are used, by whom and for what purpose. Researchers are not permitted to handle the original registers under any circumstances.
The passing of time has an impact on the sensitivity of most records. As current events will one day become historical events, the need for withholding records from use is gradually reduced. For this reason, some older records may be more widely available to researchers, while more recent records require more restricted access rules.
Sacramental Records Up To & Including Year 1930
The present cutoff date for access to sacramental records is the year 1930.
Burton Historical Collection at the main Detroit Public Library holds microfilmed versions of the original church registers for genealogists. The records of the oldest Catholic parishes that are presently within the six-county jurisdiction of the Archdiocese have been microfilmed and are available for public use at the Burton. These microfilmed records are exact duplicates of the original registers found at the various parishes and in the Archives. They contain neither more nor less information than is in the originals.
The Archives of the Archdiocese of Detroit has the sacramental registers from closed parishes. Open or merged parishes are responsible for maintaining and safe-guarding their own records.
The Archives staff will do genealogy research subject to the following:
- Information can only be requested about persons who are deceased.
- We will only do research on immediate family in the direct ancestral line. That is, for grandparents, great-grandparents, etc. We will not research aunts, uncles, cousins.
- All requests should be sent in writing to Archives, Archdiocese of Detroit, 1234 Washington Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226. Research may take up to six weeks to complete.
- No certificates are issued for genealogical purposes.
Orphanages
The Archdiocesan Archives does not maintain the records of any orphanages or similar child care institutions. These are the responsibility of the institution itself, if it still exists, or the religious order that administered the facility in the past. The Archives can provide interested researchers with the address of the religious provincialate or motherhouse they may write for further information.
Adoptions
In the case of sacramental records that may concern an adoption, the Archives cannot reveal the names of the natural/biological parents. No certificate issued by either the Archives or any individual parish will contain this information. The Archdiocese of Detroit adheres to state guidelines that give priority to the privacy rights of the natural parents.
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