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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.
Doing your own genealogy research
Burton Historical Collection at the main branch of the Detroit Public Library holds microfilmed versions of some of the original church registers for use by genealogists. The records of some 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 information at the Burton includes records up to 1930.
Requesting the Archives do genealogy research for you
The most important piece of information needed to do genealogy research is the name of the parish where the sacrament was conferred. Without knowing which parish, we have no place to begin our research. There is no central database that we can search by a person’s name alone. The records are all in hand-written format, in large registers that are arranged first by parish, then by sacrament, then by date and finally by name.
The Archives of the Archdiocese of Detroit has the sacramental registers only from closed parishes. Open or merged parishes retain their records. Parishes are not obligated to do research for genealogists. Researchers are not permitted to access sacramental registers in the Archives or at parishes.
The Archives staff will do genealogy research subject to the following:
- Information can only be requested about deceased persons.
- We will only do research in records up to and including 1930. Even is someone is deceased, we cannot research records post 1930.
- No certificates are issued for genealogical purposes.
There is a $10 fee per requested name to be researched. The fee is non-refundable, even if we do not find a record, and it must be submitted with the request form to Archives, Archdiocese of Detroit, 1234 Washington Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226.
Orphanages
The 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 where 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 or other communication 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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