Finding Baptism Records

[Keith_W_OR_USA]

All I know is that I was baptized in the Detroit, Michigan area about 1971. Would the Detroit Archdiocese be able to find my family records?

 

[bmullins]

If you were baptized Catholic yes, there will be a record in that Parish, but they’ll need to know which Parish it was at. (They might be able to help you find that information.)

 

[CMatt25]

If you were baptized Catholic yes, there will be a record in that Parish, but they’ll need to know which Parish it was at. (They might be able to help you find that information.)

It was long before 1971 as is the OP’s case but my mother’s Baptismal record never was located in the family parish at the time. The records were there of every one of her many siblings, both older and younger than she. The priest finally said we would have to presume she was baptized since all of her brothers and sisters were.

 

[1ke]

All I know is that I was baptized in the Detroit, Michigan area about 1971. Would the Detroit Archdiocese be able to find my family records?

Maybe.

Some diocese have an integrated computer system (for example, my diocese). Sacramental records are listed in the computer. So, they could point you to the parish to receive an official certificate. (Computer records are NOT official records, only the sacramental register is an official record). If the diocese does not have an integrated family directory, then they probably cannot help you.

If you don’t know the parish, then you have a lot of calls to make. Try to narrow it down based on your address at the time. Most people attended the parish church in their neighborhood back in the day.

 

[malphono]

All I know is that I was baptized in the Detroit, Michigan area about 1971. Would the Detroit Archdiocese be able to find my family records?

A call to the Detroit chancery might be helpful. In general, most baptisms are done in (or at least recorded in the registry of) the person’s geographical parish so, even if they don’t have an integrated records system, and presuming the baptism was in a Latin parish, they should be able to help determine which parish it was based on your address at the time.

 

[LAMF]

I recently faced a similar scenario, where I was in need of my baptismal record from 1973 in the NY metropolitan area. As my family left the CC shortly after my first Holy Communion, I had no idea where to begin other than a general geographic area and a list of parishes off of the diocese website.

I was able to narrow down likely parishes where I may have received First Communion, due to my knowing exactly where I was living at that time (as opposed to at the time of my birth). That was the key for me. If you received First Communion, there will be a record of that at that parish, and from that the parish should be able to identify the parish you were baptized in.

Best of luck!

 

[Brooklyn]

I recently faced a similar scenario, where I was in need of my baptismal record from 1973 in the NY metropolitan area. As my family left the CC shortly after my first Holy Communion, I had no idea where to begin other than a general geographic area and a list of parishes off of the diocese website.

I was able to narrow down likely parishes where I may have received First Communion, due to my knowing exactly where I was living at that time (as opposed to at the time of my birth). That was the key for me. If you received First Communion, there will be a record of that at that parish, and from that the parish should be able to identify the parish you were baptized in.

Best of luck!

I had to find my baptismal record as well, and I wasn’t sure which church I was baptized in. I took a look at my birth certificate, which gave my parents’ address, and I called the nearest Church to that address. I got it on the first try. But that would be my advice to you. Find out your home address at the time of your birth, assuming that is when you were baptized, and start calling around to the different churches in that area.

Good suggestion about First Communion. Even if you weren’t baptized at that church, they may very well have a record of where you were baptized.

One other thing - ask you guardian angel to help you. He was there!

 

[1ke]

If you received First Communion, there will be a record of that at that parish, and from that the parish should be able to identify the parish you were baptized in.

Actually, there is no requirement to keep a record of FHC. Some parishes do, ours does. But, it is not a canonical requirement.

Parishes must keep records of baptism, confirmation, marriage, holy orders, and death. (Convalidation and decrees of nullity are notations in the marriage records that must also be documented).

 

[asia53]

I worked in my Parish office for a short time. One of my first jobs was Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, and Death records. I entered the information into our system, and sent a copy to the Archdiocese. We do this every year.

I don’t know if all Archdiocese, or Diocese do the the same thing with their records, however, you might try the Archdiocese.