Q: I would love to come and visit the Archives. What is your address?
A: Visits to the Archives are by appointment only. We happily welcome researchers to our Reading Room once their application to conduct research at the Archives has been approved. Our Reading Room calendar fills up quickly, so be sure to give at least a month notice prior to an anticipated visit!
For more information about researching at the archives please review our helpful research guide.
Q: I am looking for a copy of my baptism certificate. Can you provide this document?
A: The Archives does not hold sacramental records, other than those performed on a U.S. military base. Records of baptisms, confirmations, and marriages not performed on a U.S. (foreign or domestic) military base are typically retained by the church where the event took place, or if the congregation has closed, by the diocesan office for the diocese in which it resided.
For more information, check out our Sacramental Records page.
Q: I’m studying my family’s history and learned that my Great-grandparents were Episcopalian. Can you help me find genealogy records of my family?
A: The Episcopal Church does not maintain central membership lists. Information on individuals and families who were prominent in local church activities, parish registers, and church directories can best be found by contacting the parish directly. If a church has closed, the records are typically found in the diocesan archives. The Archives does have limited records on Episcopal clergy and missionaries; please include your relative’s full name and the time period in which they served to request this information.
For more information, check out our Genealogical Records page.
Q: I am writing a history on my local parish. Can the Archives help?
A: Generally speaking, the Archives holds the records of Episcopal organizations, committees, commissions, and selected individuals associated with the governance of The Episcopal Church at a national level. Unless your parish is very old, such as those established in the American Colonial period, it is unlikely that we will have materials related to your parish. If your parish was established during the 18th or early 19th century, we may have limited information to provide. In all cases, your best resources will be your diocesan office or diocesan archives and local historical societies.
Q: I’m searching for the contact information for an Episcopal priest. Where do I look?
A: The Archives does not maintain contact information for current or retired Episcopal clergy. The Online Episcopal Clerical Directory, maintained by the Church Pension Group, is your best resource to find contact information for living clergy members.
For biographical information for clergy who are no longer living, the Archives provides access to searchable Clerical Directories in our Virtual Reading Room.
Q: I can’t find the resource I’m looking for online. Why aren’t all of your records digitized?
A: The Archives works diligently to digitize records that have significant appeal to the wider church, however, the process of digitizing records and making them available on our website is complex, labor intensive, and expensive. The Archives remains committed to the preservation of the history of The Episcopal Church, which includes the ongoing digitization of records of vital importance to the church. Please use our Contact Form for additional information around a research inquiry.
Q: I found a great photo on your website. Can I publish it in my book or service program?
A: The Archives of the Episcopal Church has made portions of its collections available for educational and research purposes through its website via the digital archives, exhibits, and galleries. Online publication of the materials does not confer permission for reuse of these materials. Permission to publish, use, quote extensively from, or exhibit materials must be obtained in advance and in writing by completing the Contact Form.
For more information, check out our Copyright page.
Q: I’ve been searching for a copy of a book about an Episcopal topic and can’t find it anywhere. Can I borrow or buy it from the Archives?
A: Unlike libraries, items from archival collections, including those of The Archives of the Episcopal Church, are not available for borrow or purchase. If the book is held in our collection, we may be able to scan a small portion of the text, but cannot provide complete copies of publications. In most cases, our best suggestions are to contact the original publisher, or periodically review online book sellers.
Q: Our parish is trying to get a handle on our records and would like to start an archive program. Can you help us get started? How do we know what to save?
A: We are always happy to assist parishes and dioceses with their records management or archives questions and have created a helpful guide to assist local congregations with their programs. If your questions are not covered by these resources, please feel free to reach out via our Contact Form to set up a consultation.
Q: I’d like to donate records to the Archives. Can I just ship them to you?
A: The Archives acquires the records of Episcopal Church organizations that have a national or international scope or whose impact has church wide influence. These organizations are involved in a variety of liturgical, fellowship, mission, advocacy, social justice, and social service vocations. Additionally, the Archives will consider the acquisition of records and personal papers of clergy or lay individuals whose work has been influential in the church. Please review this information about depositing organizational records or personal papers in the Archives. Use our Contact Form to determine if the Archives would be a good permanent home for your records!
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