Office of Diocesan Archives
Frequently Asked Questions
What area does the Diocese of Brooklyn cover?
The diocese currently consists of Kings County (Brooklyn) and Queens County (Queens) only.
If you are seeking information about an ancestor who lived in Manhattan, the Bronx, or Staten Island, please contact the Archdiocese of New York:
Kate Feighery, Archivist
Archdiocese of New York
St. Joseph’s Seminary
201 Seminary Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10704
(914) 476-6333
kate.feighery@archny.org
If you are seeking information about an ancestor who lived in Nassau or Suffolk, please contact:
Mrs. Jean Walsh, Archivist
Diocese of Rockville Centre
P.O. Box 9023
Rockville Centre, NY 11571-9023
(631) 423-0491
archives@drvc.org
Where can I find sacramental records in Brooklyn & Queens?
The sacramental records of the Diocese of Brooklyn have not been centralized. This means that you must contact the appropriate parish to obtain a sacramental record, supplying them with the name and date you want them to check. To contact the appropriate parish you will need to determine their address during the time period you are interested in.
What records do parishes have in Brooklyn & Queens?
Canon law requires every parish to permanently keep records of baptism, confirmation, and marriage. Many parishes retain records of first communion, but not all, since it is not required by canon law. While some parishes kept records of sick calls and funerals, this was not always the case.
What information can I find in these records?
1. Baptismal records contain the following information: the name of the person being baptized, his or her date of birth, date of baptism, parents’ names, sponsors, and priest officiating.
2. First Communion records list the name of the communicant and the date.
3. Confirmation records list the date, the name of the person being confirmed, the sponsor, and the presiding bishop.
4. Marriage records list the bride and groom, the date of the wedding, witnesses, and the priest officiating.
I don't know where my ancestors lived in Brooklyn or Queens. What should I do?
To determine a place of residence, we suggest that you try the following:
1. Search the Vital records (birth, marriage, death) at the NYC Municipal Archives
2. Search the Brooklyn City Directories found at the Municipal Archives or the Public Library.
3. Search for census records at the National Archives Regional Office (www.archives.gov). These records can also be searched at the nearest Mormon Family History Center (www.familysearch.org)
From the above sources, you should be able to determine where the individuals lived at the time you are researching. If you need more help in determining the appropriate parish, contact us.
What Parish did my ancestors attend?
During the 1800’s and 1900’s two types of parishes were erected: national parishes and territorial parishes. National parishes were founded for Catholics of a specific nationality: e.g., German, Italian, Polish, Lithuanian, and Spanish-speaking. Territorial parishes were the predominant type, covering a specific geographical area. Irish Catholics and others without a specific national church would have attended the territorial parish whose boundaries they lived within. During the twentieth century, parishes were specifically founded for African-Americans. Rather than founding parishes for new ethnic groups, parishes offer Mass in their language (some parishes have Mass in five languages!).
You can view a list of all current and historic parishes and Catholic schools in Brooklyn & Queens by clicking below. Unless otherwise noted, the parishes listed were territorial parishes.
Who can request student records?
Only the person whose name is on the record can request their student record. If the record request is for a student under age 16, the request must be made by that child’s parent or guardian.
How do I request records?
Anyone requesting their student records from the Diocesan Archives should download the Student Record Authorization Form and return it to the Diocese with the appropriate fee.
Note: Only money orders will be accepted.
The form for Parents Requesting Records for Children Under Age 16 should be downloaded and returned to the Diocesan Archives with the appropriate fee. This form can also be used for genealogical requests.
PLEASE NOTE: only money orders will be accepted. ALL REQUESTS MUST BE SENT VIA MAIL. WALK-INS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
Where can I find Orphanage Records?
The Diocesan Archives does not possess any orphanage records. Childcare institutions still in operation are St. Vincent Home (founded 1869), Guardian Angel Home (1899), and St. John’s Home (founded 1868 in Brooklyn, moved to Rockaway Beach in 1937). For St. John’s see www.stjohnsresidence.org, for St. Vincent’s see www.svs.org, and for Guardian Angel see www.mercyfirst.com.
Orphanages were run mainly by women’s religious communities. Some parishes had their own orphanages, while many convents included accommodations for a dozen or so orphans. For many years, the Sisters of St. Dominic were active in German parishes, so German-American genealogists should contact that community’s Archive. Other communities active in this field were the Sisters of Charity, Sisters of St. Joseph, Sisters of Mercy and the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn. For further information please contact their community Archives:
Archivist, Sisters of Mercy
273 Willoughby Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 622-5750
www.mercymidatlantic.org
Archivist, Sisters of St. Dominic
555 Albany Avenue Amityville, NY 11701
(631) 842-6000
www.amityvilleop.org
Archivist, Sisters of Charity Mt. St. Vincent-on-Hudson
6301 Riverdale Ave.
Bronx, NY 10471-9930
(718) 543-4898
www.scny.org
Archivist, Sisters of St. Joseph St. Joseph’s Convent
1725 Brentwood Road
Brentwood, NY 11717
(631) 273-4531
www.sistersofstjosephbrentwoodny.org
Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn
135 Remsen Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201-4212
(718) 858-8217
www.franciscanbrothers.org
Where can I find Cemetery Records?
The Diocesan Archives does not possess any cemetery records. Please consult the web site for the Catholic Cemeteries Office (www.cathcemetery-bklyn.org).
Which cemeteries were used by Brooklyn Catholics?
Catholics were buried in three kinds of cemeteries: parish cemeteries, diocesan cemeteries, secular or multidenominational cemeteries in graves that have been blessed.
Parish Cemeteries (with dates of usage)
1. St. James Cathedral (1823 – 1849)
2. Most Holy Trinity (1841-present)
3. St. Paul, Cobble Hill (1838-?)
4. Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Astoria (1843-?)
5. St. Monica, Jamaica (no dates listed)
6. St. Mary Star of the Sea, Far Rockaway (cemetery in Lawrence, no dates listed)
Diocesan Cemeteries (with dates of usage)
1. Holy Cross, Flatbush (1849-present)
2. St. John, Middle Village (1880-present)
3. Mount St. Mary, Flushing (1862-present)
4. St. Charles/Resurrection Cemeteries, Farmingdale (unknown)
5. Trinity Cemetery, Amityville (unknown)
Please Note:
Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, was established in 1849, before the Brooklyn Diocese was formed. It remains the property of the Archdiocese of New York. Record inquiries should be sent to:
Catholic Cemeteries Office Archdiocese of New York
1011 First Avenue New York, NY 10022
(212) 371-1000
www.archny.org
For cemeteries in the Rockville Centre Diocese please contact:
Office of Catholic Cemeteries
P.O. Box 182 Westbury, NY 11590
Phone: (516) 334-7990
www.holyroodcemetery.org
How do I Contact Other Diocesan Archives?
Not every diocesan Archives has a website, but the best way to find out is to check the diocesan website first. A good way to find diocesan websites is by going to the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (www.nccbuscc.org).
