This research guide helps library users find and use the locally produced historical records of Church units (branches, wards, stakes, districts, and missions). These records can hold important historical information, such as the unit’s organization date, changes to the units’ officers over time, changes in unit names and jurisdictions, and descriptions of historical events that occurred in the unit. This information is largely contained in manuscript histories, minutes, and other historical records produced by the units and submitted to the Church History Department for preservation.
Generally, researching local unit organizational and historical information is very laborious and time consuming. Many of these records are handwritten (with no typed transcriptions), and few have been indexed. While most of the records have been microfilmed, digital copies have not yet been added in large numbers to the Church History Catalog.
The comprehensiveness and accuracy of local records depend almost entirely on the record-keeping skills, enthusiasm, and conscientiousness of unit clerks. Also, some records simply did not survive the ravages of time, or they never made it to the safekeeping of Church headquarters. (A post on the Church History Library blog, “Where Are the Records?” gives some insight into what may have happened to a unit’s records.) Finally, access policies may limit the use of some records. To understand why access restrictions may be in place, see our Access Policy.
The simplest way to identify what records the Church History Library has is to simply search by the unit’s name in the catalog. In most cases, this will lead you to the local records we have for that unit. However, unit names change, unit boundaries change, and units can be discontinued and reinstated.
For example, the Portneuf Stake in Idaho was organized in 1915 from the Pocatello Stake. In 1974, the stake’s name changed to Arimo Idaho Stake. In 1983, the stake’s name changed to McCammon Idaho Stake. Less than a year later, in 1984, the McCammon stake was divided, and a new Arimo Idaho Stake was created. In this case, the original Portneuf Stake that changed names twice (1974 and 1983) kept the same call number in the Church History Catalog, but the new Arimo stake organized in 1984 was assigned a different call number from the old Arimo stake.
Thus, if you intend to conduct a thorough search for all records pertaining to a unit (especially a unit that has been around for a long time), it will help to understand how we catalog and organize records as well as how our practices have changed over time.
Here are some suggestions for navigating such changes:
Call Numbers
The records for each unit of the Church are assigned a call number in the catalog, so it can help to identify the local unit’s call number at the outset of your research. Once a unit has a call number assigned to it, the call number is more stable than the name of the unit, which is more prone to change over time. These call numbers begin with the prefix LR (local record), followed by a space and then a number (generally four to six digits). For example, the call number for the Queretaro Branch in Mexico is LR 7285. We refer to that number as the base call number; a complete call number would be followed by a space and another number or two, known as the series number, which we will address in more detail later in this guide.
How do you find the call number? The simplest way is to search by the unit name in our catalog. The call number should appear in the resulting records. However, occasionally it can get more complicated than that (see “Unit Numbers” below). And remember, if you have questions, the library’s Ask Us service is just a click away.
When searching in the library catalog by call number, be sure to include spaces or a forward slash (/) where the spaces generally go. Without the spaces or slash, the catalog will not return appropriate results. For example, to obtain all the records in the catalog for the Queretaro Branch, you would select Call Number in the search drop-down and then type the base call number for that ward, as pictured here (note the space after “LR”).
Unit Numbers
In addition to the call number in the library catalog, every Church unit is assigned a unique ID, or unit number. This ID is used in the Church Directory of Organizations and Leaders (CDOL) and in paperwork used by Church units, such as purchase orders. CDOL was preceded by a print Directory of General Authorities and Officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which began in 1900 and was discontinued in 2008. This directory is open and accessible in our catalog for the years 1900 to 1970. Beginning in the 1970 edition, the unit number was included in the directory.
A selection from the 2008 Directory of General Authorities and Officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Note the unit number listed after the unit’s name.
We strive to include this unit number in the descriptive records as a historical note. For example, the Bountiful Thirty-Fifth Ward’s unit number is 79030. Because this number is included in many of the record descriptions for that ward, you can search the catalog by this number to retrieve records on that unit. While this is a less reliable way of searching than using the call number, the unit number can help verify that the records you find are the ones for the unit you are interested in. Also, if you already know the unit number, it can help our staff identify the correct records for you.
Historical Administrative Changes to a Unit
Administrative changes—such as a unit being organized, having its name changed, merging with another unit, or changing stake affiliations—can influence your searching and research. You can find information about administrative changes (pre-1983) in a resource called the Local Unit History File (LUHF). The LUHF contains summarized organizational dates, jurisdictional realignments, and call numbers for units. The information is filed under the name of the local unit; the listing of local units is alphabetical. The far right of the listing will show the local unit’s partial call number. For example, in the image of the LUHF provided below, the call number for the Orange California Stake is 8054. To search using the call number, simply add “LR” to the front: LR 8054.
The LUHF is available online in the Church History Catalog under call number CR 100 42. It would be wise to verify the LUHF information in the manuscript histories and annual reports, as they are not immune to contributors’ errors.
Some of this information is contained in CDOL, and our librarians can search that source for you. Contact us through our Ask Us service.
A section of the Ogden Second Ward’s manuscript history. Note the handwritten edits, which were likely done by assistant Church historian Andrew Jenson.
Manuscript histories were compiled at the Church Historian’s Office (the forerunner of the Church History Library) beginning in the early 1900s. They consist of chronologically arranged notes on the organizational history of local units. Many of the notes were gathered in person by assistant Church historian Andrew Jenson when he ventured from Salt Lake City to branches and wards in the Intermountain West and beyond.
During his numerous and extensive trips, Jenson met with unit leaders and asked members to obtain historical information. He also inventoried and labeled the units’ record books. Apparently, he did so to speed filing procedures when the books would someday be forwarded to the Church Historian’s Office for preservation.
When Jenson returned to Church headquarters, staff members transcribed many of his notes and inserted them into histories of the various units. Although the manuscript histories were never published in toto, Jenson’s editing marks are ubiquitous, showing that he had a hand in their production. Standardized quarterly reports and annual reports were subsequently added to Jenson’s compilations as well.
In 1941, Jenson published a one-volume work titled Encyclopedic History of the Church. It contained condensed summaries of the manuscript histories up through about 1930. The Encyclopedic History is an invaluable source, but to ensure accuracy, it’s best to double-check the published information against the manuscript histories, minutes of meetings, and other primary records.
Generally, information recorded in a unit’s earliest manuscript history focuses on changes in key leadership positions and details of significant events in the unit or community. Quarterly and annual reports added later include lists of many unit members’ callings and releases, not just key leaders’ information.
Manuscript histories or annual historical reports (series 2) begin at the date of the unit’s organization and continue through 1977. Series 3 begins in 1978 and continues to the present.
Prior to 1984, local units submitted historical reports directly to the Church Historian’s Office or the Historical Department. From 1984 through 1999, only stakes, districts, and missions were directed to submit historical reports. The amount of information about branches and wards for that period varies greatly.
Beginning in 2000, branches and wards were directed by Church headquarters to again compile individual annual histories. However, instead of sending the annual histories directly to the Church History Department, the local clerks were instructed to send the compilations to their respective stake and district clerks, who would gather them together, add the stake or district annual history, and then forward all the histories to the Church History Library.
To summarize, these are the changes in submission practice and organization relative to manuscript and annual histories:
Manuscript histories (series 2—for example, LR 510 2) run from the organizational date of the unit up to 1977.
Manuscript histories and annual historical reports after 1977 became series 3 (like LR 510 3).
Starting in 2010, the Church History Department began a project to combine series 2 and 3 under series 2. This has not been completed. Researchers may find some units’ manuscript histories split, as indicated above, or combined.
In 1984, wards were asked not to submit directly to the Church archives but rather to submit with their stake. Stake annual historical reports often include individual reports for each unit in the stake after 1984, in series 3.
In 2000, wards and branches were asked once again to submit their annual historical reports directly. They are filed under series 3.
Finally, keep in mind that the records’ thoroughness depends on how diligent the local volunteer leaders were at compiling and submitting reports.
If organizational information is not included in the manuscript histories and quarterly or annual reports, you will want to search the catalog to determine if the Church History Library holds various meeting minutes (identified by different series numbers) for the unit. The standardized series numbers are listed below:
Series 2: Manuscript histories
Series 3: Historical records (reports)
For an explanation of these two series, see the preceding section, “Manuscript Histories and Reports.”
Series 4–10: Confidential records
The confidential records of missions and other local units are not intended for the public and are closed to research.
Series 11: General minutes
These are ecclesiastical corporation records and general minutes of priesthood and sacrament meetings. General minutes worldwide (series 11) end in 1977. From 1978 onward, the researcher will have to rely on information in annual reports from branches and wards through 1983 and then districts, stakes, and missions from 1984 through 1999. Beginning in 2000, branches and wards were directed to again submit annual reports via the stake.
If organizational history does not appear in the unit’s manuscript history or the general minutes (series 11), search the manuscript histories and general minutes of the branch, ward, stake, district, or mission that would be considered the parent unit. Many branches were dependent upon a nearby ward that had enough leaders and members to actively implement all the programs of the Church.
Series 12: Aaronic Priesthood minutes
Note that for a time, there were separate instruction groups and curricula for Aaronic Priesthood holders under the age of 21 and for those over the age of 21. The latter were sometimes referred to as senior Aaronic Priesthood holders.
Series 13: Melchizedek Priesthood minutes
This series consists of notes from meetings for elders, stake-level Seventies, and high priests.
Series 14: Relief Society minutes
Series 15: Sunday School minutes
Series 16: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association (YMMIA)
Series 17: Young Ladies’ and Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association (YLMIA and YWMIA)
Series 18: Primary minutes
Organizations (formerly called auxiliaries) such as Relief Society, Sunday School, and Primary were directed to submit their meeting minutes to Church headquarters through 1973. Beginning in 1974, Church guidelines stated that those minutes were no longer to be submitted to (and preserved at) Church headquarters. The Church History Library has preserved the pre-1977 general minutes and pre-1974 organizations’ minutes, but the collection has many gaps in coverage.
Outside of the Intermountain West, Sunday Schools were often organized before regular branches were. Thus, Sunday School minutes can sometimes be the earliest records for an area.
Joint minutes of Young Men and Young Women meetings can generally be found in series 16.
Series 19: Miscellaneous minutes (parenting, genealogy, and religion classes and so on)
Series 20: Publications (newsletters, programs, and so on)
Wards and branches occasionally create newsletters and other ephemera. This type of material is often cataloged under series 20.
Series 21+: Unique items
Financial and statistical records, letterpress copybooks, correspondence, items that were included in a major filming project of the 1950s–1970s, items acquired by the Church History Library post-1970s, and so on.
Local newspapers from a unit’s area may have some documentation of the unit’s history and its role in the community. The researcher should check with local libraries, museums, and other heritage institutions about the availability of local resources.
Church-produced periodicals may also contain organizational or historical event information. Many of the periodicals listed below have been digitized and are available online on the Church History Library or Brigham Young University websites. Few of the periodicals are thoroughly indexed, however.
The following periodicals are listed in approximately chronological format.
Monthly newspaper published by the Church in Independence, Missouri, from June 1832 to July 1833 and subsequently in Kirtland, Ohio, from December 1833 to September 1834.
Two issues were published in Kirtland, Ohio, beginning in October 1837. The periodical was then relocated to Far West, Missouri, where another two issues were printed in 1838.
1840–1970; focuses on British and European Missions
Monthly periodical published by the Church in England beginning in May 1840 and continuing through December 1970. Its content includes many letters from missionaries and mission leaders—which primarily discuss the British Mission’s affairs—but it also occasionally features content from leaders and missionaries elsewhere in Europe.
Newspaper published monthly (sometimes twice monthly) by the Church in Nauvoo, Illinois. Publication began in November 1839 and continued to February 1846. Content includes many letters from missionaries, primarily from various parts of the United States but also from foreign countries.
Weekly newspaper published and edited by John Taylor (who at the time was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) in Nauvoo, Illinois, from March 1843 to October 1845.
Newspaper published by the Church in Salt Lake City, Utah, beginning June 15, 1850. It is still published today. During the early years of its existence, it was issued weekly. Later it was published semiweekly and then daily. A Church-specific section was later titled LDS Church News and issued as a separate publication of the newspaper. (See the section on the Church News below.)
Semiofficial publication of the Church that was issued semimonthly and later monthly from June 1, 1872, to February 1914. One of its purposes was to uplift and strengthen Latter-day Saint women. Content includes letters from local Relief Society leaders and members, primarily in the Intermountain West.
Monthly publication of the Church issued from November 1897 through December 1970. Contains frequent references to local unit organizational details throughout the Church.
Weekly publication of the Southern States Mission from December 1898 to December 1900. Published in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Focuses on missionary work and news in the southern United States.
Monthly (and later twice-monthly) publication of the Southern States Mission, spanning August 1903 to June 1907. Published in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Focuses on events and missionary activities in the southern United States.
Semimonthly publication founded when the Elders’ Journal merged with the Liahona, which had launched in 1907 to cover news in all Church missions. It was published in Independence, Missouri, from 1907 to 1945. Its last issue recommended that its readers subscribe to either the Improvement Era or LDS Church News.
The Church News began as a weekly insert within the Deseret News. It was (and is, in an updated format) also available via mail to subscribers around the United States. Today it is also available online, and it covers local unit information in particular. You can request digital access to it in the Church History Catalog.
Beginning in 1850, before the emergence of the Church News, the Deseret News published frequent articles about local unit organization and leadership changes in Utah and the Intermountain West. Here you can access a database of digitized and word-searchable newspapers, mostly from the mid- to late 19th century and early 20th century: digitalnewspapers.org
The Record of Members volumes in this collection may include membership and vital statistics for individual Church units, including information about births, marriages, deaths, priesthood ordinances and actions, quorum records, names of missionaries and military servicemen, and reports of immigration to the United States in the early years. This collection consists of more than 7,700 rolls of microfilm. It contains the information from Record of Members volumes through 1941 (when that record-keeping system was replaced by another system) and “Form E” reports (see below) from 1907 through 1970. The collection is organized alphabetically and geographically. Keep in mind that records for branches and wards may be found under stake, district, or mission records and country names outside of North America.
Record of Members volumes have been digitized, and researchers can request access through the catalog. To do so, log in to the catalog, navigate to the section of the collection you need, and then fill out the form under the “Request Digital Access” link:
Besides membership information for a unit, the Record of Members volumes may include the following:
Annual “Officers, Historical, and Statistical” reports, 1907–1937
This type of report was submitted annually by branches and wards to Church headquarters. The records contain lists of local unit officers for each specific year and often include very brief descriptions of historical events. Many local units did not fill out these annual reports. These records were microfilmed along with the membership and “Form E” and “42-FP” records in the CR 375/8 collection.
Annual statistical and genealogical “Form E” (branches and wards) and “42FP” (missions) reports, 1907–1970
These reports contain names of branch presidency and bishopric members during a specific year. The reports are primarily genealogical in nature. They also contain priesthood ordination information but not the dates of ward leaders being sustained to or released from callings. Form E and 42FP records were microfilmed with the membership records and are found in the CR 375 8 collection.
The reports that succeeded Form E and 42FP are filed under call number CR 375 2 and extend from 1971 to the early 1990s. After the mid-1980s, the reports are available only for foreign units that were not yet able to input their information directly into the computer. These reports list only the name of the bishop and ward clerk at the time the report was submitted. These records are not yet digital but can be accessed on microfilm in the library.
Church Chronology
Published by Andrew Jenson, this volume contains some local unit information through 1913 as well as an index. A digitized copy of the book is available. Although Jenson was careful in his research, information in the book should be verified against original records in the Church History Library.
The title page of Church Chronology
Directory of General Authorities and Officers of the Church, 1892–2008
These printed directories were circulated among general and local Church leaders. Names of local unit leaders are listed but do not include dates of sustaining or release or the dates of creation or discontinuation of local units. There appears to be a delay of one to two years before information was updated. The Church History Library has a full collection of these directories.
Before 1892, the Deseret News frequently published lists of local Church leaders (usually bishops and stake presidents). Generally, the lists seem to have been published close to when general conferences were held. Back issues of the Deseret Newscan be accessed online
Church Directory of Organizations and Leaders (CDOL)
The Church currently maintains CDOL online, but it is not accessible to the public, and its information is incomplete. Your local leaders and clerks should have access to the historical information for all local Church units. It would be wise to verify the information in CDOL against original records preserved at the Church History Library.
Histories authorized by the local unit or compiled and published by private individuals
The Church History Library strives to acquire copies of histories of local units worldwide published by either the units or private individuals. The histories are listed in the library’s online catalog. The Family History Library also houses many published local histories not found in the Church History Library’s collection.
If you have produced a local history or discovered one in your research that is not in our collections, consider donating it to the library. You can email our acquisitions department at history@ChurchofJesusChrist.org or fill out the form on our Gifts and Donations page.
Researchers should be attentive to potential inaccuracies in such published histories. Many have been compiled with little or no corroboration in official Church records.
Journal History of the Church, 1830–2008
The Journal History of the Church is an unpublished collection of both general and local Church history that was compiled by staff members of the Historian’s Office using a scrapbook-like approach. The information is organized chronologically in over 1,200 volumes. Historians in the Church History Department have prepared an in-depth guide to help you use the Journal History of the Church in your research.
Our collection of local records is incomplete. Researchers should also check Utah State University, Weber State University, the University of Utah, the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum, the Utah State Historical Society, Brigham Young University, and Southern Utah University, as well as other local historical societies.
