USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > The centennial celebration of Springfield, Ohio, held August 4th to 10th, 1901 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21
THIRD PRESPYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Third Presbyterian Church was developed from a mis- sion Sunday school. located on the North Side, under the patron- age of the First and Second Presbyteran Churches, in the Au- tumn of 1878. This church was regularly organized May II, 1891, with 104 charter members. On this occasion Rev. George H. Fullerton, D. D., presided over the meeting, and the sermon was preached by Rev. Maurice E. Wilson, D. D., of Dayton, Ohio, and the other members of the Dayton Presbytery who partici- pated in the exercises were Rev. J. K. Gibson, of South Charles- ton, Ohio, and the late Rev. James L. Rodgers, of this city. The officers installed and elected at the organization were as follows : Elders, Richard H. Rodgers, Edward T. Sykes and John S. Wea-
-
55
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
ver; Deacons, James A. Todd, James P. Morrow, A. J. Shanks, L. C. LeRoy and M. M. McConkey.
The present church edifice was erected during the Autumn and Winter of 1893 and 1894, and was dedicated January 28. 1894, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. Willis G. Craig, D. D., of McCormick Theological Seminary, of Chicago, Ill. The present membership of the church is 194, and of the Sunday school. 342. Rev. George H. Fullerton, D. D., has been the only pastor from the beginning to the time of his resigna- tion, this last Spring. The present pastor is the Rev. George W. S. Wenrick, called from Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL.
In December. 1834, about seventy persons, among whom were William Coles, Harvey Vinal, John Newlove, Greenfield Dovely, Samuel Clark, William Wilson, Edwin H. Cummings, William Werden, Samson Mason, Isaac Hendershott and James Sykes, together with their wives, united themselves for the pur- pose of establishing a Protestant Episcopal Church in Spring- field Ohio. On the 12th of December, of that year, the following men were elected vestrymen: Joseph T. Thorp and Joseph Sprague ; Wardens, H. Vinal, George Mortimer. Peter A. Sprig- man, H. Diffendorfer, Joseph Perrin, C. T. Ward, S. Mason, D. Groynn, E. C. Ross and John Cook. Rev. Alexander Varian was chosen pastor.
In February, 1835, a lot was purchased, located on the south- west corner of High and Limestone streets, upon which, soon afterward, a church building was erected, and consecrated by the Bishop November 28, 1844. This edifice was used for its purpose until the erection of the new stone church on the corner of High street and Linden avenue, and its consecration. May 5. 1874. This building is a fine architectural structure and quite an ornament to the city, costing $38,000, and was all paid for before its dedication.
The parish continued under the name of "All Souls" parish until 1842. when, by a legislative act, it was changed to the pres- ent name of. "Christ's Church." The Rev. A. Varian having re- signed as pastor August 11, 1835, the position was then filled by
56
CENTENNIAL OF
Rev. Henry Payne, who continued until December, 1839. The next rector was Rev. William Presbery, who resigned in 1843.
The following is a list of rectors, or pastors, together with their terms of service: Rev. A. T. McMurphy, from 1843 to November 10, 1846. The pulpit was then supplied from the lat- ter date to October, 1847, by Revs. Edward H. Cummings, James Stephenson and Richard Killer, when, on December 1I, 1848, Rev. Chandler Robbins was elected rector, and served until Oc- tober 1, 1854. Then came Rev. Dr. John T. Brooke, formerly of Cincinnati, who served from April 2, 1855, to August 19, 1861 ; Rev. H. W. Woods, 1861 to 1862; Rev. Charles McIlvaine, son of the distinguished Bishop McIlvaine, D. D., from June 8, 1863, to November 12, 1865; Rev. John C. Ames, from May 24, 1866, to December 7, 1869; Rev: C. B. Davidson, from November, 1870, to February, 1873; Rev. H. H. Morrell, May 3, 1874, to May I, 1879 ; Rev. John T. Rose, from December, 1879, to July 14, 1880; William W. Steele, 1880 to 1881 : Rayno E. W. Cozens, Decem- ber 13, 1891, to May 31. 1894; Rev. Alex. C. McCabe, from Oc- tober 1, 1894, to the present. The Sunday school was organized in 1835. The church has now a membership of 352. In the sixty-two years of this church's existence it has had seventeen pastors, whose terms of service averaged about three and three- fourths years each.
THE HEAVENLY REST PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The new "Church of the Heavenly Rest, Protestant Epis- copal," situated on South Plum street, near Pleasant was estab- lished in its present location largely through the whole-souled liberality of the late Mr. William Foos and his good wife. both of them now gone to their rest. These two persons donated the beautiful lot and the money to put up the building, and pay for most of the furnishing. The building, which is a neat, unique one- story brick, quite complete in all its appointments and ornamen- tal withal in its architecture, was dedicated to the worship of God on Sunday morning. December 2, 1888. The pretty and complete auditorium is capable of seating 300 persons, and is at times thoroughly tested as to its capacity.
The services of the consecration were concluded by Rev. C.
:
57
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
M. Young, from Greenville, assisted by the choir, consisting of Miss Bassett, organist, Misses Zutavern, Ferguson, Belle Albin, Mrs. Gillett, Messrs. T. J. Thomas, J. C. Brecht, John Cornor and IV. N. Davis. The vestrymen then consisted of Samuel Houghton, Senior Warden; C. A. Davis, Junior Warden; Wil- liam Foos, G. H. Coles, Thomas Irwin, A. J. Moyer and Thomas A. Davis. The following clergymen have served as pastors in the order here given: Revs. C. M. Young, Charles S. Walkley, WV. E. Dakin, D. W. Wright.
BAPTISTS.
The First Baptist Church of Springfield was constituted on the 29th day of January, 1836, with the following named persons as members: Edward Nugent, Peleg Cotes, William T. Young, William J. Card, Thomas J. Howard, Mary Jane Hill. Jane Marenes, Mary Steinbach, Sarah A. Dowling, Lydia Card, Rach- el Young, Mary Ann Nugent and Sarah Howard. On May 7th of the same year a Sabbath school was established in connection with the church. A call was extendedl to Rev. E. D. Owen for the pastorate, which was accepted. July 12, 1863. On the 23d of August following, the church was admitted into the Mad River Baptist Association.
By the wise foresight of Messrs. P. Cotes, E. J. Nugent, J. M. Gallagher, J. S. Halsey and others, a valuable lot on the north- east corner of High and Limestone streets was secured March 4, 1844, upon which, soon afterward, a good, substantial, two-story brick house of worship was erected and finished, so as to be ded- icated February 12, 1832. On January 17, 1838, Rev. James El- liott, of New York, was called to labor half his time as pastor, and so continued to do for about two years. May 26, 1840, Rev. H. D. Mason, became pastor and served but seven months. O: June 26, 1841, Rev. Enos French was called to the pastorate at a salary of $400. On the 8th of September, 1843. Mr. French re- signed, to take effect at the close of the year. Rev. Mr. Syms was then chosen pastor, April 8, 1844. and served until the Spring of 1848.
After this date the following ministers have had the pastoral charge of this church, for the herein-mentioned terms: Rev.
-
58
CENTENNIAL OF
John S. Moore, from October 9, 1848, to April. 1850; Rev. Jo- seph Brown, from November 5. 1850, to November 5, 1860; Rev. William Allington was called and remained until March 15, 1862; Rev. Samuel Williams, from June 2, 1862, to July 1, 1864; Rev. J. R. Baumes, from November 4, 1864, to March 10, 1868; Rev. R. L. Colwell, from August 11, 1868, to July 1, 1873 ; Rev. A. L. Wilkinson, from December 8, 1873, to August 1, 1877; Rev. J. B. Tuttle, to August 1, 1880. In April, 1881, this church sold its property on Limestone and High streets to Ross Mitchell for $25,000 in gold, and afterward erected its present building on the corner of South Fountain avenue and Miller street, at a cost of $15,000.
The list of pastors may be continued as follows: Rev. F. B. Cressey, for two years. ending March 1, 1892; Rev. G. O. King, from March 9, 1892, to April 17, 1893 ; Rev. A. S. Carman, from December 3, 1893, to July 12, 1898, and Rev. W. J. Sly, the pres- ent pastor, commenced his service here January 14, 1899. The membership of the church now numbers 472, and the enrollment of scholars in the Sunday school is 225. This church, in its exist- ence of sixty-five years, has had sixteen pastors, averaging about four years each.
TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCHI.
On the 6th day of April, 1868, fifty-two members withdrew from this church by letter and formed a new organization under the name of the Trinity Baptist Church of Springfield. April 9th the body was organized, having the following official board, with Rev. J. R. Baumes as pastor: J. J. Tuttle, Clerk; McClung Huffman, Lewis C. Huffman, Jacob Gram and J. J. Tuttle, Trus- tees. This church worshiped for a short while in the old City Hall, and subsequently in Union Hall, which was occupied un- til January 22, 1871. Their new brick building on the corner of Limestone and Mulberry streets, having been finshed and in readiness, was dedicated on the 22d of January, 1871, the Rev. Dr. H. F. Colby, of Dayton, preaching the dedication sermon.
The pastors of this church were as follows: Rev. J. R. Baumes. May 2, 1868, to November 19. 1872 ; Rev. C. M. Rupe, November, 1872, to December 1, 1873; Rev. A. B. White, May 4,
59
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
1874, to December 1, 1876; Rev. A. B. Jordon, July 1, 1877, to July 1, 1879; Rev. T. B. DePuoy, from March 22. January I, 1882, Rev. J. C. Fernald became pastor, and after serving a lit- tle over three years, he was succeeded by Rev. J. H. Roberts, September 1, 1885, and he in turn was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. G. R. Richards, a recent graduate of Morgan Park Semi- nary, Chicago. He was one of the first to champion the feasibil- ity and advisability of an organic union with the First Baptist Church, holding that if such a union could be properly brought about, it would prove the beginning of a new and better era for the Baptist cause in Springfield. Mr. Richards was pastor of the Trinity Church two years and three months, when he resigned, soon after which the contemplated union with the First Baptist Church was formally consummated, on the 17th of August, 1891.
THE BLESSED HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Blessed Hope Baptist Church was formally organized August 11, 1898. Twenty-one charter members presented let- ters of admission from the First Baptist Church at this time. Rev. Albert Ehrgott. the first pastor, began his labors October 23, 1898, and closed them July 1, 1900, to resume missionary service at Rangoon, Burma. Rev. C. M. Brodie, the present pastor, commenced his work January 6, 1901. The membership is now 165, and the Sunday school numbers 195, including officers, teachers and pupils.
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH ( COLORED.)
The Second Baptist Church of Springfield was organized in 1859, with eleven members, by Rev. Wallace Shelton, of Cincin- nati, Ohio. The church was ministered to by visiting ministers until 1865, when the Rev. George Dardis, of Nashville, Tennes- see, was called as their first regular pastor. The church bought a lot and built their first house for worship on South Fountain avenue. This house was built in 1866. They worshiped there until 1884, when they moved into their present property on South Factory street. The membership at present is 400, and their present pastor is H. C. Bailey.
-
60
CENTENNIAL OF
ST. JOHN'S BAPTIST CHURCH (COLORED.)
The St. John's Baptist Church was organized by Rev. J. C. Taylor, of Toledo, on the 6th of July, 1897, with the following charter members: Revs. Charles Orr and E. C. Clay, Y. W. Yates, Sarah Chapman, Cora Hooke, Nellie Martin, Elmer Spy- glass, Elizabeth Keemer, Sarah Calvin, Sarah Chinn, John Mas- kell and others. A Council of the Dayton and Western Union Association was called for the 23d of August, 1897, at which time the St. John's Baptist Church of Springfield was regularly organized with twenty-one members. Rev. Joseph Wilson, of Cincinnati, was called to the pastorate December 1, 1897, and served two years ; Rev. A. P. Eaton was called January 1, 1899, and yet remains as pastor. The present membership is 125, with a flourishing Sunday school, numbering, perhaps, about 50 schol- ars. Having purchased the comparatively new and handsome brick edifice, formerly owned by the Methodist Protestant Church, situated on West Pleasant street, between Market and Center streets, valued at $12,000, the church may now be regarded as es- tablished upon a permanent footing. Elder Eaton has been a zealous, working pastor.
UNIVERSALISTS.
The first minister that ever preached the doctrine of Univer- salism in Springfield was the Rev. M. Fisk, of New Jersey, in 1833. For three or four years after this date believers in the doctrine had no stated times or places of meeting, but occa- sionally had preaching services in the school houses or at pri- vate homes by such ministers as happened to come along. In 1837 Mr. John Winn entertained the idea of establishing a Univer- salist Church here, and with this object in view, he headed a sub- scription with $1,000, and proceeded to raise more money, and thus succeeded in getting enough to build a church, and in March of the same year, Mr. John Lowrey donated a lot situated on Washington street, between Center and Factory streets, upon which the society put up what was then regarded as the best church edifice in Springfield, at a cost of $4.500. Rev. George Messenger was chosen pastor and preached the dedication dis-
-
:
61
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
course, and in the Summer of 1837 the building was finished. Among the prominent families entering into this early organza- tion were the Messengers, the Wynns, the Bancrofts and the Pierces.
As the records of this church, if existing, have not all been available, and as for much of the time the pastoral relations were not very regularly kept up, we can at present barely give the names of the principal ministers and the order in which they have served, as follows : Revs. George Messenger, Pingrew, Emmitt, Biddlecome, Waite, Lionell, Weaver, Turner, Demorest, Carlton, Bosseman, Lowlinson, Henley, Carlton, Ashenfelter, Guthrie, Countryman. These all served previous to the year 1893, when the new building was erected on West Columbia street, and fur- nished for the day of dedication, June 18th, of that year, at which time the Revs. Cantwell, Henley, and Ira W. Mclaughlin were present and assisted in the exercises. After that time the pastors successively were: J. R. Stoner, George L. Sias and Henrietta G. Moore, the latter having just completed her third year with the church. The families having more or less representation with the church are sixty in number, while the number of adherents are placed at about eighty persons. The affiliated departments of the church are a Sunday school of 35 members, a Young People's Christian Union of 22 members, a Missionary Alliance of 15 mem- bers, and a Cary Circle of 23. This church during the sixty-four years of its organization has had twenty regular pastors.
LUTHERAN.
On the first day of May, 1841, the Rev. John Lehman, with about forty others, organized a Lutheran society, which, after Mr. Lehman's departure, became inoperative, but was reorgan- ized in 1845, by Rev. Dr. Ezra Keller and three others, namely, Messrs. Kurtz, Filbert and Cook, who met in the house of Jacob Schuman. The first communion was held on January 11, 18.46. For awhile the services were held in the Court House. A lot 100 feet front and 100 feet deep was purchased of Peter Murray, on the corner of High and Factory streets, for $250, and on the 14th day of June, 1845, the corner stone of their new church was laid, and the discourse of the occasion was delivered by Dr. Keller.
62
CENTENNIAL OF
This building was remodeled in 1869 at a cost of $20,000. It is now a large and commodious house, with full equipments, in- cluding a fine pipe organ. and bell. It has also a neat little edi- fice, immediately adjoining the main building, which was re- cently put up for Sunday school purposes. The church property is valued at about $45,000. The auditorium is capable of seating 750 persons.
The following is a list of their pastors, together with the terms of their services: Rev. Dr. Ezra Keller, from 1845 to 1849; Professor Diehl, from January to June, 1849; Rev. Drs. Samuel Sprecher and F.W. Conrad, from June, 1849, to June, 1854; Rev. A. Essick, from 1854 to 1856; A. J. Weddell, from . 1856 to 1857 ; J. H. Heck, 1858, to 1861 ; M. Officer, 1861 to 1862' M. Titus, from 1863 to 1867; J. B. Helwig, from 1867 to 1868; M. W. Hamma, 1869 to 1878; M. J. Firey, from January, 1878 to June, 1883; Daniel Smith, from 1883 to 1886; Rev. Dr. Hel- wig, from 1886 to 1891 ; E. W. Simon, from 1891 to 1899, and from the last date to the present time Rev. Dr. Firey's second pas- torate. This list makes a full total of sixteen pastors, with an average of three years each.
The Sabbath school of this church was organized Novem- ber 12, 1845, with sixty-four persons. In 1866 it contained 300 scholars ; the average enrollment in 1880 was 690. Owing to the heavy colonizations going out from this church since the last mentioned date, the average attendance at the Sunday school has been reduced to about 500. The membership of the church itself is still over 750.
ST. JOHN'S GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The German Lutherans, having previously been holding meetings at the Court House and in different private rooms, finally, in 1845, organized themselves into a church with a mem- bership of seventy-five, and having the Rev. Mr. Schladerm at their head. They assumed the name of St. John's Lutheran Church and retained Mr. Schladerm as their pastor, until the time of his resignation, in 1849. when he was succeeded by Rev. J. . C. Shulze. Then came Rev. Charles Stroud, who continued in the pastorate from 1857 to 1870, when he was succeeded by
-
63
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
Rev. Charles Betzler. The Rev. T. A. Polster was then called in 1873. after which Rev. C. W. Knuth was selected as pastor, at which time the church had a membership of about 400, and prop- erty valued at $20,000.
On the 17th of June, 1888, Rev. W. F. Werheim became pas- tor, and so remains. During his charge the new and beautiful church on the corner of Factory and Columbia streets was erected. The corner stone of this fine edifice was laid November 3. 1895, and the consecration took place April 26, 1897. The church prop- erty now is worth about $50,000. The membership now includes 450 families, and the Sunday school has 575, and the Ladies' So- ciety has increased to 263 members. Mr. Werheim is a scholar. and his large and intelligent congregation has now the benefit of both German and English preaching, well apportioned, accord- ing to their highest needs.
ZION'S LUTHERAN CHURCH.
Zion's Lutheran Church went out from the St. John's Ger- man Lutheran Church, with twenty-three families, under the pastoral charge of Rev. J. C. Schulze. After worshiping in sev- eral small chapels, successively purchased by them, they finally, in 1867, built their present seemly and commodious brick edifice on the corner of Plum and Columbia streets, at a cost of $22,000. Revs. Loy and Lehman, of Capital University, Columbus, Ohio, conducted the dedicatory services. Rev. Mr. Schulze's successor in the pastorate was Rev. L. H. Lorenz, and he again was suc- ceeded by Rev. H. Hinkle, in 1869. Rev. F. W. Althoff came into the pastorate in 1872, and during his term the church had ac- quired a membership of 375, and the Sunday school had 150 scholars. Immediately after Mr. Althoff, came Rev. R. C. Lens- ki, from October, 1892, to October, 1899; then came Rev. J. H. Kuhlman, the present incumbent of the pastoral office, begin- ning in November, 1899. The present number of communicants is 400, and the enrollment of the Sunday school, teachers and all, 214. Since the building above mentioned, a parsonage, costing $3,000, has been added to the church property.
SECOND EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The Second Evangelical Lutheran Church of Springfield
-
64
CENTENNIAL OF
was organized January 13, 1884, with forty-five charter members, who had previously received regular letters of dismissal from the First Lutheran Church of the city. Among those charter mem- bers were Mr. and Mrs. Ross Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Schindler, Mr. and Mrs. William Lupfer, Professor and Mrs. C. L. Ehrenfeld, C. N. Culp, Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Bost, Mr. and Mrs. Z. F. Bost, and others. The building was begun and finished in the year 1886, and dedicated to God's service December 19, 1886. Rev. Dr. John B. Helwig preaching the dedicatory sermon, and other Lutheran ministers participating in the exercises were Revs. C. L. Ehrenfeld, J. H. Richard, G. N. H. Peters and W. H. Singley. Addresses were also made during the day by Rev. Dr. W. C. Falconer, of the Presbyterian Church, Dr. R. H. Rust, of the M. E. Church, and Rev. W. H. Warren, of the Congrega- tional.
The pastors who have served the church thus far were Revs. A. E. Wagner, Ph. D., from May 1, 1884, to July 26, 1885 ; L. A. Gotwald, D. D., from December 1, 1885, to December 1, 1888; D. H. Bauslin, D. D., from December 16, 1888, to November I, 1893; Rev. E. H. Dornblaser, from December 15, 1893, to the present. The present membership of the church is about 300, and the enrollment of the Sunday school is 390.
THIRD LUTHERAN CHURCH.
In July, 1887, the Third Lutheran Church was organized by twenty-nine charter members, mostly persons from the First Church, of the same denomination, and among these were Mr. and Mrs. Christian Hanika, Mr. and Mrs. Jonas' Rebert, Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Sise, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Lyday, Mr. and Mrs. George H. Young. The church building was dedicated December II, 1887, the sermon being preached by Rev. J. C. Zimmerman. The pastors have been as follows: Rev. E. L. Fleck, July, 1887, to November, 1, 1888; Rev. L. S. Keyser, February 1, 1889, to February 1, 1895 ; Rev. John J. Hill, May 15, 1895, to December . II, 1898; Rev. C. E. Derr, the present pastor, commenced his work in March, 1899. The church membership now numbers 317, and the Sunday school 325.
-
65
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.
FOURTH LUTHERAN CHURCH.
We learn from the Souvenir of their dedication services, that the first meeting in the interest of the Fourth Lutheran Church was held May 10, 1887. At this meeting a committee consisting of Dr. B. F. Prince, Messrs. C. P. Remsberg and G. W. Billow, was appointed to secure subscriptions for the purchase of two lots on North Fountain avenue. On June 27th, a constitution was adopted and the first Board of Trustees elected. as follows : B. F. Prince, G. W. Billow, Rev. Dr. J. W. Richard, C. P. and R. C. Remsberg. The lots were purchased July 1, 1887, at a cost of $2.352. From that time until the organization of the congre- gation. in 1897. regular yearly meetings were held by the Board of Trustees for the election and the transaction of their business.
The formal organization of the church occurred May 7, 1897, at which time a constitution was adopted and twenty-four signa- tures secured. This number was increased to eighty-five, who became charter members. On July 18, 1897, the congregation de- cided to erect a church building. The corner stone was laid Sep- tember 5th. From May 23, 1897, to January 23. 1897, inclusive, services were held in the Chapel of Wittenberg College. The first service in the new building was on January 30, 1898, the ser- mon being preached by Dr. B. F. Prince. On February 4, 1898, the regular dedication services were commenced and continued three days. The first sermon of the occasion was by Rev. S. G. Dornblaser, of Columbus, President of Miami Synod. This was followed during the three days by various other religious exer- cises in which Rev. B. F. Prince, Ph. D., D. H. Bauslin, D. D., S. F. Breckenridge, D. D., S. B. Barnitz. D. D., S. A. Ort, D. D., LL. D., Professor F. G. Gotwald, Ezra K. Bell, D. D., of Cincin- nati, and others took part. The cost of the building was '$6,000, now all paid for.
From the organization of the congregation, in May, 1807. until May 15, 1898, the Professors of Wittenberg College and Theological Seminary supplied the pulpit, up to the time that Mr. E. G. Howard, a student at the Wittenberg Seminary, was se- cured as regular supply. He served with great acceptability un- til the close of the year. On the first of January, 1899, Rev. C. F. Steck, of Louisville. Kentucky, who had some weeks before been
66
CENTENNIAL OF
called, assumed the duties of the pastoral office. He was for- mally installed February 5th, following, Rev. F. G. Gotwald, Rev. Prof. D. H. Bauslin and others officiating. Rev. C. F. Steck is still the pastor. During the past year an addition has been built to the chapel for the use of the primary department of the Sunday school, at a cost of $800. For its support, the Fourth Church relies alone in the free will offerings of its members and friends. Church socials, entertainments, etc., are never given for the purpose of making money, and the church building is used only for religious purposes. The present membership of the church is 135, and the Sunday school has 220, including officers, teachers and pupils.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.