Prince Edward Island Baptismal Index

About the Prince Edward Island Baptismal Index

Before Vital Statistics Services was established in 1906, there was no systematic recording of births, deaths, and marriages on Prince Edward Island. We must, therefore, rely primarily on surviving church records for information on such events. Vital Statistics compiled, in a card catalogue, an Index to Church Baptismal Records prior to 1886 which is housed at the Public Archives and Records Office (PARO) in Charlottetown. (An index to records dating from 1886 until approximately 1906 is currently housed at Vital Statistics Services in Montague.) In response to the great demand for access to this Index, PARO has developed a Baptismal database which allows users to search the over 92,000 records online.

What information is available in the PEI Baptismal Index?

The church records documented in the PEI Baptismal Index include such denominations as Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Free Church of Scotland, United Church, and Methodist. The earliest records are from St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Charlottetown and begin in 1777. However, the majority of the records date from 1830 on.

Records contained in the PEI Baptismal Index generally include such information as the child's name, date of birth and baptism, place of birth and baptism, father's and mother's (usually maiden) name, and reference to the church record from which the information was abstracted.

Why are records for a particular individual not available in the Index?

Unfortunately, many church records have been destroyed through fire or flood, or have otherwise disappeared over the years so a record of a particular individual’s baptism may no longer exist. Also, denominations like Baptists and Bible Christians practised adult baptism or believer’s baptism and did not keep records of the actual birth dates of the individuals.

Is it possible to obtain a copy of a baptismal certificate?

The Public Archives and Records Office cannot issue baptismal certificates. However, PARO has microfilmed a large number of church records from parishes across Prince Edward Island. (Descriptions of some of these church records are available in Archives PEI, the Archives Council of Prince Edward Island's database of descriptions of archival holdings.) A microfilm copy print of the actual baptismal record from a church record book can be ordered through the Individual Results page. The charge is $5.00 plus applicable taxes, Canadian funds.

Are the church records available through other sources?

Although the Public Archives of Prince Edward Island does not participate in any interlibrary loan service, certain church records are available through interlibrary loan from other sources including Libraries and Archives Canada and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Where are baptismal/birth records dated after 1886 located?

Records of births from 1886 to 1905 as well as births, marriages, and deaths from 1906 to date, are held by the following government office:

Vital Statistics Services

Department of Health and Social Services

35 Douses Rd.

P.O. Box 3000

Montague, PE C0A 1R0

Birth records starting in 1900 and marriage records dating from 1910 on are considered confidential. All records are subject to search and copy fees. Please contact the Department of Vital Statistics Services for further information.

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