The parishes of the Diocese of Gaylord are relatively new when considered with the total history of the Church community. We are "coming of age," not just because of the passing time of which is not completely of own making, but rather one that has been shaped in history.
More and more we realize that we are a community of people with a past as well as a present and a future. One of the most important sources for understanding this historical identity is the parochial sacramental register, which provides records of Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, marriage and death.
These books are invaluable records of the people who made up a parish and collectively the diocese at a given time. They are of vital interest not only to the Church, but also to countless individuals and even whole communities; their value is acknowledged in both canon and civil law. Parish sacramental records are becoming increasingly important as a source of information for genealogical research.
