St. Pancratius (Fayetteville) Catholic Parish Records

Compilation copyright by Gloria Dettleff

SCCGS presents this data unaltered and as donated to the Society for genealogical research purposes only. SCCGS does not certify the accuracy of this data but recognizes it was done in good faith by an experienced compiler.

In keeping with the compiler’s wishes and SCCGS’s Terms and Conditions of Use (click), you may use unique elements that are part of a unique family history or genealogy but may not otherwise publish material from this site in whole or in part in any electronic, print or other medium. For special circumstances, seek required permission in writing from SCCGS and the compiler.

Kindly credit this work, click for citation example. Commercial use is expressly prohibited.

Baptisms (1859–1931) | ♦ | Marriages (1859–1931) | ♦ | Burials (1859–1956)

History

St. Pancratius was established in 1837 or 1838 when Fayetteville was then called Pulliam Town and part of the Alton Diocese. Father Caspar Ostlangenberg said the first Mass in a log cabin, a common occurrence in rural areas. The first church was built in 1849 and attended by pastors from St. Libory, Freeburg, and Mascoutah until 1865 when Rev. A. Rustemeyer became the  resident pastor. The parish school opened in 1860 and closed in 1949. Twenty-one priests served the parish from 1866–1901 during which time the Diocese of Belleville was formed from Alton. Among these priests were  the Reverends Rosendahl, Tuerck, Maesfranck, Hoffmanns, Mirback,and Wirtschoreck. The parish is now (2021) partnered with Holy Childhood in Mascoutah.

About these records, this database, caveats

• The Society and the compiler recommend researchers verify information provided on the SCCGS website with the original record extracted from images are online at FamilySearch.
• If the image is unsatisfactory, request help from the Archives of the Diocese of Belleville at (618) 722-5057.
• Earlier church records were written entirely in Latin and translated to give the gist of the meaning to the best of the compiler’s ability. More recent entries may be written in English.
• Square brackets [  ] indicate wording added by the compiler to clarify an entry.
• Researchers are urged to correlate information here with that found in other records before forming conclusions about a person, family, or relationship. Further research.
• Terminology reflects the time period and Roman Catholic Canon Law, both have changed over time.
• Cramped handwriting, faint images, possible transcription errors, and names spelled phonetically or with diacritical marks will undoubtedly affect this compilation. Search tips may help locate an ancestor’s name if misspelled.
• Given names abbreviated in the church book are spelled out when the English equivalent is certain (Elizabeth for Eliz., Louis for Ludovicus). When no apparent equivalent was known or ambiguous, the Latin name or initials were transcribed.
• Some priests recorded more information than others.

Baptisms

• Baptisms up to 1930 are on microfilm in SCCGS holdings at the Belleville Public Library and St. Louis County Library on Lindbergh. Find the microfilm roll for this parish here.
• FamilySearch posts baptisms up to circa 1906 in accordance with its own policies or agreements.

Marriages

• In rear of the book titled Marriage 1859-1903 on FamilySearch, deeds from Eckert and Eberle to Koester for lot 178, Town of Fayetteville; and from Zieren to Koester for lots 179 and 180 in the Town of Fayetteville, circa 1863 and 1864.

Burials

• A tombstone inventory appears in SCCGS Quarterly Volume 8 Number 4 (1985) will be posted to the Member website in 2022. An e-book titled Fayetteville Township and Engelmann Township Cemeteries may be purchased in the SCCGS online shop., and a more recent

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Sample citation to a specific record in this database

Gloria Dettleff, compiler, “St. Pancratius (Fayetteville) [Illinois]) Catholic Marriages (1922–1931),” St. Clair County Genealogical Society (https://stclair-ilgs.org : date viewed) ; [ancestor’s name, date of baptism].

Sample citation to a digital image of the original church register

The FamilySearch website provides a citation with each record.

Further Research

• If a person died in Missouri 1910-1968, access their death certificate on the Missouri Secretary of State web site.
• The Illinois State Archives’ Statewide Death Index (1916 – 1950) is the gateway to order less expensive death certificates through the Illinois State Genealogical Society than the County Clerk’s office.
• Deaths and Stillbirths filed at the St. Clair County Courthouse (1878–1916) are abstracted in the SCCGS Quarterly, Volumes 31–43 (2008–2020) and as a benefit on the Member website. Use the surname index and Table of Contents to hone a search.

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Translation Aids

• Latin language aids
• French language aids
• Given names translated from French and Latin into English , courtesy American-French Genealogical Society.

Bibliography

1. Burnett, Betty. A Time of Favor: The Story of the Catholic Family of Southern Illinois. St. Louis, Mo.: Patrice Press, 1987.
2. Diocese of Belleville. Centennial Heritage Festival and Picnic, Sunday, September 27. Belleville, Ill.: The Diocese, 1987.
3. Diocese of Belleville (https://www.diobelle.org/directory/parishes/holy-rosary-fairmont-city: viewed 2 June 2021).

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