Daily AncestorProbationer
A probationer was a person on trial for Methodist membership, usually for six months, before being received into full connection.
In churches of the Methodist Episcopal tradition, a newcomer first joined on probation, learned the church's rules in a class, and after about six months was examined and, if approved, admitted as a full member.
Methodist Episcopal record books often have a separate section for probationers next to the list of full members. Many names appear only there, so check both lists.
As seen in a recordMethodist Episcopal church record book, 1800s to early 1900s
Probationers: Mary Hoyt, rec. in full Mar. 1871; Wm. Shane, dropped
Sources
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Daily Ancestor. "Probationer." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/church/probationer. Last checked 2026-10-03.