This archive draws from congregations located primarily in the Appalachian region of the United States. These are specific churches and communities rather than a single or uniform setting.

Appalachia includes many different towns, churches, and local histories. The congregations included here differ in size, tradition, and practice, even when they share related religious backgrounds.

Fieldwork took place in particular services and communities over time. What is recorded reflects those specific encounters and does not represent the full range of serpent handling churches or related practices.

Where place is referenced in this archive, it refers both to physical locations and to the setting of worship itself, including church services and the life of the congregation.