Category: genealogy help

Digitized Church Records for Arroyo in Puerto Rico

Before I go into the below records, I need to answer two questions that are being asked by many. I am not the holder of these church records. They are maintained by FamilySearch. While the records are available on their website, currently they are not easy to navigate until they make their changes which will…

By Anna Bayala August 2, 2017 0

Digitized Ponce Church Records 1835 to 1948

Ponce was established in 1692 and had settled prior to this year.  While churches did exist prior to 1836, it is the earliest records that were filmed for the region.  I cannot say if books prior to this date exist and if they do, they were never filmed.  Most importantly, Ponce has a large connection…

By Anna Bayala July 30, 2017 7

Joseph Vaguizu – An Infant Slave in Puerto Rico

I’ve edited this post with the following… I want to thank the source of this record,  an individual who is collecting records for Toa Alta. I wanted his okay before putting his name out there. I cannot thank Angel  Perez-Galarza enough for providing me with numerous images on those that were enslaved. This record is…

By Anna Bayala July 29, 2017 9

Ceiba Digitized Church Records 1840 – 1978

As I move forward in transcribing more records for different municipalities, I am discovering regions where I do not believe I have any ancestors but also how vast this island actually is.  While I see many comments that slavery existed on the eastern part of the island, the truth is that it existed everywhere equally…

By Anna Bayala July 26, 2017 0

Digitized Maunabo San Isidro Labrador Records 1800 – 1935

Many of the municipalities and towns names in Puerto Rico originate from the indigenous people that populated the island, the Tainos.  Their history and existence can be found throughout the island.  The majority of people who identify their ancestry to the island are now discovering through DNA that almost all of us have connection to…

By Anna Bayala July 24, 2017 0

Caguas Digitized Church Records 1730 – 1968

While Caguas in Puerto Rico records start in 1730, there are many records that have been lost prior to this year. It is quite unfortunate as many questions remain unanswered regarding those that live in this region prior to this year. We can only get a glimpse of those ancestors via the death books. This…

By Anna Bayala July 23, 2017 1