R E S E A R C H   G U I D A N C E

Latin America
Research Outline
   

Table of Contents
Introduction
     Using This Outline
Latin American Search Strategies
Records At The Family History Library
The Family History Library Catalog
     Map Of Central America
     Map Of South America
Archives And Libraries
     Archives In Spain
     Latin American Archives
Biography
     Family Information
     Compiled Biographies
Cemeteries
     Locating Cemeteries And Cemetery Records
Census
Church Records
     Information Recorded In Church Registers
     Inquisition Records
     Locating Church Records
     Search Strategies
Civil Registration
     Information Recorded In Civil Registers
     Locating Civil Registration Records
Emigration And Immigration
     Finding The Immigrant's Town Of Origin
     Locating Emigration Records
Gazetteers
Genealogy
     Family Histories
     Compiled Genealogies
     Major Databases And Collections
History
     Historical Chronology
     Calendar Changes
     Historical Geography
     Local Histories
Land And Property
Language And Languages
     Language Aids
Maps
     Using Maps
     Locating Maps And Atlases
Military Records
     Types Of Military Records
     Locating Military Records
Names, Personal
Native Races
     Racial Terminology
Nobility
     Untitled Nobility [Hidalgos/Fidalgos]
     Titled Nobility [Nobleza/nobreza]
     Military And Fraternal Orders[Ordenes Militares And Cofradías/Confraternidades]
Notarial Records
Periodicals
Probate Records
Societies
Other Records
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions


INTRODUCTION

This outline introduces records and strategies that can help you discover your Latin American ancestors. It teaches terminology and describes the contents, uses, and availability of major genealogical records. Use this outline to set meaningful research goals and to select the records that will help you achieve your goals.

Generally, you must know the specific town in the country where an ancestor was born, married, or died in order to do research on that ancestor.

You will need some basic understanding of genealogical research procedures. You may want to read the booklet Guide to Research [Guía Para Realizar La Investigación Genealógica/Guía de Pesquisa], available at the Family History Library and at family history centers. If you are at the Family History Library, you may also want to see the video orientation program (available in English only).


Using This Outline

The “Latin American Search Strategies” section of this outline suggests steps for you to follow to effectively research your family history. It is particularly valuable if you are just beginning your research.

The section “Records at the Family History Library” gives an overview of the Latin American records collected at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. The “Family History Library CatalogLook this term up in the glossary.” section explains how to use the library's catalog to find specific records in the library. Maps of Latin America are in the outline. The “Records Selection TableLook this term up in the glossary.” can help you select records to search.

The outline lists, in alphabetical order, the major types of records used for Latin American research. The names of the sections in this outline are the same as the subject headings used in the Family History Library Catalog (see “The Family History Library CatalogLook this term up in the glossary.,”). Related topics are grouped together under the same heading. For example, information about the history of immigration to Latin America, emigration indexes, and passports is all listed under the heading “Emigration and Immigration.”

At the end of the outline you will also find a brief list of “Other Records” and a short bibliography of sources, “For Further Reading.”


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LATIN AMERICAN SEARCH STRATEGIES


Step 1. Identify What You Know about Your Family

Begin your research with family and home sources. Look for names, dates, and places in certificates, family Bibles, obituaries, diaries, and similar sources. Ask your relatives for any additional information they may have. It is very likely that your cousin, aunt, or other relative has already gathered some family information. Organize the information you find and record it on pedigree charts and family group record forms, which you can obtain at the Family History Library or at a Family History Center.


Step 2. Decide What You Want to Learn

Select a specific ancestor or relative for whom you know at least a name, the town or parish in which he or she lived, and the approximate date of residence. It is very helpful to know the names of other family members as well.

If you do not have enough information about your Latin American ancestor, review the sources mentioned in step 1 which may give a birthplace or residence. For further suggestions on how to find the name of the birthplace, see the “Emigration and Immigration” section of this outline.

Next, decide what you want to learn about your ancestor, such as the place and date of marriage or the parents' names. You may want to ask an experienced researcher or a librarian to help you select a goal you can successfully achieve.


Step 3. Select a Record to Search

This outline describes most types of records used for Latin American research. Each section provides information to help you evaluate the contents, availability, reliability, and ease of use of a particular type of record. It also tells you which time period is covered and the likelihood that your ancestor will be listed in it. To trace your family you may need to use some of each type of record.

Several factors can affect your choice of which records to search. The “Records Selection Table” can help you decide which records to search first.

Effective researchers begin by obtaining some background information. Then they survey previous research, and then search original documents.

Background Information Sources. You may need some geographical and historical information. This information can save you time and effort by helping you focus your research on the correct place and time period.

[COUNTRY] - SOCIAL LIFE AND CUSTOMS
Previous Research Sources. After gaining some background information, you will be ready to look for research that has already been gathered by others. This research can save time and give you valuable information. There are few sources of previous research presently available for most Latin American countries, but you may want to look for—

  • Printed family histories and genealogies.
  • Family information published in periodicals.
  • Biographies.
  • Local histories.
  • Manuscript collectionsLook this term up in the glossary. of family information.
  • HereditaryLook this term up in the glossary. and lineageLook this term up in the glossary. society records.

Remember, however, that the information in these sources is secondary and may contain some inaccuracies. You will want to verify the information you find in these records with that from other sources.

Records containing previous research are described in the “Biography,” “Genealogy,” “History,” “Periodicals,” and “Societies” sections of this outline.

Original RecordsLook this term up in the glossary.. After surveying previous research, you will be ready to begin original research. Original research is the process of searching original documents (often copied on microfilm) that are usually handwritten in the native language. These documents can provide primary information about your family because they were generally recorded by a reliable witness at or near the time of an event.

It is important to remember that original documents were written in the language of the country where your ancestor lived. (See the “Language and Languages” section of this outline.) In Hispanic Latin America, most records are written in Spanish; most Brazilian records are written in Portuguese. Some Latin terms may be found in both Hispanic and Brazilian records. In some cases, records kept by immigrant groups are written in the language of the immigrants, such as German, Dutch, or Italian. If you are unfamiliar with these languages, the Spanish Word List (34104), the Portuguese Word List (34099), the Latin Word List (34077), and, as needed, the German and Dutch word lists will help you translate the words used in original records. These lists are available at the Family History Library and at family history centers in the United States and Canada.

The handwriting in original records is not always clearly legible. Experience in searching these records will increase your ability to understand the language and read the handwriting found in original records.

To do thorough research, you should search original records from—

  • Each place where your ancestor resided.
  • Each religious parish in which your ancestor lived.
  • The time period of the residence.
  • All jurisdictions that may have kept records about your ancestor (town, parish, state, and nation).

Most Latin American family information may be found in the records described in this outline under "Church Records," "Civil Registration," and "Emigration and Immigration".


Step 4. Find and Search the Record

Suggestions for Finding Records. You may be able to obtain the records you need in the following ways:

  • Family History LibraryLook this term up in the glossary.. You are welcome to visit and use the records at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. The library is open to the public, and there are no fees for using the records. If you would like more information about its services, contact the library at the following address:

Family History Library
35 North West Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84150
USA
(See also “Records at the Family History Library” and “The Family History Library Catalog” in this outline.)
Microfilmed records from Latin America may be ordered at the Family History Library. Most Latin American films require a few days to be sent to the library. If you are going to visit the library, you may first want to visit one of the more than 1,600 Family History Centers worldwide. Use the catalog there to choose the films you want to see, then write to the library to request that the films be ordered for you so they will be there when you arrive in Salt Lake City.
  • Family History CentersLook this term up in the glossary.. Copies of most of the records on microfilm at the Family History Library can be loaned to family history Centers worldwide. There are small duplication and postage fees for this service.

The library's books cannot be loaned to the centers, but copies of many books that are not protected by copyright can be obtained on microfilm Look this term up in the glossary.or microficheLook this term up in the glossary..
You can obtain a list of the Family History Centers near you by writing to the Family History Library at the address above.
  • Archives and local churches. Most of the original documents you will need are kept in national, state, church, and local archives in Latin America. Although the Family History Library has many records on microfilm, other records are available only at these archives. In many cases, you can either visit the archives or request photocopies of their records through correspondence. For information about how to contact Latin American archives, see the “Archives and Libraries” section of this outline.

  • Local libraries. Public, academic, and other research libraries may have published sources for Latin American research. Although the books at the Family History Library cannot be loaned to Family History Centers or other libraries, copies of these same books can often be obtained through your nearest public library.

  • Professional researchersLook this term up in the glossary.. You can employ a private researcher to search the records for you. Some researchers specialize in Latin American records. Lists of qualified professional researchers are available at the Family History Library. Local libraries, archives, and societies may also provide the names of individuals in the area who will search records for you.

  • PhotocopiesLook this term up in the glossary.. The Family History Library and other libraries offer limited photocopying services for a small fee. You must specify the exact pages you need. Books protected by copyright cannot be copied in their entirety. However, a few pages may be copied for personal research.

When requesting services from libraries or professional researchers through correspondence, you are more likely to be successful if your letter is brief and very specific. You should observe the following guidelines when making written requests:
--When writing within your own country, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.
--When writing to Latin America from an outside country, have your letter translated into Spanish or Portuguese whenever possible. Enclose an international reply coupon (available from your post office) and $5.00 per search when requesting photocopy or search services from Latin American archives.
--When writing from within Latin America to another country, send the required amount of money (if any) in the appropriate currency, according to local procedures.
Suggestions for Searching the Records. Your research may be more rewarding and more effective if you can visit the library or archive yourself and personally search the records. Follow these principles as you search records for your ancestor:

  • Search original recordsLook this term up in the glossary.. Whenever possible, examine the original sources or microfilm copies rather than abstracts (summaries of the original documents).
  • Search for one generation at a time. Do not attempt to connect your family to others of the same surname who lived more than a generation before your proven ancestor. It is much easier to prove parentage than descent.
  • Search for the ancestor'sLook this term up in the glossary. entire family. The records of each person in a family may contain clues for identifying other family members. In most families, children were born at regular intervals. If there appears to be a longer period between two children, reexamine the records for a child who may have been overlooked. Consider looking at other records and in other places to find a missing family member.
  • Search each source thoroughly. The information you need to find a person or trace the family further may be a minor detail of the record you are searching. Be sure to note such details as the occupation of your ancestor; the names of witnesses, godparents, neighbors, relatives, guardians, and others; and the places they are from.
  • Search a broad time period. Dates obtained from some sources may not be accurate. Search records from several years before and after the date you think an event occurred.
  • Look for indexes. Indexes can help you locate the records you need. However, many indexes are incomplete. They may list only the name of the specific person a record is about, excluding parents, witnesses, and other incidental persons. Also be aware that the original records may have been misinterpreted or names may have been omitted during indexing.

Note: Most indexes in Latin American church records are organized by given namesLook this term up in the glossary. rather than surnames.
  • Search for prior residence. Information about previous residences is crucial to successful research. Records of events that occurred in towns of previous residence are most likely kept in the archives of those towns. By searching the records of all the towns where your ancestor lived, you may discover additional family information.
  • Watch for spelling variationsLook this term up in the glossary.. Spelling was not always standardized when most early records were made. Therefore, you may find a name spelled differently than it is today or spelled in different ways within the same record.
  • Record your searches and findings. Make copies of the information you find and keep detailed notes about each record you search. These notes should include the author, title, location, call number, description, and results of your search (even if you find nothing).


Step 5. Use the Information

Carefully evaluate whether the information you find is complete and accurate. Ask yourself these questions:

Share with others the information you find. Your family's history can become a source of enjoyment and education for you and your family. You may want to compile your findings into a family history. You can then share copies of your history with family members, the Family History Library, and other archives.

You are invited to contribute information or corrections to Ancestral File. For more information, see Contributing to Ancestral File.

If you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, be sure to submit information about your deceased family members so you can provide temple ordinancesLook this term up in the glossary. for them. Your ward family history consultant or a staff member at the library can assist you.


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RECORDS AT THE FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY


Microform RecordsLook this term up in the glossary.

The Family History Library in Salt Lake City has more than 190,000 microfilm and microfiche records from virtually every Latin American country, the largest collections being from Mexico, Guatemala, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil.

Most of the library's records have been obtained through an extensive acquisition program. The library has microfilm copies of records found in government archives, church archives, and private collections. These records include—


Printed Records

The library has approximately 4,500 volumes of books and other printed materials that are helpful for Latin American research. These include—

Copies of some of these books are also available on microfilm.


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THE FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY CATALOG

The Family History Library Catalog is the key to finding records at the Family History LibraryLook this term up in the glossary.. The catalog describes each of the library's records and provides the call numbers. Copies of the catalog are on microfiche at the Family History Library and at each Family History Center.

The Family History Library Catalog is divided into four sections:

To find the records described in this outline, you will most often use the Locality section of the catalog. The Locality section lists records according to the geographical area they cover. Some records, primarily books dealing with general Latin American topics, are listed in the catalog under LATIN AMERICA. Records relating to a specific country are listed under that country. Most records are listed under a specific town or city. For example, in the Locality section look for—

  • The place where an ancestor lived, such as:
BOLIVIA(country)BOLIVIA, CHUQUISACA(country, department)BOLIVIA, CHUQUISACA, SUCRE(country, department, city)
  • Then the record type you want, such as:
BOLIVIA - HISTORYBOLIVIA, CHUQUISACA - GAZETTEERSBOLIVIA, CHUQUISACA, SUCRE - CHURCH RECORDS

The record types (or subject headings) used in the Locality section of the catalog are the same as the section headings in this outline (such as “Church Records”).

The catalog generally describes each record in the language that record is written in. Each description also includes a brief summary of the content in English.

This outline provides some of the library's call numbers. Each number is preceded by FHL, the abbreviation for Family History Library.

If you need more information about using the Family History Library Catalog, you can request to see a short video program in English (at the Family History Library and English language Family History Centers). Written instructions, as well as librarians, are also available to assist you at the library and at all Family History Centers.


Records Selection Table

RECORDS SELECTION TABLE

The table below can help you decide which records to search. (See step 3, “Select a Record to Search”)In column 1 find the goal you selected.Then find in column 2 the types of records that will most likely have the information you need.Additional records that may also be useful are listed in column 3.The terms used in columns 2 and 3 are the same as the subject headings used in this outline and in the Locality section of the Family History Library Catalog. Records containing previous research (biography, genealogy, history, nobility, periodicals, and societies) could provide information for most of the goals. These have not been repeatedly listed unless they are especially helpful for a specific goal.
1. If You Need: 2. Look First In: 3. Then Search:
Age Church Records, Civil Registration Census Records
Birth date Civil Registration Church Records
Birthplace Church Records, Civil Registration Census Records
City or parish of foreign birth Church Records, Civil Registration Census Records
Country of foreign birth Church Records, Civil Registration, Census Records Emigration and Immigration
Death Church Records Civil Registration
Ethnicity Church Records Emigration and Immigration, Census Records
Historical background History, Gazetteers Periodicals
Immigration date Emigration and Immigration History
Maiden name Church Records Civil Registration
Marriage Church Records, Civil Registration Census Records
Occupation Church Records, Civil Registration, Emigration and Immigration Census Records
Parents, children, and other family members Church Records, Civil Registration Emigration and Immigration, Census Records
Physical description Emigration and Immigration Biography, Genealogy
Place-finding aids Gazetteers, Maps History
Places of residence Biography, Census Records History
Previous research Genealogy, Periodicals History, Biography


Map of Central America

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Map of South America

(This graphic may take a while to download.)

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