R E S E A R C H   G U I D A N C E

Philippines
Research Outline
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Helps For Using This Research Outline
     References To The Family History Library Catalog
     References To Other Family History Library Publications
     Map Of The Philippines
Records At The Family History Library
The Family History Library Catalog
Archives And Libraries
     Libraries In The Philippines
     Foreign Libraries
     Computer Networks And Bulletin Boards
Biography
Cemeteries
     Locating Cemeteries And Cemetery Records
Census
     Searching Census Records
Church Records
Civil Registration
Court Records
     The Court System
Emigration And Immigration
     Spanish Emigration Records
     Foreign Travel And Foreign Service Records
     Filipino Immigration To The United States
Gazetteers
     Modern Place-names
     Historical Place-names
     County Origins And Boundary Changes
Genealogy
     Major Collections And Databases
     Family Histories
     Printed Compilations
     Manuscript Collections
History
     Philippine History
     Local Histories
Land And Property
Language And Languages
Maps
     Finding The Town On A Map
     Atlases
Military Records
     Spanish Colonization Period Military Records
     Modern Records
Minorities
     Chinese
     Spaniards
     Americans
     Muslims
     Native Minorities
Names, Personal
     Given Names
Notarial Records
Probate Records
Other Records
For Further Reading
     Basic Research Strategies
     Important References
     Bibliographies
Comments And Suggestions


INTRODUCTION

This outline can help you find information about people who lived in the Philippines. It gives information about records of genealogical value for the Philippines and helps you decide which types of records to search.


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HELPS FOR USING THIS RESEARCH OUTLINE

Before using this outline you need to choose the information you would like to learn about one of your ancestors, such as a birth date or a maiden name.

After you have decided what information you want to find, look at the “Record Selection Table” in this outline. The table lists the kinds of information you may want and the best types of records for finding that information.

There is a section in the outline for each type of record listed in columns 2 and 3 of the “Record Selection TableLook this term up in the glossary..” The sections give more information about these records and how to find them. The sections are in alphabetical order.


References to the Family History Library Catalog

The Family History Library CatalogLook this term up in the glossary. is a listing of all the records available at the Family History LibraryLook this term up in the glossary.. The catalog is available at the Family History Library and at each Family History CenterLook this term up in the glossary.. Staff at these places can help you learn to use the catalog.

This outline gives instructions for finding information in the catalog. For example, in the section of this outline called “Census” you may find the following statement:

For more information about census records, look in the "Locality Search" of the Family History Library Catalog under:

Philippines- censusPhilippines, [Province)- censusPhilippines, [Province), [Municipality or Barrio)- census
The above statement tells you to look in the catalog under:

  • Philippines and then the subject CENSUS.
  • A province in the Philippines and then the subject CENSUS.
  • A municipality or barrio in a province in the Philippines and then the subject CENSUS.

This outline includes many references to specific records. The references include call numbers and computer numbers and are listed in parenthesis.

  • Call NumbersLook this term up in the glossary.. The call number is used to find a record in the Family History Library collection.
  • Computer NumbersLook this term up in the glossary.. Each record is assigned a number to identify it in the catalog. If you are using the Family History Library Catalog on computer or compact disc, you can search for the record by the computer number. This is the quickest way to find the listing of the record in the catalog.

For additional information on using the catalog see Using the Family History Library Catalog (30966)


References to Other Family History Library Publications

The Family History Library has many other publications that may be helpful to you in your research. Some are referred to in this outline. Their titles are in italics and their item numbers are in parentheses. They are available at the Family History Library and the Salt Lake Distribution Center.

RECORD SELECTION TABLE: PHILIPPINES

This table can help you decide which records to search. It is most helpful for research from 1800 to the present.Step 1. Choose an ancestor you would like to know more about. Decide what new information you would like to learn about that person. This new information is your research goal.Step 2. In column 1 of this table, find the goal you selected.Step 3. In column 2 of this table, find the types of records most likely to have the information you need, then read the sections in this outline about those types of records.Step 4. Look in the Family History Library Catalog and choose a specific record to search. Step 5. Look at the record.Step 6. If you do not find the information you need, return to column 3 and search those record types. Note: Records of previous research (Genealogy, Biography, History, Periodicals, and Societies) are useful for most goals, but they are not listed unless they are especially helpful.

1. If You Need

2. Look First In

3. Then Search

Age Civil Registration, Church Records Census, Public Records, Military Records
Birth date Civil Registration, Church Records Census, Military Records
Birthplace Civil Registration, Church Records Census, Public Records
Country of foreign birth Emigration and Immigration, Naturalization and Citizenship Military Records
County origins and boundaries Atlases Maps, Gazetteers
Death Civil Registration, Church Records Cemeteries, Probate Records, Funeral Homes
Divorce Civil Registration*
Ethnic background Minorities
Historical background History
Immigration date Emigration and Immigration
Living relatives and guardianships Directories Orphans and Orphanages
Maiden name Civil Registration, Church Records Schools, Medical Records
Marriage Civil Registration, Church Records Public Records
Occupation Public Records Census
Parents, children, and family members Civil Registration, Church Records
Physical description Medical Records, Biography Military Records
Place-finding aids Atlases, Gazetteers History, Maps
Places of residence Directories Public Records, including cedulas or residence certificates
Religion Civil Registration Public Records
Social activities Newspapers, Societies Public Records
*Because divorce is not legal in the Philippines, there are no divorce records. See the "Court Records" section of this outline concerning annulments and legal separations. Also, look for records in other countries where divorce is legal.


Map of the Philippines

(This graphic may take a while to download.)


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RECORDS AT THE FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY

Microform RecordsLook this term up in the glossary.

The Family History Library currently has a large collection of microfilmLook this term up in the glossary. about Philippine peoples, and it is continually acquiring new ones. The library has microfilmed records from government and church archives, including:

The library has filmed almost all Philippine civil records, both modern and those created during the Spanish administration. It also has an extensive collection of church records from various Philippine provinces.

Printed Records

The library has very few printed records. Some censuses, church directories, yearbooks, statistics, and other records are available.

Computer Records

At the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and in many Family History Centers in the United States and Canada, FamilySearch™ is available. This computer program has many computer files of genealogical information. See the “Genealogy” genealogy section of this research outline for information about the following files: International Genealogical Index, and Ancestral File.


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THE FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY CATALOG

The key to finding a record at the Family History Library is the Family History Library Catalog. The catalog describes each of the library's records and provides a call number. The call number helps those working in the Family History Library find the record quickly when you order it. Copies of the catalog are at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, and are also on microfiche at each Family History Center. The catalog is divided into four sections:

  • Locality
  • Subject
  • Surname
  • Author/Title

When you find in this outline the record type you need, look for that type of record (such as Church Records) in the Locality section. You will usually use the Locality section to find call numbers of records you need.

In the Philippine section of the catalog, the headings are in English.

In the catalog, some records, such as national records, are listed under PHILIPPINES. Other records may be listed under a PROVINCE, MUNICIPALITY, or BARRIO (a barrio is smaller locality within a municipality that could be a town, village, or community). For example, in the Locality section look for:

1. The place where your ancestor lived, such as:

PHILIPPINES

(country)

PHILIPPINES, BULACAN

(province)

PHILIPPINES, BULACAN, MALOLOS

(municipality)

PHILIPPINES, BULACAN, MALOLOS, BARASOAIN

(barrio)

2. Then the record type or topic you want, such as:

PHILIPPINES- CIVIL REGISTRATIONPHILIPPINES, BULACAN - CIVIL REGISTRATIONPHILIPPINES, BULACAN, MALOLOS - CHURCH RECORDSPHILIPPINES, BULACAN, MALOLOS, BARASOAIN - CHURCH RECORDS
This outline gives call numbers for some records. These numbers are preceded by FHL, the abbreviation for Family History Library. Sometimes this outline lists only the number of films in a collection or the first and last film numbers (if the numbers are in order). These numbers may be used to look up the record in the Family History Library Catalog and find the specific film you need.

If you need more help using the catalog, Family History Center staff can assist you in reviewing a short video and written instructions.

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[FamilySearchTM: Research Guidance
Version of Data: 6/9/2001]