Guatemala, Ciudad de Guatemala, Census, 1877 - FamilySearch Historical Records

Title in the Language of the Records
Catastro y Censo General de la Ciudad de Guatemala de 1877.

Record Description
This collection of census enumerations of the city of Guatemala was taken in 1877.

The census enumeration pages are written in Spanish on ledger-style forms with columns. The genealogical information found in the census includes: names and surnames, ages at the time of the census, marital statuses, origins, and religions. The census is divided by canton.

This census covers only the city of Guatemala, which at the time contained the majority of the country’s population. The census was taken by regular citizens. Therefore, there may be some errors in the spelling or data, as they recorded the information while the questions were answered verbally. The census enumerations are handwritten on ledger-style, legal-sized forms. The column headings at the top of the page are printed on the forms. For a list of records by date or locality currently published in this collection, select the Browse link from the collection landing page.

The census was taken to identify the living population, and their education, origin, and social groups.

The census is a reliable source for statistical information. Some of the genealogical information that is not found in other records can be used to help research the exact vital data. Some data found in the census may also not be in the vital records.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the data and images published on FamilySearch.org Historical Records. It may include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records. A full bibliographic record is available in the Family History Library Catalog.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content
The key genealogical facts found in the census enumeration schedules may include the following information:




 * Complete locality including the canton, street, house number, block number, and parish name
 * Given name and surname of each individual living in each house or property
 * Name of the head of household
 * Age of each individual
 * Marital status or civil status
 * Occupation of each individual
 * Birthplace of each individual
 * Gender of the adults: male or female
 * Gender of the children: boys or girls
 * Whether an individual knows how to write
 * Mental or physical disabilities
 * Religion
 * Race: whites, Indians (natives), mixed (mulatto)

How to Use the Records
Census records are especially valuable to quickly identify a family group, their residence, and the birthplace for each person along with their ages, which may help to search for other record types. Census records can provide information about persons where church and civil records may be incomplete. However, use the information with caution, since it may contain inaccuracies. The informant (perhaps a member of the family or a neighbor) may have not known the facts or deliberately falsified the information.

To search the collection select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the “Record” ⇒Select the “County” ⇒Select the “Volume and Year” which takes you to the images Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

Related Websites

 * Guatemala Genealogy
 * Guatemala Genealogy Queries

Related Wiki Articles

 * Guatemala, Guatemala
 * Guatemala

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation Example of Records Found in This Collection
Guatemala, Guatemala, Ciudad de Guatemala, Censo, 1877. database and digital images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org: accessed 14 March 2012), Francisca Gonzales, 1877; citing Census Records, FHL micorfilm 744,850; Archivo General de Centroamérica, Guatemala City, Guatemala. "Guatemala, Guatemala, Ciudad de Guatemala, Censo de 1877". Dirección General de Estadística, Guatemala. FHL microfilm, 6 reels. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.