Do you have Latin American heritage and want to know more about your ancestors? Latin American history and traditions are rich, complex, and full of life. In this article, we’ll give you an introduction to Latin American genealogy with resources to help you get started with confidence. Here are a few things you’ll want to know to set yourself up for success.
Record Sets for Latin American Genealogy Research
Whether your ancestors lived along the U.S./Mexican border or the southernmost tip of Argentina, all Latin American genealogical research is heavily dependent on two main record sets–Catholic Church records and civil registration records. Grasping at least a basic understanding of these record types–including their history, the information provided them, and where to find them–is imperative to discovering your Latin American roots.
As you begin your Latin American genealogy research, there are a few record sets you’ll want to dig into:
Latin American Catholic Church Records
The Catholic Church recorded three main record types pertinent to family history research: baptisimal, marriage, and death records.
• Baptismal Records
Typically, baptismal records in Latin America will include the following information:
~ Baptismal date
~ Birthdate
~ Name
~ Legitimacy status of child
~ Name of father
~ Name of mother
~ Godparents
• Marriage Records
Marriage records created by the Catholic Church are usually presented in the FamilySearch catalog under two main titles: Matrimonios and Información Matrimonial.
Matrimonios, or marriages, may contain the following information:
~ Name of groom/bride
~ Marital status
~ Birthplace of groom/bride
~ Age of groom/bride
~ Name of previous spouse (if applicable)
• Death Records
Whether or not one received all the sacraments, the Catholic priest was responsible for recording the death of those under his ecclesiastical jurisdiction. The death records of the Catholic Church will frequently provide the decedent's name, date of death, marital status, name of spouse (if applicable), and, sometimes, names of parents.
Latin American Civil Registration Records
Civil registration records are birth, marriage, and death records kept by the government. With a few exceptions, Latin American civil registration records began in the late 19th century.
• Civil Birth Records
Birth registration records kept by Latin American governments usually provide information such as the child’s name, date of birth, place of birth, parent’s names, and occasionally the child’s grandparents’ names.
Unlike most Catholic Church records, these records will also provide genealogical details regarding the parents, such as how old they were at the time of the child’s birth or where they were originally from.
• Civil Marriage Records
Like Catholic Church marriage records, marriage registration records also contain similar information regarding the bride and groom: their marital status, the names of their parents, their age, where they were from, etc.
• Civil Death Records
Civil death registration records may contain biographical details regarding the cause of your ancestor’s death. Occasionally, the civil registrar may provide genealogical data regarding the informant of the death. If the informant was a family member, death registration records may become an unexpected clue in your genealogical research.
Learn more about different record types to help you with your Latin American genealogy research in our article The Bread and Butter of Latin American Research: Church and Civil Registration Records.
Understanding Surnames in Latin American Cultures
Many South American cultures pass along two surnames to their children, which can be a double-edged sword–this can either make your search easier as you can follow unique double surnames, or it can derail you if there is more than one family with the same double name.
To ensure you have the correct records for your ancestors, it’s incredibly important to check and recheck your documentation, preferably using more than one source. This is especially crucial when you’re going through the pages of any christening, marriage, or death record held by the Catholic church. Don’t just stop when you find one match that appears to be your ancestor. Extract all potential matches and then use other details to determine which one is correct.
Keep in mind that, for much of Latin America’s colonial history, Catholic priests and church leaders held a lot of political power during the era of invasion and conquest. They kept records of their parish members, but there were often inconsistencies in their records. Be open to see variations of name spellings, dates, places, and locations. Anything that looks even remotely close to a potential match should be considered.
You can read more about researching Latin American surnames in our article How Do I Trace My South American Ancestry? Tips for Success.
DNA Testing for Latin American Ancestry
For those who have completed DNA testing, the centuries of Latin America’s colonization are reflected in their complex and diverse genetic admixtures, with many individuals having a mix of European, Indigenous, and African ancestry.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the questions of the best DNA test to help with your Latin American Research, as it will depend on your specific needs and circumstances. Research and comparing different DNA testing companies before deciding is always a good idea.
To learn more about how to utilize DNA testing in your Latin American ancestry research, read our article 6 Strategies for Using DNA to Research Your Latin American Ancestry.
If you’d like help with your Latin American genealogy research, we have professional genealogists all over the world who can help you weave together the story of your family. Contact us today, and one of our team members will reach out to you to find out more about your family history goals.
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