Mexico Church Records: Difference between revisions

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== Catholic Church Records  ==
== Catholic Church Records  ==


===History===
=== History ===
 
In 1563, the Council of Trent, which was a gathering of the Roman Catholic Church to examine and condemn their doctrines, formalized record keeping practices that were already being followed in much of the Catholic world. Separate record books were to be maintained for baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and deaths. The Catholic Church, which was established in Mexico in 1527, was the primary record keeper for Mexico until civil registration started. Different dioceses usually followed the same standard of writing, so the information found in records are mostly consistent.  
In 1563, the Council of Trent, which was a gathering of the Roman Catholic Church to examine and condemn their doctrines, formalized record keeping practices that were already being followed in much of the Catholic world. Separate record books were to be maintained for baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and deaths. The Catholic Church, which was established in Mexico in 1527, was the primary record keeper for Mexico until civil registration started. Different dioceses usually followed the same standard of writing, so the information found in records are mostly consistent.  


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For additional history about Catholic Church records in Mexico, see [[Mexico Catholic Church Records Historical Background]].  
For additional history about Catholic Church records in Mexico, see [[Mexico Catholic Church Records Historical Background]].  


===Use and Condition===
=== Use and Condition ===
 
Church records are crucial in Mexico since civil authorities did not begin registering vital statistics until after 1859. For civil vital records of births, deaths, and marriages after 1859, see the [[Mexico Civil Registration Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Mexico Civil Registration Records]] wiki article.  
Church records are crucial in Mexico since civil authorities did not begin registering vital statistics until after 1859. For civil vital records of births, deaths, and marriages after 1859, see the [[Mexico Civil Registration Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Mexico Civil Registration Records]] wiki article.  


Some church records have been lost or have deteriorated due to natural effects such as humidity, insects and more dramatic events such as fires, floods, and earthquakes. Civil and political strife have also caused the destruction of parish books. Some records were destroyed or damaged because of poor storage. However, many records that are considered lost or destroyed have simply been misplaced or misidentified.  
Some church records have been lost or have deteriorated due to natural effects such as humidity, insects and more dramatic events such as fires, floods, and earthquakes. Civil and political strife have also caused the destruction of parish books. Some records were destroyed or damaged because of poor storage. However, many records that are considered lost or destroyed have simply been misplaced or misidentified.  


===Diocese Establishment===
=== Diocese Establishment ===
 
It is important to note that individual dioceses started documenting life events only after they were established. Each diocese began at different times, here is a list of the years some dioceses were started:  
It is important to note that individual dioceses started documenting life events only after they were established. Each diocese began at different times, here is a list of the years some dioceses were started:  


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*1903 - Diocese of Puebla  
*1903 - Diocese of Puebla  
*1906 - Diocese of Yucatan
*1906 - Diocese of Yucatan
{{col-end}}  
{{col-end}}  


===Common Record Types===
=== Common Record Types ===
 
The most commonly used records include:  
The most commonly used records include:  


*[[Mexico Catholic Church Baptism Records|Baptisms]]
*[[Mexico Catholic Church Baptism Records|Baptisms]]  
*[[Mexico Catholic Church Confirmation Records|Confirmations]]
*[[Mexico Catholic Church Confirmation Records|Confirmations]]  
*[[Mexico Catholic Church Marriage Information Records|Marriage information records]]
*[[Mexico Catholic Church Marriage Information Records|Marriage information records]]  
*[[Mexico Catholic Church Marriage Records|Marriages]]
*[[Mexico Catholic Church Marriage Records|Marriages]]  
*[[Mexico Catholic Church Death Records|Deaths and burials]]
*[[Mexico Catholic Church Death Records|Deaths and burials]]


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Often two and sometimes three generations are indicated in the registers, with personal information on the family given.  
Often two and sometimes three generations are indicated in the registers, with personal information on the family given.  


=== Online Records ===
=== Online Records ===
FamilySearch has many Catholic Church records collections for Mexico. Wiki articles describing some collections are found at:
 
FamilySearch has many Catholic Church records collections for Mexico. Wiki articles describing some collections are found at:  


*[[Mexico, Baja California and Baja California Sur States Catholic Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]  
*[[Mexico, Baja California and Baja California Sur States Catholic Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]  
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*[[Mexico, San Luis Potosí, Catholic Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]  
*[[Mexico, San Luis Potosí, Catholic Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]  
*[[Mexico, Tabasco, Catholic Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]  
*[[Mexico, Tabasco, Catholic Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]  
*[[Mexico, Veracruz, Catholic Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[Mexico, Veracruz, Catholic Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]  
*[[Mexico, Yucatan, Catholic Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[Mexico, Yucatan, Catholic Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]


===Catholic Church Archives===
=== Catholic Church Archives ===


An extensive and rich collection of Catholic Church records in Mexico exists beyond those of the parish. While parish records are recorded by individual parish priests, the role of bishops and archbishops is to oversee the work done at a parish level, including the maintaining of parish records. In addition their acrivities created records which are maintained at a diocesan level.  
An extensive and rich collection of Catholic Church records in Mexico exists beyond those of the parish. While parish records are recorded by individual parish priests, the role of bishops and archbishops is to oversee the work done at a parish level, including the maintaining of parish records. In addition their acrivities created records which are maintained at a diocesan level.  


General records refer to documents that bishops or archbishops created by the bishop’s courts and administrative agencies within that diocese and preserved in diocesan or archdiocesan archives. Each archive begins with the date of the creation of the diocese and contains records of genealogical significance such as marriage dispensations, censuses, and communion lists. Although many of these records have been filmed, only a limited work—primarily limited to marriage dispensations—has been done to index or even inventory them. One notable exception is the Archivo Historico del Aquidioceses de Durango, which has been microfilmed and indexed by the Rio Grande Hustorical Society located at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. This index can be purchased [http://lib.nmsu.edu/depts/archives/ahad.shtml http://lib.nmsu.edu/depts/archives/ahad.shtml at their website].
General records refer to documents that bishops or archbishops created by the bishop’s courts and administrative agencies within that diocese and preserved in diocesan or archdiocesan archives. Each archive begins with the date of the creation of the diocese and contains records of genealogical significance such as marriage dispensations, censuses, and communion lists. Although many of these records have been filmed, only a limited work—primarily limited to marriage dispensations—has been done to index or even inventory them. One notable exception is the Archivo Historico del Aquidioceses de Durango, which has been microfilmed and indexed by the Rio Grande Hustorical Society located at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. This index can be purchased [http://lib.nmsu.edu/depts/archives/ahad.shtml http://lib.nmsu.edu/depts/archives/ahad.shtml at their website].  
 
== Other Records ==
 
=== Civil Records ===


==Other Records==
===Civil Records===
After 1859, one should search in both church and civil records, since there may be information in one that does not appear in the other. For instance, the church records may only list the godparents, while the civil records may list the grandparents.  
After 1859, one should search in both church and civil records, since there may be information in one that does not appear in the other. For instance, the church records may only list the godparents, while the civil records may list the grandparents.  


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In some cases records for the entire state have been catalogued under the name of the capital city because the archive containing those records is found there, so check under the name of the state’s capital city. Also check for the city that is the archdiocese for your ancestral hometown.  
In some cases records for the entire state have been catalogued under the name of the capital city because the archive containing those records is found there, so check under the name of the state’s capital city. Also check for the city that is the archdiocese for your ancestral hometown.  


=== Other Churches ===
=== Other Churches ===


It was not until the late 19th century before other sects such as the Mennonites and other Protestant denominations began to establish themselves in Mexico. Their records are not easy to access. For more information about the various churches in Mexico, see the articles on [[Mexico Church History]] and [[Mexico History]].
It was not until the late 19th century before other sects such as the Mennonites and other Protestant denominations began to establish themselves in Mexico. Their records are not easy to access. For more information about the various churches in Mexico, see the articles on [[Mexico Church History]] and [[Mexico History]].  


{{Place|Mexico}}  
{{Place|Mexico}}  


[[Category:Mexico]]
[[Category:Mexico]][[Category:Church records by Country]]
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