Mexico, Baja California and Baja California Sur, Catholic Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records: Difference between revisions

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This collection covers church records from parishes in Baja California and Baja California Sur for the years 1750 to 1984.  
This collection covers church records from parishes in Baja California and Baja California Sur for the years 1750 to 1984.  
These records are written in [[Spanish Genealogical Word List|Spanish Genealogical Word List]]; see the section [[Mexico, Baja California and Baja California Sur, Catholic Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)#For Help Reading these Records|For Help Reading these Records]] for translation helps.


Separate books were kept for baptisms, confirmations, marriage information documents, marriages, and deaths. However, in smaller areas, all records may be recorded on one register. In larger parishes a separate book was usually maintained for confirmations, while in smaller parishes the confirmations may have been included with the baptisms. In smaller parishes, these records were included in the marriage entry. In smaller parishes, the confirmations may have been included with the baptisms or even with marriages. In larger parishes, a separate book of confirmations was usually maintained.  
Separate books were kept for baptisms, confirmations, marriage information documents, marriages, and deaths. However, in smaller areas, all records may be recorded on one register. In larger parishes a separate book was usually maintained for confirmations, while in smaller parishes the confirmations may have been included with the baptisms. In smaller parishes, these records were included in the marriage entry. In smaller parishes, the confirmations may have been included with the baptisms or even with marriages. In larger parishes, a separate book of confirmations was usually maintained.  


These records are in relatively fair condition, with the exception of some older records that may be damaged and, therefore, hard to read or missing some information. Most of the older records are handwritten in narrative style and follow a common text with some variations depending on the style used by the priest. Newer records are handwritten in formatted registers; some are even written in ledger style registers.  
These records are in relatively fair condition, with the exception of some older records that may be damaged and, therefore, hard to read or missing some information. Most of the older records are handwritten in narrative style and follow a common text with some variations depending on the style used by the priest. Newer records are handwritten in formatted registers; some are even written in ledger style registers.  
=== Reading These Records === 
These records are written in [[Spanish Genealogical Word List|Spanish Genealogical Word List]]; see the section [[Mexico, Baja California and Baja California Sur, Catholic Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)#For Help Reading these Records|For Help Reading these Records]] for translation helps.
===To Browse This Collection===
===To Browse This Collection===
{{Collection Browse Link
{{Collection Browse Link
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==What Can This Collection Tell Me?==
==What Can This Collection Tell Me?==
Most '''baptismal records''' contain:
*Date of baptism
*Place of the event and usually the parish saint name
*Name of the person being baptized
*Names of the parents
*Age of the person being baptized or the person’s birth date
*Gender
*Legitimacy
*Before 1820, social class of the parents
*Sometimes the person’s race


Most '''marriage records''' contain:  
The following information is usually found in these records:
*Date of marriage  
{| border="1"
*Place of the event and usually the parish saint name  
|-
*Names of the betrothed
| align="center" style="background: rgb(240,240,240)" | '''Baptismal and confirmation records'''
*Names of the parents  
| align="center" style="background: rgb(240,240,240)" | '''Marriage records'''  
*Names of the witnesses  
| align="center" style="background: rgb(240,240,240)" | ''Burial or 'Death records'''
*Ages and marital statuses of the betrothed
|-
*Places of origin and residence of the betrothed and sometimes that of the parents
| Date and place of the baptism
*Legitimacy of the betrothed
| Date and place of the marriage
*Sometimes the race of the betrothed
|Date and place of burial and/or death
|-
| Child’s name and gender
| Names of the bride and groom
|Name of deceased
|-
|Names of the parents
| Names of the parents
| Sometimes the names of the parents or the spouse, if the deceased was married
|-
| Age of the person being baptized or their birth date
| Name of the witnesses
| Age at time of death
|-
| Legitimacy
| Ages and marital statuses of the bride and groom
| Place of residence or origin of deaceased
|-
| Before 1820, social class of the parents
|Places of origin and residence
|Sometimes the race of the deceased
|-
|Sometimes the person’s race
| Legitimacy
|
|-
|Godparents
|Sometimes the race of bride and groom
|
|}


Most '''burial or death records''' contain:
==Collection Contents==
*Date of death or burial
===Sample Images===
*Place of burial or death
<gallery>
*Name of the deceased person
Image:Mexico Baja California Catholic Church Records Marriage.jpg| Marriage Record
*Sometimes the names of the parents or the spouse, if the deceased was married
Image:Mexico Baja California Catholic Church Records Death.jpg| Death Record
*Age of the deceased person at time of death
</gallery>
*Place of residence or origin of the deceased person
*Sometimes the race of the deceased
 
==Collection Content==
=== Coverage Table ===
=== Coverage Table ===
As of 5 June 2015 this collection contained the following records.  
As of 5 June 2015 this collection contained the following records.  
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|style="text-align:right;"| 2
|style="text-align:right;"| 2
|}
|}
===Sample Images===
<gallery>
Image:Mexico Baja California Catholic Church Records Marriage.jpg| Marriage Record
Image:Mexico Baja California Catholic Church Records Death.jpg| Death Record
</gallery>


== How Do I Search the Collection? ==
== How Do I Search the Collection? ==
'''Search by Name by visiting the [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1506640 Collection Page]:'''<br>
You can search the index or view the images or both. Before using this collection it is helpful to know:
Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.
*Your ancestor's given name and surname
*Identifying information such as residence
*Estimated marriage or birth year
*Family relationships
=== Search the Index ===
Search by name by visiting the [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1506640 Collection Page]. <br>
#Fill in the search boxes on the Collection Page with the information you have.<br>
#Click '''Search''' to show possible matches.


For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line article [[FamilySearch Search Tips and Tricks]].
For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line article [[FamilySearch Search Tips and Tricks]].


'''View images in this collection by visiting the [https://familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https://familysearch.org/recapi/sord/collection/1506640/waypoints Browse Page] '''<br> Select the "City or Town " <br> ⇒ Select the "Parish" <br> ⇒ Select the "Record Type and Years" which takes you to the images.<br>  
=== View the Images ===
 
View images in this collection by visiting the  
{{Tip|Don’t overlook important information often found in the margins of original records.  For example in a birth record, you might find marriage or death information.}}  
[https://familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https://familysearch.org/recapi/sord/collection/1506640/waypoints Browse Page]. <br>
# Select '''City or Town'''
# Select '''Parish]'''
# Select '''Record Type and Years''' to view the images.<br>
{{Tip|Often additional  information can be found in the margins of original records.  For example in a birth record, you might find marriage or death information.}}


=== For Help Reading these Records ===
=== For Help Reading these Records ===


These records are in Spanish. For help reading the records, see the following resources:  
For help reading these Spanish records, see the following resources:  


*[[Mexico Language and Languages]]  
*[[Mexico Language and Languages]]  
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==What Do I Do Next?==
==What Do I Do Next?==
=== I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now? ===
*If possible, look at the actual image of the record to verify the information found in the online description.
*Use the birth date or age along with the place of birth to find the family in [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1307314?collectionNameFilter=true 1930, Mexico National Census].
*Use the residence and names of the parents to locate other church and land records.
*Look for more information in the [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Mexico,_Baja_California_and_Baja_California_Sur,_Civil_Registration_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records Baja California Civil Registration]
*Use the parents' birth places to find former residences and to establish a migration pattern for the family.
*Compile information for every person who has the same surname as your ancestor; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.
*Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives in the same county or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family or even the second marriage of a parent. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify.
===I Can’t Find Who I’m Looking For, What Now?===
===I Can’t Find Who I’m Looking For, What Now?===
 
*Check for variants of given names, surnames, and place names. Transcription errors could occur in any handwritten record; also, it was not uncommon for an individual be listed under a nickname or an  [http://broadcast.lds.org/elearning/FHD/Community/en/FamilySearch/Handwriting/Spanish/Lesson2/SpanishNameAbbreviations.pdf abbreviation of their name].
*Civil registration records are also a good source of genealogical information.  You should obtain copies of both church records and civil registration, when possible, since they do not necessarily provide the same information. For example, baptismal registers sometimes provide the names of the fathers of illegitimate children when the civil registration does not.
*There may be more than one person with the same name.
*Even though this is an index there may still be inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned.
*A boundary change could have occurred and the record of your ancestor is now in a neighboring area. Search the records and indexes of neighboring cities, provinces, and regions.
*Try looking through records in the surrounding localities. Baja California shares a small part of its northeastern border with [[Sonora]] and its northern border with [[California Genealogy|California]]. Baja California Sur is surrounded by water excepting the northern border it shares with Baja California.  
*Try looking through records in the surrounding localities. Baja California shares a small part of its northeastern border with [[Sonora]] and its northern border with [[California Genealogy|California]]. Baja California Sur is surrounded by water excepting the northern border it shares with Baja California.  
*Civil registration records are also a good source of genealogical information. You should obtain copies of both church records and civil registration, when possible, since they do not necessarily provide the same information. For example, baptismal registers sometimes provide the names of the fathers of illegitimate children when the civil registration does not.
*Civil registration records are also a good source of genealogical information. You should obtain copies of both church records and civil registration, when possible, since they do not necessarily provide the same information. For example, baptismal registers sometimes provide the names of the fathers of illegitimate children when the civil registration does not.
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