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You may want to write for genealogical information from Spain or Latin America if you cannot find the records you need at the Family History Library. These instructions will help you prepare a letter requesting genealogical information from Spanish-speaking countries. Please note, however, that many records from Spain and Latin America have been microfilmed and are available through the Family History Library. Before you write for information, check the Family History Library Catalog to see if the records you need are available on microfilm. Also, check the records of surrounding towns and parishes to see if there are any other records which may help you. | You may want to write for genealogical information from Spain or Latin America if you cannot find the records you need at the Family History Library. These instructions will help you prepare a letter requesting genealogical information from Spanish-speaking countries. Please note, however, that many records from Spain and Latin America have been microfilmed and are available through the Family History Library. Before you write for information, check the Family History Library Catalog to see if the records you need are available on microfilm. Also, check the records of surrounding towns and parishes to see if there are any other records which may help you. | ||
Letters written in Spanish have a greater chance of receiving a reply than those written in English. Spain has good response to correspondence, but receiving an answer may be difficult because of problems with the mail. In Latin America frequent mail strikes result in letters getting lost.<br | Letters written in Spanish have a greater chance of receiving a reply than those written in English. Spain has good response to correspondence, but receiving an answer may be difficult because of problems with the mail. In Latin America frequent mail strikes result in letters getting lost.<br><br> | ||
== '''BEFORE YOU WRITE''' == | == '''BEFORE YOU WRITE''' == | ||
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Before you write a letter to obtain family history information, you should do two things: | Before you write a letter to obtain family history information, you should do two things: | ||
•'''Determine exactly where your ancestor was born, married, or died.''' Because most genealogical records were recorded locally, you will need to know the specific locality where your ancestor was born, married, died, or resided for a given time. See | •'''Determine exactly where your ancestor was born, married, or died.''' Because most genealogical records were recorded locally, you will need to know the specific locality where your ancestor was born, married, died, or resided for a given time. See the [[Tracing Immigrant Origins]] for help in finding home towns. | ||
•'''Determine where records from your ancestor’s home parish are stored today.''' When you have a locality name, use a gazetteer to determine whether the name is a village, parish, city, district, county, or province and which parish serves your ancestor’s locality. Parish record books in which the most recent entry is older than 90 years are generally sent to provincial archives. | •'''Determine where records from your ancestor’s home parish are stored today.''' When you have a locality name, use a gazetteer to determine whether the name is a village, parish, city, district, county, or province and which parish serves your ancestor’s locality. Parish record books in which the most recent entry is older than 90 years are generally sent to provincial archives. | ||
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== '''RESEARCH BY MAIL''' == | == '''RESEARCH BY MAIL''' == | ||
Letters for genealogical information in Spanish-speaking countries will generally be written to a local Catholic parish, diocese, or archdiocese, or to local or central government archives.<br | Letters for genealogical information in Spanish-speaking countries will generally be written to a local Catholic parish, diocese, or archdiocese, or to local or central government archives.<br>'''''''''Addressing Your Letter''''' | ||
Address your letter using one of the following formats: | Address your letter using one of the following formats: | ||
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'''''Civil Registration Office''''' | '''''Civil Registration Office''''' | ||
'''''<br | '''''<br>''''' | ||
'''''Catholic Priest''''' | '''''Catholic Priest''''' | ||
'''''<br | '''''<br>''''' | ||
'''''Bishop''''' | '''''Bishop''''' | ||
'''''<br | '''''<br>''''' | ||
'''''Archdiocese''''' | '''''Archdiocese''''' | ||
'''''<br | '''''<br>''''' | ||
'''''National, State, or University Archives''''' | '''''National, State, or University Archives''''' | ||
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Postal codes, similar to United States zip codes, are used in Spain and in some Latin American countries. Put the postal code before the city. If you don’t have the postal code, send the letter without the code. | Postal codes, similar to United States zip codes, are used in Spain and in some Latin American countries. Put the postal code before the city. If you don’t have the postal code, send the letter without the code. | ||
<br | <br>'''How to Send Return Postage and Money''' | ||
In your letter indicate that you will pay for research time, copies, and services. You can pay for the return postage by buying international reply coupons, which are vouchers for stamps; include at least two coupons. You may purchase these coupons from any United States post office. | In your letter indicate that you will pay for research time, copies, and services. You can pay for the return postage by buying international reply coupons, which are vouchers for stamps; include at least two coupons. You may purchase these coupons from any United States post office. | ||
When writing to a state archive or a local civil registration office, '''do not send money '''in your first letter. Request that they advise you of their fees and the best way to send money. | When writing to a state archive or a local civil registration office, '''do not send money'''in your first letter. Request that they advise you of their fees and the best way to send money. | ||
When writing to the local parish, send a donation of $5.00 to $10.00 and express a desire to make further donations as their services are needed. U.S. currency is most convenient for the recipient or you can send a cashier’s check from your local bank made payable to: Parroquia de (locality). It is advisable to tape your payment check or currency to the inside of the letter.<br | When writing to the local parish, send a donation of $5.00 to $10.00 and express a desire to make further donations as their services are needed. U.S. currency is most convenient for the recipient or you can send a cashier’s check from your local bank made payable to: Parroquia de (locality). It is advisable to tape your payment check or currency to the inside of the letter.<br> | ||
== '''HOW TO WRITE A LETTER IN SPANISH''' == | == '''HOW TO WRITE A LETTER IN SPANISH''' == | ||
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* closing remarks | * closing remarks | ||
* your signature | * your signature | ||
* your return address (including your country) <br | * your return address (including your country) <br> | ||
Select appropriate sentences from the following pages. Each sentence is translated into Spanish. Be sure your sentences are consistent and fit together logically. Copy the sentences carefully to ensure the spelling, punctuation, and accent marks are correct. Type the letter, if possible, and add the necessary accent marks and tildes using a pen, or print neatly. | Select appropriate sentences from the following pages. Each sentence is translated into Spanish. Be sure your sentences are consistent and fit together logically. Copy the sentences carefully to ensure the spelling, punctuation, and accent marks are correct. Type the letter, if possible, and add the necessary accent marks and tildes using a pen, or print neatly. | ||
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''Do not use this guide as the letter itself!'' Doing so might insult the recipient and lessen the chance of a reply. | ''Do not use this guide as the letter itself!'' Doing so might insult the recipient and lessen the chance of a reply. | ||
<br | <br>'''''''''Writing Dates''''' | ||
Write dates carefully. | Write dates carefully. | ||
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* Write the day first, then the month, then the year. | * Write the day first, then the month, then the year. | ||
* Write the full name of the month. | * Write the full name of the month. | ||
* Write the year in full (1845, not ‘45).<br | * Write the year in full (1845, not ‘45).<br> | ||
The preposition de (of) is used in writing dates in Spanish. For example, April 7, 1890 should be written: | The preposition de (of) is used in writing dates in Spanish. For example, April 7, 1890 should be written: | ||
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7 de abril de 1890 | 7 de abril de 1890 | ||
'''''<br | '''''<br>''''' | ||
'''''Names of the Months''''' | '''''Names of the Months''''' | ||
{| | {| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders" | ||
|- | |||
| align="left" | '''English''' | | align="left" | '''English''' | ||
| align="left" | '''Spanish''' | | align="left" | '''Spanish''' | ||
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If you do not receive an answer, write again and include a copy of your first letter. Do not send more money unless you verify that your first letter did not arrive. | If you do not receive an answer, write again and include a copy of your first letter. Do not send more money unless you verify that your first letter did not arrive. | ||
<br | <br>'''Greetings''' | ||
<br | <br>'''Introductions''' | ||
<br | <br>'''Biographical Information''' | ||
'''Genealogical Request''' | '''Genealogical Request''' | ||
<br | <br>'''Referral Requests''' | ||
<br>'''Payment''' | |||
<br | <br>'''Closing Remarks and Return Address''' | ||
<br | <br>'''Follow-up''' | ||
<br | <br><br>'''EXAMPLE LETTER''' | ||
[[Category:Spain]] | |||