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This guide will help you prepare a letter in Portuguese to request genealogical information from Portugal or Brazil. Please note, however, that many records from these countries 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 that may help you. | This guide will help you prepare a letter in Portuguese to request genealogical information from Portugal or Brazil. Please note, however, that many records from these countries 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 that may help you. | ||
This guide is especially useful because letters written in Portuguese have a greater chance of receiving a reply than those written in English. Portugal, Brazil, and other Portuguese-speaking countries (such as Angola, Mozambique, and Macau) typically respond to requests, but the number of those who actually receive the answers can be low because of problems with the mail systems. | This guide is especially useful because letters written in Portuguese have a greater chance of receiving a reply than those written in English. Portugal, Brazil, and other Portuguese-speaking countries (such as Angola, Mozambique, and Macau) typically respond to requests, but the number of those who actually receive the answers can be low because of problems with the mail systems. | ||
=== | ===Before you write=== | ||
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: | ||
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Determine where records from your ancestor’s home parish are stored today. When you have a locality, use a gazetteer to determine whether the name is a village, parish, city, district, county, or province and to determine which parish serves your ancestor’s locality. In Portugal, parish record books whose last date is older than 90 years are generally sent to district archives. In Brazil, parish records will be found in the parish or diocesan archive. | Determine where records from your ancestor’s home parish are stored today. When you have a locality, use a gazetteer to determine whether the name is a village, parish, city, district, county, or province and to determine which parish serves your ancestor’s locality. In Portugal, parish record books whose last date is older than 90 years are generally sent to district archives. In Brazil, parish records will be found in the parish or diocesan archive. | ||
=== | ===Research by mail=== | ||
Letters requesting genealogical information from Portuguese countries should generally be written to a local Catholic parish, diocese, or archdiocese or to local or central government archives. Civil registration for non-Catholics in Portugal began in 1832 and became mandatory throughout the country in 1911. Civil registration in Brazil started in 1870. For information before these time periods you will need to write for church records. | Letters requesting genealogical information from Portuguese countries should generally be written to a local Catholic parish, diocese, or archdiocese or to local or central government archives. Civil registration for non-Catholics in Portugal began in 1832 and became mandatory throughout the country in 1911. Civil registration in Brazil started in 1870. For information before these time periods you will need to write for church records. | ||
=== Addressing Your Letter === | ===Addressing Your Letter=== | ||
Use the following format to address your letter: | Use the following format to address your letter: | ||
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When writing to the local parish send a donation of $5.00 to $10.00, and express a desire to make further donations as the parish’s services are needed. United States 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). Attach your check to the inside of the letter. | When writing to the local parish send a donation of $5.00 to $10.00, and express a desire to make further donations as the parish’s services are needed. United States 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). Attach your check to the inside of the letter. | ||
=== | ===Howe to Write a Letter in Portuguese=== | ||
Your letter should include: | Your letter should include: | ||
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Names of the Months | Names of the Months | ||
{| | {| | ||
|- | |- | ||
| English | | English | ||
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|} | |} | ||
=== | ===Follow-up=== | ||
When you receive a reply, send a note of thanks or acknowledgment. You may wish to do this in a follow-up letter requesting further information. In subsequent letters refer by date to your earlier letters and to the letters from those who respond. If you received a reference number, include that number as well. | When you receive a reply, send a note of thanks or acknowledgment. You may wish to do this in a follow-up letter requesting further information. In subsequent letters refer by date to your earlier letters and to the letters from those who respond. If you received a reference number, include that number as well. | ||
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If you do not receive an answer, write again, sending 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, sending a copy of your first letter. Do not send more money unless you verify that your first letter did not arrive. | ||
{| | {| | ||
|- | |- | ||
| English | | English | ||
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|} | |} | ||
=== Example Letter === | ===Example Letter=== | ||
Date 20 de julho de 1993 | Date 20 de julho de 1993 | ||
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USA | USA | ||
=== | ===Comment and Suggestions=== | ||
The Family History Library welcomes additions and corrections that will improve future editions of this guide. Please send your suggestions to: | The Family History Library welcomes additions and corrections that will improve future editions of this guide. Please send your suggestions to: | ||