| Guatemala Wiki Topics | |
 | |
| Beginning Research | |
| Record Types | |
| Guatemala Background | |
| Local Research Resources | |
Definition
Civil registration is the records of births, marriages, and deaths that are kept by the government, rather than by a church.
Time Coverage
Civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths began in 1877.
Information Recorded in Civil Registers
What Can these Records Tell Me?
The following information is usually found in these records:
| Birth records | Marriage records | Death records |
| Date and place of birth | Date and place of the marriage | Date and place of death |
| Name of the child | Name of the bride and groom | Name and age of deceased |
| Child’s gender | Their civil status at the time of marriage | Civil status at the time of death |
| Legitimacy | Bride and groom’s birth place and current residence | Civil status and name of spouse if married |
| Parents’ names, residence, or places of origin | Names of witnesses | Names of parents |
| Names of witnesses | Sometimes the place of burial |
Locating Civil Registration Records
Search Strategies
To effectively use civil records, follow these steps:
- Search for the relative or ancestor you have selected. When you find the person’s birth record, search for the births of his or her brothers and sisters.
- Search for the marriage of his or her parents. The marriage record will often give you information that leads to the parents’ birth record.
- Estimate the parents’ age and search for their birth records.
- Repeat the process for both the father and mother.
- If earlier generations are not in the record, search neighboring municipios.
- Search the death records for all family members.
