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=== Roman Catholic Church Records === | === Roman Catholic Church Records === | ||
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. | |||
The vast majority of Mexicans were Catholic and registered in the records of the local parish or diocese, known as registros parroquiales (parish registers). These records include entries for baptisms, confirmations, marriage information documents, marriages, deaths, and burials. Often, two or sometimes even three generations are indicated in the registers. The records were kept at the parish and a copy was sent to the diocesan archive for preservation. | |||
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. | |||
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: | |||
{{col-begin}} {{col-break}} | |||
*1527 - Diocese of Tlaxcala | |||
*1530 - Archdiocese of Mexico | |||
*1535 - Diocese of Oaxaca | |||
*1536 - Diocese of Michoacan | |||
*1539 - Diocese of Chiapas | |||
*1546 - Archdiocese of Mexico | |||
*1548 - Diocese of Guadalajara | |||
*1561 - Diocese of Yucatan | |||
*1620 - Diocese of Durango | |||
*1777 - Diocese of Monterrey | |||
*1779 - Diocese of Sonora | |||
*1845 - Diocese of Campeche | |||
*1854 - Diocese of San Luis Potosi | |||
*1862 - Diocese of Chilapa | |||
{{col-break}} | |||
*1862 - Diocese of Queretaro | |||
*1863 - Archdiocese of Guadalajara | |||
*1863 - Archdiocese of Michoacan | |||
*1870 - Diocese of Veracruz | |||
*1870 - Diocese of Tamaulipas | |||
*1874 - Diocese of Tabasco | |||
*1881 - Diocese of Tampico | |||
*1891 - Archdiocese of Oaxaca | |||
*1891 - Archdiocese of Durango | |||
*1891 - Diocese of Chihuahua | |||
*1899 - Diocese of Aguascaliente | |||
*1903 - Diocese of Puebla | |||
*1906 - Diocese of Yucatan | |||
{{col-end}} | |||
The most commonly used records include: | |||
*'''[[Mexico Catholic Church Baptism Records|Baptisms]]''' | *'''[[Mexico Catholic Church Baptism Records|Baptisms]]''' | ||
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<br>Mexico, unlike many other Latin American countries, has significant collections of other filmed records beyond parish and civil registration registers. Additionally, finding aids and, in some cases, public records or indexes exist to help locate and even directly consult these records. As discussed already, the first place to look for any type of record is the Family History Library Catalog, as the LDS Church has microfilmed extensive collections of records in Mexico. Many records have been filmed by other libraries and universities, particularly for the colonial period. The best way to locate records filmed by the LDS Church is by doing a Place Search under the name of the town where the parish and/or municipio is located. Also search under the name of the state, as records beyond parish and civil registers are often identified as only a collection for the entire state and not subdivided, even if they do contain significant information about specific people within towns in the state. | <br>Mexico, unlike many other Latin American countries, has significant collections of other filmed records beyond parish and civil registration registers. Additionally, finding aids and, in some cases, public records or indexes exist to help locate and even directly consult these records. As discussed already, the first place to look for any type of record is the Family History Library Catalog, as the LDS Church has microfilmed extensive collections of records in Mexico. Many records have been filmed by other libraries and universities, particularly for the colonial period. The best way to locate records filmed by the LDS Church is by doing a Place Search under the name of the town where the parish and/or municipio is located. Also search under the name of the state, as records beyond parish and civil registers are often identified as only a collection for the entire state and not subdivided, even if they do contain significant information about specific people within towns in the state. | ||
<br>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. | <br>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. | ||
=== '''ARCHIVES: THE PLACE TO FIND ORIGINAL RECORDS''' === | === '''ARCHIVES: THE PLACE TO FIND ORIGINAL RECORDS''' === | ||