Brazil Compiled Genealogies

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The term genealogy is used in this Wiki article and in the FamilySearch Catalog to describe a variety of records containing family information gathered by individuals, other researchers, societies, or archives.

Genealogies include:

  • Family Trees/Pedigree charts
  • Compiled information on families
  • Correspondence
  • Ancestor lists
  • Research files
  • Record abstracts
  • Collections of original or copied documents.

These can be excellent sources of information that can save you valuable time. Because they are compiled from other sources of information, they must be carefully evaluated and verified for accuracy.

If you find your family's surname in any of the sources described in this section, determine whether the entry actually pertains to your family. All persons with the same surname are not necessarily related. Often you will have to do some original research before you can connect your ancestry to families listed in these sources. See also Brazil Societies.

Additional sources of genealogy for noble families in Brazil are described in Brazil Nobility.

Family Trees

Digital Books

FamilySearch Catalog

Many family histories can be found on the FamilySearch Catalog by performing a surname search:

  • Go to the FamilySearch Catalog
  • Click on the Surname link
  • Type in the search field the last name of the family that you are researching

OR to filter by location and surname:

  • Go to the FamilySearch Catalog
  • Click on the Keyword link
  • Type in the search field the country of residence and last name of the family that you are researching

Online Genealogies

The following databases have online family trees, pedigree charts, and family group records:

Ancestral File contains family history information linked in family groups and pedigrees that has been contributed since 1979. As of 1996 the file contains the names of millions of persons, including many from Brazilian families. Ancestral File can print pedigree charts, family group records, and individual summary sheets for any person in the file.

Brazil Genealogy Web Project links to smaller online databases and other Portuguese researchers. The website is in Portuguese.

Brazilian-German Family Trees gives genealogical data for select Germans who immigrated to Brazil.

Family Group Records Collection contains more than eight million family group record forms, including many Brazilian families. There are two major sections: the "Archive Section" and the "Patrons Section."

Family History Pages provides links to online family history websites by surname. The website is in Portuguese.

FamilySearch Family Tree is a free family tree, compiled by all users of FamilySearch. Many of the profiles in the trees have attached sources.

GEDCOM Brazilian Name Index organized by district.

International Genealogical Index provides names and vital information for many deceased persons who lived in Brazil. This valuable research tool lists birth, christening, or marriage dates. The index for Brazil includes names extracted from parish registers by volunteers and names submitted by other researchers.

Genealogies at the FamilySearch Library

The FamilySearch Library has some published Brazilian family histories. Copies at the FamilySearch Library are listed in the "Surname Search" section of the FamilySearch Catalog. Others are listed in the "Title" section under FAMILY GROUP RECORDS COLLECTION. Not every name found in a family history will be listed in the FamilySearch Catalog; only the major surnames discussed in the family history are included in the catalog.

Brazilian genealogies at the FamilySearch Library include:

  • Moya, Salvador de. Catálogo de Autores Genealógicos (Catalog of Genealogical Authors). São Paulo: Departamento de Cultura, 1937. FS Library 981 A1 no. 15.
  • Rezende, Oswaldo. Genealogia de Tradicionais Famílias de Minas (Genealogy of Traditional Families of Minas). São Paulo: Empresa Gráfica da Revista dos Tribunais, 1969. FS Library 981.51 D2r.
  • Rheingantz, Carlos G. Primeiras Famílias do Rio de Janeiro (First Families of Rio de Janeiro). Rio de Janeiro: Livraria Brasiliana Editora, 1965. FS Library 981.53/R1 D2r.
  • Sant’Ana, João Gabriel. Genealogia Sebastianense (Genealogy of [People from] São Sebastião). São Paulo: s.n., 1976. FS Library 981.61 D2s. This book includes genealogical data for families of several cities in the state of São Paulo from 1532 to 1975.

Unpublished family histories are sometimes held by private individuals in Brazil. These pertain mostly to descendants of prominent families and Brazilian nobility. These individuals may have collected a variety of unpublished records pertaining to their own families. Such materials are generally inaccessible for research unless you can establish contact with the appropriate individuals.

Oral Genealogies

Oral genealogies are spoken lineages that are common in certain parts of the world. Oral Genealogies can be especially useful in localities where few if any written records exist and in some cultures are the main genealogical tool for researchers.

There are not many oral genealogies online for Brazil, and therefore, interviewing likely family members of the deceased individuals may be more productive than searching for oral genealogies online.