São Francisco, Paraíba, Brazil Genealogy

Guide to Municipality of São Francisco ancestry, family history and genealogy: birth records, marriage records, death records, church records, parish registers, and civil registration.

History
The beginnings of the social and urban formation of São Francisco are related to the exploration of the Paraíba backlands, on the banks of the Piranhas River and the Peixe River. The first document in its history is dated October 17, 1719, for the donation of a sesmaria to Custódio de Oliveira e Figueiredo and Fructuoso Dias da Silva, in Serra do Xobocon. This name is of indigenous origin, from the spoken language of the Tapuias who inhabited the place. There is a legend without any foundation that Xobocon was an Indian who became famous because of the horrendous scar he had on his face, originating from an unequal fight with a beast. Over time, the word Xobocon changed to Chabocão, the name of the creek near the old village of Sotero. San Francisco began to exist around a chapel that was erected in praise of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The temple was built on land donated by Francisco das Chagas Andrade. The first mass, it appears, was celebrated in 1923. In February 1926, the village of Sotero, already known as São Francisco, was taken over by Coluna Prestes. There was some violence. The insurgents expropriated the mounts they were able to gather in the local farms. There were no deaths. Militiamen from a (patriotic battalion), originally from Juazeiro do Norte, coming in pursuit of the rebels, killed the deaf-mute Manoel Tomás. Even today, the inhabitants of São Francisco observe a cross where the deaf-mute fell riddled with bullets, on the road to Sítio Ramada. São Francisco grew up around a weekly fair of manioc flour, rapadura and meats, which existed in front of the Sagrado Coração de Jesus chapel. District created with the name of São Francisco, on January 8, 1962, subordinated to the municipality of Sousa. Elevated to the category of municipality with the name of São Francisco, on April 29, 1994, separated from Sousa.

Local Offices
Cartorio Distrital Travessa Antonio Xavier da Costa, 10 Centro São Francisco PB 58818-000 Telephone: (83) 8104-9995

Online Resources

 * Brazil, Paraíba, Catholic Church Records, 1731-2013 no Registros Históricos do FamilySearch

Local Churches
Igreja do Sagrado Coração de Jesus 16 PB-359 São Francisco PB 58818-000