Venezuela, Archdiocese of Valencia, Catholic Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection will include records for the dates 1760 and 1905-2013, with some records outside the date range. Records of baptisms, marriages, burials, and confirmations from the parishes of the Catholic Archdiocese of Valencia in Venezuela can be found in this collection.

These may also be the only records available before the implementation of the civil registration in 1873. Parish priests performed the baptisms, marriages, deaths/burials, and other holy sacraments in their assigned parish or parishes. All the original parish records were kept in the parish archive, however, the older records were and currently are, sent annually to the archdiocesan archive to be preserved and centralized in one place.

Reading These Records
These records are written in Spanish. For help reading these records see the following guides:
 * Spanish Genealogical Word List
 * BYU Spanish Script Tutorial
 * FamilySearch Learning Center videos:
 * Reading Spanish Handwritten Records, Lesson 1
 * Reading Spanish Handwritten Records, Lesson 2

If you speak Spanish, the following free online lesson may be helpful to learn how to use the information in these records:
 * Registros Civiles y Parroquiales – Spanish

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The information in these records usually include the following:

Baptismal records
 * Child's name and gender
 * Date of birth
 * Date and place of the baptism
 * Legitimacy
 * Parents’ names and residence
 * Name of godparents

Marriage records
 * Date and place of marriage
 * Names and ages of bride and groom
 * Sometimes the marital status (widowed, single, divorced) at the time of the event
 * Birth places and residence of the bride and groom
 * Parents’ names and residence
 * Name of witnesses

Death records
 * Deceased’s name, gender, and age
 * Marital status/name of spouse
 * Date and place of burial
 * Date and place of death
 * Names of parents

Collection Content
The information found in each record varies by year. Records were made by Catholic priests or their associates, recorded in Spanish, and mostly written on either lined paper or blank paper that contained pre-printed numbers.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Your ancestor's given name and surname
 * Identifying information such as residence
 * Estimated marriage or birth year
 * Family relationships

Some record sets have indexes; these indexes were created at the end of the year. Copy errors could have been made in the index, so you want to find the actual record to verify the information is correct. Using the index is a helpful way to find the actual record.

Search the Index
Search by name by visiting the Collection Page.
 * 1) Fill in the search boxes on the Collection Page with the information you have.
 * 2) Click Search to show possible matches.

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the Browse Page.
 * 1) Select State
 * 2) Select City or Town
 * 3) Select Parish
 * 4) Select Record Type and Years to view the images.

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct
 * Continue to search the marriage records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives of the bride and groom who may have married in the same county or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family or even the second marriage of a parent. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify
 * If possible, look at the actual image of the record to verify the information found in the online description
 * Compile information for every person who has the same surname as your ancestor; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Check for variants of given names, surnames, and place names. Transcription errors could occur in any handwritten record; also, it was not uncommon for an individual be listed under a nickname or an abbreviation of their name. Click here for a list of Spanish name abbreviations
 * In Latin America, two or three generations are often indicated in church registers, along with their birthplaces or residences. If, however, earlier generations are not listed with the relative or ancestor selected, try searching parishes located within a close proximity
 * A boundary change could have occurred and the record of your ancestor is now in a neighboring state or region, or your ancestor immigrated to another country. Search the records of nearby areas or immigration/emigration records. Venezuela Emigration and Immigration
 * Civil registration records are also a good source of genealogical information. Venezuela Civil Registration - FamilySearch Historical Records

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Venezuela.
 * Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.