Paraguay Church Records

For information about records for non-Christian religions in Paraguay, go to the Religious Records page.

=Online Resources and Websites=
 * index and images
 * , FamilySearch, index, incomplete.
 * Paraguay, Select Baptisms, 1800-1930, Ancestry.com, ($), index, incomplete.
 * Panama, Baptisms, 1750-1938, MyHeritage, ($), index, incomplete.
 * Panama, Marriages, 1800-1950, MyHeritage, ($), index, incomplete.
 * , FamilySearch, index, incomplete.
 * Paraguay, Select Marriages, 1800-1900, Ancestry.com, ($), index, incomplete.


 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Births and Baptisms, index and images, ($)
 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages,, index and images, ($)
 * British Armed Forces and Overseas Deaths and Burials, index and images, ($)Websites=

=Historical Background= The religious identities of the people of Paraguay, have since national independence been oriented towards Christianity, and specifically the Roman Catholic Church. In the most recent census (2002) Paraguayans of all ages 10 and older had their religious identities enumerated, and 89.6% were classified as Catholics.

The second largest religious affiliation in Paraguay is Protestantism, which like in North America shows a wide array of denominations. Lutherans and Mennonites are the more traditional groups which are dominated by rather recent immigrants of European ancestry and their descendants, while Evangelical and/or Charismatic [Pentecostal] churches have spread in recent decades mostly in the vast and long-established Mestizo population. The Bruderhof established a base in Paraguay in 1941, fleeing Nazi persecution. They left the country for North America in 1966, but returned and re-established themselves in 2010.

=Information Recorded in the Records= Different denominations, different time periods, and practices of different record keepers will effect how much information can be found in the records. This outline will show the types of details which might be found (best case scenario);

Baptisms
In Catholic and Anglican records, children were usually baptized a few days after birth, and therefore, the baptism record proves date of birth. Other religions, such as Baptists, baptized at other points in the member's life. Baptism registers might give:

Marriages
Marriage registers can give:

Burials
Burial registers may give: =How to Find Records=

Digital Copies of Church Records in the FamilySearch Catalog
Watch for digitized copies of church records to be added to the collection of the FamilySearch Library. Some records might have viewing restrictions, and can only be viewed at a Family History Center near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations. To find records:
 * a. Click on the records of Paraguay.
 * b. Click on Places within Paraguay and a list of towns will appear.
 * c. Click on your town if it appears, or the location which you believe was the parish which served your town or village.
 * d. Click on the "Church records" topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
 * e. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the listing for the record. FHL icons.png. The magnifying glass indicates that the record is indexed. Clicking on the magnifying glass will take you to the index. Clicking on the camera will take you to an online digital copy of the records.

Writing for Records
You will probably need to write to or email the national archives, the diocese, or local parish priests to find records. See the Spanish Letter Writing Guide for help with composing letters.

= Catholic Church Records =

Writing to a Local Parish
To locate the mailing address or e-mail address for a local parish, consult:
 * The Catholic Directory: Paraguay

Historical Background
=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Records=

Online Records
Information is available to current members only for deceased members and immediate family members who are still living. Sign in to FamilySearch and then select Family Tree in the drop-down menu.

Historical Background
The first member to visit Paraguay was a mission president in Argentina, Frederick S. Williams, in 1939. Church member Samuel J. Skousen introduced the gospel to some of Paraguay's first converts while employed in Paraguay with the United States government. The first convert was baptized in August 1948. An official congregation was organized that same year, in July. Missionaries arrived in 1949. By 1951, two congregations were organized. An entire group of 200 Nivacle Indians from Paraguay joined the Church in 1980. That year, there were more than 3,000 members in the country.

=Anglican (Episcopal) Church Records=

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Anglican churches in Paraguay

Historical Background
=Bruderhof Church Records=

Writing for Records
=Eastern Orthodox Church Records=
 * Google Maps search results for Bruderhof churches in Paraguay

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Eastern Orthodox churches in Paraguay

Historical Background
=Lutheran Church Records=

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Lutheran churches in Paraguay

Historical Background
=Mennonite Church Records=

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Mennonite churches in Paraguay

Historical Background
=Pentecostal Church Records=

Writing for Records

 * Google Maps search results for Pentecostal churches in Paraguay

Historical Background
=References=