Guánica, Puerto Rico Genealogy

Guide to Municipality of Guánica family history and genealogy: birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.

History
Founded in August 12, 1508 by Juan Ponce de León. Guaynía, is a word derived from the Taíno indigenous culture. At one time it was considered the capital of Puerto Rico but was destroyed during the indigenous uprising of 1511. Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain in the aftermath of the Spanish–American War. It became a territory of the United States in 1898. The United States conducted its first census of Puerto Rico in 1899. Population 19,400.

Civil Registration
More recent records are protected by privacy laws. However, close relatives can request them for genealogy.
 * Puerto Rico Birth, Death, Marriage Certificates

Online Records

 * Puerto Rico, Civil Registration, 1805-2001, index, incomplete
 * Puerto Rico, Civil Registrations, 1885-2001, index, incomplete
 * Puerto Rico, Civil Registration, Guánica, browse images
 * — index

Online Records

 * 1645-1969 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * Catholic Church Records, San Antonio Abad Parish, Guánica, Puerto Rico,1885-1941 browse images

Census Records
Search the 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 census records for information about your Puerto Rican ancestors who were there during that time period. Click here to go to the Puerto Rico Census Page