Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Genealogy

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

History
Former Names:
 * Santana das Palmeiras
 * Freguesia de Nossa Senhora de Santana
 * Igreja Nossa Senhora de Santana das Palmeira
 * “Cidade Perfume” because of the smell of fruits
 * Arraial de Maxambomba (Maxabomba)

Local Offices
Cartórios de Registro Civil, Notas e similares Ofício de registro civil das pessoas naturais – 1ª circunscrição RCPN da 1ª Circunscrição de Nova Iguaçu Rua Dr. Getúlio Vargas, 109 Centro Nova Iguaçu - RJ 26255-060 Brazil Telephone: (21) 2767-9541 E-mail: [mailto:rcpn1.ni@veloxmail.com.br rcpn1.ni@veloxmail.com.br]

Local Churches
Catedral de Santo Antonio de Jacutinga Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceicao de Marapicu Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Piedade de Iguaçu

Localities
In the 20th century, the Municipality's main activity became the planting of oranges. The orchards of Nova Iguaçu extended along the entire Madureira, Cabuçu and Marapicu roads, also reaching Itaguaí. At the time, Nova Iguaçu became known as “Perfume City” because of the smell of the fruits.

After the division of Brazil into Hereditary Captaincies, the lands that today constitute the municipality of Nova Iguaçu were relegated to complete abandonment for a long time. It was after 1566 that the existence of sesmarias was recorded in the region, which, over the years, were modified and thus contributed to the gradual colonization of this area of ​​Baixada Fluminense, around the rivers, especially the Iguaçu.

With the increase in population, several parishes emerged, notably that of Nossa Senhora da Piedade de Iguaçu - also known as Nossa Senhora da Piedade do Caminho Velho -, whose creation dates back to 1719.

The region's agricultural prosperity dates back to the times when the first land grants were granted. The existing river courses not only fertilized the land, but also served as a means of communication with the city of Rio de Janeiro, where production was transported.

Located on the banks of the Iguaçu River, the town's headquarters prospered greatly, becoming one of the emporiums in the city of Rio de Janeiro, delivering its products by river or land. The progress of the region led the Government to grant it autonomy, effected by Decree of January 15, 1833. The town was established on July 27 of the same year.

The decline, which began in the second half of the 19th century, in the town of Iguaçu, resulted, paradoxically, from the progressive innovations introduced in the territory of Rio de Janeiro.

As soon as traffic began on the Estrada de Ferro D. Pedro II, currently Central do Brasil, the waterway was abandoned, which led to the diversion of the zone of commercial and agricultural influence to the eastern edges of the municipality.

With the completion of major sanitation works in Baixada Fluminense, the municipality made progress again. The ease of communication with Guanabara contributed greatly to this resurgence.

The Municipality of Iguassú was created on January 15, 1833, with its headquarters located on the banks of the Iguassú River, which served as inspiration for its name. It emerged from the village of Iguassú – a location that since the 18th century was used as a landing place for drovers traveling the Camino de Terra Firme. Still in 1822, during the Coffee Cycle, the Estrada Real do Comércio was opened, which, in connection with the ports of Iguassú, transported the production of sugar cane and coffee planted in the mountains. The movement was so significant that it led to the change of status from Village to Municipality.

In 1858, with the inauguration of the Dom Pedro II Railway, the growth of Arraial de Maxambomba began. Because of this, the municipal headquarters was transferred to a new economic center. In 1916, Maxambomba was renamed Nova Iguassú.

In the 20th century, the Municipality's main activity became the planting of oranges. The orchards of Nova Iguaçu extended along the entire Madureira, Cabuçu and Marapicu roads, also reaching Itaguaí. At the time, Nova Iguaçu became known as “Perfume City” because of the smell of the fruits. However, faced with the strong influence of the Second World War, the demographic explosion of Baixada Fluminense and Rio de Janeiro occurred. Its cultivation and export of oranges went into decline, leading to the city's economy, which culminated in the division of the territory.

It was from the 1940s onwards that the process of emancipation of the Municipality began. Nova Iguaçu lost Duque de Caxias (1943), Nilópolis and São João de Meriti (1947). In the 90s, it was the turn of Belford Roxo and Queimados (1990), Japeri (1991) and Mesquita (1999). It is worth remembering that in 1952, with the inauguration of the Presidente Dutra Highway and the recovery of the railway network, the city experienced a population increase and took on other functions, including that of a dormitory city and an access corridor to the capital.

Surrounding Municipalities

 * Norte: Miguel Pereira
 * Nordeste: Duque de Caxias
 * Leste: Belford Roxo
 * Sudeste: Mesquita
 * Sul: Rio de Janeiro
 * Sudoeste: Seropédica
 * Oeste: Queimados
 * Noroeste: Japeri