Brazil, Paraíba, Civil Registration - FamilySearch Historical Records

Title in the Language of the Record
Brasil, Paraíba, Registro Civil

Record Description
This collection includes records of births, marriages, and deaths created by various civil registration offices in the state of Paraíba from 1879-2007.

The records are in Portuguese; see the section "For Help Reading these Records" for access to translation helps.

Additional images will be published as they become available.

For details about the contents of these records, their history, and help using them see the wiki article: Brazil Civil Registration (FamilySearch Historical Records).

Record Content
Information in each record varies from year to year.

Death records usually include the following information:


 * Date and place of registration
 * Registrant's name
 * Date, place and time of death
 * Name and age of deceased
 * Deceased's marital status and name of spouse
 * Deceased's origin and residence
 * Legitimacy
 * Cause of death
 * Names of deceased's parents and their residence
 * Names of witnesses
 * Burial place

How to Use the Record
When searching: As you are searching it is helpful to know such information as your ancestor's given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence, age, and 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.

See the sections below for tips and uses for searching and finding the record of your ancestor in this collection and using the information in the record.

If you are unable to find a record for your ancestor in this collection, see the corresponding section below.

Search the Collection
To search by image: To browse the collection by imageyou will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select the "Browse link" in the initial search page ⇒Select the appropriate "Municipality" ⇒Select the appropriate "Civil Registration Office" ⇒Select the appropriate "Record Type and years", which takes you to the images.

Search the collection by image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.

For Help Reading These Records
These records are in Portuguese. For help reading the records see the following guides:


 * Portuguese Genealogical Word List
 * Brazil Language and Languages

Using the Information

 * Use the marriage date and place as the basis for compiling a new family group or for verifying existing information.
 * Use the birth date or age along with the place of birth of each partner to find a couple's birth records and parents' names.
 * Use the birth date or age along with the place of birth to find the family in census records Brazil Census.
 * Use the parents' birth places to find former residences and to establish a migration pattern for the family.
 * The name of a marriage officiator is a clue to their religion or area of residence in the county. However, ministers may have reported marriages performed in other counties.
 * Compile the marriage entries for every person who has the same surname as the bride or groom; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.
 * Use the marital status to identify previous marriages.
 * Witnesses often were relatives of the parents.

Using the Information
To learn more about using the information in civil records, view this lesson for free: Brazil Beginning Research Series Lesson 2: Civil Registration Records - English

Tips to Keep in Mind
When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.

For death records, the information in records is usually reliable, but depends upon the knowledge of the informant.

Regarding marriage and death records, name changes, shortened names, or nicknames may have been used by your ancestors, so pay attention to other relationships (parents, spouse, siblings, children, etc.) that can confirm whether you have the right person/record.

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.

Continue to search the indexes and records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have lived in the same area or a nearby area.

Unable to Find your Ancestor?
A boundary change could have occurred and the record of you ancestor is now in a neighboring. Search the records and indexes of neighboring cities, provinces, and regions.

Church Records are also a good substitute when birth, marriage, and death records can’t be found or are unavailable.


 * Brazil Catholic Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * Brazil Church Records

Or your ancestor immigrated to another country. Search the records of nearby areas or immigration/emigration records:

Brazil Emigration and Immigration

Related Websites

 * Brazil Research Outline
 * Brazil Research Help

Related Wiki Articles

 * Brazil Civil Registration- Vital Records
 * Brazil Civil Registration (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * Brazil Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * Brazil Deaths (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * Brazil

Citations for this Collection
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information; that is, cite your sources. This will help people find the record again and evaluate the reliability of the source. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records. Citations are available for the collection as a whole and each record or image individually. Collection Citation:  Image Citation