Cabedelo, Paraíba, Brazil Genealogy

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

History
Around the year 1000, the region where the municipality of Cabedelo is currently located was the land of the Tapuia Indians, who migrated to the interior of the continent due to the arrival of Tupi peoples from the Amazon. In the 16th century, when the first Europeans arrived, the region constituted the border between the territories of the Tupi tribes of the Potiguars (which were located in the north) and the Tabajaras (which were located in the south). The latter allied with the Portuguese colonizers, while the former became their staunch opponents. The city of Cabedelo was founded on November 4, 1585, around the fortress built by the Portuguese in order to defend the entrance to the estuary of the Paraíba River and the city of Filipeia de Nossa Senhora das Neves. Cabedelo won and lost autonomy for the city of João Pessoa. Cabedelo, the second colonization center in the State, has historical traditions of great beauty. Its name comes from the fine white sand dunes that form on its beaches. In 1585, Martim Leitão started the colonization of the place, which would later originate the village of Cabedelo. The construction of the Forte Velho and the Fortress of Santa Catarina dates from the end of the 16th century, which at the time of the sieges of French pirates and the Dutch invasion, served as the stage for tremendous battles. Destroyed several times, the fortress was rebuilt many times. On December 24, 1634, the city was occupied by the Dutch after violent attacks on the forts in Barra, courageously defended by troops stationed in Cabedelo. During Dutch rule, the Batavians gave it greater proportions and changed its name to Margareta, in honor of a lady from the Nassau family. The first section of the railroad was only built in 1886, connecting the port of Cabedelo to the state capital. Elevated to the category of municipality and district with the name of Cabedelo, on September 5, 1850, dismembered from Campina Grande. On September 4, 1930, the municipality of Paraíba was renamed João Pessoa. On November 20, 1928, the municipality was extinguished, and its territory was annexed to the municipality of Paraíba. Elevated to the category of municipality with the name of Cabedelo, on March 17, 1908, seperated from Paraíba.

Local Offices
Aparecida Dornelas Serviço Registral Rua Monsenhor Walfredo Leal, 123 Cabedelo PB 58310-000 Telephone: (83) 3228-2122

Online Resources

 * Brazil, Paraíba, Catholic Church Records, 1731-2013 no Registros Históricos do FamilySearch

Local Churches
Paróquia SAGRADO CORAÇÃO DE JESUS (1951) Rua Aderbal Piragibe, s/n''' Centro''' Cabedelo PB 58310-000 Telephone:''' (83) 3228-3488