Lagoa de Dentro, Paraíba, Brazil Genealogy

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

History
Lagoa de Dentro is a municipality that has water resources of little relevance, but which owes its name to the appearance of a lagoon, which raises curiosities. In historical times, this former district of Caiçara was an obligatory passage for anyone traveling from Guarabira to Jacaraú and Mamanguape. The place had little water. In a time of drought, some hunters residing in the region and pig farmers, noticed that their animals always arrived full of mud and wet, but how? If there was no water! The hunters followed the trail of the peccaries and came across a large lagoon, which formed a cauldron of clear water, with good portability. Someone suggested calling the place Lagoa de Dentro. And so it remained, until the present day. Lagoa de Dentro has been fulfilling its historical role and, because of its lagoon, has been deserving the attention of people who transit between Brejo and the North Coast. Part of a beautiful natural setting, the lagoon currently needs some care to become a tourist attraction. But, even with the different landscape, surrounded by houses and other trading posts, the water mirror still enchants, as in pioneer times. The expedition of Elias Herckmans, second governor of the Dutch period in Paraíba, and the French-Indian army of Iniguaçu, the brave potiguara cacique, who, under the pretext of washing the honor of his daughter Itamberé, kidnapped by a mameluco, commanded the massacre of Tracunhahém (PE), in 1574. Also on this same route walked the punitive expedition of Frutuoso Barbosa, who subjected the Potiguaras of Cupaóba in 1599, putting an end to a war of more than 20 years between these Indians and the Portuguese colonizers, this same city in 1935 was taken as a strategic point of war, the Brazilian army built, a military observation cabin, from where they could observe enemy ships that could reach Bahia da Traição, communication was done with fireworks, radios and mirrors, instruments which the soldiers used with codes, this guardhouse was built in a mountain known as Alto da Base, which has an exotic natural beauty, and where The Vulture Cave is located, a place where many believe, according to legend, to live a monster. Lagoa de Dentro survived all this. Now, he wants to shine in the sky of the Brejo, as a star that has something to offer those who seek his hospitality. To begin with, the traditional feast of São Sebastião, which is over one hundred years old, will have greater historical and organizational consistency. And, since the governor Cássio Cunha Lima authorized the paving of the road that connects Pirpirituba to Jacaraú, via Pedro Régis, Lagoa de Dentro is willing to offer something out of the ordinary to tourists in demand from Baía da Traição (PB) and Baía Formosa ( RN), whose number increases every week. There is no definite date for the foundation of the municipality. But oral tradition makes it clear that in 1880 there were already 12 houses on the site, built by brave pioneers. Around 1886, a cholera epidemic ravaged the region. São Sebastião, the protector saint against pests, was taken as the patron saint of Lagoa de Dentro and other localities. The fever ceased, after claiming several victims. Colonization itself would have started when Antônio Fernandes, one of the pioneer cattle ranchers in the region, donated land for the construction of a chapel. Around the temple several houses were built and the locality prospered. After some renovations, the chapel became the Mother Church of the urban headquarters. This, in 1958, had a mass held by an important missionary, Friar Damião de Bozzano. The oldest say that during the mass, which was celebrated in the churchyard, a rain threatened to disperse the faithful. Friar Damião raised his arm and ordered the rain to stop. There are those who swear, with their feet together, that this supposed phenomenon really happened. Lagoa de Dentro is now far from the namesake of other years. In 1974, the then Minister of Health, Paulo de Almeida Machado, when opening a campaign against schistosomiasis, in Brejo Paraíba, made a point of visiting this city. The incidence of schistosomiasis was high. As a first step, Almeida ordered the waters of the lagoon to be purified, to eradicate the disease. The schistosomiasis disappeared. And the lagoon that still ornaments the city, serves as a laundry for a large part of the population, although its waters are not recommended for this activity or bathing. This natural spring has always been kept with water. The oldest say that she ended up in the mud in 1949. Friar Damião blessed her nine years later. There was never any shortage of water. This is the statement of Catholics, predominant in the population of Lagoa de Dentro, who credit supernatural powers to the Italian friar, who died nine years ago. District created with the name of Lagoa de Dentro, on November 4, 1959, subordinated to the municipality of Caiçara. Elevated to the category of municipality with the name of Lagoa de Dentro, on December 11, 1961, separated from Caiçara.

Local Offices
Cartório do Registro Civil e Notas Rua do Comércio, s/n Centro Lagoa de Dentro PB 58250-000 Telephone: (83) 3914-9676''' E-mail: cart.rgcenotas@hotmail.com

Online Resources

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

Local Churches
Paróquia de São Sebastião Rua do Comércio, s/n, Centro Lagoa de Dentro PB 58250-000 Telephone: (83) 3263-1001 E-mail: paroquiadesaosebastiao.ld@gmail.com