User:Terriethomas/Sandbox/phil

3. Writing for Records

 * Civil registry documents that can be obtained from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), beginning in 1945.
 * Click here for detailed instructions for requesting certificates by mail.
 * Click here to order records online.
 * Civil registry records from the National Archives of the Philippines, prior to 1945.
 * See Philippines Civil Registration (Archives Division) collection listed above under 1. Online Civil Registration Records to find the starting date for your province.
 * Click here for the Archives Collection and Access Division and you will find instructions and forms for ordering records from the National Archives.
 * A copy of the records have been retained in local civil registry offices. Because many records were lost or damaged in the war, checking both the national office and local office might help find a surviving record. Click here for a directory of office telephone numbers, fax numbers, and sometimes e-mail addresses. To write to them, address your letter to:

City Civil Registry (postal code--find it here) (City) Abra, Philippines

English is the official language of the Philippines. The Letter Writing Guide will help you with organizing your letter and phrasing your requests.

3. Writing to Request Records
Unless you know your ancestor was of another religion, begin by searching Catholic records. Abra Province is in the Diocese of Bangued. Write or telephone to inquire whether the diocese holds the parish records:


 * Bishop of Bangued
 * Bishop's House
 * Bangued 2800 Abra, Philippines

Tel.: (63 74) 752-8040 Fax: (63 74) 752-8028 e-mail: rcbbabra@mozcom.com Or write directly or call the parish. See The Catholic Directory for addresses and telephone numbers for parishes. For other religions, Google the denomination and the location. Many churches maintain websites.

Write, call, or personally visit the parish or church. Ask for permission to study their records or make arrangements for them to search for you. It is usual to pay for their help in the form of a donation to the church. When you write, send the following:


 * Full name and the gender of the person sought.
 * Names of the parents, if known.
 * Approximate date and place of the event.
 * Your relationship to the person.
 * Reason for the request (family history, medical, etc.).
 * Request for a photocopy of the complete original record.
 * Check or cash for the search fee (usually about $10.00).

English is the official language of the Philippines. The Letter Writing Guide will help you with organizing your letter and phrasing your requests.


 * Follow these steps to access the The Catholic Directory:
 * 1) Click on the link above and the Catholic Churches by Location page will appear.
 * 2) Using the scroll bar on the right side of the page, scroll down to until you come to the section Browse Philippines Members.
 * 3) Choose one of the regions listed below to access the churches in that region.

Registres paroissiaux et état civil (Parish registers and civil status) to access the commune search page.
 * 1) Enter the name of the commune in the search bar and click the Rechercher (Search) button to access the church and civil records of the commune.

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