Acaraú, Ceará, Brazil Genealogy

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

History
The history of occupation of the territory of the delta of the Acaraú River by the Tremembé Indians [8] began before the arrival of the Portuguese in the region, in the 16th century.

The Portuguese made a complete reconnaissance of the region, as well as used it as a support base for the occupation of the coast and as a support base for military confrontations with the French, who occupied Maranhão. [6] From this historical moment there are several topographical maps dating from the 17th century.

In 1608, the first Portuguese settlement in this region was installed and established, the "Aldeia do Cajueiro" [9] (today Almofala), an Indian settlement created by the Jesuits. The beginning of the settlement and the economic implementation on the banks of the Acaraú River by the Portuguese happened with the arrival of fugitives from the wars with the Dutch from Pernambuco, Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte [6] in the 17th century; through the entrances of  Sertões de Fora ; with the installation of livestock and the production of jerked beef in the captaincy of Ceará, in the 18th century.

The primitive nucleus of Barra do Acaracu served as an anchorage for small boats and, later, it was renamed Porto dos Barcos de Acaracu. It is the starting point of what would later become the city of Acaraú. Before the village of Barra do Acaracu, a few kilometers to the north and also on the right bank of the river, which became known as Presidio. [6]

In the 18th century, on September 22, 1799, the village was elevated to the category of district of Acaracu in the town of Sobral. Its elevation to the category of village of Acaracu, with the district already separated from the jurisdiction of Sobral, took place according to Law 480, of July 31, 1849, having been installed on February 5, 1851. The foundation of the municipality of Acaraú dates from 31 July 1849 [6]. The title of municipality, now with the current name of Acaraú, occurred according to Law 2019, of September 19, 1882.

The primitive nucleus of Barra do Acaracu served as an anchorage for small boats and, later, it was renamed Porto dos Barcos de Acaracu. It is the starting point of what would later become the city of Acaraú.

Online Resources

 * 1982-1999 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images

Local Offices
Ofício de registro civil das pessoas naturais e de interdições e tutelas Cartório Medeiros Rua Damiana Maria Brandão, 41 Acaraú Acaraú 62585-000 Ceará Telephone: (0xx88) 3674-1016 / 99610-3902 Fax: (0xx88) 3674-1016

Online Resources

 * 1725-1971 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images

Local Churches
Paróquia Nossa Senhora da Conceição Rua. José Domingues Regidas Praça da Matriz Centro Acaraú - CE Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/paroquiaacarau/

Cemeteries
Cemitério São João Batista Rua Cel. Sales S/N de frente a secretaria do desporto e juventude

Localities

 * http://cnonlineacarau.blogspot.com.br/
 * https://www.facebook.com/valedoacarau24hr/

Other Institutions

 * http://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/dtbs/ceara/acarau.pdf