Puerto Rico Slave Registers - FamilySearch Historical Records

Puerto Rico

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains an enumeration of slaves residing in the Island of Puerto Rico. Some of these records have been indexed and are searchable as part of this collection. Additional indexed records will be published as they become available.

Reading These Records
These records are written in Spanish. For help reading these records see:
 * Spanish Genealogical Word List
 * Reading Spanish handwritten records
 * Script tutorial for Spanish

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: Register
 * Date of registry
 * Name
 * Gender
 * Age or date of birth
 * Mother's name
 * Country/homeland

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the person you are looking for
 * Approximate date of birth or age

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. Whenever possible, look at an original document. There may be additional information on the document that has not been transcribed.

I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the place of residence, age, and other information for each person to search for the individuals in other records
 * Use information found to search in other nearby locations

I Can’t Find Who I’m Looking for, What Now?

 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name
 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Look for another index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor
 * Former slaves may have had used multiple names or changed their names until they decided upon one particular name. Search all possible names along with variations or spellings of their known names
 * Study the life and records of the slave owner and his family. Your ancestor’s life was inseparably connected with the slave owner. Your ancestor will be listed in records of the slave owner’s property
 * Search for oral histories

Research Helps

 * Puerto Rico Finding Records
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Puerto Rico Church Records
 * Puerto Rico

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.