Portugal Compiled Genealogies

Genealogies (Processos de Gênere)
Research use: Extremely valuable for extending family pedigrees and in a single source providing extensive genealogical information.

Record type: Compiled pedigrees.

General: Compiled by private individuals wishing to be admitted to military and religious orders; to enter the university or the legal profession; to become an Inquisition official; to be recognized as a member of the nobility, or to have the right to wear hereditary insignias.

Time period: 1400-present.

Contents: Names, dates of birth, marriage, and titles; relationships; genealogies to the third and fourth generations.

Location: National archive and district archives.

Population coverage: About 15% of the population.

Reliability: Some secondary and falsified information, but generally consisting of notarized copies of original church and family records.