Guayama, Puerto Rico Genealogy

Guide to Municipality of Guayama family history and genealogy: birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.

History
Prior to Spanish colonization, the area now know as Guayama was inhabited by Taíno Native People. The town was founded after Spanish colonization on January 29, 1736 as San Antonio de Padua de Guayama. The Catholic Church in town, San Antonio de Padua, was declared a Parish in that same year. In 1855, Arroyo was separated to become an independent municipality. Construction of the town cemetery took place in 1844. Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain in the aftermath of the Spanish–American War (under the terms of the Treaty of Paris of 1898) and became a territory of the United States. In 1899, the United States conducted its first census of Puerto Rico. Population 45,400.

Civil Registration
More recent records are protected by privacy laws. However, close relatives can request them for genealogy.
 * Puerto Rico Birth, Death, Marriage Certificates

Online Records

 * Puerto Rico, Civil Registration, 1805-2001, index, incomplete
 * Puerto Rico, Civil Registrations, 1885-2001, index, incomplete
 * Puerto Rico, Civil Registration, Guayama, browse images
 * — index

Online Records

 * 1645-1969 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * Catholic Church Records, San Antonio de Padua Parish, Guayama, Puerto Rico,1813-1931 browse images

Census Records
Search the 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 census records for information about your Puerto Rican ancestors who were there during that time period. Click here to go to the Puerto Rico Census Page