San Germán, Puerto Rico Genealogy

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

History
Spanish settlement in the original city of San Germán occurred early in the conquest and colonization of Puerto Rico. This was the second city to be founded by the Spanish in Puerto Rico.

After the destruction of an early settlement during a Taíno (indigenous people) uprising which started in February 1511. On May 12, 1570, the Royal Audience of Santo Domingo ordered that both the populations of San Germán and Santa María de Guadianilla be merged into a single city due to the constant attacks.

The population in 2010 was 35,500.

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, 1805-2001

 * Puerto Rico, Civil Registration, 1805-2001, index, incomplete
 * Puerto Rico, Civil Registrations, 1885-2001, index, incomplete
 * Puerto Rico, Civil Registration, San Germán, browse images.


 * — index

Church Records
Until the church records of this municipality are digitized and published online, write to the local Catholic Church for records prior to 1876. To find the address of the local parish, consult the Catholic Directory. For help with writing your letter or e-mail, use the Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy. If it seems that the priest would prefer to correspond in Spanish, use the Spanish Letter Writing Guide.

Online Records

 * 1645-1969 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and 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