Rio Grande Historical Information
Rio Grande was founded in July 16, 1840, by Desiderio and Quilimaco Escobar, with the approbation of governor Miguel López. It is located near the coast north, southeast of Luquillo and southwest of Loíza. To date of its foundation, according to Ubeda and Delgado, the municipality was constituted by the neighborhoods Pueblo, Herrera, Ciénaga Alta, Ciénaga Baja, Guzmán Abajo, Zarzal, Guzmán Arriba and Jiménez.
- In 1894, two sugar cane haciendas and 256 estancias grew minor fruits.
- 1897; the Mameyes II neighborhood of Luquillo, with 1,463 inhabitants, was annexed to Rio Grande.
- 1898; the municipality of Luquillo was annexed partly to Fajardo and partly to Rio Grande. The Mata de Plátano, Mameyes I, Hato Viejo, and part of Sabana neighborhoods annex to Rio Grande.
- 1899; In the Population Census for 1899, the municipality of Rio Grande appears constituted by the neighborhoods Pueblo, Ciénaga Alta, Ciénaga Baja, Guzmán Abajo, Guzmán Arriba, Herrera, Jiménez, Mameyes I, Mameyes II, Mata el Plátano, Hato Viejo, Sabana and Zarzal.
- 1910; the Hato Viejo neighborhood disappears. It must have merged with another town as it does not appear in the Population Census for that year.
1948 official map of Municipalities and Barrios de Río Grande by the Port Planning Board Rico, by the action of the municipal authorities, the urban area of this municipality was expanded with parts of the rural neighborhoods of Herreras and Guzman Abajo.
To summarize, the municipality of Rio Grande is currently made up of the Pueblo neighborhood and the rural neighborhoods of Ciénaga Alta, Ciénaga Baja, Guzmán Abajo, Guzmán Arriba, Herreras, Jiménez, Mameyes II, and finally Zarzal.
Film Number 1511845, Item 6
The following table contains the images of records about Rio Grande. These images were part of a series of images for Utuado. As it is challenging to navigate these films, I felt it was best to create this index. Personally, time is essential, and as researchers, we spend more time combing through records, so anything I can do to make it easier for us, I will do.
- Rio Grande, Many of these records include the names of residents, their families, age, profession, etc.
Cédula de inscripcion que, en cumplimiento del artículo 3o del Real Decreto de 30 de Setiembre de 1858 presenta (Nombre de Cabeza de familia) como Cabeza de todas las personas que han pernoctado en dicha casa en la noche de 25 al 26 de Diciembre de 1860, con las distinciones siguientes.
Registration certificate that, in compliance with article 3 of the Royal Decree of September 30, 1858, presents (Name of Head of family) as Head of all the people who have spent the night in said house on the night of December 25 to 26, 1860 , with the following distinctions.
| Municipality/ District | Year | Description | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Río Grande | 30 Sep 1858- 26 Dec 1860 | Cédula de Inscripicion Número 749 hasta 768 | 6-45 |
| Río Grande | 30 Sep 1858- 26 Dec 1860 | Cédula de Inscripicion Número 669 hasta 814 | 46-136 |
| Río Grande | 30 Sep 1858- 26 Dec 1860 | Cédula de Inscripicion Número 314-398 | 141-310 |
| Río Grande | 30 Sep 1858- 26 Dec 1860 | Cédula de Inscripicion Número 500-631 | 312-575 |
| Río Grande: Pueblo | 1876 | Domicilios, Censo de 1876, Legajo Número 87 | 577-581 |
| Río Grande: Pueblo | 1883 | Relacions de los niños y niñas que existen en este barrio de 6 a 12 años de dead. | 582 |
| Loiza | Mes de Ene 1898 | Relaciones de las personas mayores y menoresde 20 años que saben lee y escribir; su sexo y nacionalidad. Incluye un total de 57 extranjeros, muchos asturianos, franceses, ingleses, canarios, españoles, etc. | 601-614 |
| Rio Grande | 1885 | Entadas y Salidas de Domicilios, Legajo #63 | 616 |
| Rio Grande | 1876 | Domicilios | 621-627 |
| Río Grande: Pueblo | 1880 | Cuadernos de Domicilios | 628-630 |
| Río Grande: Pueblo | 1874 | Cuadernos de Domicilios, Núm 37 | 631-637 |
| Sin Fecha | Un censo que incluye nombres de calles.1 | 638 | |
| Canovanas* | Posiblemente 1874 | Cuadernos de Domicilios* | 667-729 |
1. No estoy seguro si esto es parte de Rio Grande. Pero lo estoy enumerando hasta que pueda explorar esto más a fondo. Si miras la columns donde dice Patria, verás que la gente es de muchas partes de la isla. La mayoría son Loíza. Sospecho que es para Loiza y Rio Grande.
Image 638
Canovanas
- Rio Grande, Many of these records include the names of residents, their families, age, profession, etc.
- This film includes a document for Canovanas.
Canovanas was a district of the municipality of Loiza for over 400 years. In 1902, the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico approved a law to consolidate certain municipalities. As a result, both Canovanas and Loiza were incorporated into the municipality of Rio Grande. However, in 1905 a new law revoked the previous one, returning Canóvanas to its prior state of barrio of Loiza.
In 1909, the Municipal Administration of Loiza became part of the barrio of Canóvanas, which was more developed than the Loíza region.
However, residents of the original town of Loiza disapproved of it. Finally, on June 30, 1969, it was clear that both municipalities had “clearly different population nuclei.” Thus it became two separate districts. In 1970 Governor Luis A. Ferre approved the change.
Sources
- This film also contained documents for Utuado, Puerto Rico, from 1850 through 1885. (Click here to access those.)
- FamilySearch, Film # 1511845, Item 6
- Wikipedia
- Boricuaonline
- Archivo General
- Mapa de Municipios y Barrios; Núm 73
- Don’t forget to review the indexes for the church records for Rio Grande.
