Puerto Rican criollos founded Guayanilla in 1830, but church records began in 1841. Its church’s name is Immaculada Concepcion Roman Catholic Church. The original name was Guadianilla in memory of a river and town of the same name in Spain. However, it became known today as Guayanilla to resemble a native word in the Taíno language. The name Guayanilla is derived from a combination of Guaynia and Santa Maria de Guadianilla.
Personal Observations of Guayanilla
The town is on the southwestern coast, sandwiched between Yauco to the left, Adjuntas to the north, and Peñuelas to the right. It consists of 15 barrios. If you are having trouble advancing your research, think about researching the nearest towns to the Barrios your family resided. Unfortunately, except for Adjuntas, which is not available. Remember, our families relocated for work, but most times, they didn’t go too far from where they were born. Unfortunately, the terrain made it difficult to travel.
In this diagram, I am attempting to show how three pueblos surround the town of Guayanilla; Yauco to the left, Adjuntas to the north, and Peñuelas to the right. If you noticed, Pasto and Jagua Pasto are to the north. They could have connections to Adjuntas, the barrios left of the line would have with Yauco, and the barrios to the right, especially Cedro, may have ties to Peñuelas. Remember that where you think your family is from is not always the case.List of towns: Barrero, Boca, Cedro, Consejo, Guayanilla barrio-pueblo, Indios, Jagua Pasto, Jaguas, Llano, Macaná, Magas, Pasto, Playa, Quebrada Honda, Quebradas, Rufina, Sierra Baja
Notes for Book 9: There was a visit from the bishop in 1904, which is indicated in image #1330. There are a few entries for burials; 2 for 1919, 1 for 1920, and 1 for 1933. This could be omissions from the corresponding book or corrections.
