A city and municipality located on the island’s eastern coast, north of Yabucoa; south of Naguabo; east of Las Piedras; and west of Vieques Passage. Humacao is spread over 12 barrios and Humacao Pueblo (the downtown area and the city’s administrative center). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The region belonged to the Taíno region of Humaka, covering a portion of the southeast coast of Puerto Rico.[4] The area was led by cacique Jumacao (also called “Macao”). The Taíno settlement was located on the shores of what is now called the Humacao River. It is believed that the Taíno chief Jumacao was the first “cacique” to learn to read and write in Spanish since he wrote a letter to the King of Spain, Charles I complaining about how the island governor wasn’t complying with their peace agreement. Jumacao argued that their people were virtually prisoners of Spain in the letter. It is said that King Charles was so moved by the letter that he ordered the Governor to obey the treaty’s terms.
Early Years
During the early 16th century, cattle ranchers populated the area. However, since most officially resided in San Juan, a settlement was never officially organized. Finally, the area’s first official settlement was constituted at the beginning of the 18th century, specifically around 1721–1722. Most residents were immigrants from the Canary Islands, but due to attacks from Caribs, pirates, and other settlers, some moved farther into the island to what is now Las Piedras. Still, some settlers remained, and by 1776, historian Fray Íñigo Abbad y Lasierra visited the area and wrote about the population there. By 1793, the church was recognized as a parish, and the settlement was officially recognized as a town.
By 1894, the town was recognized as a city. Due to its thriving population, buildings and structures like a hospital, a theater, and a prison were built. In 1899, after the United States invades the island due to the Spanish–American War, the municipality of Las Piedras was annexed to Humacao. This lasted until 1914, when the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico voted on splitting both towns again.
Church Books
The indexes are done in book order and by year, and the pages are in good condition. There is a section called “Indistintamente.” These refer to people of all races; are Pardos, Enslaved, or Whites.
It is rare to find books listed this way. You will not see it classified this way in many towns, if any. Many of these books also have an index included.
* Some of these books are a little confusing. When they filmed the records, it seemed done out of sequence. I will need to verify some of these books. Please check back in a few days.
Some of these indexes have a continuation after the letter ends. Pay careful attention. You may find a death record that you could have missed initially.
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