Caguas, Puerto Rico Church Records 1730-1968

The Early History of the Tainos in Caguas, Puerto Rico

The area of the Caguas was first settled by the Saladoid culture, an Arawak culture that originated in northern South America (today Venezuela) between 100 BCE to 600 CE. Findings from the Cagüitas archaeological site (CS-2) indicate that the area was later inhabited by various pre-Taíno (Ostionoid) cultures that first developed agriculture in the valley, primarily the cultivation of cassava hunted now-extinct species such as hutias.

As with the rest of Puerto Rico, the Taínos were the primary group living in the valley upon the Spanish arrival. The Spanish conquistadors further developed agriculture in the valley while establishing mines searching for gold, silver, and copper. As a result, most native Taínos living in the area were either forced out or enslaved and moved to the Real Hacienda del Toa (in modern-day Toa Alta and Toa Baja). Most of the valley was later cleared of its original vegetation to develop cattle farms such as Hato de Bairoa, Hato de Caguax, and Hato de Gurabo.

Caguas was officially founded on January 1, 1775, as San Sebastián del Piñal de Caguax, with the name later being shortened and modernized to its current form. The city’s name comes from the native Caguax, a local Taíno chief who converted early to Christianity—the site of the historic downtown area of Caguas and its central square dates to 1779. If you want to read a blog I wrote about the Taíons, click here.

Additional History facts about Caguas

In 1820 the settlement was granted the title of Villa, and it was given city rights in 1894. Sugarcane was the primary crop, and essential sugarcane plantations and refineries were those of Central Santa Juana (close to modern-day Plaza Centro) and Central Santa Catalina (modern-day Las Catalinas Mall). In addition, the Carretera Central, the first paved road to cross Puerto Rico from north to south connecting San Juan to Ponce, was built during the last two decades of the 19th century. This made Caguas more accessible, causing the town’s population to grow even more.

Church Observations of Caguas Books

Below is my attempt to translate a document of a visit by D. Lino Gomez in 1960. He indicates his observations and recommendations and visits various Bishops and priests with historical content.

The first few severely damaged pages in the oldest parish Book (Book one) contain baptismal, marriage, and death certificates. (See below)

The first begins on February 23, 1730 until March 21, 1766 (the first four books of marriages (1732-1774) are missing, as well as book of death from 1730 to1770.

In 1738 the monk Basilio P. Mateo a priest who perhaps arrived with Bishop Lorenzo Pizarro who belonged to the Order of San Basilio, baptized many. Baptisms included those in Saint Sebastian del Barrero’s church and the church named “concepcion de las Piedras”

In 1753 we find don Agustin de Arroyo, chaplain priest of the Holy Church of “Sr. San Mateo,” located in the Ribera de Cangrejos and intinerary of the holy churches located in this Partido de Caguas. Other times it is titled “Cura intirinario de la Sta. Iglesia del Dulce Nombre de Jesus, located in El Piñal.

Finally, on December 10, 1759, Bishop Martinez de Oneca signed his visit certificate in the “Parish of the Dulce Nombre de Jesus de Caguas.” This is the title that has prevailed ever since.

Other books that I was able to take note of, far from being the only ones in the archive, are the third and ninth baptisms, which cover, respectively, the periods 1785 to 1788 and 1809 to 1811. In 1753 we find don Agustin de Arroyo, chaplain priest of the Holy Church of Mr. San Mateo, located in the Ribera de Cangrejos and intinerary of the holy churches located in this Partido de Caguas.

Los Archivos Historicos de Puerto Rico, Lino Gomez, San Juan de Puerto Rico 1964

The oldest book referenced above by. D. Lino

The oldest book for baptisms, marriages, and deaths covers 1730 to 1774 and is all in one book. It consists of all classes of race; Whites, Pardos, freed Blacks, and Enslaved people. I have separated them, and they are in the corresponding sections below.

A Final Recommendation by Don Lino Gomez

Since it is the only archive of historical value that Caguas possesses, it would be worthwhile to make it the object of a thorough reorganization, seeking the best means of protecting it against further damage.

Los Archivos Historicos de Puerto Rico, Lino Gomez, San Juan de Puerto Rico 1964

Additional personal observations and recommendations of my review of the Caguas Parish Books

Although a few parish books have been lost, many records are still available to review. Hopefully, there will be enough for you to check and locate ancestors that may fill in some of your family lines. It is important to review all books as there could be errors by priests. Therefore, a thorough examination of all records is a must. This a reminder that the first few pages are damaged. Finally, many books are without an index, so you must review each page. However, there are a few transcriptions available. Please scroll to the end.

This was a huge undertaking and took me several days to complete. However, I did my best to break it all down for us. So it may seem a bit overwhelming, but it should be easy to follow.

Indexes for Baptisms by surname

I noticed that the first part of the index by surname is divided first by natural child, and then the second part is listed as a legitimate child.

Index by surname A-Z for the years from 1864 to 1880. Book image 58

A	B	C	D
E	F	G	H
I	J	L	M
N	O	P	Q
R	S	T	U
V	W	Y	Z

Index by surname A-Z for the years from 1900 to 1926. Books 1 and 2, Image 3/107

A	B	C	D
E	F	G	H
I	J	K	L
M	N	O	P
Q	R	S	T
U	V	W	X–Y–Z

Index by surname A-Z for the years from 1926 to 1935. Book 3, Image 251

A	B	C	D
E	F	G	H
I	J	K	L
M	N	O	P
Q	R	S	T
U	V	W	Y–Z

Index by surname A-Z for the years from 1936 to 1942. Book 3, Image 385

A	B	C	D
E	F	G	H
I	J	K	L
M	N	O	P
Q	R	S	T
U	V	W	Y–Z

Index by surname A-Z for the years from 1943 to 1953. Book 3, Image (A-M 500) (N-Z 611)

A	B	C	D
E	F	G	H
I	J	K	L
M	N	O	P
Q	R	S	T
U	V	W	Y-Z

Index by surname A-Z for the years from 1954 to 1958. Book 3, Image 692

A	B	C	D
E	F	G	H
I	J	K	L
M	N	O	P
Q	R	S	T
U	V	W	Y-Z

Baptisms 1730 to 1900

Book	Year	Race	Image	Index	Note
1	1730-1766		1498		This book contains Baptisms, Marriages, and deaths.
2	1785-1788		3
	1809-1811		104
	1812-1823		247
	1821-1829		623
1	1823-1829	Whites, Pardos, Freed Blacks, Enslaved	578
2	1828-1833		771
2A	1829-1836		976
3	1829-1837	Whites	1170
	1836-1843	Whites	2122
	1843-1850		1366
	1845		2074
7	1854-1859	Whites, Pardos	1857
8	1859-1861	Whites, Pardos, Freed	1550	1834
9	1861-1865		5
10	1862-1864	Whites, Freed Blacks	6
11	1864-1866	Whites, Pardos	312
12	1866-1870		861
13	1870-1872		1480
15	1872-1874		1789
16	1874-1876		5
17	1876-1878		313	593
18	1878-1879		616	910
19	1879-1880		932
20	1880-1883		1221
21	1883-1884		1513
22	1884-1887		1721
23	1887-1890		4
24	1890-1893		372	730
25	1893-1895		763	1024
26	1895-1897		1052
27	1897-1900		1350

Baptisms 1900 to 1930

Book	Year	Image/Notes	Index
28	1900-1902	1780
29	1902-1904	2064
30	1904-1905	4	258
31	1905-1906	281
32	1906-1908	592
33	1908-1910	902
34	1910-1912	1085	1350
35	1912-1914	1657	1637
36	1914-1916	1942	1923
37	1916-1917	25	5
38	1917-1918	408	386
39	1918-1920	763
40	1920-1921	1144	1125
41	1921-1922	1523
	1921-1922	809 -Contains documents from book 41.
42	1921-1922	962
43	1922-1923	1861
43	1922-1923	1339 – A duplicate of the above book.
44	1924	1700
45	1924-1925	1968
46	192-1926	5
47	1926	284
48	1926-1927	503
49	1927-1928	724
50	1928	951
51	1928-1929	1172
52	1929-1930	1403

Baptisms 1930 to 1941

Book	Year	Image	Index
53	1930	1631
54	1930-1931	1842
55	1931-1932	2059
56	1932	2273
57	1932-1933	2484
58	1933	2697
58	1933-1934	5 – Continuation
59	1934	103
60	1934-1935	313
61	1935	528
62	1935-1936	744
63	1936-1937	1030
64	1937	1287
65	1937-1938	1566
66	1938-1939	1837
67	1939-1940	2123
68	1940	2392
69	1940-1941	2684

Baptisms 1941 to 1956

Book	Year	Image	Index	Notes
70	1941	3
71	1941-1942	296
72	1942-1943	609
73	1943-1944	888
74	1944	1157
75	1944-1945	1426
76	1945-1946	1702
77	1946	1971
78	1946-1947	2257
79	1947	2530
80	1947-1948	2802
81	1948-1949	5
82	1949	295
83	1949-1950	570
84	1950	853
85	1950-1951	1139
86	1951-1952	1430
87	1952-1953	1708
88	1953	2000
89	1953-1954	2296
90	1954	2578
91	1954-1955	3
92	1955-1956	288

Marriages Book Indexes

Index by surname a-z, from 1850 to 1920 564 A DUPLICATE INDEX ON 136. I did not create a table for the index on image 136.

A	B	C	D
E	F	G	H
I	J	K	L
M	N	O	P
Q	R	S	T
U	V	W	Z

Index by surname a-z, from 1927 TO 1940, 1941, AND 1942 to 1947 687

A	B	C	D
E	F	G	H
I	J	K	L
M	N	O	P
Q	R	S	T
U	V	W	X-Y–Z

Notes on the index from 1939 to 1969

There are a total of two indexes. The cover page states it goes up to 1969 but does not. It ended in 1953. I broke it down for you in the tables below.

Index by surname a-z, from Jan 1939 to June 27, 1952, 797

A	B	C	D
E	F	G	H
I	J	K	L
M	N	O	P
Q	R	S	T
U	V	W	X-Y–Z

Index by surname a-z, from June 28, 1952-Sep 26, 1953 834

A	B	C	D
E	F	G	H
I	J	K	L
M	N	O	P
Q	R	S	T
U	V	W	X-Y–Z

The Marriage Books

Book	Year	Race	Image	Index	Notes
1	1734-1774		1654		This book contains Baptisms, Marriages, and deaths.
2	1774-1804		290
2	1804-1809		994
3	1809-1812		570
5	1810-1835	Pardos, Freed Black, Enslaved	190
7	1812-1821		218
5	1821-1842		1144
6	1836-1849	Whites, Pardos, Free Blacks	4
8	1842-1850	Whites	263
9	1855-1870		706
10	1870-1876		684
11	1877-1889		372	661
12	1889-1901		996	1374
13	1901-1909		1404	1624
14	1909-1914		1950
14(D)	1909-1914		382		Duplicate Book
15	1914-1918		28	4
16	1919-1926		891		No Index; see below.
16(D)	1919-1926		1900	1896	Duplicate Book that contains the index.
17	1927-1931		1222
18	1931-1935		1430
19	1935-1938		1646
20	1939-1943		1854		See the index above.
21	1943-1949		2114		See the index above.
22	1949-1953		2382		See the index above, up to 1852.
23	1953-1956		2644

Burials

Book	Year	Image	Index	Note
1	1730-1769	1725		This book contains Baptisms, Marriages, and deaths.
2	1771-1801	1860
4	1801-1810	1570
5	1810-1819	1288
5	1819-1822	1833
6	1822-1825	2015
7	1826-1830	2169
8	1830-1836	4
9	1836-1840	211
10	1840-1845	409
11	1845-1849	319
12	1849-1854	1309
13	1854-1861	836	804
14	1861-1863	527
15	1863-1867	832	1136
16	1867-1870	1191	1164
17	1870-1874	1527	1498
18	1874-1877	626	910
19	1877-1879	932	1214
20	1880-1884	1242	1535
21	1884-1889	1556
22	1890-1896	1966	2326
23	1896-1904	5	408
24	1904-1909	441	752
25	1909-1911	1086	1301	The index is not complete.

Confirmations

Book	Year	Image
1	1904-1918	1787
2	1918-1935	1988
3	1935-1941	2162
4	1941-1945	2250
4-Continued	1945	4

Transcriptions

Below are transcriptions provided by Salli M. This can reduce the time you spend going page by page. However, this task was difficult, and there may be some errors. Therefore, it is advisable to review the document. Nevertheless, she did a fantastic job, so please thank her in the comment section. I am sure she will appreciate it.

Baptisms

Volume(Book)	Year	Race	Link to PDF
5	1785-1788		PDF
9	1809-1811		PDF
5	1843-1850	Whites	PDF
7	1854-1859		PDF
9	1861-1862		PDF
19 to 22	1879-1887		PDF

Marriages

Volume(Book)	Year	Race	Link to PDF
2	1774-1804		PDF
2 & 3	1804-1819		PDF
4m	1812-1821		PDF
5m & 6m	1819-1849	Pardos, Blacks	PDF
7m	1821-1842	Whites	PDF

Burials

Volume(Book)	Year	Race	Link to PDF
	1771-1819		PDF
4	1801-1810		PDF
	1810-1819		PDF
5-7	1819-1830		PDF
7	1826-1830		PDF
8-10	1830-1845		PDF
9	1836-1840		PDF
12	1849-1854		PDF
14	1861-1864		PDF