Coamo, Puerto Rico; History and Church Indexes

History of Coamo

The history of Coamo, also known as “La Villa de San Blás de Illescas de Coamo,” began in the 1500s. The town originally consisted of one urban zone with approximately twenty dwellings. During that period, ninety percent of the population lived on farms surrounding the church outskirts, while ten homes stood around the church itself.

By the end of the eighteenth century, Guayama, Cayey, and Juana Díaz separated from Villa de Coamo. During the nineteenth century, Coamo also lost territory to Barranquitas, Cidra, Aibonito, Patillas, Orocovis, Comerío, Santa Isabel, Salinas, and Arroyo. Some of these towns had already experienced earlier separations. For example, Cidra separated from Cayey, and Cayey had previously separated from Coamo.

Reasons for Annexing

Several factors led to the establishment of new municipalities. Remoteness played a major role because many of these towns sat in mountainous regions that made travel difficult. Poor conditions and the lack of roads created additional hardships. Residents struggled to purchase supplies, receive medical care, and attend church services. These challenges became some of the main reasons for annexing and creating new municipalities.

When locating records, you should use a map to identify the town and its surrounding communities. Keep in mind that many residents moved throughout the island. Do not feel surprised if you discover an ancestor living in another location. During my own research, I discovered ancestors from Coamo who married or died in nearby towns.

My Connection

My parents, who were born in Cayey during the late 1930s, left Puerto Rico in the 1950s. Like many Puerto Rican families of that era, they joined the massive migration in search of new opportunities and the “American Dream.”

During my initial research, I discovered that my grandparents and great-grandparents were born in Orocovis. Before 1928, people knew the town as Barros. My research eventually traced the family back to Coamo. I also uncovered relatives in Barranquitas and Cidra, while other family lines extended as far as Corozal, Toa Alta, Morovis, and Aguadilla. Our ancestors traveled extensively across Puerto Rico and created the legacy they left behind.

Although researchers lack many church records from the seventeenth century, other important documents still survive. Wills, marriage contracts, and census records can provide valuable clues and strengthen your genealogical investigation.

Final Thoughts

Do not let the lack of church records discourage you. Many known families from Coamo married in neighboring towns such as Aibonito, Cayey, and Guayama. Successful research often requires exploring outside the town itself, and that approach has produced excellent results in my own investigations.

Once you locate documents, analyze them carefully for clues. Local priests often recorded detailed information about individuals and families, including the pueblo or town of origin. The church location did not always match the place where the family lived. You should also pay close attention to godparents and witnesses because they can reveal additional family connections and help break through genealogical brick walls.

Small details often lead to important discoveries. Keeping a map nearby can also help you identify neighboring churches and municipalities. With patience and persistence, you may eventually uncover that elusive ancestor. Good luck!

Origin of Municipality by name and year founded

Municipality	Year Founded	Origin of Name
Coamo (Spanish)	1616	Founded in 1616 and named by the Spanish in honor of the settler Cristóbal de Illescas. San Blas Illescas de Coamo is the original name of the town. It officially became an official municipality in 1778.
Guayama (Native)	1736	The Native Indians named it the river that passes through it—the Guayama river, now known as Guamaní.
Cayey	1773	The name could have come from the Native Indians and Cacique or after another individual.
Juana Diaz (Spanish)	1798	You may find relatives in this municipality from Coamo or Ponce.
Barranquitas (Spanish)	1803	It is founded by Don Antonio Aponte Ramos, my 6th great-grandfather.
Cidra (Spanish)	1809	It was annexed from Cayey, Puerto Rico, and named after an abundant fruit in the region.
Patillas (Spanish)	1811	Of Spanish origin and separated from Guayama.
Comerio (Spanish)	1826	Also known as Sabana de Palmer.
Orocovis (Native)	1825	It is of Native Indian origin and named for the Head, Chief Orocobix. This town’s original name was Barros, which officially changed in 1928.
Aibonito (Spanish)	1830	Named for Hato Lay Bonito.
Santa Isabel (Spanish)	1841	Town named in honor of Queen Isabela of Spain.
Salinas (Spanish)	1851	It is named for the salt extraction located on its coastline.
Arroyo (Spanish)	1855	It was previously a port belonging to Guayama, Puerto Rico.
Villalba (Spanish)	1917	Annexed from Ponce.

History of Coamo and its Municipalities and Barrios

Municipality	Neighborhoods
Coamo	Coamo Arriba, Cuyón, Hayales, Los llanos, Palmarejo, Pasto, Pedro Garcia, Pulguillas, San Ildefonso, Santa Catalina.
Guayama	Algarrono, Caimital, Carite, Carmen, Guamaní, Jabos, Machete, Palmas, Pozo Hondo.
Cayey	Beatriz, Cedro, Cercadillo, Culebras Alto, Culebras bajo, Farallón, Guavate, Jájome Alto, Jájome Bajo, Lapa, Matón Abajo, Matón Arriba, Monte Llano, Pasto Viejo, Pedro Avila, Piedras, Quebrada Arriba, Rincón, Sumido, Toita, Vegas.
Juana Diaz	Amuelas, Callabo, Capitanejo, Cintrona, Collores, Guayabal, Jacaguas, Lomas, Río Cańas Abajo, Río Cañas Arriba, Sabana Llana, Tijeras.
Barranquitas	Barrancas, Cañabón, Helechal, Honduras, Palo Huncado, Quebrada Grande, Quebradillas.
Cidra	Arenas, Bayamón, Beatris, Cieba, Monte Llano, Rabanal, Rincón, Río Abajo, Salto, Sud, Toita.
Patillas	Apeadero, Bajo, Cacao Alto, Cacao Bajo, Guardarraya, Jacaboa, Jagual, Mamey, Marín, Mulas, Muñoz Rivera, Pollos, Quebrada Arriba, Ríos
Comerio	Cedrito, Doña Elena, Naranjo, Palomas, Piñas, Río Hondo, Vega Redonda.
Orocovis	Ala de piedra, Barros, Bauta Abajo, Bauto Arriba, Bermalejos, Botijas, Cacaos, Collores, Damián Abajo, Damían Arriba, Gato, Mata de Caña, Orocovis, Pellejas, Sabana, Saltos.
Aibonito	Asomante, Algarrobo, Caonillas Cuyán, Llano, Plata, Pasto, Roble.
Sta. Isabel	Boca Velázquez, Descalabrado, Felicia Uno, Felicia Dos, Juca Uno, Jauca Dos, Playa.
Salinas	Aguirre, Coquí, San Felipe, Lapa, Palmas, Quebrada Yeguas, Río Jueyes.
Arroyo	Ancones, Palmas, Guásima, Pitahaya, Yaurel.
Villalba	Caonillas Abajo, Caonillas Arriba, Hato Puerco Arriba, Vacas, Villalba Abajo, Villalba Arriba.

Index for records in Family Search

A transcription consisting of Baptisms, Marriages & deaths covers several books below. Click on the link. It will take you to another one of my articles. It has a few transcriptions provided by some fantastic individuals. Transcriptions

Coamo Baptisms, 1701 to 1900

Book	Year	Image	Index	Index2	Race/Notes
5	1701-1773	4			Transcribed (1700-1825)
6	1774-1790	354
7	1790-1794	1648
8	1794-1802	797
9	1802-1809	981
10	1809-1814	1221
11	1813-1825	1412			Whites
11	1814-1819	1589
12	1819-1826	74
13	1827-1834	1808
13	1832	5-Continuation from the above book.
4	1834-1845	332	314		Pardos
1	1850-1871	2263	2338		Enslaved
2	1852-1856	1473			Whites and Pardos
3	1855-1861	650	872		Whites and Pardos
16	1861-1865	935	907	785	2 The second index is another set that is easier to read.
17	1865-1872	1250	1219	804	2 The second index is another set that is easier to read.
18	1868-1872	1553	1527	822	2 The second index is another set that is easier to read.
19	1872-1875	1865	1834-1864	838	2 The second index is another set that is easier to read.
20	1875-1877	2177	2145	853	2 The second index is another set that is easier to read.
21	1878-1880	40	6
22	1880-1883	351	318
23	1883-1885	647	617
24	1885-1886	886	860
25	1886-1889	1044	1015
26	1889-1893	1377	1350
27	1893-1897	1717	1684
28	1897-1900	2060	2026

Coamo Baptisms, 1900 to 1922

Book	Year	Image	Index	Race/Notes
29	1900-1904	2408	2370	It ends in 1902 but continues below
29	1900-1904	4		continues from the book above
30	1904-1907	308	279
31	1907-1908	647	614
32	1908-1911	932	906
33	1911-1915	1218	1196
34	1915-1918	1915 Starts with Image 1484, Image 1857 continues with this book after the index. It ends on Image 1870. (So look at the few fragments)	1482/1832	Index A is in the front (1482), and then the back at Image 1832, starting with L. Letters B to J start on Image 1848.
35	1918-1922	1897	1874

Marriages (Transcription available for these records, see above link)

Book	Year	Image	Index	Race/Notes
	1778-1798	1865	Transcribed
	1798-1813	5	Transcribed
1	1814-1836	203	Transcribed	Pardos
2	1830-1858	425	Transcribed	Whites
1	1858-1873	590	569	Whites
	1874-1887	799	1075
4	1887-1906	1132	1107
5	1906-1911	1389
6	1911-1922	1572	1547

Burials for Coamo

Book	Year	Image	Index	Race/Notes
1	1773-1810	1736	None
2	1810-1815	2186	None	All Races/Transcribed
3	1815-1820	4	None	All Races
4	1820-1830	529	None	All Races
7	1830-1839	228	None	The binder states Book 5
8	1839-1847	763	None	The top of the page says Book 6
8	1853-1859	953	None
9	1860-1875	1128	1098
10	1868-1875	1448	1419
11	1875-1881	1759	1725
12	1881-1887	2074	2039
13	1887-1897	33	5
	1897-1910	373	345

Confirmations, 1774 to 1937

Book	Year	Image	Notes
	1774-1811	998
3	1876-1904	1171
16	1919-1937	893

Book	Year	Image	Description
15	1903-1917	871	It is incorrectly labeled as confirmations.

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