The Yauco area was once considered the capital of Boriken by the Taino natives. It was ruled by Agüeybana, the most powerful Taíno cacique on the island was its ruler. The other caciques had to obey him. After Agüeybaná’s death, his nephew Güeybaná (also known as Agüeybaná II) became the most potent cacique on the island. Agüeybaná II wasn’t convinced that the Spaniards had godly status, so he devised a plan to test this. He and Urayoán, the cacique of Añasco, sent some tribe members to drown a Spaniard named Diego Salcedo in a river. They watched over Salcedo’s body to ensure that he did not revive. This event convinced Agüeybaná II and the rest of the Taíno that the Spaniards were not gods. They rebelled against the Spanish in 1511 but were defeated.
18th Century History
In 1755, the Spanish settlers of the region built a small chapel named Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario (Our Lady of the Holy Rosary). The settlers sent Fernando Pacheco as their representative to the Spanish Government to request the establishment of a municipality since they had satisfied one of the requirements for a city, namely, to establish a place of worship.
On February 29, 1756, the King of Spain granted its settlers their request and agreed to establish Yauco, naming Fernando Pacheco as the new city’s First Lieutenant of War.
From the mid-19th to the early 20th century, hundreds of Corsican, Italian, French, Portuguese, Irish, Scots, and German immigrants arrived in Puerto Rico, attracted by the Spanish Crown’s offer of free land. They settled mainly in the south-central region.
Observations of Church Books for Yauco
Here is the complete outline of the film’s breakdown. Unfortunately, you will not find many indexes in the books. Also, the condition of the books varies. Some are better than others. Hopefully, you will know the years you must research since you must go through them page by page.
Not all volumes have a Book number assigned. I am using the film number as a reference. In addition, there is a marriage book miscategorized in the Baptism books. FamilySearch has also indexed it as a baptism. (1840-1860) I broke down the books, which are now in the marriage section.
Not all volumes have a Book number assigned. I am using the film number as a reference. In addition, there is a marriage book miscategorized in the Baptism books. FamilySearch has also indexed it as a baptism. (1840-1860) I broke down the books, which are now in the marriage section.
I find your site invaluable in my genealogy research. I recommend your site to anyone seriously doing genealogy, it will save many hours of time searching for records.
Two items:
1- I have discovered a link directing to an incorrect film:
Yauco Burials 1818-1826
The link directs to Film # 007231494, when it should be directing to Film 007231496 (image 3 or 4).
The incorrect last digit for the film was inadvertently used. 🙂
2- I also noticed on your About page that you have done extensive research on the Reyes surname. I am a Reyes from Utuado, and have hit a “Brick Wall” at Martín Reyes (married to Rufina Soto Valentín) in attempting to recreate a direct line of Reyes ancestors from me. He is my paternal 2GG, and was wondering if your research has included that line of Reyes ancestors that ended up in Utuado.
Thank you Pablo for letting me know about the misdirect link. I appreciate it. I rely on many of you to let me know of these errors, so I appreciate it very much. As for your Reyes line, what time period are we talking about for Martín Reyes and Rufina Soto Valentín? You may email me directly if you like, hijosdecoamopr@gmail.com
Hello!
I find your site invaluable in my genealogy research. I recommend your site to anyone seriously doing genealogy, it will save many hours of time searching for records.
Two items:
1- I have discovered a link directing to an incorrect film:
Yauco Burials 1818-1826
The link directs to Film # 007231494, when it should be directing to Film 007231496 (image 3 or 4).
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G94C-Q8Z?i=3&cat=277991
The incorrect last digit for the film was inadvertently used. 🙂
2- I also noticed on your About page that you have done extensive research on the Reyes surname. I am a Reyes from Utuado, and have hit a “Brick Wall” at Martín Reyes (married to Rufina Soto Valentín) in attempting to recreate a direct line of Reyes ancestors from me. He is my paternal 2GG, and was wondering if your research has included that line of Reyes ancestors that ended up in Utuado.
Would appreciate any feedback.
Keep up the great work!
Pablo Iván
Thank you Pablo for letting me know about the misdirect link. I appreciate it. I rely on many of you to let me know of these errors, so I appreciate it very much. As for your Reyes line, what time period are we talking about for Martín Reyes and Rufina Soto Valentín? You may email me directly if you like, hijosdecoamopr@gmail.com