Notes on Spanish genealogical research from the Family Tree webinars Top 5 Resources to Expand Your Spanish Genealogical Research and An Introduction to Spanish Surnames.
Timeline of Spanish record keeping
14th century – first baptism, marriage and burial registers (very rare)
1564 – Council of Trent requires parish record keeping
1841 – Creation of primitive civil register
1871 – Creation of current civil registration system
1931-1936 – Second Spanish Republic (destroyed many church records)
1936-1939 – Spanish Civil War (government buildings destroyed)
Surnames
Spain shares border with many countries, and thus has had many cultural influences over the years. Certain regions have specific culture. In the northwest is Galicia. Sample Galician surnames include Castro, Ferreiro, and Figueroa. The Catalan region is in the Northeast and the East coast and has surnames like Serrat, Gaudi, Miro, and Ferrer. The Basque region is in the north bordering France and has distinctive surnames like Ibarra, Arregui, Aguirre, and Iraola. The Basque language in unlike any other European language.
Many surnames are of patronymic origin and typically have endings of –ex, -iz, -oz, and –z. They translate to “son of”, as Johnson in English would indicate son of John. Examples are Hernandez, Rodriguez, Ramirez, and Sanchez. These patronymic endings are a contribution from the Moors, who inhabited Spain for over 700 years. The use of surnames began in the 13th century. Other surnames described a profession, or were derived from landmarks or physical attributes.
Before the advent of civil registration in 1871, you could choose your surname. While many would have used the surnames of their fathers and mothers, some may have chosen the surname of an illustrious ancestor. Additionally, people may have used different names over the course of their life.
Given Names
In the past it was thought was the more saints' names you had, the more holy protection you would have, giving you a long and healthy life. In modern times Spain has passed a law limiting a person to two given names. An example of a really long names is that of Pablo Picasso, who was christened Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno MarÃa de los Remedios Cipriano de la SantÃsima Trinidad Martyr Patricio Clito RuÃz y Picasso.
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| Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno MarÃa de los Remedios Cipriano de la SantÃsima Trinidad Martyr Patriocio Clito RuÃz y Picasso |
Jewish Spaniards
During the Spanish Inquisition Jews fled to Portugal, the European Low Countries, or the Mediterranean. If they remained, they were converted to Catholicism under great pressure. Jewish surnames are hard to identify, and it rare to come across one. It is almost impossible to prove Spanish Jewish roots by genealogy or DNA.
Spanish Civil Registry
Spain is divided into regions --> provinces --> municipalities. Each municipality typically has its own registry office; occasionally you will find two neighboring municipalities sharing a registry office. There is no central registry for Spain, except for births, marriages, and death that occurred abroad. Ordering a certificate is free, but you may be asked to justify it. Go to https://www.mjusticia.gob.es/cs/Satellite/Portal/es/inicio then go to Citizens --> Personal Paperwork and Procedures.
Municipal Archives
Municipal Archives are held at a local level and are independent from one another. They hold the first primitive civil registry that was taken between 1841 to 1871. They may also hold local censuses. Other records will vary from archive to archive.
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