8 Resources: Spanish Territory to USA Citizens

Where to Research for Puerto Rican Ancestors

When researching Puerto Rican ancestors, one of the biggest mistakes genealogists make is assuming the records will all be in one place. Puerto Rico sits at the crossroads of Spanish colonial history, U.S. territorial governance, military eligibility, and changing citizenship law.

Before 1898, Puerto Rico was under Spanish control. That means earlier genealogical records are often found in:

• Catholic parish registers
• Spanish-language civil and administrative records
• Local municipal records
• Land, tax, and notarial records

Before 1917, your Puerto Rican ancestor records may be found in:

• Spanish-language local records
• Church records
• Municipal civil records
• Territorial administrative records

After the Spanish-American War in 1898, Puerto Rico became a territory of the United States. In 1917 the Jones-Shafroth Act granted U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans.

The State, Columbia, SC · Tuesday, June 05, 1917

So, after 1917, Your ancestor may also begin appearing in:

• U.S. federal records
• World War I draft cards
• Military service records
• Other citizenship-related documentation

That means one person may appear across two governments, two languages, and two legal systems over the course of a lifetime: 

 Your ancestor may appear in:

• A Spanish-language baptismal register
• A civil marriage record
• A U.S. draft registration
• A later federal military or migration record

At first glance, it may not look like the same person. You may see name spelling changes, anglicized versions of names, different places listed, shifts in language or legal terminology

These differences often reflect government change, not family inconsistency.

8 Resources for Research

1.  New York National Archives (NARA). The Guide to Puerto Rican Records in the National Archives, New York City, is a great place to begin your Puerto Rican ancestor research. 

2.  Newspapers. The New York Puerto Rican newspapers reported news of its community. Although much was in Spanish, these OCR digitized copies are easily available with the New York Public Library database resources, or other comprehensive historical/genealogical libraries that hold newspaper database subscriptions (i.e. Midwest Genealogy Center, MO. -  library card will get you home access).

- La Democracia

- La Correspondencia de Puerto Rico

- El Tiempo y Union Obera

3.  Passenger Lists.
--Puerto Rico, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1901 – 1962, ancestry.com
--National Archives Record Group (RG85) Manifests of Ship Passengers Arriving at San Juan, PR in Transit to Other Destinations, 07/01/1921 – 06/30/1947 (microfilm only)
--RG 85.3.1 Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at San Juan PR 10/7/1901 – 6/30/1948

4.  Military Records. Selective Service System draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 are digitally available on FamilySearch.org or ancestry.com.

5.  Passports. Many Puerto Ricans worked in neighboring countries, (i.e. Dominican Republic).  For easier entry and exist many applied for their U. S. passports. Visit U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925 on ancestry.com. For Puerto Rico, this collection holds records from 1907-1925. This is a good place to begin your passport research.

6. Consular Records. 

Was a child of an American citizen born overseas? This occurred frequently with customary long overseas visits. The Department of State records, various records of death notices of U.S. citizens abroad should be scoured for your elusive ancestor. Don’t dismiss these records as only for those who were naturalized USA citizens and returned to their native land to visit family. Vacationers fell sick, were victims of violence, automobile accidents, or were imprisoned, etc. These records also included deaths that occurred in Canada and the Americas.

7. Guide to Puerto Rican Records in the National Archives NYC, (these records may be transplanted to Pennsylvania 

8. Puerto Rico Civil Registration, familysearch Wiki