Family History Research in the Philippines
1841 Tipos del País by Justiniano Asuncion
The Philippines is a great place to do research because of the wealth of historical material that can be found at the country's many archives, libraries, and other repositories. Some of the Philippines' best resources for historical research can be found at the national capital in Manila. In addition to country-level archives, records can also be located at the local level at various courthouses, public libraries, churches, registry offices, cemeteries, and historical societies. Many records are also now available online at a number of great websites like Ancestry.com, Findmypast, and FamilySearch, all of which have large searchable databases relating to Filipino history and genealogy.
Records for the Philippines can also be found at places like the National Archives of the Philippines, National Library of the Philippines, and Philippines National Historical Society in Manila. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines and National Museum of the Philippines also hold extensive collections of material relating to Filipino history and genealogy. These records include church records, property deeds, civil records, newspapers, books, censuses, court records, estate files, and many other types of records.
There are a number of ways to get copies of vital records (birth, marriage, and death certificates) in the Philippines. The Philippines began countrywide registration of vital records in 1889, and the Philippines Statistics Authority has copies of these records from that date up to the present day. Prior to 1889, birth, marriage, and death records would have primarily been recorded by church parishes, which would have been responsible for keeping track of baptisms, marriages, and burials in different parts of the country.
The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah also holds a large collection of records relating to the Philippines. This is the largest and most important genealogy collection in the world and is worth a visit to explore the many billions of records that can be found there. Published material consists of books, microfilm, microfiche, and other records for the 17 regions of the Philippines. The Family History Library also has smaller family history centers located throughout the world where you can order microfilm and have these records shipped to the local area where you live. The library has also transcribed and indexed billions of Filipino church records, published histories, censuses, and other types of records which are available to view or download online at FamilySearch.org.
Records for the Philippines can also be found at places like the National Archives of the Philippines, National Library of the Philippines, and Philippines National Historical Society in Manila. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines and National Museum of the Philippines also hold extensive collections of material relating to Filipino history and genealogy. These records include church records, property deeds, civil records, newspapers, books, censuses, court records, estate files, and many other types of records.
There are a number of ways to get copies of vital records (birth, marriage, and death certificates) in the Philippines. The Philippines began countrywide registration of vital records in 1889, and the Philippines Statistics Authority has copies of these records from that date up to the present day. Prior to 1889, birth, marriage, and death records would have primarily been recorded by church parishes, which would have been responsible for keeping track of baptisms, marriages, and burials in different parts of the country.
The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah also holds a large collection of records relating to the Philippines. This is the largest and most important genealogy collection in the world and is worth a visit to explore the many billions of records that can be found there. Published material consists of books, microfilm, microfiche, and other records for the 17 regions of the Philippines. The Family History Library also has smaller family history centers located throughout the world where you can order microfilm and have these records shipped to the local area where you live. The library has also transcribed and indexed billions of Filipino church records, published histories, censuses, and other types of records which are available to view or download online at FamilySearch.org.
The Philippines Diaspora
Flag of the Philippines
If your goal is to trace your immigrant ancestors back to their place of origin, it is important to first locate the many different types of records that your ancestors left behind in places like the United States, Spain, Australia, Canada, and elsewhere. Records like ships' passenger lists, naturalization petitions, censuses, military records, vital records, obituaries, and cemetery records can often provide you with information about your ancestor's birthplace, names of relatives, and other important information. This will help you narrow down your search parameters when your ancestry search continues overseas. It is generally not possible to locate family records in the Philippines without first conducting extensive research in the places where your ancestors immigrated to.
Getting Started with Your Research
1898 Map of Manila and its suburbs
Many people wonder where they should begin with their family history research in the Philippines. If you are new to genealogical research, the first thing you'll need to do is to start building a family tree with the information you already have at your disposal. There are some great genealogy software programs available that will help you get started with this process. Family Tree Maker, Legacy Family Tree, Family Historian, and RootsMagic all make great programs that can help organize your research.
Get started by first creating a pedigree chart for yourself and family group sheets for your parents, grandparents, and other close family members. You can download free copies of these forms at FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com. You can also create these records using a genealogy software program. Family group sheets allow you to record information like family members' birth dates, marriage dates, death dates, burial places, spouses' names, and other information that will be helpful to you as your research progresses. Interview living relatives and take notes about the major events of their lives. Add this information to your family files so that you will have a strong foundation of information as you move forward with your project.
During the initial stages of your research, you can accomplish a great deal using online resources. It is highly recommended that you get subscriptions to websites like Ancestry.com and Findmypast to help with your ongoing research. Information can also be found for free at FamilySearch.org. Many types of records including censuses, vital records, obituaries, and immigration records are available online and will help you put in place the building blocks for the first part of your family tree. Using a combination of online resources along with more traditional archival research will allow you to create a thoroughly documented family history.
A professional genealogist could also be helpful to your research in the Philippines. With the expertise and knowledge of a skilled researcher, you can have someone visit local archives and libraries on your behalf throughout the Philippines. This is especially helpful if you don't live in the area and don't have ready access to court, land, and many other types of records that can often only be found after a visit to a local courthouse, public library, historical society, or council office. If you would like a professional genealogist to assist you with your ongoing research, please click here.
It is important when carrying out your research that you are thorough in documenting your family tree. Don't overlook the importance of finding your ancestor's siblings, cousins, and other close relatives. Brick walls are often encountered in genealogical research. To get beyond an apparent impasse it is often worthwhile to approach your research holistically. Many researchers who are new to genealogy often just want to get back as far as possible along a direct paternal or maternal family line. However, it is often the death certificates, obituaries, or other records of your direct ancestor's siblings and other close relatives that will provide you with the breakthroughs you are looking for.
Get started by first creating a pedigree chart for yourself and family group sheets for your parents, grandparents, and other close family members. You can download free copies of these forms at FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com. You can also create these records using a genealogy software program. Family group sheets allow you to record information like family members' birth dates, marriage dates, death dates, burial places, spouses' names, and other information that will be helpful to you as your research progresses. Interview living relatives and take notes about the major events of their lives. Add this information to your family files so that you will have a strong foundation of information as you move forward with your project.
During the initial stages of your research, you can accomplish a great deal using online resources. It is highly recommended that you get subscriptions to websites like Ancestry.com and Findmypast to help with your ongoing research. Information can also be found for free at FamilySearch.org. Many types of records including censuses, vital records, obituaries, and immigration records are available online and will help you put in place the building blocks for the first part of your family tree. Using a combination of online resources along with more traditional archival research will allow you to create a thoroughly documented family history.
A professional genealogist could also be helpful to your research in the Philippines. With the expertise and knowledge of a skilled researcher, you can have someone visit local archives and libraries on your behalf throughout the Philippines. This is especially helpful if you don't live in the area and don't have ready access to court, land, and many other types of records that can often only be found after a visit to a local courthouse, public library, historical society, or council office. If you would like a professional genealogist to assist you with your ongoing research, please click here.
It is important when carrying out your research that you are thorough in documenting your family tree. Don't overlook the importance of finding your ancestor's siblings, cousins, and other close relatives. Brick walls are often encountered in genealogical research. To get beyond an apparent impasse it is often worthwhile to approach your research holistically. Many researchers who are new to genealogy often just want to get back as far as possible along a direct paternal or maternal family line. However, it is often the death certificates, obituaries, or other records of your direct ancestor's siblings and other close relatives that will provide you with the breakthroughs you are looking for.
regions of the Philippines
|
Region
National Capital
Cordillera
Illocos
Cagayan Valley
Central Luzon
Calabarzon
Southwestern Tagalog
Bicol
Western Visayas
Central Visayas
Eastern Visayas
Zamboanga Peninsula
Northern Mindanao
Davao
Caraga
|
Regional Center
Manila
Banguio
San Fernando
Tuguegarao
San Fernando
Calamba
Calapan
Legazpi
Iloilo City
Cebu City
Tacloban
Pagadian
Cagayan de Oro
Davao City
Koronadal
Butuan
Cotabato City
|
Provinces/Districts
Districts of Manila
Provinces of Cordillera
Provinces of Illocos
Provinces of Cagayan Valley
Provinces of Central Luzon
Provinces of Calabarzon
Provinces of Southwestern Tagalog
Provinces of Bicol
Provinces of Western Visayas
Provinces of Central Visayas
Provinces of Eastern Visayas
Provinces of Zamboanga Peninsula
Provinces of Northern Mindanao
Provinces of Davao
Provinces of Soccsksargen
Provinces of Caraga
Provinces of Bangsamoro
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Island Group
Luzon
Luzon
Luzon
Luzon
Luzon
Luzon
Luzon
Luzon
Luzon
Visayas
Visayas
Mindanao
Mindinao
Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindinao
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