Genealogy Research on Pedro Martínez Batista (1918 – Barceloneta, PR)

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Background

Pedro Martínez Batista was born in 1918 in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico. He married María Magdalena Rivera Rivera, and they had at least two children (Pedro Luis Martínez Rivera and Raquel Martínez Rivera). He also had an earlier marriage, with an older daughter from that union. Little is known about Pedro’s own parents or siblings. The family believes their Martínez-Batista line may trace back to Canary Island immigrants to Puerto Rico. Below is a comprehensive guide to finding records in Puerto Rico and the Canary Islands to piece together Pedro’s ancestry, including vital records, church registers, census data, and migration documents.

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Puerto Rican Records and Sources

1. Civil Registration (Birth, Marriage, Death)

Puerto Rico began official civil record-keeping in 1885, so Pedro’s birth (1918) and marriages should be recorded in civil registers. Barceloneta’s civil records (births, marriages, deaths) from 1885 onward are available. Key steps and sources:

• Birth Certificate (1918):
  Search the Barceloneta civil birth register for 1918. This record will name Pedro’s parents and their ages, providing crucial next clues. The Demographic Registry (Registro Demográfico) in Puerto Rico holds these records, but you can also access them via digitized collections (e.g. FamilySearch or Ancestry). FamilySearch has Puerto Rico civil registrations (indexed and images) covering 1885–2001 [1] (https://hijosdecoamopr.com/puerto-rico-civil-registration-records/). Ancestry.com also hosts “Puerto Rico, Civil Registrations, 1885-2001” [3] (https://www.ancestry.com/search/places/usa/puerto_rico/).
• Marriage Records:
  Locate Pedro’s marriage to María Magdalena Rivera Rivera in civil marriage registers. Likely in Barceloneta or the bride’s hometown, around the 1940s (assuming their children were born mid-20th century). The marriage certificate will list each spouse’s parents. If Pedro had a previous marriage, search earlier marriage entries (perhaps late 1930s) under his name. Both FamilySearch [1] (https://hijosdecoamopr.com/puerto-rico-civil-registration-records/) and Ancestry [3] (https://www.ancestry.com/search/places/usa/puerto_rico/) include Puerto Rico marriage records in their civil registration collections. If the exact year or town is unknown, use the FamilySearch index or Ancestry’s index by searching Pedro’s name with spouse’s name.
• Death Records:
  If Pedro Martínez Batista died in Puerto Rico, a civil death record would also be filed. Privacy laws may restrict recent records, but deaths before ~1975 should be accessible. Death records can provide his exact birth date, parents’ names, and burial information. Search FamilySearch’s civil registration collection for a death entry (the index spans to 2001) [1] (https://hijosdecoamopr.com/puerto-rico-civil-registration-records/). Additionally, check for an obituary or cemetery record if the death was in the late 20th century. The Puerto Rico National Cemetery database or local newspaper archives might be useful for obituaries.

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2. Church Records (Parish Registers)

Before civil records began (pre-1885), vital events were recorded by churches. Even after 1885, many families continued to baptize children and marry in the Catholic Church. Church records can serve as primary sources or backups if civil records are missing. For Barceloneta and surrounding towns, look for:

• Baptismal Records:
  Check the parish of Barceloneta for Pedro’s baptism in 1918. The baptism register will have the baptism date, parents’ names, godparents, and sometimes grandparents. Puerto Rico’s Catholic church records from 1645–1946 are available on FamilySearch (browse the “Puerto Rico Catholic Church Records” collection) [4] (https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/collection/1784529). These are organized by parish and often not name-indexed, so you’ll need to know the town and approximate date. Barceloneta’s church books (or the nearest older parish if Barceloneta’s parish was established later) should cover 1918.
• Marriage & Confirmation Records:
  Likewise, find church marriage records for Pedro’s marriages. A church marriage record might exist even if a civil one does, and it may note dispensations or parentage. Also consider confirmation records or other sacraments which might list family members. FamilySearch’s Puerto Rico church collection can be browsed by town parish [4] (https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/collection/1784529).

Note: Many Puerto Rican church records have been digitized or indexed by volunteers. If you can’t visit an archive, use FamilySearch [4] (https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/collection/1784529) or consult the Hijos de Coamo project [1] (https://hijosdecoamopr.com/puerto-rico-civil-registration-records/) which indexes church archives across Puerto Rico. The Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Genealogía [5] (https://puertoricoancestry.org/tag/sociedad-puertorriquena-de-genealogia/) may also have transcriptions for some church books.

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3. U.S. Federal Census Records

Puerto Rico was included in the U.S. Census in 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940. These census records are excellent for reconstructing families and are accessible online. Specifically:

• 1920 Census:
  Pedro (age ~2) should appear with his parents in the 1920 census of Puerto Rico. By locating Barceloneta in 1920, you can find an entry for the Martínez Batista household, revealing his parents’ names, ages, occupations, and names of any siblings. The 1920 census is indexed on FamilySearch and Ancestry, so you can search by his name (keeping in mind spelling variations). FamilySearch provides free access to these census records [6] (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1030/?name=Magdalena_Rivera+Y+Rivera&pcat=42&qh=Uld0UhHnqq8p8yrRaERN7g%3D%3D).
• 1930 and 1940 Census:
  Similarly, check the 1930 census (Pedro ~12 years old) and 1940 census (age ~22). The 1930 census could show him with parents and any younger siblings, and the 1940 might capture him as a young adult (possibly already married or living nearby). These records can fill gaps about the family between vital events. Both 1930 and 1940 Puerto Rico census schedules are available via the National Archives and online databases.

Note on Access: The National Archives (NARA) website has the digitized images of these censuses, and FamilySearch has them indexed for easy name searching. Ancestry and MyHeritage (subscription sites) also include Puerto Rico census records.

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4. Other Puerto Rico Sources

• Immigration and Travel:
  If Pedro or his children ever traveled to the U.S. mainland or elsewhere, look for U.S. passenger lists or passport applications. Puerto Rican residents often appear in New York passenger manifests if they sailed, or in U.S. Passport applications (especially around WWII). The Archives of Puerto Rico site has an index of passport records from early 1900s [10] (https://archivespuertorico.com/3337-2/), though Pedro would have been a minor in those early years. If any family members served in the U.S. military, draft registration cards (e.g. WWII Draft for those born ~1918) could provide residence and next-of-kin info.
• Newspapers and Obituaries:
  Local newspapers (in Spanish) from mid-20th century might mention family events in Barceloneta. The website Genealogía Nuestra has guides on finding Puerto Rican newspaper archives [12] (https://genealogianuestra.com/2017/06/pares-migratory-movements-database/). Searching obituary archives or cemetery records (like on FindAGrave or interment.net) for the surnames Martínez or Batista in Barceloneta could turn up additional clues.
• Society Publications:
  The Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Genealogía often publishes research on Puerto Rican lineages. They have resources and even books (for example, they published “La Emigración Isleño-Canaria a Puerto Rico: Siglos XVI al XX” in 2023, which might mention common Canary Island settler families in Puerto Rico). Their journals or bulletins might have compiled lineages for families from Barceloneta or nearby towns [13] (https://hijosdecoamopr.com/Genealogy/sociedad-puertorriquena-de-genealogia/).

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Canary Islands Records and Sources

If Pedro’s ancestors indeed came from the Canary Islands, you will need to research Spanish records. The Canary Islands (e.g. Tenerife, Gran Canaria, etc.) were Spanish provinces, and their records follow Spanish formats:

1. Spanish Civil Registration

Spain instituted civil registration in 1871 (Canary Islands included). Births, marriages, and deaths after that year were recorded by civil authorities (Registro Civil). For any known ancestor from Canary Islands (perhaps Pedro’s father or grandfather), you can request these records:

• Requesting Certificates:
  Civil birth, marriage, or death certificates from the Canary Islands can be requested by mail or online from the local Registro Civil. According to researchers, Spanish civil registries will often mail copies free of charge for historical records [14] (https://genealogiapr.com/). You need to provide the person’s name, event date, and town. If you know which island or town (for example, a family story might mention Tenerife or Gran Canaria), write to that civil registry office. The Spanish Ministry of Justice also has an online request form (“Certificado” request) – you’d select the Canary Island province and town.
• Using FamilySearch:
  FamilySearch has a large collection of Spanish civil records on microfilm/digitized. Check the FamilySearch Catalog by searching the town name in Canary Islands. Many civil registers up to the early 1900s have been digitized. For example, if the surname Batista came from Gran Canaria, you might find indexed entries like Pedro Batista born 1871 in Arucas, Gran Canaria [13] (https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/KDBN-3QL/pedro-batista-1871). While not directly Pedro’s line, it shows that FamilySearch holds records for Canarian towns. Also search FamilySearch’s Spain records database; there is a general collection “Spain, Civil Registration” that can be browsed or searched by name.

2. Church Records in Canary Islands

For events before 1871 (or if civil records are unavailable), parish records are the prime source. Baptisms, marriages, and burials in the Canary Islands were kept by the Catholic Church, often dating back to the 16th or 17th century in older towns. Key points:

• Parish Archives:
  The challenge is that Canary dioceses have not broadly digitized their old parish books. This means you may need to contact or visit the diocesan archive in Tenerife or Las Palmas. Each island has an archive for its dioceses (e.g., Archivo Diocesano de Tenerife for Tenerife/La Palma, and Archivo Diocesano de Canarias for Gran Canaria, etc.). If you can determine which island your family came from, you can write to the diocesan archive or parish for baptism or marriage entries of Pedro’s ancestors. Include as much info as possible (approximate dates, full names).
• FamilySearch Catholic Collection:
  FamilySearch’s collection “Spain, Catholic Church Records, 1307–2005” might have some Canary Islands records [4] (https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/collection/1784529). It’s worth browsing by province within that collection. Even if not indexed by name, you might find scans of parish registers from certain Canary towns.
• Local Genealogy Societies:
  Given the difficulty of online access, consider reaching out to Canarian genealogy societies or historians. As one genealogist advised, for a specialized locale like the Canaries, joining a local history or genealogy society can be extremely helpful [13] (https://hijosdecoamopr.com/Genealogy/sociedad-puertorriquena-de-genealogia/). They might have resources or volunteers who can look up parish books. The cost is usually low, and you gain local expertise.

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3. Immigration and Emigration Documents

To connect the dots between Canary Islands and Puerto Rico, look for migration records:

• Spanish Emigration Records (PARES):
  The Spanish national archives (PARES) hold records of people who left Spain for the Americas. One valuable resource is the Ibero-American Movimientos Migratorios database. This database includes Archivo General de Indias records of passengers to Puerto Rico and Cuba, listing emigrants by name, origin, age, etc. [17] (http://pares.mcu.es/MovimientosMigratorios/staticContent.form?viewName=fuentes2). It covers many 19th-century emigrants who obtained permission to sail. You can search by surname or town – for example, searching with “Martínez” and filtering destination “Puerto Rico” might yield leads. The Genealogía Nuestra blog provides a tutorial on using this PARES database [18] (https://genealogianuestra.com/2017/06/pares-migratory-movements-database/). Some entries even have digitized images of the original passenger files.
• Canary Island Departure Lists:
  Apart from PARES, check if any compiled lists of Canary-to-Caribbean settlers exist. Historically, large waves of Canarians came to Puerto Rico in several periods (1690s, 1700s, and even 1800s). By the late 19th century, 1891–1895 saw over 600 Canary Islanders officially migrating to Puerto Rico [19] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle%C3%B1os). Published books or articles (like the SPG 2023 book mentioned) often include lists of family names of those immigrants. If you suspect a connection, searching for “Martínez Batista Canary Islands Puerto Rico” in academic or genealogy publications might bring up a documented family.
• Naturalization or Nationality Papers:
  After the U.S. took possession of Puerto Rico (1898), Spanish-born residents in Puerto Rico had to declare their allegiance (to retain Spanish citizenship or become U.S. nationals). In 1899–1900 there were Spaniards’ Declarations of Nationality. If Pedro’s father or grandfather was born in the Canaries but living in PR during that time, see if they appear in those records. The HijosdeCoamo site has an article indexing some of these declarations [20] (https://hijosdecoamopr.com/Genealogy/sociedad-puertorriquena-de-genealogia/). Finding an ancestor in such a document would confirm the migration and give details like birthplace in Canary Islands.

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Key Genealogy Websites and Archives for Further Research

To conduct this research thoroughly, here are recommended websites, databases, and archives – both free and paid – that offer relevant records or guidance:

• FamilySearch (free):
  The premier free genealogy site with extensive Puerto Rico and Spain records. Create a free account and use the FamilySearch Catalog and Records Search. Key collections to use:
  • Puerto Rico Civil Registration 1805–2001 (indexed) [1] (https://hijosdecoamopr.com/puerto-rico-civil-registration-records/)
  • Puerto Rico Catholic Church Records 1645–1969 (images) [4] (https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/collection/1784529)
  • Indexed U.S. Census 1910–1950 for Puerto Rico [6] (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1030/?name=Magdalena_Rivera+Y+Rivera&pcat=42&qh=Uld0UhHnqq8p8yrRaERN7g%3D%3D)
    Also explore the FamilySearch Wiki for Puerto Rico and Spain, which gives town-by-town research tips.
• Ancestry.com (paid):
  Ancestry’s databases include Puerto Rico Civil Registrations, 1885–2001 and all the U.S. census records for Puerto Rico [3] (https://www.ancestry.com/search/places/usa/puerto_rico/). Ancestry also has many user-created family trees; you mentioned Pedro’s wife María Magdalena Rivera appears in some Ancestry family trees – those could provide clues (though verify any information with sources). If you don’t have a personal subscription, check if your local library has Ancestry Library Edition.
• MyHeritage and FindMyPast (paid):
  These sites have overlapping content with Ancestry/FamilySearch but occasionally unique records or better search for Spanish/Latin names. MyHeritage, for instance, has Puerto Rico census and some civil indexes.
• Archivos Españoles (PARES, free):
  The PARES portal (Portal de Archivos Españoles) is free and contains Spanish archival documents. Use the Movimientos Migratorios search for emigration records [17] (http://pares.mcu.es/MovimientosMigratorios/staticContent.form?viewName=fuentes2). Additionally, PARES might have other documents like military records, residencies, or legal files from Puerto Rico’s Spanish era.
• Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Genealogía (SPG):
  The SPG is a well-regarded organization. Their website [13] (https://hijosdecoamopr.com/Genealogy/sociedad-puertorriquena-de-genealogia/) and Facebook page often share research tips and resources. They have published books and newsletters on Puerto Rican lineages.
• Local Civil Registry Offices:
  For official certificates, you may contact Puerto Rico’s Registrador Demográfico for Barceloneta [30] (https://vitalrecordsoffice.net/puerto-rico/barceloneta-registrar-registrador-demogrfico/). Earlier records (like Pedro’s 1918 birth) are likely in the Puerto Rico General Archives or on FamilySearch microfilm.
• Genealogy Forums and DNA:
  Don’t overlook forums like the Reddit Genealogy community [2] (https://www.reddit.com/r/Genealogy/comments/15jybuj/puerto_rican_genealogy/) or RootsWeb Puerto Rico message boards. If you’re open to DNA testing, sites like AncestryDNA or 23andMe might connect you with distant cousins from the Martínez or Batista families.
• Historical Books and Miscellaneous:
  The Library of Congress and New York Public Library have guides that list resources like Spanish immigrant biographies and land records [31] (https://libguides.nypl.org/puertoricogenealogy/atnypl). The Isleños Society and academic works on Canarian migration may provide surname data on Canary Island families in Puerto Rico.

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Conclusion & Next Steps

By leveraging these primary sources and genealogical tools, you can gradually uncover the roots of Pedro Martínez Batista. Start with the concrete records in Puerto Rico – his birth and marriage documents and the census – to learn his parents’ names and any siblings. Then extend the search to the Canary Islands via civil records and emigration files to find the earlier generations who moved to Puerto Rico.

Keep your research organized in short steps: for each discovery (a new name, date, or town), record the source and then follow that clue in the next source (for example, a parent’s name from the birth certificate can be searched in the 1910 census or an 1890s marriage register). Using well-regarded databases like FamilySearch and archives like PARES will ensure you rely on primary evidence rather than unsourced family lore.

Good luck with your genealogical journey – with persistence, you’ll piece together the story of Pedro’s ancestry from Puerto Rico back to the Canary Islands.

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Sources & Resources:

Puerto Rico Civil Registration began in 1885 (vital records for all towns from that year) [1] (https://hijosdecoamopr.com/puerto-rico-civil-registration-records/)
FamilySearch collections for Puerto Rico: indexed civil records (births, marriages, deaths 1885–2001) and Catholic parish registers [4] (https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/collection/1784529). Also, indexed U.S. Census 1910–1950 covering Puerto Rico [6] (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1030/?name=Magdalena_Rivera+Y+Rivera&pcat=42&qh=Uld0UhHnqq8p8yrRaERN7g%3D%3D)
Ancestry’s Puerto Rico databases (e.g. Civil Registrations, 1885–2001) and genealogical guides [3] (https://www.ancestry.com/search/places/usa/puerto_rico/)
Canary Islands research: Spanish civil records (post-1871) can be requested by mail [14] (https://genealogiapr.com/); church records require contacting diocesan archives (not online) [13] (https://hijosdecoamopr.com/Genealogy/sociedad-puertorriquena-de-genealogia/)
Spanish Archives PARES Migratory Movements database for names of emigrants to Puerto Rico [17] (http://pares.mcu.es/MovimientosMigratorios/staticContent.form?viewName=fuentes2)
Genealogy blogs and societies: e.g. Genealogía Nuestra (guides to Puerto Rican records and Spanish archives) [18] (https://genealogianuestra.com/2017/06/pares-migratory-movements-database/), and Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Genealogía publications on Canarian migration [13] (https://hijosdecoamopr.com/Genealogy/sociedad-puertorriquena-de-genealogia/)

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