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Linguists and then archeologists of the 19th century used Taíno to group together the various Arawak-speaking peoples in the Greater Antilles. Source: Smithsonian Exhibits, 2017.
What is Genealogy Research?
What is Genealogy Research?
Genealogy research is the process of learning about your family history using records, oral stories, and community knowledge. For students exploring Taíno heritage, it can be a powerful way to reconnect with ancestors, reclaim Indigenous identity, and challenge the myth that Taíno people disappeared. This work honors resilience, continuity, and living culture across the Caribbean and the diaspora.
Where to begin:
Starting your family history journey is much easier when you begin with a clear goal or a specific question you want to answer. First, write down the details you already know about your relatives, then chat with family elders to collect stories that aren't in official records. You should also look for clues in personal items like old photos, scrapbooks, or family Bibles. To help you dive in, the PDF below offers a simple four-step guide to walk you through the process.
4 Steps to Start Your Genealogy Research.docxEssential Genealogy Resources:
Getting Started with Family Search:
Getting Started with Family Search:
FamilySearch is a free genealogy website maintained by a nonprofit organization and widely used by researchers, libraries, and archives around the world. Users can create a free account to build and save a family tree, organize research, and access billions of historical records, including censuses, birth and death records, immigration documents, and church registers. Because many of these sources are indexed and searchable, FamilySearch is an excellent starting point for beginners learning how to work with genealogical records. The site also encourages users to view original documents, helping researchers develop strong source-evaluation skills early in the research process.
Click the link to get started: Family Search
Below are compiled resources from Descubre Tu Historia (Discover Your Story) to help continue your own genealogy work!
Below are compiled resources from Descubre Tu Historia (Discover Your Story) to help continue your own genealogy work!
Essential Genealogy Archives: Your Created Research Guide PDF
The essential genealogy archives PDF provides a curated list of essential digital and physical archives for researching Hispanic and Caribbean genealogy. It highlights global platforms such as FamilySearch and Spain's PARES portal for colonial-era records, as well as specialized resources for Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia. Additionally, it includes unique sources like the British Library’s Endangered Archives Program and historical newspaper databases to provide deep social and historical context for ancestral research
Abbreviations in Spanish Records PDF:
The abbreviaions in spanish records PDF provides a reference for decoding common name abbreviations and honorifics found in historical Spanish documents. It covers a wide range of entries, from standard names like Antonio (Ant/Anto.) and María (Mª/Ma.) to honorifics like Don (Dn) and Doña (Dª). Mastering these shorthand versions—such as recognizing Cristóbal Cx° / Cxpo) or José (Jph)—is vital for genealogy. Because early scribes used these to save space in handwritten records, understanding them prevents researchers from misidentifying ancestors or missing key family links in colonial-era archives.
Key Vocabulary in Records PDF
The key vocabulary PDF defines essential vocabulary used in Hispanic civil and church records to help researchers decode an ancestor's legal and social status. Key terms like vecino/a (resident) and finado/a (deceased) provide critical clues for tracking movements and establishing death dates. Additionally, the resource explains historical racial classifications from the Spanish Caste system, such as Mestizo, Mulatto, and Ladino, which are vital for understanding the social context of the colonial Caribbean and Latin America. By mastering this terminology, genealogists can more accurately interpret handwritten documents and identify additional family links through the mentioned informants.
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