Tracing Bolivian Ancestry: A Guide To Your Roots

If you're looking to trace your ancestry back to Bolivia, there are a number of online resources that can help. These include genealogy websites such as Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, and Geneanet, which provide access to various databases and indexes containing historical records. These records may include birth, marriage, and death certificates, as well as church records, census data, immigration records, and more. Some of these websites offer free access to their records, while others require a paid subscription. By gathering information about your relatives, such as names, dates, and locations, you can utilise these websites to search for your ancestors and build your family tree.

Use genealogy websites

There are several genealogy websites that can help you find your ancestors in Bolivia. These websites provide access to various records and resources that can aid in your research. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use genealogy websites to trace your Bolivian ancestors:

• Visit popular genealogy websites: Start by visiting well-known genealogy websites such as FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, and Geneanet. These websites offer extensive record collections and databases that can help you in your research.
• Sign up for an account: Most genealogy websites require you to create an account. This usually involves providing your name, email address, and creating a password. Creating an account allows you to save your research, build your family tree, and access additional features on the website.
• Search for records: Once you have created an account, you can begin your search for records. These websites typically have search engines where you can enter information such as your ancestor's name, approximate dates of birth and death, and locations associated with them. You can also search by record type, such as birth, marriage, and death records, as well as census records, immigration records, and military records.
• Explore record collections: Genealogy websites often have extensive record collections that you can explore. For Bolivian ancestry research, look for record collections specific to Bolivia. These may include baptism, marriage, and death records, as well as census records, immigration records, and military records. Some websites may provide these records in the Spanish language.
• Build your family tree: Many genealogy websites offer family tree building tools that allow you to visually map out your ancestry. As you find records and confirm relationships, you can add family members to your tree and organise them accordingly. This helps you visualise your ancestral lines and identify gaps in your research.
• Utilise search tips and filters: To refine your search and find the most relevant results, utilise the search tips and filters provided by the genealogy websites. For example, consider using wildcards (such as "*" or "?") to account for spelling variations or unknown letters in names. You can also narrow your results by date ranges, locations, or specific record collections.
• Explore additional resources: In addition to records, genealogy websites often provide other resources that can aid your research. This may include maps, historical contexts, and research guides specific to Bolivian genealogy. They may also have community features, such as message boards or member directories, where you can connect with other researchers or potential relatives.
• Consider subscription or free alternatives: Some genealogy websites offer subscription services that provide access to more comprehensive record collections and databases. However, if you're on a budget, look for free alternatives. For example, FamilySearch offers free access to many records, and you can also utilise free trials or free access at local libraries or family history centres.

By following these steps and utilising the features offered by genealogy websites, you can make significant progress in tracing your ancestors in Bolivia. Remember to be patient and persistent in your research, as uncovering your family history takes time and effort.

Search for names, dates, and locations

To search for your ancestors in Bolivia, you can start by gathering information about your deceased relatives, such as their names, birth and death dates, and locations. You can then utilise online genealogy resources to search for records and build your family tree. Here are some tips for searching names, dates, and locations:

Names

When searching for names, it is essential to consider any name changes or variations that may have occurred. For example, a woman may have a maiden name and a married name, or there may be nicknames, aliases, or different spellings to account for. Providing as many name variations as possible will increase your chances of finding the right person.

Dates

Birth and death dates can be invaluable in your search. Even if you do not have an exact date, a date range can help narrow down your results. Consider any significant life events, such as marriages or residence changes, as these can also aid in your search.

Locations

Knowing the locations where your ancestors lived is crucial. Start with the town or city and work your way up to the province or department if needed. Keep in mind that Bolivia is divided into 9 departments, 112 provinces, and 339 municipalities, so understanding this administrative division will help you target your searches more effectively.

Online Genealogy Resources

Several online resources can assist you in your search:

• FamilySearch: Offers the world's largest shared family tree with over a billion names. It provides access to genealogy records, including birth, marriage, and death records, as well as church records, civil registrations, and more.
• Ancestry.com: Provides record collections, history, and genealogy resources specific to Bolivia, including baptisms, marriages, and deaths.
• Geneanet: Allows you to search for your ancestors' names and build your family tree. It has a database of 9 billion individuals and respects genealogists by allowing them to retain full ownership of their family trees and documents.

By utilising these tips and resources, you can effectively search for names, dates, and locations to trace your ancestors in Bolivia and build your family tree.

Check church records

To check church records as part of your search for your ancestors in Bolivia, you can make use of the FamilySearch catalog. This is a useful resource for finding church, civil, or other records of your ancestors in Bolivia. However, to effectively use the FamilySearch catalog, it is important to understand the various levels of jurisdictions (government or religious administrative divisions) in Bolivia. The country is divided into departments (departamentos), municipalities (municipios), and cities, towns, or villages.

When searching for church records, they are listed in the FamilySearch catalog under the city or town where the parish is located. A parish is an ecclesiastical jurisdiction served by a Catholic priest who also maintains records. The parish is typically named after a saint and is located in the largest town within its jurisdiction. Large cities may have multiple parishes, while small towns usually only have one.

To locate the correct parish, you can refer to a church directory, which will list the archidiocese officials, dioceses, and their respective parishes. This will enable you to identify all the parishes in a particular area. The church directory may also include historical information about each parish and, in some cases, provide addresses for the parishes, diocese headquarters, and diocese archives where additional records may be kept.

If your ancestor resided in a large city with multiple parishes, you will need to determine the specific section or neighbourhood they lived in to identify the corresponding parish. Even in large cities, families sometimes opted to go to the cathedral or a parish of a relative for baptisms, so it is worth searching the surrounding parishes if you cannot find complete family records in the expected home parish.

On the other hand, if your ancestor lived in a very small village that did not have its own parish, you will need to refer to a map, church directory, or gazetteer to identify the nearby town that had a parish. Once you have identified the relevant parish or parishes, you can search for specific record collections for Bolivia on the FamilySearch website.

It is important to note that civil registration records for Bolivia are not available on FamilySearch. For access to these records, you will need to contact the Civil Registration Office in Bolivia directly.

In addition to the FamilySearch catalog, you can also explore other online resources for church records in Bolivia. These include Ancestry.com, MyHeritage, and FindMyPast, which offer free access at a FamilySearch Center near you. These websites provide access to digitized church records for Bolivia, including baptism, marriage, and death records, dating from the 1500s to the 1900s.

Examine census records

Census records, or 'censos' or 'padrones' in Latin America, are a valuable resource for researching your family history in Bolivia. Censuses have been taken by various levels of government in Bolivia and by ecclesiastical officials. Most of the census records are housed in the national archives.

When available, census records can provide information on family relationships, age, year of birth, property description, and place of birth. They are especially useful because they list a large portion of the population and are readily available in some repositories. They can also provide information when other records are missing. However, it is important to use the information with caution, as it may have been given to a census taker by any family member or even a neighbour.

When searching through census records, keep the following in mind:

• Ages should be accepted with caution.
• Given names may differ from those recorded in vital records.
• Information may be incorrect or misspelt, or spelled phonetically.
• If the family is not at the suspected address, search the surrounding area.
• Parts of the census may be indecipherable.

The first census in Bolivia was undertaken in 1826, and the most recent in 2012. The National Institute of Statistics of Bolivia (INE) has conducted the census since 1976. The national census is supposed to be conducted every ten years, but the 2012 census was delayed due to "climatic factors and financing."

Consult historical documents

To consult historical documents as part of your search for ancestors in Bolivia, you can make use of online genealogy records and databases. These records can include birth, marriage, and death certificates, as well as church records, civil registrations, censuses, immigration records, military records, newspapers, and obituaries.

Websites like FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, and Geneanet offer access to these types of records, with some free options available. For example, FamilySearch provides free access to records such as Bolivia Baptisms from 1560-1938, Bolivia Marriages from 1630-1940, and Bolivia Deaths from 1750-1920. These records are in Spanish, and similar records are also available on Ancestry.com, although a subscription is required.

Geneanet, the self-proclaimed "#1 genealogy website in Continental Europe", offers a database of 9 billion individuals. You can search for your ancestors by entering information such as last name, first name, and place of origin. This site also allows you to build your family tree and share archival documents with relatives.

In addition to these online resources, you can also consult historical documents in person at local archives and libraries in Bolivia. These institutions may provide access to parish registers, transcripts, census records, and other relevant materials that can aid in your genealogical research.

When searching through historical documents, it's important to gather as much information as you can beforehand, such as names, birth and death information, and the names of spouses or parents. This will help you narrow down your search and increase the accuracy of your results.

Frequently asked questions