Filipino Genealogy: Research Basics and Big News
The history of the Philippines is enriched by a vibrant tapestry of cultures, languages, and international influences. When it comes to Filipino genealogy, understanding how to approach research in the Philippines greatly depends on understanding those various influences, as well as record types and how to access various records (which is where the big news comes in!).
A Brief History of Filipino Records
To understand the available genealogical records in the Philippines, it is essential to delve into the country’s rich history. The Philippines has experienced various periods of occupation, each leaving its mark on the types of records created and preserved.
During the pre-colonial period, the people of the islands were organized into tribes, with each group or barangay led by a Datu (chief). Records from this time are scarce, but some oral histories and artifacts may provide clues about ancestral lineages. The Spanish colonization of the Philippines and resulting Spanish Period (1565-1898) had a profound impact on the country’s record-keeping practices. Catholic Church records, including baptisms, marriages, and deaths, became a primary source of genealogical information. These records, often written in Spanish, offer a wealth of details about individuals and families.
During the American Period (1898–1946), the American administration introduced civil registration, creating additional records such as birth, marriage, and death certificates. Local Civil Registrars (LCRs) in the Philippines create these and other records at a local level, make a copy of those records and send that copy to Manila for safekeeping at a national level. Some record loss on either level can be mitigated by accessing the record copy in the opposite jurisdiction. These records, along with census data and immigration records, can be valuable resources for tracing Filipino ancestors during this period.
The Japanese occupation during World War II (1942–1945) disrupted record-keeping practices, and many records were lost or destroyed during this time. However, some records may still exist in local archives or family collections. Following independence (1946–Present), the Philippines established its own government and record-keeping systems. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) now maintains civil registration records, while the National Archives of the Philippines houses a vast collection of historical documents.
Major Record Types and Repositories
Catholic Church records are a valuable resource for genealogists, as they often date back centuries and provide a wealth of information about individuals and their families. These records typically include baptismal, marriage, and death records, as well as other miscellaneous registers such as confirmation records, first communion records, and burial records. They may also include information about sponsors, witnesses, and other individuals associated with the event being recorded.
Many Catholic Church records have been digitized and are available online through FamilySearch and other major genealogy websites. This makes it easier for genealogists to access and search these records, even if they do not live near the church where the records are held.
Civil registration records are another important source of genealogical information. These records are issued by local civil registrars and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and include birth, marriage, and death certificates. Civil registration records are essential for tracing ancestors from the American period onwards, as they are the most complete and reliable source of information about births, marriages, and deaths during this period.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) maintains a centralized database of civil registration records, while the National Archives of the Philippines (NAP) houses historical documents, including government records and land titles. The National Library of the Philippines (NLP) has a vast collection of books, periodicals, and other materials, including digitized historical documents, newspapers, and photographs.
LCRs offer services such as issuing birth, marriage, and death certificates and registering vital events; they maintain a local copy of these and other records and are worth contacting for further information. FamilySearch provides a growing collection of digitized Filipino records, including civil registration records and church records. These resources offer valuable information for tracing ancestors and conducting genealogical research in the Philippines.
Useful Information for Researching in the Philippines
One of the most important historical events in the Philippines that pertains to genealogical research was the Claveria Decree. This decree, issued in 1849 by Governor-General Narciso Claveria y Zaldua, aimed to standardize and regulate the use of surnames in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. The decree required all Filipinos to adopt fixed surnames, replacing the traditional naming systems that had been used before then. For many Filipinos, they will find that their families did not use any sort of surname that was passed down generationally, though such surnames were not unheard of.
The surnames were chosen from a list of Spanish family names provided by the government called the Catálogo Alfabético de Apellidos (Alphabetical Catalog of Surnames).[1] Individuals whose families used surnames prior to the Decree were allowed to keep them, while others picked their own from the Catalog. In some cases, certain cities or areas were given a letter of the alphabet and the inhabitants were required to choose a surname that started with that letter. The decree was implemented to facilitate record-keeping, taxation, and administration, and it had a significant impact on Filipino naming practices and identity.
In addition to being aware of Claveria’s decree when diving into Filipino Genealogy, it is important to know that there are over 120 languages spoken in the Philippines. While many records are in Spanish due to the lengthy period of colonization, it is important to be aware of the diverse local languages spoken throughout the country and recognize that they may pop up in records here and there. Understanding basic Spanish genealogical terms and familiarizing yourself with common Filipino names and naming patterns can significantly enhance your research. Resources on these topics are easily accessible on the FamilySearch Wiki Philippines Genealogy page.[2] One of the most prevalent naming patterns in the Philippines (and one that is particularly useful to know) is that children are traditionally given their mother’s maiden name as their middle name. For example, if Luz Valdez and Christian Agbayani had a daughter they named Mary, Mary’s full name would likely be Mary Valdez Agbayani.
The Big News for Philippines Genealogy
While FamilySearch has been working hard for the past 50 years to digitize and preserve the genealogical records of the Philippines, accessing those records hasn’t always been easy.[3] The Data Privacy Act of 2012 in the Philippines was passed to protect the privacy of individuals’ personal information, and it has also had a significant impact on genealogical research and viewability of records.
Prior to the enactment of the Data Privacy Act, FamilySearch provided access to a wide range of Philippine genealogical records, including civil registration records and church records. However, in compliance with the law, FamilySearch had to restrict access to these records to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). This restriction has been a disappointment for many Filipino genealogists who are not members of the LDS Church.
However, (and here’s the big news!) FamilySearch has been able to open up record access once again to any individual with a FamilySearch account (which is free to create). Images are gradually being republished with the goal of making as many historical records publicly available as possible. As is always recommended, citing sources will continue to make these records accessible to all FamilySearch users.
Additional Resources and Websites
Lastly, here are a few resources for you to utilize as you dive into researching yours or others’ Filipino heritage:
As mentioned, the FamilySearch Wiki is an invaluable resource for any genealogist with any level of experience. The Wiki is a comprehensive online encyclopedia dedicated to genealogy. Content on the Wiki includes detailed articles, tutorials, and guides covering vital records, language barriers, migration patterns and more.
Discover research strategies and tips to navigate the unique challenges of tracing Filipino roots by visiting the Filipino Genealogy Channel on YouTube. Video topics include understanding the Data Privacy Act, common surnames in different areas of the Philippines, genealogy of past and present leaders of the country, etc.[4]
Attend RootsTech classes, an annual genealogy conference, to access a range of classes focused on Filipino genealogy. Because RootsTech is simultaneously a virtual and live conference, you can access an archive of classes taught in previous years by visiting the RootsTech website. Search the video library for “Philippines” or any topic of interest and access videos free of charge.[5]
Lastly, seek out local genealogical societies and organizations to attend meetings, workshops, and seminars. If your local organizations have not yet included Philippines genealogy in their range of topics, express your interest and you may find others hoping to learn more as well! You may just connect with local researchers and enthusiasts and find they have experience with Filipino research or know someone else you can connect with for valuable guidance and support.
Whatever your skill level, or however you choose to approach learning about your Filipino ancestry, kaya mo iyan! (You can do it!) Those of us here at Lineages are more than willing to help you feel empowered to connect with your ancestors and are always happy to help facilitate that. Please always feel free to reach out with any questions!
Amy
Image 1: Flags in Rizal (Luneta) Park, Manila, Philippines. Free for use, accessed via pixabay.com
Image 2: Pedro Murillo Velarde, Carta Hydrographica y Chorographica de las Yslas Filipinas Dedicada al Rey Nuestro Señor, Manila, Philippines, 1734. Accessed via commons.wikimedia.org.
Image 3: Paoay Church, Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. Free for use, accessed via pixabay.com
[1] A digital copy of the Catálogo can be found at: https://issuu.com/filipinasheritagelibrary/docs/catalogo_alfabetico_de_apellidos
[2] “Philippines Genealogy,” FamilySearch Wiki, https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Philippines_Genealogy
[3] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2024. “FamilySearch Celebrates 50 Years of Record-Keeping in the Philippines” News-Ph.Churchofjesuschrist.Org. https://news-ph.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/familysearch-celebrates-50-years-of-record-keeping-in-the-philippines.
[4] The Filipino Genealogy Channel, https://www.youtube.com/@TheFILIPINOGENEALOGYChannel/featured
[5] RootsTech Video Library, https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/library