Where to begin with your Cuban family history
Exploring your family history is an exciting adventure, especially if you have Cuban roots. Understanding Cuba's history, characterized by waves of migration, colonization, and cultural blending, can help you uncover family ties. As you begin your journey of Cuban genealogy research, you open the door to meaningful insights about your identity and connections.
Starting Your Research Journey - Delve into Family Story and Oral Histories
To begin your Cuban genealogy research, start with what you know. Gather information such as names, birth dates, and known locations of your relatives.
Engage with family members to unearth stories and documents that may have been passed down. For instance, a handwritten letter from a great-grandparent might provide clues about immigrants arriving in Florida in 1959 and why they left Cuba. Genealogy goes beyond dates and records; it's about stories that shape families. Collecting oral histories from older relatives can reveal hidden narratives. Each story adds a rich layer to your understanding of family connections.
Where Was My Family From in Cuba?
This is an important question to ask when starting Cuban research. Cuba does not have a central database of records. Records are all housed in the church where the sacrament occurred or in the civil registry where the event was recorded. It is essential to know the municipio (municipality) and provincia (province), especially if your family is from one of the larger cities like Havana or Santiago de Cuba.
Preparing for Challenges
Researching Cuban genealogy can present hurdles, from limited access to records to the challenges of historical events. It’s essential to remain flexible and adaptive.
DNA testing can be a valuable strategy. Companies such as 23andMe and AncestryDNA can trace your roots and connect you with distant relatives. For instance, a recent study showed that over 60%Â of people found close relatives through genetic matching.
Celebrate Your Discoveries
As you uncover your family history, take the time to celebrate your findings. Organize family gatherings to share stories, create a family tree, or even compile a family history book.
Websites and applications can help you visualize your research beautifully. Consider dedicating a digital photo album to your ancestors, showcasing images and stories. Celebrating these connections will deepen your appreciation for your heritage and instill a sense of pride in your identity.
Plan Manifest from Cuba to Miami
Cuban Resources Online
The following is a list of online resources for Cuban genealogy research
Florida International University Enrique Hurtado de Mendoza Collection of Cuban Genealogy
Getting Started with Cuban Research with Legacy Quest Genealogy
Legacy Quest Genealogy specializes in Cuban ancestry research. I have dedicated onsite researchers in Cuba who have collaborators throughout the island. They travel to civil registry offices, churches, cemeteries, and regional archives to locate records to build back family histories for my Cuban clients. For more information, contact me at info@legacy-quest.com.
Elizabeth Murray Vargas is a professional genealogist. She specializes in U.S. Mid-Atlantic states, Spain, Italy, and Latin America, including Mexico, Central and South America, and the Spanish Caribbean, particularly Cuba. Her passion is immigrant research and tracing families back to their country of origin. Aside from taking private clients, Elizabeth was an advanced researcher on the international team for Legacy Tree Genealogists and is currently an independent contractor for Legacy Tree Genealogists, Ancestry ProGenealogists, and Trace. com. Contact her at info@legacy-quest.com.
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