Getting Started in Genealogy: A Free Beginner Course
A four-module, self-paced course for Puerto Ricans new to family history research. No prior experience needed.
BeginnerWho Is This Course For?
This free course is designed for Puerto Ricans living in the mainland United States who want to start researching their family history but don’t know where to begin. No prior genealogy experience is needed.
If you’ve ever wondered where your family came from in Puerto Rico, what your great-grandparents’ names were, or why your family moved to the mainland – this course will give you the tools to start finding answers.
What You’ll Need
- A computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access
- A free Google account (for Google Docs and Google Sheets)
- Curiosity about your family’s story
- Optionally: a phone or notebook for interviewing relatives
Before You Begin: Create Your Free FamilySearch Account
Take 2 minutes right now to create your free account at FamilySearch.org. You will need it in Module 3, and having it ready means you can start searching the moment you get there.
- Go to FamilySearch.org
- Click Sign In → Create Account
- Enter your name, email, and a password
- Check your email and click the verification link
FamilySearch is run by a nonprofit organization. It does not sell your data or share your personal information. No credit card required. No subscription fee. Your account is private by default.
What You’ll Walk Away With
- A written record of what you already know about your family
- A list of questions to ask your living relatives
- Knowledge of where to find Puerto Rican records for free online
- A simple research log to track your progress
- Google Sheets templates to organize your findings
Course Modules
Module 1 — Start With Yourself
Write down what you already know. Your name, your parents, your grandparents. Work backward one generation at a time using the five key questions every genealogist asks.
Module 2 — Talk to Living Relatives
Your best sources of information are the people still alive. Learn how to interview family members, what questions to ask, and how to record what they tell you.
Module 3 — Collect Basic Documents
Learn what documents to look for and where to find Puerto Rican records online for free, including FamilySearch. Includes a glossary of common Spanish record terms.
Module 4 — Keep a Research Log
Good research means tracking what you searched, what you found, and what you didn't find. Learn to use a simple Google Sheets research log.
Companion Materials
- Quick Reference Card (PDF) — Printable one-page summary of all 4 modules and the 5 beginner research questions
- Account Setup Checklist (PDF) — Step-by-step checklist for setting up your FamilySearch account and making your first search
- Google Sheets Templates (PDF) — Specifications for three ready-to-use spreadsheets: Family Information Tracker, Research Log, and Document Checklist
Key Free Resources for Puerto Rican Research
Before you click: To view record images in these collections, you will need a free FamilySearch account. Not sure where to start? See the platform comparison and account setup guide →
| Resource | What It Offers |
|---|---|
| FamilySearch — Puerto Rico Civil Registration, 1885–2001 | 4.5 million+ images of birth, marriage, and death records |
| FamilySearch — Puerto Rico Catholic Church Records, 1645–2021 | Baptisms, marriages, and burials from parish registers |
| FamilySearch — Search Puerto Rico Records | Browse all Puerto Rico collections |
| Find A Grave | Cemetery and burial records |
| National Archives (NARA) | Military, immigration, and census records |
A Note on Language
This course is written in English. However, many Puerto Rican genealogical records are written in Spanish. Throughout the course, you will see key Spanish terms in italics with their English translations. A short glossary of common record terms is included in Module 3.
You do not need to be fluent in Spanish to research your Puerto Rican family.
Course created by Sylvia Vargas for the Puerto Rican Genealogy Group. © 2026 Sylvia Vargas. Teaching Genealogists AI™. All rights reserved.
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