Historical Overview

Aguas Buenas was founded in 1838 by Francisco de Salas Torres, carved from the barrio of Aguabuena within Caguas, making Caguas its definitive pueblo matriz. Known as 'La Ciudad de las Aguas Claras' for its clear-water springs, the municipality comprises nine barrios and the town center. Catholic parish records begin in 1845 and civil registration starts in 1885, providing a solid documentary base for genealogical research into the families of this inland Central Puerto Rico community.

Coat of Arms

Image: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The coat of arms is a four-paneled shield crowned by a castle. A cross divides the four panels: the upper left features the Virgen de Monserrate, representing religious devotion; the upper right depicts a Taíno figure, honoring the indigenous heritage of the region; the lower left shows traditional folk instruments and cultural elements, symbolizing local traditions and celebrations; and the lower right displays a cornucopia filled with local fruits, representing the agricultural richness and the clear waters that give Aguas Buenas its name.

Barrios

Genealogical records often identify individuals by barrio. Aguas Buenas has 10 barrios:

Aguas Buenas Pueblo
Bairoa
Bayamoncito
Cagüitas
Jagüeyes
Juan Asencio
Mulitas
Mulas
Sonadora
Sumidero

Neighboring Municipalities

Also check records in neighboring municipalities:

Historical Maps

Historical maps help identify barrios, boundaries, and communities as they existed in the past. Maps from the 18th and 19th centuries are preferred.

Aguas-buenas (2026)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, TIGER/Line Shapefiles

Genealogy Toolkit

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Civil Records

Began in 1885

Covers births, marriages, and deaths.

⬇ Search Civil Records

Parish Records

Parish: Los Santos Reyes

Records from 1845

⬇ Search Catholic Records

Diocesan Archive

Diocese: Diocese of Caguas

For sacramental records not available digitally, contact the diocesan archive directly.

Diocese Website

Digital Archives

FamilySearch: Aguas Buenas Civil and parish records
Puerto Rico, Catholic Church Records, 1645–1969 Digitized Records Islandwide Catholic church-record collection including baptisms, marriages, burials, and confirmations. Includes Aguas Buenas parish records from the Los Santos Reyes parish beginning 1845.
Puerto Rico Civil Registration, 1885–2001 Digitized Records Civil registration births, marriages, and deaths for all Puerto Rico municipalities including Aguas Buenas, beginning 1885.
Aguas Buenas Cementerio Municipal 1 — Find a Grave Cemetery Index Index for the main municipal cemetery of Aguas Buenas. Useful for verifying death dates and burial information.
FamilySearch: Puerto Rico Genealogy Complete records guide