Historical Overview

Cabo Rojo was founded on December 17, 1771, when Don Nicolás Ramírez de Arellano led local settlers in a petition for independence from San Germán to establish their own civil and religious administration. The town's name, 'Red Cape,' refers to the reddish tint of the earth at the southwestern peninsula and its salt flats (Las Salinas), which rank among the oldest industries in the New World, having been exploited since the Taíno era. Cabo Rojo is famous as the birthplace of two of Puerto Rico's most iconic historical figures: Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances, known as the 'Father of the Homeland' and the leader of the Grito de Lares uprising of 1868, and Roberto Cofresí, a privateer celebrated as a local folk hero for his charity toward the poor. The municipal coat of arms, adopted in 1971, reflects this revolutionary heritage through the colors of the flag Betances designed for Puerto Rican independence. The economy of Cabo Rojo has historically centered on the salt industry, fishing, and agriculture. Today the municipality is also known for the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge and the iconic Los Morrillos lighthouse, which stands near the southernmost tip of the island.

Coat of Arms

Image: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The coat of arms was officially adopted in 1971. It features a red cape jutting into the sea, a literal representation of the town's name. The colors blue, red, and white represent the flag designed by Betances for the Puerto Rican revolution. A sword and scales symbolize Saint Michael the Archangel, the patron saint. Salt mountains in the design signify the ancient salt industry of Boquerón. The shield is topped by a three-towered mural crown denoting autonomous municipal status.

Barrios

Genealogical records often identify individuals by barrio. Cabo Rojo has 8 barrios:

• Bajura
• Boquerón
• Cabo Rojo Pueblo
• Llanos Costa
• Llanos Tuna
• Miraflores
• Monte Grande
• Pedernales

Neighboring Municipalities

Also check records in neighboring municipalities:

• Mayagüez — Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria
• Hormigueros — Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Monserrate
• San Germán — San Germán de Auxerre
• Lajas — San José

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.

Cabo-rojo (2026)

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

1950 Census Enumeration District Maps - Puerto Rico (PR) - Cabo Rojo Municipality - Cabo Rojo Municipality - ED 34-1-29 (1950)

Source: NARA via Wikimedia Commons

Genealogy Toolkit

FamilySearch account required. The record links below open digitized images on FamilySearch. You must be logged in to a free FamilySearch account to view the records. Create a free account or sign in before clicking any link.

Civil Records

Began in 1885

Covers births, marriages, and deaths.

⬇ Search Civil Records

Parish Records

Parish: San Miguel Arcángel

Records from 1771

⬇ Search Catholic Records

Diocesan Archive

Diocese: Diocese of Mayagüez

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

Diocese Website

Digital Archives

• FamilySearch: Cabo Rojo Civil and parish records
• Notas para su Historia: Cabo Rojo (OECH) Government History (PDF) Official government-curated PDF documenting Cabo Rojo's founding, geographic history, and cultural heritage, published by the Office of Historic Preservation of Puerto Rico.
• Civil Registry (1885–1991) — FamilySearch Civil Records Digitized birth, marriage, and death records for Cabo Rojo from the civil registration period.
• Parish Registers — San Miguel Arcángel — FamilySearch Church Records Catholic Church baptisms and marriages for the parish of San Miguel Arcángel in Cabo Rojo.
• Colecciones Digitales — ADNPR Digital Archive High-quality maps and colonial documents covering Cabo Rojo and the southwestern region of Puerto Rico.
• Puerto Rico, Catholic Church Records, 1645–1969 Digitized Records Islandwide Catholic church-record collection including baptisms, marriages, burials, and confirmations. Includes Cabo Rojo parish records.
• Puerto Rico Civil Registration, 1885–2001 Digitized Records Civil registration births, marriages, and deaths for all Puerto Rico municipalities including Cabo Rojo, beginning 1885.
• FamilySearch: Puerto Rico Genealogy Complete records guide

Further Reading

• Cabo Rojo: Notas para su historia — Mario A. Rodríguez León Book A comprehensive volume documenting Cabo Rojo's founding, demographic growth, and local economy.
• El Capitán de los Piratas: Roberto Cofresí — Enrique Ramírez Brau Book A historical and legendary account of the life of Cabo Rojo's most famous pirate and folk hero.
• Ramón Emeterio Betances: Padre de la Patria — Félix Ojeda Reyes Book A detailed biography of the Cabo Rojo-born revolutionary leader and his impact on Puerto Rican history.
• Las Salinas de Cabo Rojo — Multiple Authors (OECH) Book A specialized study on the geological and economic history of the salt flats in the Boquerón region.
• Genus Meridiem: Cabo Rojo Genealogy Posts — César A. Zapata Lozada Genealogy Blog Genealogical research posts about Cabo Rojo families by Puerto Rican researcher César A. Zapata Lozada on the Genus Meridiem blog. Useful for family connections, archival discoveries, and local research leads.

GenealogíaPR.com Transcriptions

The following links connect to free church record transcription resources available through GenealogíaPR.com, the website of the Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Genealogía. These valuable resources were created and shared through the dedicated work of Sociedad members.

• Cabo Rojo: Church Record Transcriptions Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Genealogía

If these transcriptions help advance your Puerto Rican genealogy research, please consider supporting this important work by becoming a member of the Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Genealogía: Join here.