Historical Overview

Founded on January 1, 1775, Caguas, known as the 'Ciudad Criolla' and the 'Valle del Turabo,' grew from a vast crown livestock territory called the 'Hato de Caguas' within the jurisdiction of San Juan. Situated in the fertile central-eastern valley, it became the regional hub connecting San Juan to the southern and eastern parts of the island. As a pueblo matriz, Caguas's original territory gave rise to San Lorenzo (1811), Gurabo (1815), and Aguas Buenas (1838). For genealogists, the Catedral Dulce Nombre de Jesús holds some of the earliest continuous interior records on the island, with baptisms dating to 1730.

Coat of Arms

The Caguas shield features crossed arrows representing Taíno Chief Caguax and the indigenous roots of the valley; a pineapple symbolizing the agricultural fertility of the Turabo valley; and a crown representing the patron Dulce Nombre de Jesús (Sweet Name of Jesus). The colors blue and gold signify the clear skies and waters of the valley and the richness of its Creole culture.

Barrios

Genealogical records often identify individuals by barrio. Caguas has 11 barrios:

• Bairoa
• Beatriz
• Borinquen
• Cañabón
• Cañaboncito
• Pueblo
• Río Cañas
• San Antonio
• San Salvador
• Tomás de Castro
• Turabo

Daughter Municipalities

The following municipalities separated from Caguas. Residents recorded events before their founding year in Caguas's parish:

• San Lorenzo (founded 1811) — Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes
• Gurabo (founded 1815) — San José
• Aguas Buenas (founded 1838) — Los Santos Reyes

Neighboring Municipalities

Also check records in neighboring municipalities:

• Aguas Buenas — Los Santos Reyes
• Cayey — Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
• Cidra — Nuestra Señora del Carmen
• Gurabo — San José
• San Juan — Catedral de San Juan Bautista
• San Lorenzo — Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes
• Trujillo Alto — Santa Cruz de Trujillo Alto

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.

Caguas (2026)

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

Genealogy Toolkit

Civil Records

Began in 1885

Covers births, marriages, and deaths.

⬇ Search Civil Records

Parish Records

Parish: Catedral Dulce Nombre de Jesús

Records from 1730

⬇ Search Catholic Records

Digital Archives

• FamilySearch: Caguas Civil and parish records
• FamilySearch: Puerto Rico Genealogy Complete records guide

Further Reading

• U.S. Census Bureau: Caguas Municipio Profile — U.S. Census Bureau Census Data Authoritative 2020 Census profile for Caguas, including official barrio list, population data, and geographic boundary information.
• Documentos Archivo Histórico de Caguas — ADNPR Digital Archive Over 150 boxes of digitized documents from the Caguas Municipal Historical Archive (1806–1955), including government correspondence, administrative records, slave registers (padrones de esclavos), and maps; more than 800,000 images available.
• Notas para su Historia: Caguas — Mario A. Rodríguez León, O.P. Local History Definitive historical text for Caguas covering the founding families, early land grants, and the history of the Dulce Nombre de Jesús parish; essential for researchers tracing ancestors in the Turabo valley before the civil registry era.
• Find A Grave: Caguas — Find A Grave Cemetery Records Burial records for the Cementerio Municipal de Caguas; useful for verifying death dates and family plots from the 19th and early 20th centuries.