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Cataño

Founded 1927 Metro, Puerto Rico

Historical Overview

Cataño takes its name from Hernando de Cataño, one of Puerto Rico's earliest physicians, who received a land grant across the bay from San Juan in the 16th century. The area grew around a hermitage established circa 1690 under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Toa Baja, meaning genealogists must search Bayamón and Toa Baja records for ancestors before 1893, when the independent parish of Nuestra Señora del Carmen was formally established. Cataño did not become a separate municipality until 1927, when it was carved from Bayamón, making it Puerto Rico's smallest municipality by area. Parish records for the area span from 1779, giving researchers an unusually deep window into pre-civil-registration family history.

Coat of Arms

Coat of arms of Cataño, Puerto Rico

Image: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The coat of arms features palm trees referencing the historical name Hato de las Palmas de Cataño, blue and silver stripes representing the heraldic colors associated with Don Hernando de Cataño after whom the town is named, and a mural crown denoting municipal status.

Barrios

Genealogical records often identify individuals by barrio. Cataño has 2 barrios:

  • Cataño Pueblo
  • Palmas

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.

Genealogy Toolkit

Civil Records

Began in 1885

Covers births, marriages, and deaths.

⬇ Search Civil Records

Parish Records

Parish: Nuestra Señora del Carmen

Records from 1779

⬇ Search Catholic Records

Diocesan Archive

Diocese: Archdiocese of San Juan

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

Diocese Website

Digital Archives

Further Reading

  • U.S. Census Bureau: Cataño Municipio Profile — U.S. Census Bureau Census Data Authoritative 2020 Census profile for Cataño, including official barrio list, population data, and geographic boundary information.
  • Cataño, Puerto Rico Genealogy — FamilySearch Wiki contributors Research Guide FamilySearch research guide for Cataño with historical background and genealogy pointers.
  • Notas para su Historia: Cataño (PDF oficial) — Oficina Estatal de Conservación Histórica de Puerto Rico Government Publication Official Puerto Rico government PDF of Notas para su Historia for Cataño. Authoritative source for local history, escudo symbolism, and genealogical context.

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