Historical Overview

Coamo, known as the 'Villa de San Blas de Illescas' and the 'City of the Center of the Universe,' is the third oldest town in Puerto Rico. Founded in 1579, it served as the primary administrative and religious center for the southern and central regions of the island for centuries.

Coat of Arms

Divided into four quarters: the top left shows an episcopal miter on a red field, representing the patron saint San Blas; the top right shows two gold bells on a red field, symbolizing the original parish and the calling of the faithful; the bottom left shows two gold flames on a red field, representing the famous thermal springs (Los Baños de Coamo); the bottom right shows a golden cross-crowned orb (globus cruciger) on a red field, representing the town's historic Villa status and historical jurisdiction. Topped by a three-towered mural crown signifying its status as a town.

Barrios

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

Coamo Pueblo
Cuyón
Hayales
Los Llanos
Palmarejo
Pasto
Pedro García
Pulguillas
San Ildefonso
Santa Catalina
Coamo Arriba

Daughter Municipalities

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

Guayama (founded 1736) — San Antonio de Padua
Cayey (founded 1773) — Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
Juana Díaz (founded 1798) — San Ramón Nonato
Barranquitas (founded 1803) — San Antonio de Padua
Adjuntas (founded 1815) — San Joaquín
Aibonito (founded 1824) — San José
Orocovis (founded 1825) — San Juan Bautista
Santa Isabel (founded 1842) — Santiago Apóstol
Salinas (founded 1851) — Nuestra Señora de la Monserrate

Neighboring Municipalities

Also check records in neighboring municipalities:

Orocovis — San Juan Bautista
Barranquitas — San Antonio de Padua
Santa Isabel — Santiago Apóstol
Aibonito — San José
Salinas — Nuestra Señora de la Monserrate
Villalba — Nuestra Señora del Carmen
Juana Díaz — San Ramón Nonato

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.

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Historical maps coming soon

Genealogy Toolkit

Civil Records

Began in 1885

Covers births, marriages, and deaths.

⬇ Search Civil Records

Parish Records

Parish: Parroquia San Blas de Illescas

Records from 1701

⬇ Search Catholic Records

Digital Archives

FamilySearch: Coamo Civil and parish records
Find A Grave: Coamo Cemetery index
Notas para su Historia: Coamo (OECH) Government History (PDF) Historical reference PDF covering Coamo's founding, geographic history, and cultural heritage, published by the Office of Historic Preservation of Puerto Rico.
FamilySearch: Puerto Rico Genealogy Complete records guide