Informacion Matrimonial records

Regarding the use of informacion matrimonial records: I feel obligated to point out to new researchers that occasionally these may contain questionable or inaccurate information. In other words, don’t believe everything you read. Ages are not always accurate, people are not necessarily born in the place stated, and a “parent” may actually be a stepparent, or the groom (or bride) is someone’s hijo/a natural, raised in ignorance of this fact.

Even with the “right” father and mother as given in the informacion matrimonial, there have been times I still couldn’t find my missing ancestors. From experience I’ve learned to first research baptisms in all the given places and parishes, then all possible places and parishes within the right years, and to list possible siblings according to age and birth date, allowing at least 10 months between them. When this doesn't work, then I research other possible given names and family groups.

I wish someone had pointed this out to me when I first started research, it would have saved me several wasted years.

Gloria Delgado