Certificates of Bachelorhood, XIX Century
The certificates prove the identity and bachelorhood of any person who came from other latitudes and intended to marry in Paraguay. They were also required for those born in the province (colony, later Republic), when in their younger years they had travelled abroad, as well as for military personnel, blacks and indigenous people with lineage disparities.
Each certificate yields a wealth of personal and family data, rich in patrimonial and affective value, such as the full names of the bride and groom, place of origin, address, parental identity and even that of other relatives. Witnesses contributed by providing references to cities, ports, places and circumstances where they met the bride or groom. The names of the contracting parties are accompanied by their details (nationality and ages) and are countersigned, as in the case of the bride and groom, with their signatures and initials. The place and date of issue of the certificate also appear, as well as church authority signatures and seals.
It is therefore a unique source regarding the origins of the Paraguayan family that emerged from the interweaving of migratory flows, which could not be studied until now due to the lack of documentary evidence and specialised studies to support the results.