Finding New Christian ancestors in Portugal
It is increasingly possible to trace Sephardic ancestry back to Portugal. Amsterdam civil banns and other documents can indicate a Portuguese birth. Also Portuguese Inquisition files can clearly reference people living in free Jewish communities.
How to research in Portugal? As most of our ancestors left before 1750, other than Inquisition archives, the baptism, marriage and burial records of the Catholic church are the most obvious place to look. Parishes were required to keep records under the Lei da Boa Razão (Law of Good Reason) enacted by the Portuguese king in 1551, by the Council of Trent in 1563, and again by the Council of Lisbon in 1605. Some parishes kept records before these dates, some were lazy in compliance, and some registers have been lost over the years. You can find records on the Torre de Tombo and regional archive websites, but tombo.pt is a good place to start. Civil registration was introduced in Portugal in 1836.
Portugal has a genealogical society, the Associação Portuguesa de Genealogia. Their publication is called Revista Raízes & Memórias. The Genealogia FB website is another valuable resource. Some books on genealogy in Portugal, which mainly focus on the post-1750 period, include:
- Genealogia e história da família by António Henrique R. de Oliveira Marques
- Genealogia e história das famílias de Portugal by António de Sousa Macedo
Archives in Portugal
The Portuguese archives are being digitised, including the Inquisition archives. The principle site is the Arquivo Nacional da Torre de Tombo (http://digitarq.arquivos.pt/), but regional archives each have their own sites. The archive is now physically housed in a building on the campus of the University of Lisbon.
For a simple search for an Inquisition processo on the Torre de Tombo where someone is accused of Jewish practice, try entering the words judaismo and processo and the surname you are researching into the Simple Search box.
There is a considerable dispute over what an accusation of Judaism means. Some believe it means that the accused person was secretly practicing Judaism. In some cases there is evidence of either Jewish practice or Jewish belief (“the Law of Moses”), but generally not. There is a body of evidence suggesting that knowledge of Judaism had largely been extinguished after a couple of generations, leading others to believe that the Inquisition was mainly interested in pursuing people with money, and the accusation of judaising was invented. The Inquisition was funded by what it confiscated. The institution of the Inquisition existed for hundreds of years, and probably had different motivations at different times and in different tribunals. My personal view is that they were principally focused on wealthier individuals of Jewish ancestry, with the Jewish practice or knowledge of the individual being largely irrelevant. I have some sympathy for the historian Benzion Netanyahu who argued that antisemitism was a major driver of the Inquisition.
Portuguese Inquisition processos
The Inquisition produced a lot of paperwork. The processos – the file for individual prisoners – are probably the most useful. The processos include arrest warrants, accusations, confessions, interrogations, inventories of the prisoner’s property and much more.
Universities can issue doctorates to graduate students who spend years studying a single processo. It is not easy. You will be reading handwritten documents full of abbreviations in an older version of a foreign language. Most genealogists start by clicking through the processo to find the Genealogia section. In this, the prisoner divulges names of immediate relatives, aunts, uncles, cousins and their spouses. The genealogical claims are not always true. It is remarkable how many people say they don’t know their grandparents’ names, or everyone seems to have died childless. However, by cross-referencing different processos you can often get to the truth. Statements in processos may be corrected or changed at different times.
Names of people mentioned are normally written in the margins, so keep an eye on those.
Remember that people in Inquisition processos are trying to save their lives and protect their loved ones. Often they will be careful in what they say. In some cases there may be sophisticated obfuscation. Unless they think the Tribunal already knows, they may avoid referencing relatives who already appeared before an Inquisition Tribunal somewhere or was living as a public Jew abroad.
Different types of files in the Portuguese Inquisition Archives
The Portuguese Inquisition archives in the Torre do Tombo contain a vast collection of documents related to the Inquisition’s activities in Portugal and its colonies from the 16th to the 19th century. The archives are organized into several different categories, with a degree of overlap. To date Sephardic genealogists have focused on studying individual processos. most of which are just called processos. The different types of file listed below give an indication of the subjects covered in the Inquisition archives. Files are not ordered by these categories, but it is hoped that the subject and keywords will be useful to researchers:
- Processos: These are the main files of the Inquisition, containing the complete record of a trial against an individual accused of heresy or other crimes against the Catholic Church. Processos files can contain a wide range of documents, including denunciation letters, interrogations, witness statements, and verdicts.
- Cartas de Segurança: These files contain documents related to the granting of a carta de segurança, or letter of safe conduct, which was a document that granted protection to individuals who were suspected of heresy or other crimes and sought to leave the jurisdiction of the Inquisition.
- Habilitações de Limpeza de Sangue: These files contain documents related to the process of obtaining a certificate of limpeza de sangue, or purity of blood, which was a document that attested to an individual’s pure Christian ancestry and was required for certain positions in the Church, military, and government.
- Visitas: These files contain documents related to the Inquisition’s visitations, which were periodic inspections of Church and government institutions to ensure that they were adhering to Catholic doctrine and to root out any heretical activity.
- Correspondência: These files contain correspondence between the Portuguese Inquisition and other institutions, such as the Spanish Inquisition, the Vatican, and the Portuguese monarchy.
- Autos-de-Fé: These files contain documents related to the public ceremonies known as autos-de-fé, which were held to publicly punish heretics and reinforce Catholic orthodoxy. Autos-de-fé files can contain documents such as descriptions of the ceremony, lists of those punished, and sermons preached on the occasion.
- Regimentos: These are files containing regulations and instructions for the Inquisition’s organization and operation.
- Sumários: These are files containing summary information about a case, including the names of the accused, the charges against them, and the outcome of the trial.
- Denúncia: These file contains information about an individual who was accused or denounced to the Inquisition for heresy or other crimes against the Catholic Church.
- Processos de Bens: These files contain documents related to the confiscation of the property of individuals convicted by the Inquisition, as well as inventories of their possessions.
- Processos de Família: These are files related to investigations into the genealogy and ancestry of individuals accused of heresy, in order to determine if they came from families that had a history of heretical beliefs or practices.
- Processos de Credenciação: These are files containing documents related to the credentialing of officials and employees of the Inquisition.
- Processos de Gratificação: These are files containing documents related to the payment of rewards to informants who provided information that led to the conviction of heretics.
- Processos de Consulta: These are files containing documents related to the Inquisition’s consultations with legal experts and theologians on matters related to heresy and other crimes against the Church.
- Processos de Reabilitação: These are files containing documents related to requests for the rehabilitation of individuals who had been convicted by the Inquisition.
- Processos de Graça: These are files containing documents related to requests for clemency or pardons from individuals who had been convicted by the Inquisition.
- Provisões: These are files containing documents related to the appointment of officials and employees of the Inquisition, as well as the granting of privileges and exemptions.
- Relatórios: These are files containing reports on the activities of the Inquisition, including statistical data on the number of cases processed, the types of crimes committed, and the punishments handed out.
- Protocolos: These are files containing records of the correspondence and documents received by the Inquisition, as well as copies of the letters and documents that it sent out.
- Processos de Fé: These are files containing documents related to the Inquisition’s investigations into the beliefs and practices of individuals accused of heresy or other crimes against the Church.
- Processos de Penitência: These are files containing documents related to the imposition of penances and other forms of punishment on individuals convicted by the Inquisition.
- Processos de Excomunhão: These are files containing documents related to the Inquisition’s power to excommunicate individuals who refused to comply with its judgments or cooperate with its investigations.
- Registos de Entradas e Saídas: These are files containing records of the people who entered and left the Inquisition’s prisons and other facilities.
- Listas Nominais: These are files containing lists of names and other information about individuals who were involved in the Inquisition’s activities, such as officials, informants, and witnesses.
- Processos de Fuga: These are files containing documents related to the escape of prisoners from the Inquisition’s prisons and other facilities.
- Processos de Suspensão: These are files containing documents related to the suspension of the Inquisition’s activities, either by order of the king or by papal decree.
- Processos de Comunicação: These are files containing documents related to the Inquisition’s communication with other institutions and authorities, both within Portugal and abroad.
- Processos de Testamento: These are files containing documents related to the wills and testaments of individuals who were convicted by the Inquisition or who died while under its jurisdiction.
- Processos de Avaliação: These are files containing documents related to the appraisal and sale of the property that was confiscated from individuals who were convicted by the Inquisition.
- Processos de Visitas: These are files containing documents related to the visits made by Inquisitors to various parts of Portugal in order to investigate cases of heresy or other crimes against the Church.
- Processos de Divórcio: These are files containing documents related to requests for divorce or annulment of marriages that were brought before the Inquisition.
- Processos de Simonia: These are files containing documents related to the Inquisition’s investigations into the practice of simony, which involved the buying and selling of Church offices and other positions.
- Processos de Bruxaria: These are files containing documents related to the Inquisition’s investigations into cases of witchcraft and other forms of magic.
- Processos de Judaísmo: These are files containing documents related to the Inquisition’s investigations into cases of crypto-Judaism, that is, individuals who secretly practiced Judaism while publicly professing Christianity.
There is a book called Os arquivos da Inquisição by Maria do Carmo Jasmins Dias Farinha, published by the Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo. Serviço de Publicações e Divulgação in 1990. The Table of Contents has been shared online.
Portuguese Last Wills and Testaments
This is another category of document that Sephardic genealogists have so far barely looked at. For the city of Lisbon, sources are listed below. For other places in Portugal, check the ANTT, the relevant Arquivo Distrital, notarial records, and wherever the local archivists send you.
Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo (ANTT): The ANTT holds a collection of notarial records that includes wills from various localities in Portugal. The wills are organized by locality and notary, and there are several different series that cover the period from 1650-1750. The relevant series for wills from this time period include:
a) Livros de Óbitos e Legados (Books of Deaths and Legacies): These are registers of wills and testaments that were filed with notaries. They contain information on the deceased person, the date and location of the will, the names of the heirs, and the disposition of the estate. The books are organized by notary and locality, and there are multiple series that cover the period from the 17th to the 18th century.
b) Autos de Testamento (Testamentary Proceedings): These are files containing documents related to the settlement of estates and the execution of wills. They typically include the original will or testament, as well as inventories of the deceased person’s assets, statements from witnesses, and other related documents. The files are organized by notary and locality, and there are multiple series that cover the period from the 17th to the 18th century.
Arquivo Distrital de Lisboa (ADL): The ADL holds a collection of notarial records that includes wills from Lisbon and surrounding areas. The wills are organized by notary and locality, and there are several different series that cover the period from 1650-1750. The relevant series for wills from this time period include:
a) Livros de Testamentos (Books of Testaments): These are registers of wills and testaments that were filed with notaries in Lisbon and surrounding areas. They contain information on the deceased person, the date and location of the will, the names of the heirs, and the disposition of the estate. The books are organized by notary and locality, and there are multiple series that cover the period from the 17th to the 18th century.
b) Autos de Testamento (Testamentary Proceedings): These are files containing documents related to the settlement of estates and the execution of wills. They typically include the original will or testament, as well as inventories of the deceased person’s assets, statements from witnesses, and other related documents. The files are organized by notary and locality, and there are multiple series that cover the period from the 17th to the 18th century.
Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino (AHU): The AHU holds a collection of notarial records from Portuguese colonies, including Brazil. Some of these records include wills and testaments that were written by Portuguese citizens living in Brazil during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Arquivo Municipal de Lisboa (AML): The AML holds a collection of municipal records from Lisbon and surrounding areas, including wills and testaments. The wills are organized by notary and locality, and there are several different series that cover the period from the 17th to the 18th century.
Arquivo da Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (ASCM): The ASCM holds a collection of records from the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, a charitable organization that provided assistance to the poor and sick in Lisbon. The collection includes wills and testaments that were bequeathed to the organisation by donors during the 17th and 18th centuries.
To search for wills from this time period in the ADL, you can use their online catalog, which allows you to search by keyword, date range, and other criteria.
To search for wills from this time period in the ADL, you can use their online catalog, which allows you to search by keyword, date range, and other criteria.
If you need a professional genealogist to help with your Sephardic research, including for a Portuguese nationality application, get in touch.
Portuguese-English Dictionary
A Dictionary of the Portuguese and English Languages, in Two Parts by Antonio Vieyra, published in 1773 by J Nourse, can be downloaded from Google.
Glossary of Jobs Mentioned in Portuguese Inquisition processos
I have started work on a list of professions mentioned in Portuguese Inquisition processos. It contains errors, but is a start of the process to make Inquisition archives more accessible to the general researcher.
| Portuguese | English |
| Abade | Abbot |
| Advogado | Lawyer |
| Aguadeira | Woman who sells or carries water |
| Ajudante de Infantaria | Infantry Adjutant, probably non-commissioned officer |
| Albardeiro | Saddler |
| Alcaide | Mayor |
| Alfaiate | Tailor |
| Almocreve | Muleteer |
| Almoxarife | Storekeeper |
| Aprendiz | Apprentice |
| Armador | Shipowner |
| Atafoneiro | Overseer |
| Azeiteiro | Olive Oil Producer |
| Bacharel Canonista | Holder of a degree in Canon Law |
| Bacharel em Cânones | Graduate of Theology |
| Bacharel em Leis | Bachelor of Law |
| Bacharel Legista | Forensic Lawyer |
| Barbeiro | Barber |
| Barqueiro | Boatman |
| Boieiro | Cowboy |
| Boticário | Apothecary |
| Cabo de Esquadra | Squad Head (military) |
| Caçador | Hunter |
| Caixeiro | Clerk |
| Calceteiro | Paver |
| Caldeireiro | Brazier Maker |
| Caminheiro | Traveller |
| Capelão | Chaplain |
| Capitão de Ordenança | Ordinance Captain |
| Carcereiro | Jailer |
| Carcereiro em Mirandela | Prison guard in Mirandela |
| Cardador | Carder |
| Carniceiro | Butcher |
| Carpinteiro | Carpenter |
| Cavaleiro | Knight |
| Cerieiro | Unsure. May relate to candle making |
| Cesteiro | Basket weaver |
| Cirieiro | Unsure. Possibly a Job Connected With Smoothing Surfaces |
| Cirurgião | Surgeon |
| Clérigo | Cleric |
| Colchoeira | Female Mattress Maker |
| Comerciante | Merchant |
| Comissário do Paço | Manager of the Palace’s Administrative Affairs |
| Cónego na Sé de Miranda | Canon in the Sé De Miranda |
| Confeiteiro | Confectioner |
| Contramestre de Naus | Ship’s Boatswain |
| Contratador | Contractor (responsible for negotiating contracts) |
| Contratador de Estanho | Tin Contractor |
| Contratador e Rendeiro | Contractor and Tenant |
| Corrector das Alfândegas | Customs Broker |
| Cosedeira | Seamstress |
| Costureira | Seamstress |
| Cozinheira | Cook |
| Criada | Servant |
| Criado | Servant |
| Cristaleira | Possibly a maker of ornate furniture |
| Cura | Curate |
| Curandeira | Healer |
| Curandeiro | Healer |
| Curtidor | Tanner |
| Cutileiro | Cutler |
| Ensamblador | Joiner |
| Ermitão | Hermit |
| Escrava | Slave |
| Escravo | Slave |
| Escrevente | Clerk |
| Escrivão | Clerk |
| Escudeiro | Squire |
| Estalajadeira | Innkeeper |
| Estalajadeiro | Innkeeper |
| Estudante | Student |
| Estudante Canonista | Canonist Student |
| Estudante Da Quarta Classe | A student who had completed the fourth year of primary education |
| Estudante de Canônes | Theology Student |
| Estudante de Cânones | Theology Student |
| Estudante de Gramática | Grammar Student |
| Estudante de Latim | Latin Student |
| Estudante de Leis | Law Student |
| Estudante de Medicina | Medicine Student |
| Estudante Universitário | University Student |
| Fabricante de Meias | Sock Manufacturer |
| Familiar do Santo Ofício | Informant or agent of the Inquisition |
| Ferrador | Farrier |
| Ferreiro | Blacksmith |
| Fiadeira | Spinner |
| Fidalgo | Nobleman |
| Forneira | Female baker |
| Forneiro | Baker |
| Frade | Friar |
| Freira | Nun |
| Gaiteiro | Bagpiper |
| Guarda de Cavalo | Horse Guard |
| Guarda do Cárcere | Prison Guard |
| Homem de Negócios | Businessman (often a New Christian) |
| Homem do Mar | Sailor |
| Inquiridor | Investigator (possibly for the Inquision) |
| Jornaleiro | Newspaper seller |
| Juiz | Judge |
| Latoeiro | Coppersmith |
| Lavrador | Farmer |
| Lavrador de Coral | Possibly a Coral Worker |
| Luveiro | Glover |
| Marchante | Marcher |
| Mareante | Sailor |
| Marinheiro | Sailor |
| Marmoteiro | A marmot trapper (for their fur) |
| Médico | Doctor |
| Meirinho | Bailiff |
| Mercador | Merchant |
| Mercador | Merchant |
| Mercador de Ferro | Iron Merchant |
| Mercador de Lenços | Handkerchief seller |
| Mercador de Panos | Cloth Merchant |
| Mercador de Panos de Lã | Wool Cloth Merchant |
| Mercador de Sedas | Silk Merchant |
| Merceeiro | Grocer |
| Mestre de Meninos | Teacher of young boys (not formally trained) |
| Moço de Servir | Serving Boy |
| Moleiro | Miller |
| Mordomo | Butler |
| Músico | Musician |
| Negociante | Dealer |
| Ourives | Goldsmith |
| Ourives de Ouro | Goldsmith |
| Ourives de Prata | Silversmith |
| Ovelheiro | Shepherd |
| Padeira | Baker |
| Padre | Priest |
| Paneiro | Baker |
| Passamaneiro | Maker of decorative trimmings and fringes |
| Pasteleira | Pastry cook |
| Pastor | Unsure. Either Pastor or Shepherd |
| Pedreiro | Bricklayer |
| Peneireiro | Falconer |
| Pintor | Painter |
| Prateiro | Silversmith |
| Prebendeiro | Prebend |
| Presbítero Secular | Secular Priest (not a member of a religious order). |
| Prior | Prior |
| Procurador de Causas | Legal Advocate |
| Recebedor de Sisas | Tax collector responsible for collecting a specific type of tax known as “sisas.” Sisas were indirect taxes levied on various goods and services, including wine, oil, meat, and textiles. |
| Reitor | Rector |
| Religiosa Noviça | Religious Novice |
| Remendão | Cobbler |
| Rendeiro | Tenant |
| Requerente dos Contos | Auditor |
| Sacerdote | Priest |
| Sacristão | Sacristan |
| Sapateiro | Cobbler |
| Seareiro | Possibly a seaman or sailor |
| Seleiro | Saddler |
| Sem Ofício | Unemployed |
| Serrador | Sawyer |
| Serralheiro | Locksmith |
| Sineiro | Bell-ringer in a religious institution |
| Sirgueiro | Silk Dealer |
| Soldado | Soldier |
| Solicitador de Causas | An intermediary between clients and lawyers |
| Solicitador de Demandas | Possibly someone responsible for filing legal claims |
| Sombreireiro | Not known. May be a hat or umbrella maker. |
| Subscrevente | Signatory |
| Surrador | Unknown. Possibly a leather processor or someone who hits things, maybe a thresher. |
| Tabelião | Notary |
| Taberneiro | Innkeeper |
| Tanoeiro | Cooper |
| Tecedeira | Weaver |
| Tecelão | Weaver |
| Tecelão de Mantos | Robe Weaver |
| Teçelão de Sedas | Silk Weaver |
| Tecelão de Tafetás | Taffeta Weaver |
| Tecelão de Veludos | Velvet Weaver |
| Tendeira | Stallholder |
| Tendeira de Miudezas | Haberdasher |
| Tendeiro | Stallholder |
| Tenente de Cavalos | Horse Lieutenant |
| Tenente de Infantaria | Infantry Lieutenant |
| Torcedor | Twister, Presumably of Silk |
| Torcedor de Sedas | Silk Twister |
| Torneiro | Turner. Not sure if a potter or lathe operator |
| Tosador | Clothworker |
| Trabalhador | Worker |
| Trapeiro | Peddler |
| Tratante | Dealer/Trader |
| Tratante de Panos | Cloth Trader |
| Tratante de Rendas | Lace Trader |
| Tratante em Bestas | Horse Trader |
| Tratante em Ferro | Iron Trader |
| Tratante em Linho | Linen Dealer |
| Tratante em Panos de Linho | Linen Cloth Trader |
| Veludeiro | Velvet maker |
| Vendeira | Saleswoman |
| Vendeiro | Salesman |
| Vestimenteiro | Clothesmaker or seller |
| Vidente | Fortune Teller |
| Vigário | Vicar |
| Vivia de Esmolas | Lived on alms |
| Vivia de Mercancia | Lived through trade or commerce |
| Vivia de sua Agência | Lived from his Agency (maybe implying working as a business agent) |
| Vivia de sua Fazenda | Lived on his Farm |
| Vivia do seu Trabalho | Lived from his work or trade |
| Vivia por sua Fazenda | Self-sufficient farmer |
Other Archives
We have not yet started to research in most Portuguese archives. Mostly our current focus is the Torre do Tombo. Below is a list of major archives in Portugal. After Inquisition and parish archives, I suspect the notarial records will be the most useful to us.
- Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo (National Archives of Torre do Tombo, discussed above)
- Arquivo Histórico Ultramarino (Overseas Historical Archive). Portuguese colonial archives. They contain a lot of Inquisition-related records, largely unexplored by Sephardic genealogists. Unfortunately, very little has been digitized.
- Arquivos Distrital (District Archives)
- Arquivos Municipal (Municipal Archives)
- Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal (National Library of Portugal)
- Arquivo Histórico de la Nobleza (Historical Archive of the Nobility) (Spain)
- Arquivo Histórico Militar (Military Historical Archive)
- Arquivo da Universidade de Coimbra (University of Coimbra Archive)
- Arquivo da Misericórdia de Lisboa (Holy House of Mercy of Lisbon Archive). Originally established to provide social assistance to the poor, the sick, and the elderly.
Remember that Spanish archives can contain material useful to Portugal, and Portuguese archives can be helpful to researching New Christians in Spain.
If you have found this page on archives in Portugal useful, please consider making a small donation to support this site and my work. Do you need a professional genealogist to work on your Sephardic genealogy? Click here.