Sephardic Jews in Venezuela: A Guide for Genealogists

Introduction

This guide provides information for those researching Sephardic Jews in Venezuela. It covers historical context, immigration waves, and practical resources for genealogical research.

Historic Timeline for Sephardic Jews in Venezuela

  • 1498: Christopher Columbus reaches the coast of Venezuela, marking the beginning of Spanish colonization.
  • 1528: The Welsers, German bankers, begin colonizing parts of Venezuela under a contract with the Spanish Crown.
  • 1530s: Spanish Inquisition extends its reach to the Americas.
  • 1655: Jews are expelled from Spanish territories in the Caribbean, pushing many to settle in more tolerant areas like Dutch and English colonies.
  • 1693: Jews, especially from Curaçao, settle in Tucacas,
  • 1717: The Royal Decree of Free Trade allows more foreigners to engage in trade in Spanish colonies, including Venezuela.
  • 1720. Spain re-capture Tucacas.
  • 1730: Trade from the Caribbean islands, primarily from Curaçao, resumes.
  • 1811: Venezuela declares independence from Spain, marking the beginning of the Venezuelan War of Independence.
  • 1812: Simon Bolivar well-received by Sephardic Jews in Curaçao.
  • 1821: Venezuela achieves independence and becomes part of Gran Colombia under the leadership of Simón Bolívar.
  • 1824: Jewish community established in Coro by migrants from Curaçao
  • 1829: Gran Colombia dissolves, and Venezuela becomes an independent republic.
  • 1832: Jewish cemetery in Coro established.
  • 1844. Moroccan Jews settle in Barcelona.
  • 1854: Jewish community of Coro evacuated to Curaçao by the Dutch government following antisemitic attack.
  • 1902: Jewish community of Coro evacuated to Curaçao by the Dutch government
  • 1930s: Growing anti-Semitism in Europe leads to increased Jewish immigration to Venezuela, including Sephardic Jews from the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe.
  • 1939: The outbreak of World War II prompts more Jewish immigration to Venezuela, though the country’s immigration policies remain restrictive.
  • 1945: End of World War II; the Jewish community in Venezuela, including Sephardic Jews, begins to grow more significantly.
  • 1950s: Economic prosperity and political stability in Venezuela attract Jewish immigrants from North Africa, particularly Morocco.
  • 1955: Establishment of the Asociación Israelita de Venezuela, which becomes a central organization for Jews in the country.
  • 1958: Fall of dictator Marcos Pérez Jiménez; the establishment of a democratic government leads to increased social and economic development.
  • 1970s-1980s: Venezuela’s oil boom attracts further immigration, including Jews seeking economic opportunities.
  • 1990s: Political and economic instability begins to rise, leading to emigration of many Jewish families.
  • 2000s: Under President Hugo Chávez, political and economic instability continues, leading to significant emigration of Jews from Venezuela.
  • 2009: A synagogue in Caracas is attacked, reflecting rising antisemitism.
  • 2010s: The crisis in Venezuela leads to further emigration, significantly reducing the Jewish population.

Sephardic Jewish Settlement in Venezuela

Early Modern Period

The first wave of Sephardic settlement in Venezuela occurred during the early modern period, primarily consisting of Portuguese and Western Sephardim from Dutch Caribbean islands.

The Tucacas Settlement

In 1693, a group of Jews from Leghorn established a colony in Tucacas, a coastal town facing Curaçao. This self-sustaining community:

  • Built a fortress and synagogue
  • Traded cocoa beans from Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador
  • Provided better prices and European goods to Spanish colonists
  • Resisted initial Spanish attempts to dislodge them
  • Was eventually captured by Spanish forces in 1720

For more information, see Mordechai Arbell’s article, “Rediscovering Tucacas.”

There were also Sephardic populations in Coro and Caracas. Possibly also in Maracaibo and Barcelona (Venezuela).

20th Century Immigration

The second wave of Sephardic immigration to Venezuela occurred in the 20th century, with people coming from:

These immigrants sought economic opportunities and political stability, often becoming successful business owners and community leaders.

Genealogical Resources for Sephardic Jews in Venezuela

Organizations

Cemeteries

The Jewish Cemetery of Coro (Cementerio Judío de Coro) is claimed to be the oldest Jewish cemetery in continuous use in the Americas. It was established in 1832 by Sephardic Jews from Curacao who in had moved to the city in 1824. Joseph Curiel and his wife Debora Levy Maduro needed a plot to bury their daughter Hana. See an archived website.

The International Jewish Cemeteries Project has identified three Jewish cemeteries in Venezuela: Caracas, Coro and San Cristobal.

Jewish Cemetery of Coro

Historical Jewish Newspapers in Venezuela

  • La Voz Israelita (Caracas, founded 1924)
  • El Diario Israelita (Caracas, founded 1932)
  • La Verdad (Caracas, founded 1924)
  • El Anunciador Israelita (Maracaibo, founded 1919)
  • La Luz (Puerto Cabello, founded 1929)

Civil Records

  • Introduced in 1873
  • Maintained by the Civil Registry Office (Registro Civil) of the National Electoral Council
  • SAREN is responsible for registries and notaries

Naturalization Records

Finding historical naturalization records can be challenging. Contact the Civil Registry Office of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral) for assistance.

Census Records

  • Earliest census: 1756
  • For more information, visit FamilySearch

National Archives

Research at the Archivo General de la Nación de Venezuela for historical documents.

Resources for Sephardic Jews in Venezuela

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