Back to the main page on Portugal
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.