Below is a glossary of common words that are frequently found in genealogical records. This is not an exhaustive list, nor does it catalog the many possible spellings or variations that can be found in old records; however, it should help to identify words found in old documents.

Online Dictionaries

There is a standard dictionary for the Spanish language made by the Real Academía Española called the Diccionario de la lengua española, which is an excellent source for modern Spanish.

Yet, since language is constantly changing, many words used in old records could have a different meaning from the common meaning used today; for this reason, dictionaries from earlier years or centuries are an excellent resource for researchers. The Real Academia Española dictionaries are a useful resource. The Nuevo tesoro lexicográfico de la lengua española contains definitions of words with respect to the century.

*Racial Terminology Found in Latin American Genealogical Records.