Luis Ariel Rivera: Not American Enough: The Challenges and Beauty of Puerto-Rican Genealogy
Date/Time
13-May-2026
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Eastern
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Eastern
Event Registration
Event Type(s)
Public Event
Event Description
This presentation is underwritten by the National Genealogical Society (NGS)
Puerto Ricans have been American citizens for more than a century, yet their records and history are often overlooked or misunderstood in genealogical research. This session explores the rewards and challenges of tracing Puerto Rican ancestors, from American-created records beginning in 1910 to rich Spanish-era sources that support thorough, standards-based work, along with the many online and on-island collections that illuminate earlier generations. A personal case study, grounded in traditional records and DNA, demonstrates how Puerto Rico’s unique political status shapes both identity and the research process, while offering practical tools for navigating its rich and complex documentary landscape.
Puerto Ricans have been American citizens for more than a century, yet their records and history are often overlooked or misunderstood in genealogical research. This session explores the rewards and challenges of tracing Puerto Rican ancestors, from American-created records beginning in 1910 to rich Spanish-era sources that support thorough, standards-based work, along with the many online and on-island collections that illuminate earlier generations. A personal case study, grounded in traditional records and DNA, demonstrates how Puerto Rico’s unique political status shapes both identity and the research process, while offering practical tools for navigating its rich and complex documentary landscape.
Details
About the Presenter
Luis Ariel Rivera, a native of the Bronx, New York, has been a professional genealogist since 2020, but has been researching his family's roots in Puerto Rico since 2004. His expertise lies in Puerto Rican research, focusing on his family’s Taíno, Spanish, and African roots on the island, while also researching his Afro-French roots in Martinique and Guadeloupe. Currently, Luis works as an Advanced Researcher on the International Team at Legacy Tree Genealogists.
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