I went to Zacatatecas and visited a number of towns. Fortunately, I was able to take a
long-lost relative to Valparaiso, Zacatecas, where he showed me around, including taking
me to the Iglesia of that city. He knew somebody there at the church but that person was
not available. He then took me to directly to a small office located adjacent to the church,
where all the baptism/marriage/death records were kept. We asked if we could review
baptism records but we received only a cold stare, not a no and not a yes. I got the
definite impression that it was not allowed. My friend and I kept talking in Spanish, being
friendly, and dropping a few apellidos here and there; I imagine the entire town is related
directly or indirectly if you go back far enough.
Anyway, after a little more chit-chat, I told her exactly what years and types of records I
wanted to see, e.g. 1890-1895 baptisms. Amazingly, she brought out the INDEX to those
baptisms, which included dates, names (alphabetized). I was like a kid in a candy store. I
found exactly what I wanted. Each time the archives lady would look up the index, go to
the back, and bring me the bound records. I would have stayed for days if I had been
allowed to do so. Unfortunately we could only stay for 20-30 minutes because of previous
family obligations.
Each volume of church records was still in fair-poor condition but I doubt they could last
much more than 50-100 years more since many pages were practically falling off their
bound pages---they had been through bad weather, wars, fire, and God only knows what
else. I was allowed to photograph the records with a digitial camera. Upon leaving, I gave
the señora 100 pesos which she initially did not take but eventually did; she appeared very
poor but proud of what she did.
In summary, given my experience, I would call somebody in the city where you plan to go
and ask if you can review the church records; a true local would help. A date should be
arranged and perhaps a donation could be made to the church in return for the honor of
seeing their archives. I have no idea of how you review public municipal records and how
much red tape is involved. As it is, most of the material, not all, is available via the
Mormons Films. I still have not found Mormon films of the records I photographed in
Valparaiso. Maybe in some cities all of the above is allowed without any effort or planning
but somehow I doubt.
