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Panama’s death records are a vital resource for genealogists researching family histories in this historically significant Central American nation. Civil registration of deaths began in 1914, coinciding with Panama’s early years as an independent republic. Prior to this, Catholic Church registers, dating back to the colonial period in the 16th century, serve as the primary source for documenting deaths, as well as baptisms and marriages.

Death records typically include key details such as the deceased’s name, date and place of death, age, cause of death, and names of family members. Additional sources, like cemetery inscriptions, obituaries, and probate files, help fill gaps in earlier records and provide valuable context for genealogical research.

Panama’s unique history, shaped by its Indigenous roots, Spanish colonization, the construction of the Panama Canal, and its role as a crossroads for global trade and migration, is reflected in these records. They offer genealogists insights into family connections and demographic trends across the country’s diverse regions. For those tracing ancestry, Panama’s death records are an indispensable tool for uncovering family ties and understanding the nation’s rich cultural and historical legacy. They provide a bridge to the personal stories within Panama’s dynamic past.


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Death, Burial, Cemetery & Obituaries


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