Philip, If the record is before 1907 it should be at the Archives. You can access it at www.arquivo-madeira.org There is an English version. I suspect you might have to order from them. I don't know what the Portuguese Consulate finds as sufficient evidence. Also please note that it is possible that the current spelling is "Afonso". I am assuming that you know the parish. Good luck. José Fernandes -----Original Message----- From: prt-madeira-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:prt-madeira-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of The Bellamys of Trinidad Sent: January 28, 2007 1:41 PM To: prt-madeira@rootsweb.com Subject: [PT-MADEIRA] Birth certificates for Madeira pre-1907? Hello to all. Can anyone tell me how I can go about acquiring an official birth certificate for Silvano Afonco born in 1892 in Madeira? I already have a certificate prepared by Luis de Mello (that gives this as his DOB), but the Portuguese Consul in Caracas has told his son that this is insufficient evidence to apply for a passport. I went on to a website for the Regional CIvil Registry, but the site says that the records are only from 1907 (I cannot read Portuguese well enough to know if there was any other advice given). Philip Edward Bellamy -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.410 / Virus Database: 268.17.12/655 - Release Date: 28/01/2007 ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to PRT-MADEIRA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message