File of documents pertaining to the creation of official civil registries in the Visayan Islands

File of documents, dated July 31, 1862 in Cebu, copied by the office of Remigio Molto, governor of the Visayan Islands, concerning the establishment of civil registries in towns throughout the archipelago. There is a copy of a letter, dated March 8, 1862, to Molto from José de Lemery, governor of the Philippines, ordering that all towns, including those in the Visayan Islands, comply with Real orden no. 250 of Dec. 3, 1861, and begin maintaining official birth, death, and marriage registers. Also included are a copy of Molto's reply to Lemery of July 31, 1862; Molto's detailed instructions to "gobernadorcillos" and other town officials on how to begin the record-keeping process and maintain the registers; and six sample forms, indicating the proper wording and format for official tables and certifications of birth, marriage, and death.