This is a certified and fully legalized baptismal certificate for Antonio Buenaventura Gallegos y Santos, born November 27, 1883, baptized May 19, 1884, at the Church of San Nicolás de Bari in Havana, Cuba. His parents were from La Orotava in the Canary Islands. The document was officially notarized and legalized through the Spanish Consulate in Havana in August 1904 — likely needed for legal, immigration, or civil purposes at the time.
Transcription & Translation
Images 1 & 2 — Baptismal Certificate
Header (printed):
“Presbítero Don Juan Mornau y Cortés, Cura Párroco de la Iglesia de Término de San Nicolás de Bari, de la ciudad y Diócesis de la Habana.”
Translation: Presbyter Don Juan Mornau y Cortés, Parish Priest of the Terminal Church of San Nicolás de Bari, of the city and Diocese of Havana.
Certifico (body text):
“que en el Libro 7º de Bautismos de Blancos Españoles, del Archivo Parroquial de la misma, al folio 486, número 884, se halla la siguiente partida:
Lunes diez y nueve Mayo, de mil ochocientos ochenta y cuatro años. Yo, Señor Don Jorge Baravz, Cura Párroco propio de la Iglesia de San Nicolás de la Habana, bauticé solemnemente, a un niño que nació el día veinte y siete de Noviembre del año próximo pasado. Hijo legítimo, de D. Francisco Gallegos; y de Doña Dolores Santos de Gallegos, naturales de la Orotava, en Canarias, y vecinos de esta feligresía. Abuelos paternos: D. Antonio y Doña Francisca Ocampos. Abuela materna: Doña Catalina Santos. Todos naturales de Canarias, y en dicho niño ejerví las sacras Ceremonias y puse por nombre: Antonio Buenaventura. Fueron sus padrinos: D. Prudencio Alejando y Doña Carmen Gonzalez; y, a quienes advertí el parentesco espiritual y obligaciones que Contrajeron y lo firmé. Jorge…”
Translation:
I certify that in Book 7 of Baptisms of White Spaniards, of the Parish Archive, at folio 486, number 884, the following entry is found:
Monday, May 19, 1884. I, Don Jorge Baravz, Parish Priest of the Church of San Nicolás of Havana, solemnly baptized a boy who was born on November 27 of the previous year. Legitimate son of Mr. Francisco Gallegos and Mrs. Dolores Santos de Gallegos, natives of La Orotava, in the Canary Islands, and residents of this parish. Paternal grandparents: Mr. Antonio and Mrs. Francisca Ocampos. Maternal grandmother: Mrs. Catalina Santos. All natives of the Canary Islands. I performed the sacred Ceremonies on said child and gave him the name Antonio Buenaventura. His godparents were Mr. Prudencio Alejando and Mrs. Carmen González, whom I informed of the spiritual kinship and obligations they undertook, and I signed it. Jorge…
Image 3 — Spanish Consulate Endorsement
Text:
“Visto en este Consulado General de España. Bueno para legalizar las firmas de D. José de los Ángeles Devera y S. Arturo Mañas, Notario Público de esta ciudad, por ser al parecer las que man por sí. Habana 27 de Agosto de 1904. El Cónsul — R. Rodríguez”
Translation:
Seen at this General Consulate of Spain. Approved to legalize the signatures of Mr. José de los Ángeles Devera and Mr. Arturo Mañas, Notary Public of this city, as they appear to be their own. Havana, August 27, 1904. The Consul — R. Rodríguez
Image 4 — Notarial Legalization
Title: “Legalización”
Text:
“Los Notarios que aquí firmamos, damos fe: que el Notario Don Alfredo Castellanos que autentica la firma del Pbro. Don Juan Mornau, quien autoriza la certificación que antecede, conteniva de la partida de bautismo de Don Antonio Buenaventura Gallegos y Santos, usa digna firma y rúbrica iguales a las procedentes que son, al parecer de su puño y letra y se encuentra en actual ejercicio de sus funciones. Por que no conste nada en contrario. Habana veinte y cinco de Agosto de mil novecientos cuatro.”
Signed by: José de los Ángeles Devera and Arturo Mañas, Notario
Stamp: Notaría del Territorio de la Audiencia de La Habana — Un Peso Cincuenta Centavos, Moneda Americana
Translation:
We, the undersigned Notaries, attest: that Notary Don Alfredo Castellanos, who authenticates the signature of Father Don Juan Mornau — who authorized the preceding certification containing the baptismal record of Don Antonio Buenaventura Gallegos y Santos — uses a proper signature and seal identical to those on file, apparently in his own hand, and is currently in active exercise of his duties. As nothing to the contrary is on record. Havana, August 25, 1904.
Summary of the Document
This is a certified and fully legalized baptismal certificate for Antonio Buenaventura Gallegos y Santos, born November 27, 1883, baptized May 19, 1884, at the Church of San Nicolás de Bari in Havana, Cuba. His parents were from La Orotava in the Canary Islands. The document was officially notarized and legalized through the Spanish Consulate in Havana in August 1904 — likely needed for legal, immigration, or civil purposes at the time.
Value
This is a genuinely rare and historically significant document. Here’s a realistic assessment:
As a genealogical/historical document, certified 19th-century Cuban baptismal records with full notarial legalization chains are highly sought after, especially by genealogists tracing Canarian-Cuban heritage.
Estimated value: $75–$300+ depending on the buyer. Specialty antique document dealers, Cuban genealogy researchers, or Canarian heritage organizations might pay toward the higher end. It would likely sell for less at a general auction but more through a targeted sale. Its condition appears very good, which helps.
If Antonio Buenaventura Gallegos y Santos turns out to be a historically notable figure, value could increase significantly. Do you know who he is in relation to your family?