Here's an actual Gemini prompt and the answer that came back from Gemini:
Using The Family History Guide, how do I do research in Spain?
To do genealogy research for Spain using The Family History Guide (thefhguide.com), navigate to Countries → Spain (or Project 9: Spain). The guide organizes Spain's research process into sequential Goals, each breaking down specific steps, resources, and learning activities. Below is the step-by-step workflow structured according to The Family History Guide's methodology for Spain: Step 1: Learn the Research Basics & Spanish Language Skills (Goal 1) Before diving into records, complete the foundational choices in Goal 1: Understand Spanish Naming Customs: Learn how the double-surname system works (paternal surname + maternal surname). This is essential for tracing maternal lines correctly. Language & Handwriting (Paleography): Practice reading older handwritten Spanish records. The guide links to word lists (Spanish and Catalan), alphabet tutorials, and the BYU Spanish Script Tutorial to help transcribe old documents. Emigration & Origin: Use the emigration section and the PARES (Portal de Archivos Españoles) Migratory Movements database to trace ancestors who moved to the Americas. Step 2: Search Civil Registration Records (Goal 4) Civil registration in Spain officially began nationwide around 1871 (with some municipal records going back to 1837). What's Included: Birth (nacimientos), marriage (matrimonios), and death (defunciones) certificates maintained by local civil registries (Registro Civil). Accessing Records: Use online databases linked in the guide (such as FamilySearch or Ministerio de Justicia portal) or request certificates directly from local municipal archives in Spain. Step 3: Search Catholic Church & Cemetery Records (Goal 3) For research prior to 1871, church records are the primary record type. Spanish Catholic parish registers often date back to the 1500s (Council of Trent era) or earlier. What's Included: Baptisms (bautismos), marriages (matrimonios), and burials (entierros). Spanish baptismal entries are exceptionally detailed, frequently listing both parents and all four grandparents. Accessing Records: The guide directs you to digitized collections on FamilySearch, parish archives, and Diocesan Archives (Archivos Diocesanos). Step 4: Explore Additional Record Types (Goals 2, 5 & Notarial Records) Once you have established the basic family tree using civil and church records, move on to supplementary record types:
