I always assumed that "vecino" and "residente" meant the same thing, referring to the place an individual resided. However, I'm reading a baptism certificate that really got me confused it says that the parents of the child were: "vecinos de la Agua Dulce y residentes en este Pueblo [Atotonilco el Bajo]"
Where did these people live, la Agua Dulce or Atotonilco el Bajo? These two locations are close to each other, but I'm comfused because I always thought vecino and residente were sYnonyms.
Steve in NC
"Vecino" and "Residente"
In some cases, being a "vecino" meant that you are an established neighbor of a certain town, and being a "residente" meant that you are living in a particular town only for a short time. For example, if a parent was raised and was currently a neighbor of la Agua Dulce, then they would be a "vecino". If they traveled to, and temporarily resided at, Atotonilco el Bajo for baptism, marriage, or burial services, then they would be a "residente".
In your case particularly, it meant that the parents of the child were originally living in "la Agua Dulce" and where temporarily residing at Atotonilco el Bajo during the time of the baptism.
V.Q.C.
Difference between vecino
According to the RAE dictionary, one of the definitions of vecino is: "2. adj. Que tiene casa y hogar en un pueblo, y contribuye a las cargas o repartimientos, aunque actualmente no viva en él."
So you may be a vecino of a town if you have a house there and pay taxes, even if you don't live there. According to the definitions of vecino and vecindad in the same dictionary, one can be a "medio vecino" of one place by paying half of the taxes, and then one's cattle can graze in the town's pastures.
I guess if you are a resident of a town you are also a vecino, but you may as well be a vecino of another place without being a resident.
http://www.rae.es/rae.html
Best regards,
Victoriano Navarro, vecino de Torreón