Apr2014 - Los Bexarenos Genealogical Society

Transcription

Los Bexareños
Genealogical and Historical Society
Those born in Béxar and those who migrated to and made their home in Béxar throughout the ages, whether under the influence of Tribal Law,
or the laws of Spain, France, the 1st Republic of Texas, the Republic of México, the 2nd Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of América, or
the United States of América are known as Los Bexareños.
Their families extend to all the lands of the world. Once a Bexareño always a Bexareño.
A Newsletter via e-Mail
Ap ril 2 0 1 4
LBGHS Monthly Meeting
April 5, 2014
NOTICE
LBGHS meeting WILL NOT be held at
the San Antonio MAIN Public Library
Mission Branch Public Library
3134 Roosevelt Avenue
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.
SPEAKER: Doug Baum
TOPIC: The Texas Camel Corps
Doug Baum has owned Texas Camel Corps since 1997. Business activities include living history programs and historical reenactments
portraying the US Army Camel Experiment of the 1850s. He is also a tour guide in the Middle East, taking groups to Egypt and Jordan.
He has twice presented papers to the international Camel Conference at London's prestigious School of Oriental and African Studies. The
first: The Status of the Camel in the United States and the second: The Camel Saddle - A Study. The film he'll be showing and discussing will
also be shown at the 2015 conference in London. Doug makes his home in Valley Mills, Texas (near Waco) with his wife, Trish, and three
children, Vanessa, Delany, and Pecos, in addition to 9 camels, 4 donkeys, and many other animals.
CONTENT
Cont ents I n T his I ssu e
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
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CONTRIBUTORS
Dan Arellano
Louis J. Benavides
Sandra Benavides
Mary Anne Curray
Anthony Delgado
Mary Esther Escobedo
Santiago Escobedo
Cindy Farmer
Henry A. García, Jr.
Bill Hickey
José Antonio López
Sylvia Morales
Dennis Moreno
Yolanda Patiño
Crispín Rendón
Sylvia Reyna
George A. Sánchez
Beatrice Treviño
Lillian Wold
LBGHS March Meeting • Facebook • Webpage
Message From The President
Letters • LBGHS Committees • Announcements
My Opinion: Sam Houston Took Over A Work In Progress
Websites That Tell Our Stories • Membership Dues • Gloria Cadena Scholarship Fund
In Remembrance: Willie Crafts: Hispanic Educator, Coach, and Athlete
LBGHS Merchandise • My Opinion: The First Thanksgiving
LBGHS Directory • Gloria Cadena Scholarship
Telling Our Stories: What My Mother Never Knew
Ageless Photos: 1930 Class - Elmendorf, Bexar, Texas
LBGHS Resource Center • Publication Sales • Web Indexes
Telling Our Stories: El Tartamudo
Announcements
Calendar of Events
Around The State • Message From the Editor • Submit Your Articles
LBGHS eMail Newsletter
Los Bexareños
1
Like Us On
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Visit
Los Bexareños webpage
www.losbexarenos.org
to view archived
email newsletters.
Volume 3 - Issue 4
LOS
BEXAREÑOS
GENEALOGICAL
AND
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T
Message
tion of other resource books is very impressive.
“The mission of Los Bexareños
Genealogical and Historical Society is
to promote awareness of Hispanic
genealogy and history through
publications, public forums, research,
consultations, education, and to
promote the preservation of archival
material for public research.”
from the
*****
2014 EXECUTIVE BOARD
President:! !
Louis J. Benavides
Vice President: ! José López
Secretary:! !
Ernesto Menchaca
Treasurer:! !
David Molteni
BOARD
OF
DIRECTORS
2013 - 2014:! !
Eleanor Foreman
2013 - 2014:! !
Sylvia Morales
2014 - 2015:! !
Henry A. García, Jr.
2014 - 2015:! !
Olga Hickey
2014 - 2015:! !
Ed Mata
APPOINTED OFFICERS
Historian:! !
!
Parliamentarian: !
Norberto Martínez
José Hernández
President’s
Desk
"
"
EXCITEMENT IN THE AIR! This last
weekend, my wife, Sandra, and I traveled to
Albuquerque, New Mexico to visit the National Hispanic Cultural Center. It was much
more than I believed it was going to be! Yes,
I had reviewed their website, but to see the
building from the freeway, it was massive.
As you begin to get closer, you notice that it is
not one building but several buildings. Our
tour and visit was limited to the festival that
was going on outside on the grounds and to
the beautiful Library and Genealogical research building.
"
The highlight of the visit was going to the
Manuel Lujan Library and Genealogical Center. It is located in a beautiful New Mexican
architecture type building. We were surprised to find out that this new building was
actually built during the depression by the
WPA.
"
Dr. Carlos Vásquez, the Director of History and Literary Arts was really enthusiastic
about the Cultural Center and their exhibits.
He is quite a supporter of the new Executive
Director, Rebecca L. Avitia. Sandra and I had
the impression that Dr. Vásquez was a new
employee of the center. No, he told us he had
been a part of the planning of the center over
13 years ago.
"
The librarian, Greta Pullen, was also very
friendly and excited as she was coordinating
and getting their large meeting room ready
for the day’s speakers and activities.
LOS BEXAREÑOS
PO BOX 1935
SAN ANTONIO TX 78297-1935
www.losbexarenos.org
"
Dr. Vásquez explained that when the
center gets ready for an exhibit, they collect
every book and research paper they can on
the subject, even to the extent of traveling to
Spain and the other locations to find research
and writings on the subject from primary
sources. Once the exhibit is completed, all
that information is donated to the cultural
center library.
"
Their genealogical library seems to have
substantially less books than our library of
our published books, however, their collec-
"
The search for a “home” for our LBGHS
Resource Center and Library building is
becoming more of a challenge than expected. I am happy that various members have
wonderful visions of our “new home,”
however, those visions do not meet the reality of our budget. We’ll continue to trek on
“the hunt.”
*****
"
Many of you have requested a trip which
is a tradition for Los Bexareños. We have a
road trip to Austin to meet the new Executive
Director of the Texas State Archives and to do
research on Saturday May 10th. The cost is
$25 which includes breakfast tacos and coffee.
We will tour the Tejano Monument and go to
lunch as a group. Upon our return to San
Antonio, those who want will go to dinner.
*****
"
We have many celebrations going on in
San Antonio this month. Among these events
are Fiesta and all of the events that go with
it, the Texas Book Festival, and Holy Week.
*****
"
We continue to conduct research on our
families. Do not forget the living members of
our families. Invite them to get together
during this month and create some new
memories. I just ask you to write your
memories down. I invite all of you to
continue writing about your life and those
of your families members and if you have not
begun to write, begin tonight.
*****
"
See you on Saturday, April 5th. Just a
reminder: We WILL NOT have our monthly
meeting at our regular location downtown.
We are meeting at the Mission Branch Library
on Roosevelt. The Library opens at 10:00 a.m.
Coffee will begin at 10:30 a.m. The meeting
will start at 11:00 a.m. ✥
VIVA FIESTA!
—Louis J. Benavides
LBGHS President
[email protected]
Los Bexareños Facebook Page
2
Volume 3 - Issue 4
LOS
BEXAREÑOS
GENEALOGICAL
Letters
AND
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
LBGHS Committees
Dear Sylvia,
!
I have been sharing the LBGHS newsletter with my cousin, Beatrice
Treviño. You are responsible for enticing another member to join Los Bexareños. I am happy for her and her husband, Randy, because I know they will get to
enjoy everything the organization has to offer. Beatrice and Randy live in
Houston, Texas, which makes it easy for them to travel to San Antonio. I am a
little bit jealous that I live so far away (California) and cannot make your
meetings; but, I am sure that Beatrice will send me photos and share her
experiences with me while she enjoys San Antonio's Fiesta week. Attached is
her letter to me. Sylvia, I enjoyed reading the story by Patricia Alba Hernández
- it was great! Sincerely,
— Lillian Wold
Fountain Valley, CA
Hola, Prima:
!
How are you, and Bernie, and family doing? We hope you're all
doing well. I always look forward to hearing from you because your
messages are so interesting, and you are such a wonderful communicator.
Publication Sales"
Santiago Escobedo"
Budget"
David Molteni"
2018 Conference!
Anthony Delgado "
Facebook!
Anthony Delgado "
Fundraising"
TBA "
Hospitality"
Sandra Benavides"
Library"
Dennis Moreno"
Membership"
Sylvia Morales "
Property"
Dennis Moreno"
Publishing"
Larry Kirkpatrick"
Register "
Scholarship"
Website"
Dennis Moreno"
[email protected]
"
[email protected]
"
[email protected]
[email protected]
"
" [email protected]
[email protected]
"
[email protected]
[email protected]
"
[email protected]
Raúl Guerra "
"
[email protected]
Mary Esther Escobedo"
"
[email protected]
[email protected]
Will YOU Volunteer?
!
Thanks so much for sending me the latest [LBGHS] newsletter
as it makes me so proud of my heritage. It has great stories and
information, and so I have printed out the "application" and will mail
it in with a check to become an official member. I'm glad to know that
the "Hispanic Heritage Museum" offices are opening this month. L OS B EXAREÑOS NEEDS VOLUNTEERS . Would you be willing to
contribute to the Society by volunteering for one of the committees
listed above. Are you interested in fund raising? Can you assist the
Hospitality Committee? Are you a proficient user of the internet?
Maybe you can help with Facebook or work with the website.
!
Can't wait to return to San Antonio next month when we go
to "Fiesta Texas." It is such a fun place to be, especially during
"Fiesta" time. We've enjoyed spending a weekend there in April of
the last two years (as a wedding anniversary celebration—6 years on
April 20th). And there are old friends, two very nice couples, who
may be driving in to join us while we're there. Thanks, again, for
everything—may God bless you always. Love,
Each one of you has a special talent or skill.
Your ideas and your expertise can greatly advance the cause of this
wonderful organization. Help us help others in their quest to find
their Hispanic ancestors.
— Beatrice Treviño
Houston, TX
**********
!
I have posted another Saltillo book. See link below. Families of Saltillo,
Coahuila, México Volume Two
Families of Saltillo, Coahuila - Volume 3
Best Regards,
— Crispín Rendón
Los Bexareños Membership
A wonderful Genealogy Gift
To Family and Friends
Copyright 2014. José Antonio López. All Rights Reserved.
3
Volume 3 - Issue 4
LOS
BEXAREÑOS
GENEALOGICAL
AND
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
SAM HOUSTON TOOK OVER A WORK IN PROGRESS
By José Antonio López
For Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society
!
March 2nd is celebrated as a state holiday, honoring Texas
Independence Day (March 2, 1836).
(3)! In 1821, México gained its independence. Soon
after, civil war spread across the Republic of
México (from Sonora to Texas to Yucatán) demanding relaxed
management from México City. As such, the old 1810-1813
struggle for self-rule in Texas reignited. It was in reaction to this
part of the civil war raging in México that General Santa Anna
came to Texas in 1836.
!
On that date, newly arrived Anglo immigrants from the
United States severed ties with the Republic of México and declared
independence. However, today, more than ever, many Texans question
its significance for two main reasons: (1) Texas was independent for
only nine years, since in 1845 the Anglos traded their independence to
join the United States as a slave state; and (2) Texas previously had
declared independence years before. What’s going on here?
So, Sam Houston in union with recent slave-owning U.S. expatriates
walked into a very volatile political situation when they arrived in
Texas. All was fine with the Anglos joining the federalists until it came
to the issue of slaves. México was the first country in the Americas
to abolish slavery (1829). Slave-owning Anglos, unwilling to free their
slaves, betrayed their Tejano allies and pointed the federalist cause in a
different direction. As immigrants in México, they could not legally
claim independence. None of the Anglos were native-born Texans.
!
The answer is that sometimes when you rinse the exterior of
a celebrated event, pesky details that weaken it quickly bubble up to
the surface. In chronological order, the March 2, 1836 incident was
indeed the second time Texas declared independence. Factually, on
April 6, 1813 José Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara Uribe, the first Texas
President, wrote and signed the first Texas Declaration of Independence; then read its contents to jubilant Texans outside the Spanish
Governors Palace.
!
To be sure, the year 2013 had very special significance. First,
in April, Texas State Representative Eddie Rodríguez sponsored a
!
As President of México, General Santa Anna had every legal
right to take military action. He was not the intruder in Texas, the
Anglos were. As he had done as a lieutenant at the 1813 Battle of
Medina, he came to fight the federalists. Plus, he wished to rid his
Proclamation (approved by the Texas State Legislature) honoring the
200th Anniversary of the first Texas Declaration of Independence and
Constitution. Then, on August 18, we honored the 200th Anniversary of
the Battle of Medina.
country of armed men from the United States. Regardless, Texas
independence lasted for only nine years. In 1845, the Anglos traded
their independence to join the United States as a slave state; causing the U.S.-México War of 1846-48.
!
As an 8th generation Texan, it’s rewarding to me to know that
many non-Tejanos are embracing long ignored early Texas history.
They are learning the truth—Texas Independence was already well in
motion before Sam Houston arrived in Texas seeking to start life afresh
in México. Honestly, the newcomer Sam Houston first joined Tejanos
in their on-going federalist movement.
!
Because it doesn’t fit the Sam Houston model, Bernardo
Gutiérrez de Lara’s full-fledged First Texas Revolution has long been
diminished by mainstream historians who call it an expedition. That is
unfair. Hopefully, present and future generations of Texans will learn
about a whole slate of new heroic and true Texas independence
founders, such as Father Miguel Hidalgo, Doña Josefa Ortiz de
Dominguez, Juan Aldama, Ignacio Allende, José Mariano Jiménez,
Captain Juan Bautista de las Casas, Col. Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara,
Col. José Menchaca, and many others.
!
What exactly was the federalist movement in México? In
brief, the first citizens of Texas, as other communities were doing elsewhere in México, were asking for more independence. In particular,
the 1810-1813 patriots longed for equality with the aristocracy and
wished to keep more of what they produced. Details below summarize
the true events.
!
In closing, because they are unaware of their rich history,
many Texans of Mexican-descent avoid the Texas history topic
altogether and accept the Anglicized version without question. The
only tool we can use to learn more is knowledge. Don’t wait another
day. If your family originated in Texas or Northern México, start your
inspirational journey in search of the Spanish-Mexican roots of Texas.
Visit the Tejano Monument in Austin. I guarantee it will uplift you!
(l)! The drive for Texas independence began with Gutiérrez de
Lara answering Father Miguel Hidalgo’s call (Grito de Dolores).
After organizing the Mexican Army of the North (1st Texas Army)
from scratch, Don Bernardo led his men in five decisive battles
!
Learn how our ancestors set up the first towns “deep in the
heart of Texas.” Find out about the centralists versus federalists
(Tejanos) struggle in pre-1836 Texas. Truly, our Spanish-Mexican
ancestors’ love of freedom and independence is second to none.
There’s much more. Indeed, revitalizing early Texas history will prove
once and for all that after more than 150 years, it’s time to give
credit where credit is due in the founding of this great place we call
Texas. ✥
(1812-1813) against the far superior Spanish Royalist Army. In
1813, Don Bernardo became the first President of Texas. He wrote
and signed a Declaration of Independence and a Constitution,
both signaling to the world that native-born residents of the independent Provincia de Tejas had credentials to seek autonomy.
(2)! Alas, the Army of the North, under another commander, was
defeated on August 18, 1813. Over 800 Tejano patriots died for
freedom that day. The Texas State Historical Association honors
the Battle of Medina as the largest, bloodiest battle ever fought on
Texas soil.
Copyright 2014. José Antonio López. All Rights Reserved.
4
Volume 3 - Issue 4
LOS
BEXAREÑOS
GENEALOGICAL
Websites That Tell Our
Stories
AND
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
You are cordially invited to join/renew your membership to
Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society
"
There is more to genealogy than just gathering
names of ancestors. Yes, it is important to do the
basics, like pedigree charts, names, dates, places,
family work sheets, etc. But, let us not forget that
there are stories that go with these names. There are
histories in the places and times they lived.
Photographs and stories bring our ancestors to life.
Here we intend to transport you to websites that tell
our stories. ✥
Become part of an ever growing family who loves to do ancestral
research. Meet people who share the same interest and love of
genealogy, and people who may be doing research on your
particular family lineages.
PLEASE SEND YOUR
2014 MEMBERSHIP DUES
Álamo’s Tejano Heroes Gain Recognition
Bexar Archives Online
To become a member, fill out the 2014 Membership Application
Bexar County Historical Commission
Form and mail it to the address on the form. Better yet, bring the
form with you when you attend our next meeting.
Béxar Genealogy
2014 Membership Form
Children of the Revolución
☞
Hispanic Heritage Month
PBS Documentary: “Latino-Americans”
Click Here And Join Us
Somos Primos
Tejano Monument
GLORIA VILLA CADENA
Texas Tejano
GENEALOGICAL and HISTORICAL
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Tell Us Your Stories
You are invited and encouraged to make a donation to the Gloria
Cadena Genealogical and Historical Scholarship Fund. Los Bexareños
will award scholarships to students who are or will be attending an
accredited college/university. They will be chosen based on their ability
to produce a four generation pedigree chart which is accompanied with an
essay of their ancestors.
"
Do you have a special, interesting, historical,
or just a funny story about your relatives that you
would like to share? Un chiste that you would like
to contribute? Email your ancestral stories, and we
will try to print them in this newsletter on a firstcome-first-serve basis. ✥
Los Bexareños is trying to get young people involved in genealogy.
LBGHS wants to encourage students to embrace their culture and
heritage. The sacrifices their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents,
etc. must not be forgotten. The younger generations need to be encouraged to retell the stories about their ancestors handed down
throughout the ages. ✥
[email protected]
~~
~~
~~
Experiences
that
are
shared
are
added
to
life’s
beautiful
memory
books
Please make your donation to the LBGHS Scholarship Fund and
send your check to:
LOS BEXARENOS
PO BOX 1935
SAN ANTONIO TX 78297-1935
5
Volume 3 - Issue 4
LOS
BEXAREÑOS
GENEALOGICAL
AND
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
WILLIE CRAFTS: HISPANIC EDUCATOR, COACH, AND ATHLETE
By Bill Hickey
"
When discussing dedicated
career educators, high school
football coaches don’t usually
enter into the conversation right
away. When the football coach,
however, is Willie CRAFTS, all
preconceived notions about athletes and coaches having no
interest in academics go right
out the window. And speaking
of preconceptions, you may
wonder why the topic of Hispanics in San Antonio education
would include someone named
Willie CRAFTS.
Hanna, San Antonio Sidney Lanier, and South San Antonio, among
others. He was loved and respected on the football field by his
players as well as in the classroom by his other students. He retired
from teaching and coaching in 1998, but stayed active in his
community through his church, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Helotes,
Texas, and with the COPS/Metro Alliance group in San Antonio.
He was inducted into the Texas A&I Athletic Hall of Fame in 1977,
and he was later inducted into the Latinos In Action (LIA) Sports
Hall of Fame, the Río Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame, and the
National Hispanic Heritage Hall of Honor. He also served multiple
terms on the Board of Directors of the Hispanic Sports Foundation
for Education (HSFE), a nonprofit organization which provides
financial assistance to deserving students in need who aspire to
earning a college degree.
"
Willie CRAFTS passed away at the age of seventy-five on
January 20, 2014, after a long illness. He left behind his wife of
forty-eight years, Arinda GÓMEZ Crafts, five children, and seven
grandchildren. He is but one of the many fine educators of Hispanic heritage who have had a significant positive impact on students in San Antonio, South Texas, and beyond. His influence is
best described by two of his many students. The first, a young man,
said, “He was a positive influence on young people, a real role
model, and a man who cared about his players both on and off the
field. He was an ‘old school’ type of coach who taught hard work,
discipline, respect, courage, and other virtues which help turn a
young boy into a man.” The second, a young lady, said, “Even
now, after forty-eight years, I still remember him. Just the other day,
I was telling my own students that I had the best Spanish teacher
EVER at Needville High School. I can still remember the Spanish
verb forms that he taught me. I pray that his family will be consoled
in the knowledge that he made a real difference—that he was a
positive force in the lives of so many others.” Certainly, these
comments are representative of the thousands of students he
touched throughout his long career, both in the classroom and on
the football field. They are indicative of the importance and impact
our Hispanic teachers, leaders, and role models have in our
community.
"
Willie was born to Willie
Willie Crafts
CRAFTS, Sr. and Ana María
1938 - 2014
OLIVARES Crafts in Brownsville, Texas, on October 6, 1938.
His father was Scots-Irish in origin, but Willie drew his SpanishMexican roots from his mother. He was proud of both his ScotchIrish and his Hispanic heritage. Although he was known as an
outstanding football player in high school, college, and the
professional ranks, Willie’s most important contribution may
have been in the classroom where he taught Spanish at the high
school level for over thirty years.
"
After graduating from Brownsville High School, he was
awarded an athletic scholarship to play football at Texas College of
Arts & Industries (later known as Texas A&I University, and now
known as Texas A&M University-Kingsville). While there, CRAFTS
was named All-Lone Star Conference and also captured AllAmerican honors while helping lead his Javelina football squad to
its first NAIA National Championship.
"
After stints in the National Football League with the Minnesota
Vikings and the Denver Broncos as well as playing in the Canadian
Football League with the Edmonton Eskimos, Willie took his first
permanent position in education at Needville High School in the fall
of 1964, after completing his student teacher training at Roy Miller
High School in Corpus Christi. This was followed by stops at
Corpus Christi King, Brownsville Porter, Port Isabel, Brownsville
Copyright 2014. Bill Hickey. All Rights Reserved.
The César E. Chávez Movie starring Michael Peña, produced by Pablo
Cruz, and directed by Diego Luna will be shown in local theaters starting on Friday, 28 March 2014. Find out more by clicking on this link:
https://www.facebook.com/CesarChavezMovie
6
Volume 3 - Issue 4
LOS
BEXAREÑOS
GENEALOGICAL
Los Bexareños Merchandise Order Form
Polo Shirts
Polo Shirt Color
Cost: $25
2XL-3XL - Extra $5
Color Name
Embroidery Color
Banana
Black
Court Green
Yellow
Red
Black
Maui Blue
Red
Stone
Black
White
Black
Royal
Yellow
Black
Yellow
Quantity
"
As a member of the the San Elizario Genealogy and Historical
Society (SEGHS), I would like to comment on the article that
appeared in the El Paso Times on Sunday, 12 January 2014 about
SEGHS wanting to disassociate itself from the Mission Trail's "First
Thanksgiving" celebration in April. I took out my copy of Gaspar
Pérez de Villagrá's "Historia de la Nueva México, 1610," to see what
Gaspar had written about the Oñate Colonists arrival at the Río del
Norte, now the Río Grande near San Elizario, in April of 1598.
Gaspar was a Captain with Oñate and was a chronicler of the
expedition in 1598.
Total
Color
Quantity
Red
Khaki
Royal
Stone
Black
Total
Name:
Telephone:
Order Total:
Visors
Cost $18
Color
"
In his Canto XIV (page 124), Gaspar writes that the colonists were
very happy to find plenty of water to drink and fish and fowl to cook
after their long trek over the dunes of the Samalayuca desert in
northern Chihuahua. In their celebration, they also held a mass and
then attended a play written by Capitán Farfán—which could be
considered the first literary work created in the United States! Gaspar
also mentions some friendly natives who showed them a good place
to ford the river near present day El Paso.
Quantity
Red
Khaki
Royal
Stone
Black
Aqua
Dandelion
Total
Email:
Paid Date:
Make Checks payable to: Los Bexareños
Mail check and order form to: Cindy Farmer
16414 Crested Butte
San Antonio,
Texas
78247
Make checks
payable
to: Los
Bexareños
Mail check and order form to:
Cindy Farmer
16414 Crested Butte
San Antonio, Texas 78247
If you have questions, please contact Cindy at (210) 656-2085 or at
[email protected]
Also available in green, black, and navy blue.
These handy bags are available to
carry your genealogy books and
records.
$15.00
Print your Order Form
Here
"
Sheldon Hall, who founded the Mission Trails Association,
decided to call this celebration, after the arrival of the Spanish
colonist to what is now the United States, "The First Thanksgiving in
the United States," since it predated that celebration of the Pilgrims at
Plymouth Rock by some twenty years. But what the Pilgrims and
their Native American friends were celebrating was their survival
and their harvest for the year. Sheldon Hall calling the arrival and
celebration of the Oñate colonists to what is now the United States
"The First Thanksgiving" was, I believe, all tongue-in-cheek. People
from St. Augustine, Florida, which was founded before 1598, also
refer to their September celebration as "The First Thanksgiving in the
United States!“ What about those Vikings who came across the
northern Atlantic Ocean during the Middle Ages, did they have a
celebration?
"
The San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society has had an
educational conference in San Elizario on the last Saturday in April to
celebrate the arrival of the Oñate Colonists in 1598 for many years.
We invite many well known Historians to speak; and each year, we
call the conference by a different name. Last year it was "A Celebration
of Cultures." Our April conference just happens to be when the
Mission Trails Association is having their "The First Thanksgiving"
reenactment. But no one should confuse our organization, The San
Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society, with the Mission Trails
Association.
"
SEGHS has a Founders Luncheon in October to honor past and
present older members of the community. In November, on Veterans
Day, the veterans from the surrounding area are honored with a
parade and speakers at the Veterans Memorial Placita. In December
before Christmas we put up Luminarias and do the Posadas, a
religious play. Finally, It is our organization that operates the
Veteran's Museum on main street, the Los Portales Museum across
from the San Elizario Chapel, and the infamous 1850 County Jail. ✥
ht t p:/ /www.l os bexarenos .org /
Merchandi seOrd erF or m2013 08. p d f
SOCIETY
By George A. Sánchez
Total Cost
5-ounce, 65/35 poly/cotton pique
Knit collar and cuffs
Double-needle armholes and bottom hem
Metal buttons with dyed-to-match rims
Side vents
Hats
Cost: $18
HISTORICAL
The First Thanksgiving Controversy
4XL, 5XL - Extra $10
Size
(SM, MED, LG, XLG, 2XL,
3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
AND
Copyright 2014. George A. Sánchez. All Rights Reserved.
7
Volume 3 - Issue 4
LOS
BEXAREÑOS
GENEALOGICAL
AND
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
LBGHS MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
Los Bexareños
"
The Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society’s
Membership Directory - Commemorative Edition is now available to 2013
LBGHS members. The 36-page directory includes 221 Individual and
Joint Membership entries and 19 organization membership entries. Many
entries include photographs of the LBGHS members in color.
Genealogical and Historical Society
Membership Directory
"
The main purpose of the directory is to get people together to
enjoy the wonderful world of genealogy with others on a more frequent
basis. You can see which LBGHS members are researching the same
lineages that you are researching. You can see which members live in
your area, possibly you can organize a home research group. Setting aside
one day a month to do research with fellow members is a good way to
help each other break through those “brick walls”. Group research helps
motivate you to do scrapbooks, write stories, do pedigree charts and
family group sheets. Most importantly, it helps sharing each other’s
family research. Use the directory to stay in touch with your fellow
LBGHS researchers. ✥
San Antonio, Texas
"
Make checks payable to LOS BEXAREÑOS and mail $15.00
per member/directory to:
30TH ANNIVERSARY
SYLVIA MORALES
3543 BYRON ST
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78247-3193
COMMEMORATIVE EDITION
If you have questions, contact Sylvia Morales at:
[email protected]
GLORIA VILLA CADENA
GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
"
THE GLORIA VILLA CADENA GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND was originally conceived as an idea to
involve the relatives of Los Bexareños. This is an important tool to get our children and grandchildren, nephews and nieces to participate in
our genealogy research.
"
THE GLORIA VILLA CADENA GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND is available to college students who are
attending (or will attend) an accredited college or university in Bexar County.
"
THE REQUIREMENTS ARE RELATIVELY SIMPLE. A relative of an LBGHS member OR any student in Bexar County who is attending an
accredited college or university, including students graduating from high school that will be attending an accredited college or university
may apply for a scholarship. They are required to fill out a four generation pedigree chart to the best of their ability and write a 750 word
essay on one or more of their ancestors. The emphasis is on, but not limited to, Hispanic lineages. Their entries will be judged on how
much of the pedigree chart they were able to complete and the content of their essay.
"
THERE WILL BE TWO ANNUAL WINNERS. Each year two winners will be selected. One female student and one male student. They
will each win a $500.00 scholarship, which will be submitted directly to the college or university they are attending.
"
THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM. Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society has members in eleven states and in
México and England. If you are a relative of an LBGHS member, and you are a student attending an accredited college or university
anywhere in the world, you may apply.
Wings
"
Use this opportunity to get your family involved.
"
There are two gifts we should give our children: One is roots, and the other is wings.
8
✥
Roots
Volume 3 - Issue 4
LOS
BEXAREÑOS
GENEALOGICAL
AND
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
WHAT MY MOTHER NEVER KNEW!
By Mary Anne Curray
"
My mother, Rebecca Matilde GONZÁLEZ, was born in
Magdalena, Sonora, México in 1908. She died in 1970, when I was
32, not knowing the history of those who came before her.
México, the town where my maternal grandmother was born. The
lady had a copy of the will. That will, with the words “natural de
San Antonio de Béxar,” opened everything to me. My 2nd greatgrandmother was a native of San Antonio in Tejas, not México! Her
husband and children were also listed in the will. I contacted my
sister in Tucson, Arizona immediately, because we both were into
genealogy and shared everything we gathered. We and our
husbands went to San Antonio after contacting the archivist of
Bexar County. He put us in touch with a 3rd cousin-once removed,
who lived in San Antonio and was into genealogy. She was very
generous with her findings and gave us a
great start. Two years later my sister,
Norma CURTIS Steiger, was killed in an
automobile accident. I had to carry on
alone.
"
Soon after I retired, I became interested in genealogy because of
my curiosity. I wanted to know why my mother’s family left
México when she was a little girl. I knew they emigrated to
California during the Mexican Revolution (1910-1917). I also knew
that my grandfather was a judge in Ensenada, Baja California,
México and died, unexpectedly, of the influenza epidemic in 1918,
leaving my grandmother a widow with six small children (ages 12,
10, 8, 6, 4, and 2) in a new country. How
tragic! That’s about all I knew. I had only
been to two towns in México, both border
towns: Tijuana and Ciudad Juárez.
"
Why did they come to California?
Why would they leave their beautiful
home, a successful career, family, and
secure surroundings in Magdalena? I had
to find out. My grandmother left a box of
papers—letters, documents, photos—all
good clues but only clues. I visited with a
professor at the University of California,
San Diego, Ramón RUIZ, the author of
“The Great Rebellion.” He gave his book
that title because he felt that nothing was
accomplished during that revolution,
mainly because the leaders of the different
factions not only had their own ideas for
social reform but also they didn’t know
how to compromise. One of the papers in
my grandmother’s box indicated that my
grandfather had been a member of the
Congreso. Another paper showed that he
had been imprisoned under a false
conspiracy and was released several days
later by the Governor of Sonora. Could
his safety and the safety of his family be the
reason they left? I believe so.
"
Also, about that time, I met Irma
CANTÚ Jones, at a Gen-Tech conference
in San Diego, California, where she was
volunteering at the SHAAR table. She
became invaluable to me—sharing much
of her research and her knowledge of
Hispanic genealogy. We are now dear
friends.
"
After much research, it turns out
that I have seven generations of Tejano
ancestors, beginning with José DE
URRUTIA, who participated in the 1691
Domingo TERÁN DE LOS RÍOS Expedition into Tejas, and ending in 1838, when
the SALINAS family moved to Cuatro
Ciénegas, Coahuila, México.
Another
ancestor, Francisco MENCHACA, was a
soldier with the 1718 Martín DE
ALARCÓN Expedition, which founded
the Mission San Antonio de Valero. Others
Rebecca Matilde GONZÁLEZ
followed them from Coahuila, Nuevo
León, and the Canary Islands. Several of
my ancestors made significant contributions to the history of San
Antonio: two Capitáns of the Presidio San Antonio de Béxar (The
"
I, my mother, and her mother were raised Catholic. A paper in
Álamo), José DE URRUTIA and Francisco (a.k.a., Joseph Antonio)
my grandmother’s box showed my grandfather to be a Mason, so I
MENCHACA; Mariana MELEANO and her children: 16 year old
decided I would start there. I wrote to the Secretary-General of the
Francisco DELGADO, 4 year old Leonor DELGADO, and 2 year
Masonic Lodges in Sonora, México and told him what I knew about
old Domingo DELGADO, who came from the Canary Islands to
my grandfather and that I wanted to know more about him. He
San Antonio in 1731 and helped found the villa of San Fernando de
wrote me back right away—amazing! He told me that he was
Béjar; Francisco DE SALINAS, a majordomo of Mission San
giving my letter of inquiry to a fellow Mason who worked in the
Antonio de Valero; and, several members of the Cavalry Company
Archivo in Hermosillo. “Be patient,” he said, “these things take
of the Royal Presidio, the Royal Spanish Army of the province of
time.”
Tejas, and the Mexican Army after México’s Independence of 1821.
"
A year later (1996), I received a packet in the mail. In the
Several owned land in the villa and/or had ranches in Béjar and La
package was the will of my 2nd great-grandmother, Doña María
Bahía. One such ancestor was Juan José FLORES DE ÁBREGO,
Teresa de Jesús de Calistra ARRIOLA Y PEÑA. Carlos LUCERO
who registered the first cattle brand in what is now Texas. Several
AJA had traced my lines forward to a woman in Altar, Sonora,
contributed to the success of the United States’ cause in the War for
—Continue on page 10
9
Volume 3 - Issue 4
LOS
BEXAREÑOS
GENEALOGICAL
Independence. Another ancestor, José María SALINAS, served as
alcalde (mayor) of San Antonio de Béjar four different times. He
also owned the Cos house in La Villita when/where General Martín
Perfecto DE COS, brother-in-law of Antonio LÓPEZ DE SANTA
ANA, signed the Articles of Capitulation in 1835.
Juan ALONSO, (15 lines), Portuguese;
Alberto DEL CANTO, (1 line);
•
Julián GUTIÉRREZ, (5 lines);
•
Francisco MARTÍNEZ GUAJARDO, (12 lines);
•
Juan NAVARRO, who was probably the son of Juan NAVARRO
(28 lines), a Basque who came in with CORTÉS;
•
Santos ROJO, (4 lines), Sicilian;
•
Martín SÁNCHEZ (FARÍAS), (1 line); and
•
Balthazar DE SOSA, (36 lines), Portuguese, who married Inés
RODRÍGUEZ, daughter of Diego DE MONTEMAYOR.
•
Balthazar DE SOSA, (36 lines); wife: Inés RODRÍGUEZ;
Diego RODRÍGUEZ; wife: Sebastiana DE TREVIÑO (daughter
of Balthazar DE SOSA and Inés RODRÍGUEZ); and
•
Marcos ALONSO (DE LA GARZA ARCON), (15 lines).
"
Our ANCIRA progenitor is D. Clemente PÉREZ DE ANCIRA
VILLARREAL, our 5th great grandfather. He was born about 1695
in Boca de Leones. His son Diego married María Dolores GONZÁLEZ DE PAREDES in 1710. They were second cousins. The
ANCIRA Haplogroup is J2 (Semitic origin). About 28% of Sephardic Jews and 43% of Ashkenazi Jews have this origin also. If you are
interested in the Y-DNA of the present-day descendants of the
Mexican people, visit the website, The Genealogy of México: http://
garyfelix.tripod.com/index63.htm.
Gary FÉLIX is the administrator.
"
Next we visited Monterrey, the capital of Nuevo León, México.
Ciudad Metropolitana de Nuestra Señora de Monterrey was founded
in 1596 by our ancestor, Don Diego DE MONTEMAYOR, and the
fifteen families who accompanied him. Four of those 15 families are
our direct ancestors. Don Diego DE MONTEMAYOR was born in
1528. He sailed to the New World on 17 December 1548, with his
first wife, Inés RODRÍGUEZ. Their daughter, Inéz RODRÍGUEZ
married Baltazar DE SOSA. Diego DE MONTEMAYOR’s third
wife (also our direct ancestor), Juana PORCALLO DE LA CERDA,
was the daughter of Don Vasco PORCAYO (PORCALLO) DE
FIGUEROA, Conquistador de la Huasteca (region around Tampico).
Their daughter married Capitán Alberto DEL CANTO. Among the
fifteen settlers, four are our direct ancestors:
Don Diego DE MONTEMAYOR, (32 lines); wives: Inés
RODRÍGUES, María DE ESQUIVEL (not our line), and Juana
PORCAYO DE LA CERDA;
•
"
I have documented our 6 VILLARREAL lines back to Capitán/
Alférez Diego DE VILLARREAL, founder of Boca de Leones. A 25marker match for the first 5 participants defines his Y-DNA as
Haplogroup E3b (Semitic origin) mostly found in the Mediterranean, Middle East, North and East Africa; 23% of Ashkenazi Jews
(Jews of central or eastern European descent) and 19% of Sephardic
Jews (Jews of Spanish, Portuguese, or North Africa descent) have
this origin.
At sunset, the Cathedral took on a rosy glow. Built 1746-1801, it
exhibits a mix of architectural styles; most notably, the Mexican
Churrigueresque. Decorative baroque carvings representing plants
and shells adorn its façade and doors. The relatively restrained
interior features a gilded altarpiece and a pulpit covered in gold
leaf. A 200 foot tower dominates the church and offers a panoramic
view of the city.
•
SOCIETY
"
We continued on our journey to Boca de Leones (present day
Villaldama), Nuevo León México.
We descend from two
VILLARREAL brothers: Capitán Juan Bautista VILLARREAL, born
around 1640; and Capitán Juan VILLARREAL, born around 1643,
along 6 direct lines. Juan DE VILLARREAL donated part of his
land for the founding of Boca de Leones. Juan’s daughter, Ana DE
VILLARREAL, married Capitán A. Guerra Manuel GONZÁLEZ
DE PARADES sometime after 9 June 1692. Juan’s son, Capitán
Francisco VILLARREAL married Felipa TREVIÑO, who died 24
October 1742 in Boca de Leones. They are the parents of Francisca
Javiera and Josefa. Francisca and Josefa married the GONZÁLEZ
DE PAREDES brothers. Three VILLARREAL women married three
GONZÁLEZ DE PAREDES men.
D. Clemente PÉREZ DE
ANCIRA VILLARREAL (1 line) (ver.sr. CAYETANO ANCIRA)
married Ana Josefa VILLARREAL abt 1710 in Boca de Leones. Ana
was the daughter of Capitán A. Guerra Manuel GONZÁLEZ DE
PAREDES and Ana DE VILLARREAL.
"
We visited the Villa de Santiago de Saltillo, the first settlement
in Coahuila, México, which was founded by our Portuguese
ancestor, Capitán Alberto DEL CANTO, in 1577. DEL CANTO
granted lands and water to the settlers who accompanied him.
Eight of the thirteen families were our direct ancestors and were
among those who accompanied Luis CARVAJAL Y DE LA CUEVA
by way of Saltillo after 1582:
•
HISTORICAL
"
Our ancestors helped finance the cathedral in Monterrey, which
was built over a period of more than two centuries. The cathedral
reflects several architectural styles—the pale yellow façade is
Baroque, while Plateresque decoration adorns the entrance door.
Our ancestor, Diego DE VILLARREAL, from whom we descend
along six direct lines, and who I will discuss next, is buried in the
cathedral. The Bishop’s Archives, next to the Cathedral, houses the
oldest church records, i.e., before 1760 from Boca de Leones.
"
By 2001, I had been so successful in researching my lines back
to the 16th century, I had to visit Coahuila and Nuevo León, México
firsthand. I invited my first cousin, Norma GONZÁLEZ Bárcenas,
who lives in Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, México, to accompany me. It
turned out to be an unforgettable adventure into the past for both of
us. We began our adventure in Saltillo, Coahuila, México. I knew
the genealogy, and she knew the language; I knew what questions
to ask, and she could translate the answers to me. What a team!!
•
AND
"
We visited the Hacienda de San Pedro, near Salinas Victoria,
Nuevo León, México, which was founded by our ancestor, Capitán
Alonso DE TREVIÑO, in 1603. It is now owned by the Universidad
Autonoma de Nuevo León. It has been restored, and it is used as a
cultural/historical center. At one time, it covered 20 hectares (57,420
acres), encompassing the area between what are now the towns of
Salinas Victoria, Ciénegas de Flores, Marín, and Apodaca, Nuevo
León, México. There is said to be a system of tunnels under it—one
leading to the family cemetery about 40 yards from the house,
another to the river, and another to a neighboring village. The
10
Volume 3 - Issue 4
LOS
BEXAREÑOS
GENEALOGICAL
entrance to the one leading to the cemetery was in a room next to
the master bedroom that had no windows, only slots for guns high
enough that adults could walk beneath them. In case of an Indian
attack, the women and children could escape through that tunnel to
the walled and gated cemetery, the theory being that the Indians
wouldn’t pursue them there because they were superstitious. The
tunnels to the river and to the neighboring village were escape
routes also. It is not known how much of this was fact and how
much is folklore, but there definitely was one tunnel. In addition to
the tunnel entry upstairs, there is a two story tunnel entry in the
courtyard big enough for livestock!
José Francisco Marcelo ANCIRA (1 line) was born on 30 October
1764 in Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo León, México and baptized on 8
November 1764 in Boca de Leones, Nuevo León, México. He
married Ana María Alvina LOZANO RODRÍGUEZ DE
QUIROGA (1 line) on 6 August 1785 in Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo
León, México; and
•
Ana María del Socorro ANCIRA and seven of her siblings were
baptized there. Ana María del Socorro ANCIRA married Don
José Ignacio GONZÁLEZ FLORES on 9 September 1823 at la
"
Next came Nadadores. Our great grandfather, J. Juan Antonio
GONZÁLEZ ANCIRA, was baptized here on 7 July 1835. In
Nadadores, we met a lady, a volunteer, cleaning this church. We
told her that we had the baptismal record of our great grandfather
who was baptized in this church along with his nine siblings. He
was born nearby at the Hacienda of San José. We asked her if she
knew where the hacienda was? She said she did know. It is in ruins
now, and it is located about two miles west of town. She said that
her family loves to picnic there because its near the river where her
husband likes to fish. She said that when she walks among the
ruins, she always wondered who lived there, and she was excited to
hear that it was our grandfather. Head west, she said. Take a right
at the second dirt road. From the road, look for the tall palm trees
beyond the fields to the north. Among those palms are the ruins of
the hacienda. There is a deserted wheat mill within a taller towerlike room, and it has an adjoining warehouse and an acequia which
runs along the base of the mill. A system of acequias utilizes the
water supply of the nearby river, flowing to the hacienda and the
mill. They are still in place. All of the remaining walls are
approximately eighteen inches thick. And lastly, we saw what
might have been the chapel of the hacienda. The roof of this room
was higher and still had its wooden beams in place. The only
addition to that room was a large cactus growing from what was
the roof of the chapel.
"
Our final destination for this trip was Cuatro Ciénegas,
Coahuila, about 20 miles from the hacienda. Cuatro Ciénegas is the
town in México where our SALINAS family settled after leaving
San Antonio in 1838. My great grandparents, Don J. Juan Antonio
GONZÁLEZ ANCIRA and Doña Rudecinda SALINAS ARREOLA
were married by civil law in Cuatro Ciénegas, Coahuila, México on
12 February 1860. We looked at the original church records of the
Church of San José but no record was there. We did however, find
the 5 Apr 1882 marriage record for Presidente Venustiano
CARRANZA and María Brigida Virginia SALINAS, our grandfather’s first cousin. Today the Presidente Carranza Casa and
Museum in Cuatro Ciénegas is part of the original Hacienda de
Carranza.
"
Heading north, we visited the Villa de Santiago de la Monclova,
Nuevo León, México, which was founded by proclamation signed
by Alonso DE LEÓN on 12 August 1689. Our ancestor, Alférez
Rodrigo FLORES DE VALDEZ, was the Regidor de Primer Voto.
Our ancestor, Sargento Santiago de HOYOS, was the Regidor de
Segundo Voto. Our direct ancestors from Monclova:
Alférez Rodrigo FLORES DE VALDEZ (10 lines), founder;
•
Miguel FLORES DE VALDEZ, founder, son of Rodrigo Sargento
Santiago DE HOYOS (1 line), founder;
•
Capitán Juan FLORES DE BALDES married Josefa DE HOYOS
in 1690;
•
José DE URRUTIA (2 lines) married Antonia RAMÓN (2 lines) on
6 January 1697, at the Parroquia de Santiago Apóstol;
•
Diego FLORES DE ÁBREGO (2 lines) married Josefa FLORES DE
VALDES on 11 Apr 1712, at the Parroquia de Santiago Apóstol;
•
Miguel FLORES DE ÁBREGO married Francisca Xaviela
BARRERA CÁRDENAS (2 lines) on 19 Apr 1730; and
•
Francisco FLORES DE ÁBREGO married María (or Juana)
Gertrudis MOLANO on 10 Jan 1772, at the Parroquia de Santiago
Apóstol.
SOCIETY
"
The Parroquia de Santiago Apóstol in Monclova, Nuevo León,
México was built in 1700 by Padre José Miguel SÁNCHEZ
NAVARRO, founder of the Sánchez Navarro latifundo. Baptisms and
marriages of several of our ancestors took place here.
Iglesia Nuestra Señora de La Soledad in Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo
León, México.
Don José Ignacio and Doña Ana María del
Socorro are our 2nd great-grandparents.
•
HISTORICAL
FLORES DE VALDES, URRUTIAs, RAMÓNs, MENCHACAs, and
FLORES DE ÁBREGOs.
"
Next we visited Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo León, México, in the
Valle de las Salinas. The Parroquia de San José on the plaza of
Sabinas Hidalgo is over 300 years old. It was funded by our
ancestor, Capitán Blas DE LA GARZA Y FALCÓN. Inside the
church is a golden altarpiece covered with gold leaf. Our 2nd greatgrandparents, María Ignacia FLORES CÁRDENAS and José
Ignacio GONZÁLEZ PAREDES, were married there. Our direct
ancestors from the Valle de las Salinas are:
•
AND
"
J. Juan Antonio GONZÁLEZ ANCIRA and Doña Rudecindo
SALINAS ARREOLA’s first child, Federico GONZÁLEZ, was born
on 12 January 1861 in Cuatro Ciénegas, Coahuila, México.
Sometime that year, they moved to the Hacienda de San José,
outside of Nadadores, Coahuila, México, where my grandfather and
his nine siblings were born. They were baptized in the same church
in Nadadores as their father and his siblings. Incidentally, three
GONZÁLEZ brothers married three SALINAS sisters.
"
In Cuatro Ciénegas, we stayed at the home of Elsa Riestra
SALINAS DE AGUIRRE and her daughter Elsa. She was the sister
of the lady in Altar, Sonora, México who had the will of María
Teresa ARRIOLA DE PEÑA. Altar, if you remember, was the town
where my maternal grandmother was born. Elsa lives in another
part of the family compound, which was the Hacienda de Salinas.
"
Many of the descendants of our Monclova vecinos (citizens)
emigrated to Tejas. I addressed them earlier when I was discussing
Tejas. You’ll recognize their names as you look through the list:
11
Volume 3 - Issue 4
LOS
BEXAREÑOS
GENEALOGICAL
They were most gracious and welcoming. The next day we returned
to Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico to the home of my first cousin’s
daughter and her family. Mission accomplished!
AND
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
NAVARRO RODRÍGUEZ, and their five children. In 1601, after
several years of insignificant discoveries and tolerating miserable
living conditions, Alonso asked for and was granted permission to
return with his family to México. Before he departed, he was
murdered on OÑATE’s order. Later, back in México, OÑATE was
convicted of this crime. Beatriz married Capitán Bernabé DE LAS
CASAS, and the family returned to the area of Monterrey.
"
Ferdinand of Aragón and Isabella of Castile led the Catholic
Inquisition, expelled the Jews from Spain, and sent Columbus to
explore the seas. They signed and issued an edict during the week
of 29 April 1492 declaring that no Jews were permitted to remain
within the Spanish kingdom, and any Jew who wished to convert
was welcome to stay. The power of wealthy Spanish Jewry was
inconsequential. Whether a Jew was rich or poor did not matter.
They all still had to convert or leave. Ferdinand’s plans for Spain, as
distorted by the Christian racism prevalent in late 15th century
Spain, did not include the one group that had done so much to
serve the state.
"
In 2002, we biked 204 miles along the Atlantic coast of France
and the Basque province of Spain. We then joined the 1,000 year old
pilgrim route on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela from
Burgos, Spain to Santiago de Compostela on the coast (biking 333
more miles). Our HA-LEVI family settled in Burgos in 1350 A.D.
and converted to Christianity. Six generations of the family were
prominent in the civil and religious affairs of that city.
"
During my discoveries, I learned that we were direct
descendants of Juan NAVARRO, a Spaniard who came to the New
World in 1516, and later joined Hernán CORTÉS; Andrés de
TAPIA, who joined the ranks of CORTÉS in 1519, and who was a
Conquistador de México in 1521; General Vicente de ZALDÍVAR,
Conquistador de Nueva Galicia; and Don Vasco PORCAYO
(PORCALLO) DE FIGUEROA, Conquistador de La Huasteca
(region around Tampico) about 1530.
"
Finally, in 2006, we visited The Holy Land - Jordan and Israel.
We visited so many places I had heard about all my life—Jewish as
well as Christian. We visited Christian places such as Bethlehem,
the Sea of Galilee, the Church of the Eight Beatitudes, and the Way
of the Cross in Jerusalem; and, Jewish places such as the Dead Sea,
the caves of the Dead Sea Scrolls (the scrolls themselves), the River
Jordan, Mount Nebo where Moses saw the Promised Land, Petra,
the Mosque built on the site of the 1st and 2nd Jewish temples, as well
as the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.
"
In 2009, my husband and I visited Guanajuato, San Miguel
de Allende, Altoronito, Querétaro, Tepotzotlán, Teotihuacán and
México City. By that time, I knew that we descended from one
family of settlers of La Ciudad de México: Diego DE TREVIÑO and
Beatriz DE QUINTANILLA were married about 1557 in Ciudad de
México. Their four of their children, María DE TREVIÑO, Isabel
DE QUINTANILLA a.k.a. TREVIÑO, Joseph DE TREVIÑO, and
Juana DE TREVIÑO QUINTANILLA were born and baptized in
the Sagrario Metropolitano in Ciudad de México between 1558-1565.
I have thirty-eight direct lines descending from this family.
"
As Cicero (106-43 B.C.) said, ”Not to know what happened
before we were born is to remain a child. For what is the worth of a
human life unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the
records of human history.” Little did I know the wealth of
knowledge I would acquire throughout my family quest. How
enriched my life has become.
"
"
After discovering that we had three ancestors who went on the
Juan Oñate Expedition of 1598 to Nuevo México, I had to visit that
area of New Mexico. Our ancestors, Capitán Alonso ALBORNOZ
SOSA Y TAPIA and Capitán Bernabé DE LAS CASAS were
members of the expedition.
Alonso took his wife, Beatriz
And my mother never knew any of this.
Copyright 2014. Mary Anne Curray. All Rights Reserved.
1930 Class - Elmendorf, Bexar, Texas
By: Santiago Escobedo
FRONT ROW - LEFT TO RIGHT: Florence Salinas, Janey
Samudio, Lena Leuce Escobedo, Wayhiam Ash, M. Zerdo,
Lena Casanova, Mary Longoria, M. Flores, Lena Castillo
SECOND ROW - LEFT TO RIGHT: Susie Seguín, Manuel Tarín
(or Travieso), L. Ortiz, Dan Gutiérrez, Horoz Benus, Santiago
Escobedo, José María (Tito) Flores, Valentín Geriana, Eugen
Ball
THIRD ROW - LEFT TO RIGHT: Vincene y Tandof, Wes y
Healcolp, Mrs. Smith, Paul Salinas, Eddie Salinas
12
Volume 3 - Issue 4
LOS
BEXAREÑOS
GENEALOGICAL
AND
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
The LBGHS Resource Center & Library
THE LBGHS RESOURCE CENTER & LIBRARY is open to the public on Saturdays
(except the first Saturday of the month) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You will be
able to do your family research in a very friendly and casual environment. You
will be able to peruse the books and other genealogical information at your
leisure. There will be volunteers to help you with any questions you may have.
They can help you start your family tree or assist you in your research. It is
preferable to set an appointment, so they can dedicate some time just for you.
Call or email Yolanda Patiño at (210) 434-3530 /[email protected] or
Dennis Moreno at (210) 647-5607 / [email protected].
The following list of resources is an ongoing project.
Be sure to keep checking as the list will be updated as
additional indexing is completed.
INDEX TO THE LBGHS LIBRARY
HELP FOR THE BEGINNING GENEALOGISTS. The Society assists individuals in
getting started with genealogical research through beginner's workshops. Beginners also receive one-on-one assistance from the more experienced
members of the Society. ✥
The Library is located
on the campus of Holy
Rosary Parish.
The
Church is located at 159
Camino Santa María,
just north of Culebra
Road. Park in the noted
parking lot and walk
through the gate to the
courtyard and turn to
the right passing the
LBGHS
Resource Center
Parking
&
Library
Camino San
ta María
Library
Culebra Ro
ad
first building.
✥
Books and Resources Journals Family Genealogy Facts and Events (as of Feb 2013)
(as of Feb 2013)
(as of Feb 2013)
(as of Feb 2013)
INDEX TO THE LBGHS REGISTERS
Introduction to the Index
Index of Articles sorted by Title
Index of Articles sorted by State and Location
Index of Wills, Estates and Death Records sorted by Surname
Click to see a
Larger Map
LBGHS
Publication Sales
Genealogists
$5.00 Discount !!!
Extraordinaire
"
Los Bexareños is fortunate to have Dennis Moreno and Yolanda
Patiño. They are always ready to help someone with their research. People are often referred to them, because they need help in starting their genealogy, or they've come to that preverbal "brick wall." Sometimes the load becomes heavy with all the requests for
assistance, especially now that Los Bexareños is getting more
exposure. Los Bexareños is well known throughout Texas, as well as
outside the United States. An individual was recently referred to
Los Bexareños by Ancestry.com. Apparently, they had exhausted all
their resources. That person is now a member of Los Bexareños. "
There are many experienced members in the Society. Los
Bexareños needs others who will step-up-to-the-plate to offer their
expertise, their knowledge, and their time to help Dennis and
Yolanda with the heavy load. Please contact Dennis Moreno or
Yolanda Patiño if you think you can help out. Maybe you have
access to a good resource, or you're knowledgeable of a particular
region, or you personally posses information that would be helpful
to others. Whatever your area of expertise may be, just share that
with Dennis and Yolanda so that they have more resources at their
disposal.
!
Dennis and Yolanda man the Resource Center every Saturday,
except for the first Saturday of the month. They are a very valuable
asset to our organization. Thank you Dennis and Yolanda for all
that you do for Los Bexareños! ✥
OFF
THE PRICE OF ANY PUBLICATION OVER
$10.00
When you contact Mr. Santiago Escobedo and let him know
which publication you want to buy, and you pick it up at
the LBGHS regular monthly meeting. All requests must be
made by 10:00 a.m. the Thursday before the scheduled
Saturday meeting.
You can view the LBGHS book titles by
double-clicking here
PUBLICATIONS FOR SALE.
If you have ordered publications by mail and
you have not received them, please contact Mr.
Escobedo at his email address listed below.
You can contact Mr. Escobedo at this email:
[email protected]
13
Volume 3 - Issue 4
LOS
BEXAREÑOS
GENEALOGICAL
AND
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
EL TARTAMUDO
By Henry A. García, Jr.
"
I once read a very sad newspaper article about a homeless
family. Due to certain conditions, the children had to sleep on the
floor. I felt sadness; yet, I could understand the dilemma!
with the ruler securely positioned in her right hand.
After the first butt-tingling
impact noise of the ruler,
my fellow first-graders all
seem to respond in unison
with a fear-jerking yell and an
even faster exodus towards
the exit door. While children
were crying and screaming
and trying to make an escape out of the room, other teachers rushed
to view the rebellion through the door’s glass window. The door
had been locked from the inside by Mrs. Roberts!
Part
One
"
After a “by the grace of God, go I” thought of the homeless
problem that exists here in San Antonio and around the world, I
started to reflect back to my early childhood. I wondered how this
story may have a personal reference and resemblance to me, but it’s
not based on being homeless.
"
Born and raised in a small South Texas town, I too slept on the
floor, but it wasn’t based on the fact that I was homeless. The truth
of the matter, it was because it was a simple case of having “less
home” space for sleeping accommodations for our large family.
"
There were only two bedrooms in our rented home; one for our
parents and the baby, and the other one housed my two teenage
sisters, with their vanities of having to have their own privacy.
"
After a while, the elementary principle knocked on the door,
and Mrs. Roberts let go of her choking grip of my shirt. She
retreated to the door to open it. All the while, my screaming and
fearful friends backed away from the door and headed to the windows, trying to jump out of the half-opened windows.
"
In simple explanations, my spring and summer nights were
spent on a blanket and pillow near the front screen door, wishing
and hoping for a slight breeze to cool the otherwise warm nights.
Although it was cramped quarters, in the winter months, I took that
blanket and pillow and slept in the bath tub. Other than the middleof-the-night visits by my fellow family members, I didn’t feel any
resentment or displeasure of being poor in a “less home” environment. In fact, I was so poor I couldn’t afford any dreams about
better times—perish the thought of dreaming about my own room
and bed.
"
The rest of that experience is somewhat hazy in my mind, but
later at recess, I did get a group opinion from my friends, “If you,
who could speak better English than us, was getting spanked, what
was their fate with the teacher?” Somehow, we all survived the rest
of the semester with a new, gentler teacher.
***
"
An accident from a bicycle wreck, at the age of nine, caused me
to start stuttering. It seemed like I had been always warned from my
mother, “Do not ride on the handle bars of a bicycle.” Well, as things
happen, I did. One of my pants’ leg got caught in the spokes, and I
went head first into the payment. Mi amigo and co-conspirator,
Omar Gonzáles, saw my face and acknowledged that my left
cheekbone was bleeding and turning purple! I ran home which was
at least 5 blocks from our mishap. Exhausted from the panic run, I
entered the front door and saw my mother. She looked, screamed,
and asked and answered at the same time, “What happened? I bet
you fell off a bicycle!” My mother was not only a great, thoughtful
person, but now she was a psychic.
***
"
I remember the school days back in Refugio and my regimented
routine of breakfast (tortillas and flour gravy). I put on the same
clothes I had worn the day before and walked five blocks (in all
kinds of weather) to the elementary section of the combined
structure of its attached middle and high school areas.
"
I remember my first day in the first grade at school. The Anglo
first graders had their own classroom. The Hispanics were across
the hall in their own segregated room. The African-Americans were
in their own schools across the tracks. Mrs. Roberts, an Anglo lady
with a harsh voice and with a profound opinion on why we, or even
why she was there. The Hispanics were grouped together, not
based on their knowledge nor on whether or not they understood
the English language, but rather because of our surnames and
seemingly, the color of our skins. In a very sound and demanding
voice, Mrs. Roberts cites that “No Mescan will be spoken in her
class!” The condescending tone of her voice caused my comrades to
start whimpering and crying for their mothers. I proceeded to exit
my little chair/desk, and I walked up to my friends and playmates
and tried to calm and lessen their “opening day” fears. As I talked
to them in both Spanish and English—which the majority of them
could speak and understand—I didn’t notice Mrs. Roberts getting
out from behind her desk, secure a ruler in her hand, and walk
silently behind me. The next thing I remember, I was collared by her
left hand, bent over an empty desk and quickly swatted 4-5 times
"
At that point, I started stammering my reply. From that day,
and throughout the next 30 plus years, I became the “tartamudo.” I
was teased into fights as a kid, teenager, and early adult life. I was
always the one who my classmates wanted to read my English
stories in class; used as a “push toy” by the football players; and
harassed on part-time jobs I held in high school and beyond.
"
While initially, I didn’t like the attention that my speech, or
rather lack of, was causing, I soon worked it to my advantage. I
started laughing at myself and enjoying the friendships and
comradely reactions of my fellow band members, softball players
and government workers.
***
"
After high school, I was selected for a four year apprentice
program at Kelly AFB. On that first day at the base, they had all the
14
Volume 3 - Issue 4
LOS
BEXAREÑOS
GENEALOGICAL
FIRST TEXAS REPUBLIC
By Dan Arellano
SOCIETY
“What’s your name boy?” he bellowed.
"
Undeterred by his brashness, I answered, “Sir, my name is H-HHenry Garcia.” The second boss had a list of names with assignments
and locations.
Help us celebrate the
201ST ANNIVERSARY
"
Without looking up at me, he asked me, “Is that spelled with one
H or two?” The roar of their laughter defused the situation. My
fellow “newcomers” joined in the revelry. Being used to the jovial
results after all of those years of mental conditioning in school, work,
and band, I joined them in laughing at myself.
OF THE
FIRST TEXAS REPUBLIC
Sunday April 6, 2014
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Spanish Governors Palace
San Antonio, Texas
After a year of driving out the Spanish Royalist Army from
Texas, José Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara proclaimed el Estado de
Tejas de la Republica de México’s independence from Spain.
This first Texas government was formally recognized by the
83rd Legislature of the State of Texas in Resolution H.R. 709
brought before them by State Representative Eddie Rodríguez.
"
The second boss then barked to boss number three, who was
escorting the “newbies” to their work areas, “Take Mr. García to the
engine receiving area. Let him work back there with Mr. Jennings.”
Building 329 was a very large building, with many mechanics
working in both disassembly and reassembling areas. As I walked
behind boss number three, we went out the back. There was a R4360
Reciprocating Engine Container being lowered by a giant hoist line.
A tall—at least 6’ 10”—black man was using the remote control box
lowering the encased engine onto the platform floor. A quick gesture
by boss number three to Mr. Jennings was done and an even quicker
introduction was given. He then walked away back into the building.
Mr. Jennings gave me a swift look over, and then he motioned for me
to join him as he started using a Pneumatic wrench to loosen up the
container bolts and nuts. He had a difficult time with one of its
attaching nuts! He turned around and instructed me to get a crescent
wrench from his tool box. Since my dad was a car mechanic, I
definitely knew what the tool looked like.
"
Feeling pleased with myself, I hurried over to Mr. Jennings and
said, “H-h-here it is.” He released the Pneumatic tool, which had an
overhead air hose connected to it, and reached for my collar. Slowly,
he raised my five-foot nine-inch body up to where we were staring
eyeball to eyeball.
Scheduled to speak are:
State Representative Eddie Rodríguez
State Representative Mike Villarreal
Incarnate Word College History Professor Dr. Gilberto
Hinojosa.
"
Hanging high in the air with my feet dangling loosely in the air,
he dramatically asked me, “Boy, a-r-re you m-m-making f-f-fun of
me?”
“If we do not keep our history alive no one will do it for us.”
—Dan Arellano
"
I responded without too much a forethought, “No s-s-ir. W-we aare in the s-same b-b-oat.”
"
About the same time as our verbal exchange, bosses number one,
two, and three, plus a small gathering of veteran mechanics were out
on the ramp watching and waiting for our encounter. They were all
laughing so loud, that Mr. Jennings turned us both around and
realized why I was sent back there to help him. It seems like the
bosses couldn’t get anyone else to help him, and they wanted to see
his reaction. Lowering me very carefully and positioning me by his
left side, he encircled my head with his left arm and retorted back to
the still laughing crowd, “T-t-his is m-m-my boy, and no b-b-body bb-better m-mess with m-m-y boy.”
The event is free and open to the public.
SPANISH
105 Plaza de Almas
GOVERNOR’S
San Antonio, Texas
PALACE
(210) 224-0601
HISTORICAL
apprentices line up and shuffle their way to an awaiting group of
shop supervisors at a table. As you approached the seated first
supervisor at the table, he would ask for your name.
"
AND
To be continued...
Watch this space.
Copyright 2014. Henry A. García, Jr. All Rights Reserved.
15
Volume 3 - Issue 4
LOS
BEXAREÑOS
GENEALOGICAL
AND
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
April 2014
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
LBGHS Meeting
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
BOOK FESTIVAL - SA
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
6
7
8
9
10
11
1 st Texas
Declaration of
Independence
12
LBGHSD
E
Resource
OSCenter
L - 2:00 p.m.
10:00Ca.m.
201st Celebration
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
13
14
15
16
17
18
1 st Texas
Constitution
20
21
22
23
24
19
LBGHS
Resource Center
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
25
26
LBGHS
Resource Center
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
27
28
29
30
The 2nd Annual San Antonio
Book Festival
Important Dates to Remember
April 5, 2014
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
April 5!
Los Bexareños membership meeting - San Antonio, TX
April 5!
Texas Book Festival: SA Edition - San Antonio, TX
April 6!
First Independent State of Texas in the Republic of México
April 17!
Constitution of the First Independent State of Texas in the Republic of México
April 26!
First Independent State of Texas in the Republic of México
The annual, free, day-long event unites readers
and writers in a celebration of ideas, books,
libraries and literary culture.
"
May 10!
Genealogy Road Trip Austin, Texas
Central Library
and
Southwest School of Art
16
Volume 3 - Issue 4
LOS
BEXAREÑOS
GENEALOGICAL
AND
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
From Around The State
Austin :!!
!
News from Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin
Corpus Christi :! !
News from Spanish American Genealogical Association (SAGA)
Dallas :! !
!
News from HOGAR de Dallas
Harlingen :!
!
News from Río Grande Valley Hispanic Genealogical Society
Houston :!
!
News from Hispanic Genealogy Society of Houston
Laredo :! !
!
News from Villa de San Agustín - Laredo Genealogy Society
San Elizario :!
!
News from San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society
Victoria :!
!
News from Victoria Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Society of Texas
This section is dedicated to our sister Hispanic Genealogy Societies throughout the State. Just click on the blue link and it will take you to their website or their Facebook page.
Message from the Editor
"
This month I would like to put a spotlight on Los Bexareños’ Facebook page. Please
visit the LBGHS Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/LosBexarenos
As of this writing, we have 323 “Likes” - a 5-star rating (according to ten ratings) - and, 45
friends. This is great! However, I am positive we can do much more to boost our LBGHS
Facebook page. There are over 270 members and this newsletter is sent to over 550
individuals. Please click on the link above and visit our Facebook page. You will be
pleasantly surprised.
Our FB page has photo albums containing many photos of various events.
"
The first place to visit is the Like button. You can help us out by performing one or
more of the following actions. Click on the “Like” button (if you like what you see). Below
that button you will see a section titled “Reviews.” Write a review and grade us by giving
us 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 stars. And finally, ask Los Bexareños to be your “Friend.” Tell your friends
and family about us and ask them to visit our FB page. Let them know we are available to
help them with their family research and Hispanic genealogy. ✥
—Sylvia Morales
P.S.
SAVE THE DATE
ARTICLES
We need articles from the LBGHS
committees and the general membership.
Please do not worry about writing style,
spelling and grammar. Write down your
stories just as you would tell them to
your family and friends. Send it to the
email address below. We have volunteers
who will make suggestions and assist you
with the writing style, spelling and
grammar. We will send it back to you for
your approval. We will only print your
story after you approve the final version
of the article. You will have full control
of your article, and you will have a printed family story you can share with your
descendants. ✥
"
You can send your comments and
suggested articles to the editor (preferably
before the 15th of the month).
Genealogy Trip to Austin, Texas
Sylvia Morales
3543 Byron St
San Antonio, TX 78247-3193
Meet the new Executive Director of the Texas State Archives • Visit the Tejano Monument
(210) 494-7932 or (210) 291-7702
Saturday, May 10, 2014
THE FACE OF THE LBGHS FACEBOOK PAGE
[email protected]
"
The administrator for the LBGHS Facebook page is Anthony Delgado. I
want to recognize and thank Anthony for the great job he is doing! Anthony can
be reached at [email protected]. He welcomes comments, old ancestral
photos, family stories, as well as critiques and suggestions to enhance our
LBGHS Facebook page.
(preferred method of communication)
17
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Volume 3 - Issue 4

Apr2014 - Los Bexarenos Genealogical Society

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