Dedicated to Hispanic Heritage 
and Diversity Issues 

68% leap in Hispanic use of computers - 42% of Hispanic households now with computers.  
Cheskin Research  Report 

Society of 
Hispanic Historical
and Ancestral
Research 

Founded
1986

       SHHAR involved Events:

May 1: Santa Ana City Council Presentation
May 5: Cinco de Mayo
May 10: Día del Maestro
May 13:   * *  SHHAR's Semiannual * *
            Full day  bi-annual meeting
May 29: Memorial Day  
June 10-11: Mission San Juan Capistrano
                   Garden Day
July 1-5: National Council of La Raza
              national conference, San Diego 
July 14-30:  Orange County Fair
Infor:  http://members.aol.com/shhar

SHHAR Board Members:

Bea Armenta Dever
Edward B. Flores
Mimi Lozano Holtzman
Gloria Cortinas Oliver
Teresa Maldonado Parker
Charles Sadler
Laura Arechabala Shane

If you'd like to help at any of the events, please call (714) 894-8161.

Submitters to this Issue

Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace.   Amelia Earhart

Why they served? by Emilio D. Santos

 Memorial Day   is set aside in America to honor those who have served in our armed forces. But what if we spent this Memorial Day not just honoring those who served, but also recalling why they served?

Before the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention people in the thirteen states spoke the same language and possessed a common background of English customs. But on the other hand , there were substantial differences. The northern states involved mainly in trade and small farming, their economies differed considerably from those of the Southern states, where slavery formed the mainstay of the plantations. During the Colonial Period there were three types of colonies: Royal, Proprietary, and Corporate.

Royal colonies belonged directly to England. Proprietary Colonies where colonies whose territory was granted by the king to an individual, Maryland was originally granted to Lord Baltimore as a refuge for Catholics. Corporate Colonies were funded without any authorization from the English government. The Puritans in Massachusetts traveled to the New World to build a godly community purer than any found in Europe. Quakers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania also set themselves apart with their religious beliefs.

Forming a single nation out of thirteen different and independent states was impossible? In 787 the Constitutional Convention reached a compromise between the less and more populous states they framed the Constitution, which still governs the United States of America.

The Founding Fathers set out a clear list of ideals, that began with "All men are created equal". This nation, which rest of the will of the people, but also depend upon the people to support its ideals. Patriotism is the essence of this ideal. Patriotism is the glue that holds all us together. With one flag and one pledge, we are bound together as Americans

On this Memorial Day, I would hope every American would remember those who have sacrificed to establish the liberties we enjoy today, like: 

Bernardo De Galvez (1746-1786) who commanded the Spanish troops, during the revolutionary war and captured for our first Commander George Washington, the cities of Mobile, Pensacola and St. Louis, and that is why the island city of Galveston, Texas is named after him. Galvez secretly provided guns, cloth, gunpowder and medicines which were shipped from Cuba up the Mississippi flying the Spanish flag, enabling them to run the British forts.

Captain Francisco de Saavedra who was the main military strategist for the Battle of Yorktown.

United States Army, New Mexico Company A, the first New Mexican infantry, with names like Anselmo Alvarez, Salvador Cordova, Jesus Martin, Severino Montoya., who during the civil war fought on the side of the union 

Admiral David G. Farragut who with his West Gulf Blockading Squadron attacked and captured New Orleans for the Union.

Jose Benito Salazar Company A, Alfredo Gutierrez, Martin Padilla, Paul Sanchez heroes of the World War I.

The Angelino PFC Guy "Gaby" Gabaldon, mortar crewman who working alone captured over 1,000 Japanese, having the distinction of capturing more enemy soldiers than anyone else in the history of military conflicts in the USA His exploits appearing in a movie entitled "From Hell to Eternity" in 1960. His Silver Star elevated to a Navy Cross, our country second highest navy award for valor, on December 20, 1960.

To many Americans of Hispanic ancestry who also gave their lives in Korea, Marine Sargent Alfredo "Freddy" Gonzalez of Edinburg, Texas, who posthumously was awarded the Medal of Honor for his brave actions in Vietnam and many hundreds who gave their lives in the Vietnam war.

Americans of Hispanic ancestry are a patriotic bunch. They are the most highly decorated ethnic group in the United States, with 38 having received the Medal of Honor , the highest prize of valor than can be awarded to a person serving in the U.S. armed forces.

We,  the Americans of Hispanic ancestry have provided for over two centuries part of the shade that helped other Americans attain the American dream. I would hope every American would remember our heroes, Latinos and non -Latinos alike.

Emilio D. Santos, (956) 994-3996
P.O. Box 3916
McAllen, TX 78502-3916                                                                        Return to Table of Contents

Solution Seeking Symposiums

Do you have a creative solution to social issues pertaining to Hispanic concerns, immigration, education, health, etc.?   Somos Primos and a group of prominent Orange County (CA) Hispanics will be conducting symposiums to address these issues. The first symposium will be held during May, and will be devoted to immigration issues. Other issues will be addressed during subsequent meetings. We would like to receive your opinions from across the country. Hopefully, we can work together to find practical meaningful solutions. Please email your comments to:

mimilozano@aol.com

Surely a day to recognize and honor the poorly equipped  Mexican army, which defeated the mighty French soldiers in the Battle of Puebla in 1862.  It is a yearly opportunity to promote the inherent  courage of the Mexican people.  It can only be done by educating ourselves with historical facts.                             _______________________

Celebrating the Cinco de Mayo makes it the day that more California avocados are sold than any other day.  It is the second-biggest day for Mexican beer sales.  Marketing el Cinco de Mayo has been very successful in crossing ethnic and racial groups.  A survey by Scarborough Research Corporation  found non-Hispanic attendance at Cinco de Mayo events jumped in 1998 to 1999 by  100% .  Hispanic attendance dropped by 54%.  

Ray Durazo, a Los Angeles-based marketing company that specializes in the U.S. Hispanic market. "It is building bridges across the cultures across the cultures. When the entire Southern California region can get together and enjoy food, roots, crafts and arts, that's a positive thing."

Orange County Register, 5-5-00  Abstract from article by Valeria Godines 

_______________________

Augustin Gurza's Cinco de Mayo's article called for mutual respect.  The French commander was repeating the sentiments of the times.  Comte de Lorencez, French commander of the invasion forces, made the following boasts before being repelled on a muddy battleground by defenders of what he considered a mongrel nation:

"We are so superior to the Mexicans in race, in organization, in discipline, in morality, and in refinement of sensibilities, that as of this moment, as the head of our  6000 valiant soldiers, I'm already the master of Mexico."

Data: Augustin Gurza's column, Los Angeles Times, 5-2-00

Plan ahead, be prepared to make el Cinco de Mayo,2001 -  a Day of Honor.

Vaqueros y Varones Valientes

 El Progreso Memorial Library, Uvalde, Texas An example of  celebrating 
El Cinco de Mayo with  historical pride

Vaqueros y Varones Valientes  will start a 4:00 p.m. and end just after dusk. on May 6th. It will be held at Fort Inge, just south of town. We have lined up sheep shearers, black smiths, spur makers and are looking for others to demonstrate ranching crafts. 

We will have story telling and puppets, food and games. Adrian Lopez of Alice, Texas will tell stories around a campfire at dusk. He is bringing his band, The Mesquite Grill Cowboys, to perform cowboy songs and corridos. We look forward to seeing you there.

Linda Payne-Button, San Antonio REFORMA forwarded an email from Susan Anderson

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Que Esta  Pasando

Premiered May 5 with encores on May 11, 14, 16, 22.   Sent by Cindy LoBuglio

Computer Ownership

Computer ownership by Latino households grew by 68 percent during the last two years, out pacing 43 percent increase in the general population and further narrowing the digital divide, according to a new survey. The survey by Cheskin Research of the Redwood Shores, California found a 42 percent of U.S. Latino households now have a computer, compared with 60 percent in the general population. The telephone survey, conducted in Spanish and English, found a "prevalent use of English" on the Internet and a preference for general market portals over the emerging group of Latino market portals. However, the Cheskin survey suggested that more Spanish -- dominant users will come online as Spanish -- language content broadens and they gain access to the technology.

Los Angeles Times, 4-12-00, submitted by Gloria Oliver

Orange County Register, 4-27-00

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Newspaper Reliability Questioned

Newspapers too often fail to connect readers with reality, the president of the American society of newspaper editors said, straining the credibility that may be the industries biggest asset against online competition. N. Christian Anderson III, publisher of the Orange County Register said at a ASNE's annujal conference, "Their mirror shows a different picture, and it says we have not connected." The three year study by ASNE reported the three -- year study finds trust with readers has been shaken by up received their Indians and bias in newspapers as well as by inaccuracies. "We don't connect with readers when they know we didn't get it right," Anderson said. "We cannot be leaders in our communities when we are not reliable."

Minority journalists made a 11.85 percent of newsroom employees and daily papers, up one-third of one percentage points.

Orange County Register, 4-12-00

Census

And analysis of the latest calculations released shows the California communities with large minority populations have surpassed performance targets set by the census bureau for getting people to mail back census forms. Nationally, the mail in rate for the census has declined sharply since 1970, when 85% of households returned their forms slumped to 65% a decade ago. The census bureau's ambitious goal this year was a 1990 rate plus 5 percentage points. So far, no state has met the 70 % target. California has a response rate of 64% compared with the national figures of 62%. Modesto-70%, Anaheim- 69%, Santa Ana-67%

Associated Press

Baldo 

A New Hispanic Cartoon Character 

Although comic pages are pretty thoroughly integrated, the majority of comic strips are predominantly white. There are a few black comic strips Jump Start, the Boondocks, and Curtis. A new comic strip with a Latino flavor is now being published. Baldo is being written by Hector Cantu, an assistant Today editor at the Dallas Morning News. Florida illustrator Carlos Castellanos will draw Baldo, which debuted in nearly 100 newspapers across the country in April. Cantu knows that Baldo is likely to elicit a variety of responses from readers: from those happy to see a Latino presence, as well as from those unhappy that the title character's ethnicity isn't heavily emphasized. The strip will have a Latino flavor, the Cantu says readers need not attached any major significance to that. Baldo is "just a kid, a Latino kid growing up in the United States. It represents a lot of my life and Carlos' life."

Orange County Register, 4-24-00

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Interracial Marriages

Between 1960 in 1992 the number of interracial married couples multiplied more than seven times over. Black-white unions are still not the norm, accounting for only 20 percent of interracial marriages, but the marriage color line has all but dissolve between Asians and whites. In America, more children are boring to white-Japanese couples then to parents who are both of Japanese ancestry. Then there are Hispanics, who are projected to become America's second-largest racial ethnic group (after whites) by 2010. But he knows may consider themselves white, black, American Indian, Asian or Pacific Islander - or deem themselves none of the above. It is not unusual in Latin America for people who don't consider themselves black to speak of the grandparents who is. Whenever they call themselves, the presence of an ever growing number of multi-racial or mestizos is forcing Americans to relinquish the notion that everyone can be put in a single racial box. The Census Bureau, acknowledging that reality, is allowing people to be counted in more than one racial category in completing the 2000 year census.

Newsweek, 1-1-00

Learning Spanish Popular 

As the emerging majority in Los Angeles County, Latinos are not only making political and economic strides, but are gaining greater recognition from other ethnic and racial groups according to a united way report released in January. Across all ethnic lines, more than two-thirds of the parents surveyed in the county said they wanted their children to learn Spanish. K.J. Lan of Rancho Palos Verdes agrees with that finding. He paid $75 to enroll his 10-year-old son, Lawrence in eight twice weekly Spanish session. "In California we need Spanish," the Taiwan native said. "The kids use English, but they want to learn Spanish."

Los Angeles Times, 1-27-00

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Memorials in Richmond, VA

Histories is usually written by the victor's. But in the town of Richmond, VA and others across the South, losers did most of the writing - leaving behind marble and bronze memorials celebrating the vanquished Confederate soldiers, generals, and politicians of America's Civil War. Now, 135 years after that conflict and did, the winners are beginning to write some history of their own, while trying to remove vestiges of a racist and oppressive past.

After years of living in the shadows of the Confederate memorials, blacks say they now have confidence to start telling their own slice of history. "It is time to tell the invisible story," says Charles Bethea, executive director of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. "There's definitely an imbalance. There are more Confederate icons and namesakes." The way to rectify this imbalance, he says, is for blacks to start creating their own edifices.

Los Angeles Times, 4-28-00

Once pending deals are complete, Entravision will own 31 television stations, 61 radio stations in 24 markets, 10,000 billboards in the Los Angeles in New York areas.

Los Angeles Times, 4-22-00

Latino History in Chinatown, Los Angeles

Two archaeologist over the weekend uncovered part of the Zanja Madre at the Chinatown Yards need El Pueblo and China Town. The Zanja Madre was the first water (irrigation) system designed and built by the first Angeleanos. This system help supply water to the growing pueblo and played a rich part of our early history. Some parts of the Zanja are still in operations under the streets to downtown. The newly uncovered parts of Zanja in the China Yards provides a rare glimpse to LA past built form. 

The city and the (all-Anglo) Cultural Heritage Commission didn't even acknowledge the Zanja Madre through the Chinatown Yard as part of L.A.'s history when they gave Majestic Realty the go-ahead to build their Great Wall of Chinatown. It is important for us to get our Latino history written back into L.A. history. The Zanja Madre is a perfect case in point. Latino Urban Forum will take action on this issue. Let me know your comments!

- James Rojas at RojasJ@MTA.NET. and cc: abelardo@latinola.com.

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Chinatown, 1000 B.C.

3000 years before the aid rolled joint America's fast food menu, the group of Chinese immigrants may have sailed to the New World and transformed the local culture. Mike Xu, a linguist at Texas Christian University, says he has proof in their own handwriting. Xu has spent years analyzing jade, stone, and pottery relics from the Olmec, an ancient people that inhabited the American Southwest and Central America 3000 years ago. He was struck by how closely the symbols on the artifacts resembled Christian inscriptions from the Shang dynasty in China. "They're hundreds of the symbols that occur again and again, throughout the entire Olmec territory," Xu says. The Shang writings data from 1600 to 1100 B.C. Traces of the Olmec civilization abruptly appear during this span, around 1202 1100 B.C. Olmec and Shang artistic styles look much alike, and the two cultures followed related religious practices. For instance, both use cinnabar, a red pigment, to decorate ceremonial objects, and both put jade beads in the mouth of the dead to ward off evil. "The similarities are just to striking to be a coincidence," he says. -- Jocelyn Selim

Discover, Feb. 2000, Vol. 21, # 2,

Hong Kong

"Gender and pedigree may not be all it takes to get ahead in the world these days. But they're all it takes to get a piece of one of the most precious commodities in Hong Kong: land. Any adult male who can prove that he is descended from the aboriginal dwellers of the outline New Territories can apply to the government for his own patch of land on which to build a home. So far, 24,000 such houses have been erected in the New Territories, a 350 square mile area. In addition, 9,223 applications for land grants were still pending at the end of last year according to government statistics.

The government's aim was to improve the indigenous environment. Critics say the land is often claimed by descendants who live abroad and have no intention of returning to Hong Kong but who see an opportunity to cash in on their birthright. They apply for a plot, build a home, hold onto it for at least a year as required by the government, then rent or sell. The entire structure, which might cost $150,000 to build can sell for nearly $800,000.

Indigenous representatives defend the small houses policy, which they described as only partial recompense for what their ancestors suffered at the hands of grasping Britons.

Henry Chu, Los Angeles Times, 4-21-00

American Indians Water Rights

Orange County Register, 4-25-00                                                  Return to Table of Contents

Los Angeles Times, 5-2-00

Two other northern San Diego County tribes previously announced plans for casinos. The Pala Band of Mission Indians and Anchor Gaming want to build a $90 million casino near Fallbook. The Rincon Band of Mission Indians announced $100 million deal Harrah's Entertainment to build a casino East of Valley Center. The San Pasqual Reservation, just east of Escondido, has 300 members and will team up with the Tunica-Biloxi, who run three casinos.

Los Angeles Times, 4-19-00

Native American Heritage Recognized in Huntington Beach High Schools

Huntington Beach Union High School District counts almost 7%, or about 1000, of the students as Native American. That might not seem like a lot, but its 14 times higher than the County wide average. Every other school district in orange County reports of figure of less than 1%. For almost 20 years the district's philosophy has been to encourage students to document their Native American Heritage and obtained the myriad scholarships and educational opportunities available to people of American Indian descent. Eighty tribes are represented at the district. Helping the students identify their heritage is one of the programs big services. Complicating the process is that although the Indian community does not distinguish between people whose ancestry traces to tribes living within United States and those South or north of the border, the federal government does. The 1/4 requirement must trace to tribe living in the United States. Mexican Americans with Indian ancestry trace to local tribes would be eligible for federal resources, for example, while those whose Indian ancestry stems from tribe south of the border would not.

Los Angeles Times, 4-24-00                                                            Return to Table of Contents

California

Dia del Maestro , May 10, 2000

Genealogy of a Border-Crossing Day 

by Galal Kernahan

Mexico's Dia del Maestro crossed the frontier to become California's Day of the Teacher. No one knows exactly when this happened, but it was eventually legalized By the California Legislature.

There are rumors that first evidence of its presence showed up in the form of small, handpicked bouquets on teacher is desks in some out of the way San Joaquin Valley schoolhouse in early May decades ago. To what is known is that in the 1970s, crowds began to gathered year the two honored teachers here and there where there were concentrations of Latino populations.

Some events were organized by Association of Mexican American Educators (AMAE). One of the largest drew more than 2000 parents, children and teachers to the East Los Angeles" Plaza de la Raza in 1982.

In that same year, I wrote a two-sentence bill passed in Sacramento and signed by the Governor. It gave up a official sanction to California's transplanted Day of the Teacher that will be observed for the 18 year in many of the states schools, Wednesday, May 10, 2000.

Teachers are held in a unusually high regard in Mexico. On or about May 15 each year as special delegation of classroom instructors are traditionally honored by the President, often it his over official residence, Los Pinos. Medals and honoraria are presented to schoolhouse veterans of 30 years . . . And 50 years! Observances take place in villages and cities throughout the Republic.

Are California legislation provides for non-mandatory in-school observances annually on the second Wednesday of May. There is a double purpose: to recognize teachers and to call the attention and a young people to teaching as a worthy career choice.

To by late April, teachers retiring at the end of the school year in June have already taken steps toward the winding up their instructional service. Day of the Teacher provided a timely occasion for students, their parents and other educators to pay tribute.

Some school districts may wish to call attention to Millennial teachers in this Year 2000. These are credentialed classroom educators, who have just begun school service and whose students stretch out before them far into the 21st century. Such an emphasis may land itself to promotion of teaching careers to students at a time when teacher shortage is may become increasingly severe.

La Voz Newspaper, 13 de Abril del 2000

Newly published bilingual newspaper                                                Return to Table of Contents

Weekly Calendar on happenings in Los Angeles, http://www.LatinoLA.com.
Subscribe by contacting amigos@latinola.com

De Anza Trail brochures

gsmestad@solideas.com (Greg Smestad)

In 1990, Congress acknowledged the significance of the Anza expeditions by establishing the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. Many of California's first European families came with the historic 1775/6 expedition (including my grandmother's, the Bernals). The path they took has recently been named one of the Millennium trails.

Free, full color, de Anza trail brochures are available in English and in Spanish from the National Park Service, Pacific Great Basin Support Office, 600 Harrison St., Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94107-1372, Ph. (415) 427-1438, FAX (415) 744-4043. The brochures outline the path taken from Tubac, AZ, to Monterey, and on to the Presidio of San Francisco, superimposed on a modern map of the highway system. Bulk quantities in either language are available to eligible groups.

Dr. Greg Smestad; gsmestad@solideas.com, http://www.solideas.com/velma/

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A Project Presented to the Faculty of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts In Education by Rob Garretson 1998 http://www.cuca.k12.ca.us/lessons/missions/contents/index.html

 Below are a couple of paragraphs concerning Mission San Luis Rey de Francia. The Luiseno Indians loved the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia. In fact, more Indians lived at this mission than any other mission in Alta California. In the early 1830's the mission had 2,800 Indians living in its boundaries. The main reason was the padre, Father Peyri. He stayed at the mission for 33 years. When the Mexican government ordered him to return to Spain in 1832, the Indians followed him to the San Diego harbor and begged him to stay but, he was forced to leave. Two Indian boys traveled with him to Spain. One of them Pablo Tac, became a priest and wrote his life story. This is the only known record to be written by a mission Indian.

After Mexico won its independence from Spain, it found that it could no longer afford to keep the missions running as Spain had done. In 1834, Mexico decided to end the mission system and sell all of the lands. They offered the lands to the Indians who did not want the lands or could not come up with the purchase price.

The lands were divided into smaller Ranchos and sold to Mexican citizens who were helpful during the war for independence. Although some of the missions had already been returned to the church, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed an Act declaring that all of the 21 missions in the California mission chain would become the property of the Catholic Church and have remained so since that time. After nearly 30 years, the missions were returned to the Catholic Church.

This was just two years after the departure of Father Peyri. The mission decayed rapidly, the livestock and mission goods were all stolen and the crops died. The Indians went to live in the hills and nearby valleys. Governor Pio Pico sold the mission for $2,437 to his relatives even though the mission was worth over $200,000 at the time. No services

Submitted by Johanna de Soto                                                        Return to Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION TO THE CALIFORNIA PROBATE CODE, 
Submitted by Johanna de Soto   

http://www.acusd.edu/lrc/probate.html 

By Lowell Turrentine, Professor of Law, Stanford University Law School 
[Reprinted with Permission (52 West's Annotated California Codes 1-40 (1956))] 

Analysis 

I. The Gold Rush and Its Results for Our Law of Decedents' Estates' The Old Regime The Territorial Period The Constitution of 1849 

II. The Legislation of 1850-51 The Act Defining the Rights of Husband and Wife The First Acts Regarding Decedents' Estates

(a) The Act to Regulate Descents 
(b) The Act Concerning Wills 
(c) The Probate Act The Guardianship Act of 1850 

III. Incorporation of the Law of Estates into the Codes of 1872 The Background of the Codes The Civil Code of 1872 The Code of Civil Procedure of 1872 

IV. Probate Jurisdiction Lodged in the Superior Courts The Probate Court under the First Constitution Provisions of the Constitution of 1879 Status of the Probate Tribunal under the Constitution of 1879 

V. The Probate Code The Background of the Probate Code The Organization of the Probate Code Constitutionality Features of the Code 

VI. Legislation Since the Adoption of the Probate Code VII. Looking Forward Succession Wills Administration 

The Probate Code of California was passed on May 11, 1931, and became effective August 14, 1931. It represented not some novel body of legislation, but the product of an evolution which began with statutes enacted in 1850 by the first legislature. Its understanding therefore requires a long backward look, in the course of which we shall examine the initial legislation, the Codes of 1872, the Constitution of 1879, the Probate Code of 1931, and amendments since that date.

 I. THE GOLD RUSH AND ITS RESULTS FOR OUR LAW OF DECEDENTS' ESTATES THE OLD REGIME One of the important by-products of the Gold Rush was the sudden imposition of the modified or Americanized common law, including what we may call a modern common law of decedents' estates, upon the vast area of California which for three-quarters of a century had been in theory, and at least to a considerable extent in practice, under the law of Spain and, since 1822, under Spanish-Mexican law. In fact, according to Judge Burnett's valuable preface to the first volume of California reports, dated 1851, the scanty settlements in these pastoral colonies '"needed but few laws. The Government was of a patriarchal character, little regard being paid to the strict letter of the law, either of Spain or Mexico." One element only of the property law of this old regime survived and has come down to us today, namely, the system of community property. A characteristic of that system was the right of the surviving spouse to one-half of the community property; the other half, unless disposed of by will of the deceased spouse, passing to the heirs of the deceased spouse.

II. THE TERRITORIAL PERIOD

It will be appropriate to speak briefly of the territorial period, 1. e., from the achievement of de facto independence in the half year following Commodore Sloat's raising of the American flag at Monterey on July 7, 1846, to the convening of the first legislature and the admission of California to statehood in 1850. During this four-year interval, Congress, at odds over the issue of slavery, never got so far as to enact a frame of government for the new territory-not even after its formal cession to the United States in 1848 by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Such central authority as existed was in the military governor for the time being, and in the earlier part of this period there were conflicting claims to supreme command. Any confusion on this point, however, ended in 1847 when Col. R. B. Mason arrived in California with authority to be military governor and to organize a civil government. Pursuant to this latter mandate Col. Mason caused to be prepared a very considerable and carefully drafted code entitled "Laws for the Better Government of California, the Preservation of Order, and Protection of the Rights of the Inhabitants During the Military Occupation of the Country by the Forces of the United States." These laws purported, inter alia, to establish a system of courts and defined their jurisdiction and procedure. Probate and administration were confided to a special judicial officer, a "prefect" to be appointed for each county. Some twelve sections were devoted to setting out in detail probate jurisdiction and procedure. What model was used for these sections is not known, but there are certain points of similarity to the Act of April 22, 1850, "to regulate the settlement of the estates of deceased persons" passed by the first state legislature, in particular the conferring of probate jurisdiction upon a special tribunal and the provision for jurisdiction as to probate and administration. We know that the 1850 legislation was modeled after Texas law. Although establishing a distinctly common-law framework of procedure, Mason's "Laws" did not contain substantive provisions regarding descent, wills, or administration but provided in Section 1, "The laws and usages which have hitherto prevailed in California, that have not been abolished, shall remain in force, so far as they are in conformity to, and ,do not conflict with these laws." It is not clear that Mason's laws were ever actually put into effect. About the time of their completion news arrived of the end of the Mexican War and Col. Mason apparently supposed that Congress would now pass an organic act for the territory.

 In April, 1849, Col. Mason was succeeded as governor by Brig. Gen. Bennett Riley. So far as known, Gen. Riley made no use of Mason's Laws. He did, however, cause a translation of the Mexican "Laws of March 20, and May 23, 1837" to be prepared "as a temporary guide and assistance to the inferior officers of government, till more complete treaties can be prepared by competent persons." The translation bore an authentication by the Governor headed "Executive Department of California, Monterey, July 2, 1849." Nothing in these Mexican laws touches probate or the law of decedents' estates. In an able and interesting Introduction we are told that: "The laws which were in force in this country previous to its conquest, and which do not conflict with the Constitution, Treaties and Laws of the United States, constitute the existing laws of California, and the government recognized in those laws is the only one which can be recognized in any legal court, and these laws and this government must continue, until changed by, or with the consent of Congress."

Sound as was Governor Riley’s theory as to the continuance of the indigenous law, the turn of great events irresistibly ordained otherwise. James Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's mill on January 24, 1848. News of this spread slowly at first but by the summer of 1848 the coast settlements were emptying in a great trek to the foothills of the Sierra. In 1849 began an avalanche of immigration from the East. In that year alone, the white population of the state jumped from 26,000, of whom 8,000 were American, to 107,069, of whom 76,069 were Americans. The immigrants knew nothing of the Spanish-Mexican law. Their property and business dealings were of course on the basis of the American common-law system of the states from which they had come-except, of course, for a considerable body of custom which grew up "at the diggings" and eventually was carried into the law of the State of California. In some of the older settlements during the territorial period the native alcaldes and prefects continued, but for the most part they were replaced by men appointed by the military governors. In the mining towns alcaldes were elected by the inhabitants. These newly appointed or elected judicial officers were Americans familiar only with the American common law. Naturally they applied this law, in the main, in their courts. To what extent, after its promulgation in July 1849, they were furnished -with Governor Riley's translation of the Mexican law we do not know. 

THE CONSTITUTION OF 1849 The future of the law of decedents' estates in California hung, of course, upon the broader issue whether civil or common law was to prevail. The constitutional convention which met in Monterey in September 1849 at the call of Governor Riley seems not to have concerned itself with this fundamental issue except in the debate on what became Article XI, § 14. This section defined the separate property of the wife as that owned by her at the time of the marriage and that acquired afterward by gift, devise or descent and declared that "laws shall be passed more clearly defining the rights of the wife in relation to her separate property as well as to that held in common with her husband." This section impliedly wrote the civil law system of community property into the new constitution and was opposed by some delegates who professed allegiance to the common law or who thought that no legislation as to marital property ought to be introduced into the constitution. As Dean McMurray says, the champions of the common law argued as if it were already the law of California and as if, therefore, Article XI, § 14, were an innovation. Wiser heads pointed out that the section merely stated the existing law as to property rights between husband and wife; that the identical section was part of the constitution of some of the "old States"; and that the broader issue as to the general adoption of the common law was not yet presented. The Constitution of 1849 established in each "organized county" a county court, to be held by an elected county judge who was to '"perform the duties of surrogate or probate judge." This probate jurisdiction was perhaps to be his primary function although the county judge and county courts were also given certain criminal jurisdiction. This was a specialized court of probate and was so recognized in the first act establishing probate procedure which provided: '"The County Court, when sitting for the transaction of Probate business, shall be known and called the 'Probate Court,' and the County Judge shall be ex-officio Probate Judge." Under the constitution the state was divided into districts, which, as constituted. 

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James Lucrugus Ord and Californio Augustian de la Guerra

I am presently writing a family history for my children and relatives. One of my ancestors, General E.O.C. Ord of the Civil War period, had family connections with a Californio Hispanic family and also with a Mexican family. Ord's brother, James Lucurgus Ord, a physician, married the daughter of Augustian de la Guerra of Santa Barbara about 1860. I would like to know more about the descendents of this marriage between James Lucurgus Ord and the De La Guerra daughter (including her name!). 

In the 1870's Ord was commander of the Army in Texas. He developed a cooperative relationship with General Geronimo Trevinio, who commanded the Mexican army in the Northern provinces to secure the Mexico-Texas border from cross border raiders. They became good friends, and in 1880 General Trevinio married the daughter of E.O.C. Ord, Roberta Ord, in San Antonio. The Trevinios went to live in San Luis Potosi. Later Trevinio was Minister of War when Ord visited Mexico City in 1882, being feted by the President of Mexico. Manuel Gonzalez. Ord was then retired from the army and was helping to develop the railroad between Mexico City of Oaxaca. Roberta Ord Trevinio had a son, Eduardo Geronimo Trevinio y Ord in 1882 and died some months later 1883. I believe they were living at that time on the Trevinio lands near Monterrey, Mexico. I would like to find out if this boy Eduardo Geronimo Trevinio grew up and had descendents and if so who they are and where they are. If you could find out any information about these two Hispanic connections, I would much appreciate it.

Rosemary Radford Ruether  <Rosemary.Ruether@nwu.edu> 
April 24, 2000

May 2, 2000
I have just found out that there is a pamphlet about the Ord Hispanic relatives in California, called "Ord Hispanic Occurrences in California." I am looking to get a hold of that publication. Best, Rosemary

Submitted by Johanna de Soto

http://www.bbslaguna.com.mx/California13.htm
Carlos López Urrutía, El Real Ejército de California

Capitulo Trece: Los Ultimos Años de Gobierno Español
Reconstrucción de Monterey, California

El ataque de Bouchard fue un rudo golpe para la provincia. No fue sólo la destrucción material sino también el convencimiento de que era imposible defenderse ni de la más insignificante agresión extranjera. Los soldados impagos, las misiones sin más defensa que la que podían ofrecer las diminutas escoltas contra los indios,el estado sicológico de la población civil, todo habría de presagiar las más funestas consecuencias. Afortunadamente no sucedió así. Si puede criticarse a Solá por su falta de determinación y su excesiva prudencia ante Bouchard hay que reconocerle su gran mérito de haber logrado mantener la cohesión y la existencia misma de la tropa.

En primer lugar, el estado de la tropa, descontenta por la falta de sueldos, decaída en su espíritu militar al huir del enemigo y sicológicamente derrotada ante el abandono de su reducto, no fue un gran impedimento. Un presidio, el de Santa Barbara, había resistido por lo menos con una actitud determinada. En Monterey, Vallejo y su batería habían logrado la rendición temporal del enemigo. Fueron dos hechos suficientes para restablecer o apaliar el daño en el entusiasmo de la tropa. Un segundo factor era la falta de oportunidades. ¿Qué alternativa podía tener en California el soldado presidial que abandonara el servicio del rey? Prácticamente ninguna. Sólo los "inválidos" habían recibido mercedes de tierra y entrar al servicio de estos "rancheros" era sumirse otra vez en la pobreza. Las misiones no ofrecían alternativa alguna, sus pocos vaqueros eran indios como lo eran la mayoría de los sirvientes. Los pueblos, poblados en su mayoría de antiguos soldados, significaban un riesgo enorme si no se contaba con el capital necesario, y ¿que capital podría haber acumulado Juan Soldado cuando no se le pagaba desde 1810? En el fondo, era preferible ser soldado del rey, donde podía soñarse en conquistar el honor y la gloria, donde se podía obtener alimentos para su familia y donde, mal que mal, se le vestía, se le daba cierta seguridad y se le trataba con relativo respeto como que era un elemento indispensable para la defensa y por ende, la existencia propia del territorio.

El gobernador tardó algunos días en regresar a Monterey. Hasta la fecha misma de la salida de Bouchard no le quedó clara. El presidio no fue completamente destruido por el incendio, Bouchard creyó haberle pegado fuego por los cuatro costados, pero las condiciones climatéricas, lluvia y falta de viento, la falta de materiales combustibles-techos de tejas y paredes de adobe- iba a confinar los daños al ala norte de la clausura donde se quemaron las vigas y la tejería del techo cayó sobre las humeantes paredes de adobe que se mantuvieron incólumes.(1)

Tres de las casas en el costado sur sufrieron daños de consideración. El cuartel de los artilleros en el castillo y toda la parte del baluarte construida de madera se quemó. Solá dice haber perdido cinco mil pesos en daños a su propiedad personal e iguales perjuicios sufrieron los otros oficiales. La bodega de la compañía presidial fue saqueada y lo que no pudo acarrearse en los botes fue quemado también de manera que fue necesario reemplazar las provisiones aporcionando a cada misión y pagando con vales a la tesorería real.

Los soldados pudieron recuperar la mayoría de sus posesiones abandonadas ya que los corsarios las apilaron en el centro de la plaza de armas y no las dañaron ni incendiaron. Las huertas y jardines habían sido arrasados. Para ayudar a la reconstrucción las misiones enviaron a indios que contribuyeron con su trabajo. Bancroft dice que las familias regresaron poco a poco y que ya en abril de 1819 o talvez antes, las cosas habían vuelto a la normalidad.(2)

Solá escribió un largo y detallado informe al virrey en la que por supuesto alegaba de la enorme superioridad numérica de los asaltantes y de la heroica resistencia de los californios y su posterior sufrimiento ante los rigores de la estación invernal.(3)

El padre Señán decían en una carta privada que "el informe del señor Solá sobre la invasión nos hizo reír, como estaba, fechado el 12 de diciembre en Monterey cuando él estaba entonces en San Antonio."(4)

Many Resources for Tex-Mex Researchers

Texas Societies' Journals in Southern California

If you live in Southern California and are a Tex-Mex researcher, plan on visiting the History Room of the Central Library in the City of Santa Ana, on the corner of Civic Center Drive and Ross St..  My roots are in Northern Mexico and South Texas, but I live in Orange County, California. 

In the hopes of helping Tex/Mex researchers in Southern California, I recently donated the complete set of  37-volumes of birth, marriage, and death records from the states of Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas  to the History Room of Santa Ana.  They were  produced by the Spanish American Genealogical Association of  Corpus Christi, Texas. In addition, I also donated a complete set of journals of the Hispanic Genealogical Society of Houston 

                                                                                     mimilozano@aol.com

Archivo Histórico de la Arquidiocesis de Monterrey 

Calle Arista No. 230 Sur, Monterrey, Nuevo León C.P. 64000, 
Phone (0-11-52-8) 340-4407 FAX (0-11-52-8) 340-4407

If you are looking for records (i.e. baptisms, marriages, and deaths between the years 1668-1900) from the northern part of the Mexican state of Nuevo León (i.e. area immediately around Monterrey and north to the Texas border) contact  

Sister María del Consuelo Villa Salinas                   Sister Maria Rosario Urzúa López

These two sisters are willing to provide basic assistance to both genealogists and local historians in an effort to help them with their research. Please contact them directly for further information. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 
Submitted by George Gause, ggause@panam.edu  

Texas Birth and Death indexes

From Carol Martinez via losbexarenos@egroups.com
www.tdh.state.tx.us/bvs/registra/index.htm

As of March 2000, Birth indexes from 1926-1995 and death indexes from 1964-1998 are available on the internet (free), microfiche ($) or CD-ROM ($$). Birth indexes from 1903-1925 and death indexes from 1903-1963 are available on microfiche only.

Indexes for open records years are referred to as general indexes and indexes for years which are not yet open to the public are called summary indexes. The SUMMARY death index is delayed six months, the SUMMARY birth index is delayed 42 months. The time lag for the birth index is necessary in order to protect the confidentiality of adoptions and paternity determinations.

The Summary Birth Index includes the last, first, and middle name, if any, of the registrant, date of birth, county of birth, and sex of registrant. The Summary Death Index includes the last, first, and middle name, if any, of the decedent, date of death, county of death, and sex of registrant. All indexes are sorted in alphabetical order by surname within each year.

Birth records do not become OPEN public records until they are fifty years old, and death records become OPEN after twenty-five years. All indexes are sorted in alphabetical order by surname within each year.

The GENERAL BIRTH INDEX includes the last, first, and middle name, if any, of the registrant, date of birth, county of birth, and sex of registrant, and may also include father's name and mother's maiden name. All indexes are sorted in alphabetical order by surname within each year. If the record falls into the open record category, a general index may be made available for public use [later?].

The GENERAL DEATH INDEX includes the last, first, and middle name, if any, of the registrant, date of death, county of death, and sex of registrant, and may also include social security number, marital status, and the spouse's name. All indexes are sorted in alphabetical order by surname within each year. If the record falls into the open record category, a general index may be made available for public use [later?]. These are files you can download, some quite large [File size: 9 - 13 MB File type: ASCII, tab delimited], but it beats reading microfiche at the library. They promise they will put them in HTML "soon." Marriage indexes are available on microfiche or CD-ROM from 1966-present and divorce indexes are available from 1968-present. They may be available on the internet in the future (depends on customer demand). So DEMAND!

The Marriage Index includes the last, first, and middle name, if any, the county of issue, the date of marriage, the spouse's name, and state file number. The Divorce Index includes the last, first, and middle name, if any, the county of issue, the date of divorce, the spouse's name, and state file number.

Goliad Field Trip, Texas by Josie Trevino Trevino

Just want to share what we experienced in Goliad, TX on our field trip on Saturday, April 15th. Our Goliad primos, William and Stella Zermeno, Lupita Barrera, Texas Parks & Wildlife Mission Manager, and several other primos had several "surprises" for us and worked very hard to make this excursion a memorable one for us. We were treated to access to the site of the remains of Mission Nuestra Senora del Rosario, a 4.8 acre tract which contains the largely undisturbed remains of an important Spanish Colonial mission. It was established as part of a larger plan to colonize and settle the Texas frontier and was founded to convert to Christianity the Karankawa people, an indigenous tribe. This site has limited visitation to protect it's archeological resources and may be visited only by appointment with park staff at Goliad State Historical Park.

We also visited the Presidio La Bahia which was established in 1749, has been owned by the Catholic Church since 1853 and is currently operated by the Diocese of Victoria. The Presidio was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1968 and approximately 32,000 people visit it annually. At noon we were treated to a delicious chicken barbeque lunch with all the trimmings on the grounds of Mission Espiritu Santo de Zuniga. The meal was prepared by members of the Zermeno family and we were "serenaded" by Los Coyotes de Riverdale......a very talented trio of musicians. The day was beautiful with a very nice cool breeze to make our visit even more pleasant.  I am sure our "primos" planned it that way!

Mission Espiritu Santo de Zuniga was reconstructed on the foundations of the original 18th century mission by the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. We experienced the mission's history through interpretive exhibits in the church and adjacent granary.  These three missions, Mission Rosario, Mission Espiritu Santo and Presidio La Bahia represent the vital core of a relatively successful 18th century Spanish colonization effort on the northestern border of New Spain.

Descendants of the original settlers of the town still live in La Bahia and Goliad today. There is a lot of history and genealogical treasures waiting to be discovered there and it is up to US to bring this out into the open for our children and grandchildren. It is up to US, as researchers and genealogists, to uncover the truth about our ancestors and place it in it's proper place in the history books where it belongs.

Again, thank you, Stella, William and Lupita and all who helped make it a wonderful experience for all of us who attended and we look forward to other field trips in the future.

Josie Trevino Trevino, San Antonio, TX                                              Return to Table of Content

The Oral History Institute of the University of Texas at El Paso has the largest Spanish-language interview holdings in the United States. 40% of the interviews are in Spanish. 
The website is at: www.utep.edu.

Victor M. Macias-Gonzalez, Ph.D, Program Coordinator, The Institute for Oral History, 

UT, El Paso (915) 747-5238, Submitted by Peter Carr

Sociology of Mexicans/Texans at Turn of the Century

mtzgmr@worldnet.att.net   Martin & Priscilla Martinez Gamer

You seem to have a lot of knowledge of good reading material to find historical facts and theory. Would you happen to know of any books or articles published about the sociology of Mexicans/Tejanos and their immediate neighbors the anglo Texans and how they lived (or didn't live) together in the same communities?

I'm writing a play based on the story that has been passed down in my family of my great-grandmother and her three small children immigrating to San Antonio from Monterrey in 1912 and started a business of her own. Since she came from somewhat of the upper middle class of Monterrey during that time, I need info that reflects that experience. Sometimes when I read about immigration of that time period, it refers more to the lower classes, which is really a different story and experience. Any suggestions?

My parents are Lupe and Aida Martinez of San Antonio, and my mother agreed that you might be a good resource for obtaining this kind of knowledge.

Thanks for any help,  Priscilla Martinez Gamer, New York City

------------------
Reply by Tbdelling@aol.com

Since you specifically asked me, then I will make these quick suggestions:

Go to the U. of Texas Libraries and find the Robert Runyon photographic collection. Check out the books which were published by the U. of Texas using his photos of the Revolution and other pictures. At least two books- two editors compiled the photos and wrote the text. Mr. Runyon's excellent photographic collection was donated by his children to the University of Texas. Be sure and look at the books using his photographs though as they will help you with the images of this time period on the border and into Mexico.

-------------------

A little more to answer your question to me: To Priscilla Martinez Gamer:

1.The novels of "La Revolucion" such as Los de Abajo and Los Arrieros are good reading for background. One was written by a medical doctor who served in one of the armies of the revolution. There were many factions and many armies, many generals. One gets understanding through reading these novels.

2, The writings of the brother Gomez Magon which have been translated. They fomented revolution from exile first in San Antonio and then from Saint Louis, Mo.

3. As to what it may have been like in SA when exiles from Mexico came in principally from 1913-1915, where there were already many established cultures, perhaps reading old newspapers of that time in Spanish published for the Mexican community may be a good place for good background of the times. There was a newspaper published in SA called La Prensa. Old copies must be kept in the central library or some place. It was too important for it not have been preserved.

Maria Dellinger

 Return to Table of Contents

www.library.ci.corpus-christi.tx.us/localhis/chapa1.htm

CHAPA: 
The First Four Generations, by Norman P. Brown

Forward

It is generally accepted that the patriarch of the Chapa surname in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, is that of an Italian imigrant, Juan Bautista Schiapapria, who immigrated in 1647 and who shortened his name to Chapa. In 1651, Juan Bautista Chapa came to Nuevo Leon, where he served as secretary to the Governor of Nuevo Leon and authored a history of the state. He died April 20, 1695, in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Today, Chapa, is a very common surname in Northern Mexico and South Texas.

My interest in Juan Bautista Chapa started in 1978 when I discovered that my wife was a direct descendant. Active research began with my retirement to South Texas in 1986, for now I was within reasonable driving range to Monterrey, the place that the originator lived and died. I was asked to do Chapa research for others and I accumulated great deal of material. Therefore, I decided to try to account for the first one hundred and fifty years (1651 - 1800) of the Chapas in Mexico, a period when the records are few and difficult to obtain. This paper, "The First Four Generations," is part of the larger study.

I have attempted to document this study in the hope that it might serve as a reference in the research of the Chapa surname, or at least as a beacon or direction for some other researcher. The presentation of four generations is quite simple: Roman numerals signify the children of the Juan Bautista Chapa, upper case letters denote grandchildren of the originator, and arabic numerals are used for great-grandchildren.

A biblography is provided, however, detailed source references are available.

I welcome any new information or corrections on any descendant with the Chapa surname. I will incorporate that data and provide an updated Chapa study to the person providing that data.

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Don Diego de Montemayor

Welcome to the home web page for the family organization of the "Descendants of Don Diego de Montemayor."  www.skyfamily.com/dddd

Most of the Montemayors in this country come from one common ancestor, Don Diego de Montemayor, who came to the New World in 1548 at the age of 18! He stayed in what is now northern Mexico and eventually founded the city of Monterrey, Mexico, in 1596. Monterrey celebrated the 400th anniversary of the city in 1996 with a long celebration, honoring Don Diego de Montemayor and some of the other original settlers of that city.

We are forming a family organization for the promotion of information about the family; for the promotion of information about Hispanic-descended families in North America; and, for the promotion of family ideals and values.

Click on the "Family Info" tab to the left for more information.

We have just started a newsletter, the DDDD Newsletter. The first issue was mailed in April. The next issue is due to be mailed at the end of May or the beginning of June. If you would like to receive a copy of the newsletter, send us your mailing address to the e-mail address below. We will NOT give your address to anyone. It will be kept only for the newsletter. Click on "NEWSLETTER" to the left for more information.

We had a reunion of the Montemayor family during the Monterrey 400 Celebration in Monterrey, Mexico. We are planning our next big reunion in SPAIN, next year, the year 2000. Click on the button "SPAIN 2000!!" to the left for more information.

You can send comments or suggestions about this web site, which is still being developed, or about the family to the e-mail address below or to:

DDDD Newsletter, 2981 Westminster Circle, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30327-1639

From: Ernest A. Montemayor <eamontemayor@stic.net>

Hi too all Descendants of Don Diego De Montemayor - Founder of Monterrey,Mexico - and their friends. Please subscribe to this - our new - forum, which we plan to use for genealogy inquiries and responses; as well as anything else related to our group. For information on our group and for information regarding our SPAIN 2000 trip scheduled from Monday, October 2nd, 2000 to Thursday, October 12th - Columbus Day, please see our web page at www.skyfamily.com/dddd. Those interested in joining us on the trip to Spain are reminded to let us know by sending an e-mail to montemayor@aol.com as soon as possible.

Colonel E.A.Montemayor,USAF-Ret.

Websites recommended by Rolando Romo, Houston Public Library rromo@hpl.lib.tx.us

Mexico Online > www.mexonline.com/websites.htm

I found it well-balanced in terms of content and seems to be very well organized, as it has basic sections on: Business Resources, Culture, General Information, Travel and Destination, Real Estate, Shopping Marketplace and Mexico OnLine Services. It also has a lot of subcategories.

I also wanted to point out the new web site for the Tejano Association for Historical Preservation, Inc. (a Houston non-profit organization). Congratulations to David and Loretta Williams for their fine efforts on this site. The site can be reached at: http://www.tejanoahp.org

VILLARREAL

http://members.aol.com/daniel5822/Welcome.html

Villarreal Coat Of Arms

Gracias Cesar Colomer (Albacete, España) por los escudos!!

Villarreal.- De origen castellano. Trae en campo de azur, un águila al natural, sobre ondas de agua de azur y plata, en las que nadan dos delfines, uno a cada lado del ángulo; en el cantón diestro del jefe, una estrella de oro. This coat of arms is the one displayed by the families which setteled in Northern Mexico and Texas they came from Castille or Castilla España.

Coat of Arms Meaning and Interpretation of Symbols

Colors: The blue background indicates, justice, loyalty and charity.

The Eagle is the Eagle of San Juan (Saint John) it is the Eagle commonly used in Spanish Hearldry. It was given as a tribute to Royalty and only given to someone whom was in some way was of Royal Blood or had offered direct services to the King.

The Dolphin in mid air is used to signify, mercy or piety and is a symbol of his religious belief.

The Yellow Star in the sky signifies prudence a very important atribute to the bearer because it was located on the right hand corner of the crest.

Jewish Origins

Oral History and written History Confirms Jewish Origins. Would that be the reason for the Star of David on the top corner of the Coat of Arms. It is said that the double rr in the name was kept there in order to remind us of our Jewish past. What have you heard does your oral history reflect this. Lets find out, if you know Id like to include it in this web page. A friend of mine responded to this question with the following:

Danny, I happened to show my boss, who happens to be Jewish, the Villarreal coat of arms. We both agreed that the star was definitely the Star of David. I told I did not know the significance of the Eagle. She told me that at Torah study they were going over Exodus 19. In verse 4, God tells Moses: Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself."At any rate, she indicated that the Eagle in this case was symbolic of anexodus (from Spain). In reading a book by Cecil Roth there is mention of the Villareal families of Castile who added the name Cohen to Villareal. Cohen means high priest. Many had forgotten their original names but they knew that they came from a priestly caste or at least semi-priestly. This could add to their reluctance to deny their religion. Further research in a book by Seymour Liebmann, The Jews of New Spain, Liebmann talks about how Judaism evolved from a religion to superstition. In further conversation with my boss, I told her about some Mexican superstitions, in particular the evil eye. She informed me that the evil eye is a Jewish mystic symbol. This is probably one of those old vestiges brought over by the Spanish Jews. Liebmann stated that the women knew a great deal about herbs and cures.

SELECT FAMILIES OF NEW MEXICO 

New Mexican researchers a special invitation - - - - -

Deane Miller writes that he is starting the updated version of Select Families of New Mexico this month. I am at a loss to the information I have concerning the people of Southern California and Texas. I know the Abeyta family relocated to that area (So Cal) in 1841 along with some Trujillo's. That is the extent of my info in that area.

I have 100,000 in my data base now, mostly from New Mexico. In order to get the proper perspective in regard to the first families of the new world, it is imperative that I include all related individuals and origins. To do this I am asking the people of Southern California, and your help, to create the ultimate research implement. I am inviting everyone, to e-mail me your 5 generation pedigree chart so your family will be included in the next 24 volume set of books!!

LaDeane Miller lwmiller24@home.com

12873 Parklane Dr., Aurora, CO 80011, 303-344-2550                                    Return to Table of Contents

E-mail Politico1@aol.com; Tel. 480-460-7646; Fax 480-460-5456; or write to Politico, 1020 E. Mountain Vista Dr., Phoenix, Arizona, 85048.

-Arizona Latinos Vote In Nation’s First Online Election-

By Ruben Hernandez

PHOENIX, Ariz. — The sight of viejitos emerging from their barrio casitas on March 11 to vote in first online election ever in U.S. history convinced Luis Enriquez that Latinos would indeed participate in our nation’s new "digital democracy." Others still aren't so sure.

"Some came as early as 8 a.m. to vote on the laptop we set up in our parking lot. The voting didn’t start until 10 a.m.," said Enriquez of Friendly House, a social-service agency designated by the state Democratic Party as a computer-voting site for its presidential primary.

About 150 residents of Grant Park, one of Phoenix’s oldest barrios, came to cast their first cyber-votos. Traditional voting booths were available, but most of those who showed up at Friendly House voted online. Most were bilingual. And more older women than older men voted by modem, Enriquez said.

Hundreds of thousands of registered voters were assigned a pin number to ensure privacy and protect against fraud. The online vote was held only in Arizona’s Democratic primary.

The election year experiment raised speculation that a lack of access to computers might block Latinos and other minorities from voting online. When the Democrats announced they would sponsor Internet voting in Arizona, The Voter Integrity Project, a Virginia-based think tank, filed a lawsuit alleging that online balloting might exclude minorities.

Mark Fleischer, chairman of the state Democratic party, "Using the Internet did not diminish or dilute minority voting," adding that by going online "their participation increased."

Luis Ibarra, Friendly House CEO, seconded what Fleisher had to say, pointing out that during the last Democratic presidential primary, there were only four voting sites in predominantly Latino south Phoenix. Going online allowed people to vote at 24 sites in the area.

Still, Latino households don’t have as many computers as mainstream America. A 1999 study by the U.S. Commerce Department reported less than 13 percent of Latinos owned computers, as compared to 30 percent of non-Latino whites.

Ibarra believes that Latino computer ownership will increase with time. "I look at it like the television. I grew up in a barrio where only one person had a television at first. Now everybody has one."

On April 11, Arizona Democratic party officials reported that a review of the election results showed that voters in predominantly Latino neighborhoods tended to vote by mailing in a ballot or going to a traditional polling place, while people in predominantly Anglo communities used the Internet or mailed in a ballot.

"It sounds like it fell down the way we said it would, which is minorities do not have full access to the net and whites will predominantly use that technology," Deborah Phillips, a spokeswoman for Voting Integrity Project, told the Arizona Republic newspaper.

Using the Internet to empower Latinos to become a political force is just one part of the puzzle, players at the national level say. Last December, StarMedia.com launched http://www.latinvote.org, one of the first Spanish-language Internet sites geared toward increasing Latino voter registration and voter turnout. The nonpartisan site offers candidate profiles, political news and links to voter registration information.

Fernando Espuelas, chairman/CEO of Starmedia Network, said that because Hispanics are projected to become the largest minority group in the U.S. by 2005, "It’s critically important that we empower this group with the necessary information to make an educated voting decision."

Gary Trujillo, president/CEO of Phoenix-based quepasa.com, which serves its users in English and Spanish, says the site currently has no plans for a Latino voter program.

"I believe there will a small percentage of Latinos who will vote online," Trujillo said. "Voting online is an initiative that is much broader than just getting online, and we’ll see how much of an impact it will have on our political system and our community."

Nonetheless, Trujillo added that online voting is a "positive and progressive trend," predicting that it will become an "extension of the Hispanic political education process."

(Hernandez is a freelance writer in Phoenix, Arizona. To reach him, e-mail mhzruben@uswest.net. This article first appeared in the April edition of Politico magazine.)

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FAMILY TRAVELER: SOLO PARENTS BEWARE!

by Family Travel Forum

The US Immigration & Naturalization Service has begun cracking down on single adults departing the United States with children, at the request of international border officials trying to halt the transport of runaways and children involved in child-custody disputes. As one of our editors and her son discovered on a recent trip, Mexico's policy is typical. Mexican law requires that if only one parent (or grandparent, or other guardian) is accompanying a minor under 18 into Mexico, they must bear a notarized letter from the child’s other parent (or guardian) granting permission to enter Mexico with the child, including the dates of travel, the accompanying adult’s name, contact information, and a notarized signature.

For the full story, please visit:

http://www.SmarterLiving.com/columns/family/20000328.html

Mexican Border Crossing News

The following query was forwarded to George Gause at University of Texas, Pan American University.  George responded and forwarded the following information, from the National Archives and Records Administration. ggause@panam.edu

May 28, 1999

Dear sir/madam:

In the past, you asked the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) about records of aliens entering the United States across the Mexican border. You will receive a form letter, such as this one, from time to time to inform you of available "Mexican Border Crossing" microfilm publications.

Since my last communication (August 1, 1998) several new microfilm publications have become available. These are marked "NEW!" in the list below, which is now arranged alphabetically by state, then alphabetically by port. You can determine the NARA facilities at which our microfilm publications are located using our online microfilm publication locator at http://www.nara.gov/nara/searchmicro.html. (The location information provided in this letter is incomplete, but will be updated.) 

The U.S. Government began keeping records of persons crossing the U.S.-Mexican land border, ca. 1903-ca. 1906, and began keeping records of arrivals at the seaport, Galveston, Texas, as early as 1846. At this time, the following "Mexican border crossing records" are available as National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Microfilm Publications:

ARIZONA PORTS:

M1759. Nonstatistical Manifests and Statistical Index Cards of Aliens Arriving at Douglas, Arizona, July 1908-December 1952 (4 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; Denver, CO; Laguna Niguel, CA; New York, NY; Pittsfield, MA; and San Bruno, CA.

NEW! M1504. Manifests of Alien Arrivals at San Luis, Arizona, July 24, 1929-December 1952 (2 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; __ .

NEW! M1850. Index and Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Sasabe/San Fernando, Arizona, 1919-1952 (3 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; 

CALIFORNIA PORTS:

M2030. Statistical and Nonstatistical Manifests, and Related Indexes, of Aliens Arriving at Andrade and Campo (Tecate), California, 1910-1952 (5 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; Laguna Niguel, CA; Philadelphia, PA; San Bruno, CA.

M1763. Index to Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at San Pedro/Wilmington/Los Angeles, California, 1907-1936 (7 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; Kansas City, MO; Laguna Niguel, CA; and San Bruno, CA.

NEW! M1764. Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at San Pedro/Wilmington/Los Angeles, California, June 29, 1907-June 30, 1948 (118 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; Laguna Niguel, CA; and San Bruno, CA.

M1852. Record of Persons Held for Boards of Special Inquiry at the San Pedro, California, Immigration Office, November 3, 1930-September 27, 1936 (1 roll). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; and Laguna Niguel, CA.

NEW! M1767. Manifests of Alien Arrivals at San Ysidro (Tia Juana), California, April 21, 1908-December 1952 (20 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; __ .

NEW! A3363. Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at Ventura, California, May 1929-December 1956 (1 roll). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; Laguna Niguel, CA; and San Bruno, CA.

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TEXAS PORTS:

NEW! M1502. Statistical and Nonstatistical Manifests of Alien Arrivals atBrownsville, Texas, February 1905-June 1953, and Related Indexes (40 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; Denver, CO; and Fort Worth, TX.

NEW! M1514. Indexes of Vessels Arriving at Brownsville, Texas, 1935-1955; Houston, Texas, 1948-1954; and at Port Arthur and Beaumont, Texas, and Lake Charles, Louisiana, 1908-1954 (1 roll). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; ___ .

M1754. Nonstatistical Manifests and Statistical Index Cards of Aliens Arriving at Eagle Pass, Texas, June 1905-November 1929 (27 rolls). Serves, in part, as an index to M1755. Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; Fort Worth, TX; Seattle, WA; and Waltham, MA.

M1755. Permanent and Statistical Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Eagle Pass, Texas, June 1905-June 1953 (30 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; Fort Worth, TX; Seattle, WA; and Waltham, MA. 

M2040. Index to Manifests of Permanent and Statistical Arrivals at Eagle Pass, Texas, December 1, 1929-June 1953 (2 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; Denver, CO; Ft. Worth, TX; Pittsfield, MA.

M2041. Temporary and Nonstatistical Manifests of Aliens Arriving at Eagle Pass, Texas, July 1928-June 1953 (14 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; Fort Worth, TX; Seattle, WA; and Waltham, MA.

NEW! M1756. Applications for Nonresident Alien's Border Crossing Identification Cards Made at El Paso, Texas, ca. July 1945-December 1952 (62 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; Atlanta, GA; and Fort Worth, TX.

NEW! M1757. Manifests of Aliens Granted Temporary Admission at El Paso, Texas, ca. July 1924-1954 (97 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; __ .

NEW! M1768. Alphabetical Card Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Fabens, Texas, July 1924-1954 (7 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; __ .

NEW! M1766. Alphabetical Card Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Fort Hancock, Texas, 1924-1954 (2 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; __ .

M334. A Supplemental Index to Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Atlantic and Gulf Coast Ports (Excluding New York), 1820-1874 (188 rolls). This serves as an index to M575. See our Immigration Records web page at <http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/immigration
/immigrat.html> for research facilities which have this microfilm.

M575. Copies of Lists of Passengers Arriving at Miscellaneous Ports on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts and at Ports on the Great Lakes, 1820-1873 (16 rolls). Roll 3 only contains passenger lists of vessels arriving at Galveston, Texas, 1846-1871. See our Immigration Records web page at <http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/immigration
/immigrat.html> for research facilities which have this microfilm.

M1357. Index to Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Galveston, Texas, 1896-1906. 3 rolls. Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; Anchorage, AK; Chicago, IL; Denver, CO; East Point, GA; Fort Worth, TX; Kansas City, MO; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Laguna Niguel, CA; San Bruno, CA; Seattle, WA; Waltham, MA.

M1358. Index to Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Galveston, Texas, 1906-1951. 7 rolls. Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; Denver, CO; East Point, GA; Fort Worth, TX; Kansas City, MO; Laguna Niguel, CA; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; San Bruno, CA; Seattle, WA; Waltham, MA.

M1359. Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Galveston, Texas, 1896-1951. 36 rolls. Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; Denver, CO; East Point, GA; Fort Worth, TX; Kansas City, MO; Laguna Niguel, CA; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; San Bruno, CA; Seattle, WA; Waltham, MA.

NEW! M1771. Alphabetical Manifests of Non-Mexican Aliens Granted Temporary Admission at Laredo, Texas, December 1, 1929-April 8, 1955. 5 rolls. Available for public viewing at NARA in Washington, DC; __ .

NEW! M2008. Lists of Aliens Arriving at Laredo, Texas, from July 1903 to July 1907, via the Mexican National Railroad or the Laredo Foot Bridge (1 roll). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; __.

NEW! M1771. Alphabetical Manifests of Non-Mexican Aliens Granted Temporary Admission at Laredo, Texas, December 1, 1929-April 8, 1955 (5 rolls). 

NEW! M1851. Index and Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Progreso/Thayer, Texas, October 1928-May 1955 (6 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; __ .

NEW! M1770. Indexes and Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Rio Grande City, Texas, November 1908-May 1955 (6 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; __ .

NEW! M1503. Index and Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Roma, Texas, March 1928-May 1955 (5 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; __ .

NEW! M1973. Statistical Manifests of Alien Arrivals by Airplane at San Antonio, Texas, May 17, 1944-March 1952 (1 roll). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; __ .

M1849. Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Yseleta, Texas, 1924-1954 (7 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; Ft. Worth, TX; Kansas City, MO; Seattle, WA.

M2024. Indexes and Manifests of Alien Arrivals at Zapata, Texas, August 1923-September 1953. (2 rolls). Available for public viewing at NARA facilities in Washington, DC; Anchorage, AK; Waltham, MA; Fort Worth, TX; Kansas City, MO; Laguna Niguel, CA; and San Bruno, CA; also available at the University Library, University of Texas-Pan American, 1201 West University Dr., Edinburg, TX 78539-2999.

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MEXICO:

M2032. Passenger Lists of European Immigrants Arriving at Vera Cruz, Mexico, 1921-1923, and Related Correspondence, 1921-1931. 1 roll. Available for public viewing at NARA facilites in Washington, DC; Denver, CO; and Laguna Niguel, CA. For more information about immigration records, visit our Immigration Records web page at <http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/immigration/immigrat.html>, which is updated periodically. 

Ordering Microfilm
The microfilm is also available for sale for the usual $34 per roll ordered ($39 to foreign addresses). Credit card orders are accepted. Call 1-800-234-8861. Additional "Mexican border crossing records" will become available over the next several years. We are currently in the process of reviewing the microfilm we received from the Immigration and Naturalization Service, writing description for these records, and duplication. Due to the complex nature of these records, it is necessary to undertake all of these steps. In the meantime, we are unable to make searches of the microfilm, because doing so could damage it. Obtaining Copies of Records 

For obtaining copies of arrival records made at the ports listed above, you have three options:

(1) You can do the research in person at the National Archives Building, 700 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC. Selected "Mexican border crossing" immigration records are also available at our 13 Regional Archives, as indicated in the list shown above. Selected NARA microfilm publications are also availble in libraries with a large genealogical collection.

(2) You can use the "NATF Form 81" to request our staff to do a search. You can obtain the NATF Form 81 either by writing to National Archives and Records Administration, 700 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20408-0001 or by emailing your name and mailing (postal) address to ><inquire@nara.gov>. Be sure to specify "NATF Form 81" and the number of forms needed (maximum 6).

(3) Often, the most convenient way of gaining access to microfilmed records is through a Family History Center, run by the "Mormon" Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Their Family History Centers are open to the public free of charge. In most cases, the microfilm that you are interested in must be ordered from their headquarters in Salt Lake City, and there is a nominal fee for this service ($3.50 for a 30-day loan; two additional 60-day renewals are possible).

Note, however, that newer microfilm publications such as these may not immediately become available. It is advisable to call ahead to determine a particular Center's hours; all are staffed by volunteers. If you cannot find an address in your telephone book, obtain a list of Family History Centers in your state by writing to Family History Library, 35 North West Temple St., Salt Lake City, UT 84150. This paragraph is provided for informational purposes only; as a government agency, NARA cannot and does not endorse any religious belief or church.

I hope this information is helpful.

CLAIRE PRECHTEL-KLUSKENS, Archivist/Genealogy Specialist, Archives I Research Room Services Branch (NWCCR1)

Email: claire.kluskens@ARCH1.nara.gov

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ANNOUNCING H-CATHOLIC H-NET LIST ON

International Catholic History Sponsored by H-Net, Humanities & Social Sciences On-line, Michigan State University, the Canadian Catholic Historical Association, and the American Catholic Historical Association.

H-Catholic is an international and interdisciplinary discussion list for scholars and students whose primary academic foci are the history and/or cultures of the Catholic church and communities defined by a Catholic religious identity. The editors and Advisory Board invite students and scholars of the Catholic Church to participate in this international, interdisciplinary discussion list that is intended to serve as a forum where scholars may freely exchange ideas, methodologies, and practical applications of their work in an environment that transcends conventional regional and disciplinary boundaries. This list is not intended to be a forum for people who are interested in making individual confessions of faith, but for the promotion of scholarly discussion. Editors exercise the discretion to determine material they deem inappropriate for the list. The editors encourage and welcome the membership of persons from every faith or of no faith.

SUBSCRIBING TO H-CATHOLIC: H-Catholic@h-net.msu.edu

H-MEXICO, Grupo sobre historia de México

afiliado a H-Net, Humanities and Social Sciences on Line <http://h-net.msu.edu>

Moderadores Antonio Ibarra * Felipe Castro

<ibarrara@servidor.unam.mx> <fcastro@servidor.unam.mx> Para subscripciones, dudas o comentarios, diríjase a h-mexico-owner@servidor.unam.mx> Cancelaciones: envíe un correo a <majordomo@servidor.unam.mx> que diga en el cuerpo del texto unsubscribe su-direccion-de correo 

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University of Minnesota  Conference Papers

A few examples of the many history resources of interest to Hispanic Researchers.http://www.hist.umn.edu/~rmccaa/laphb/27fall97/laphb274.htm

Becerra, Celina. "Patrones matrimoniales indígenas en los Altos de Jalisco (1770-1830)," Latin American Studies Association XX International Congress, Guadalajara Mexico, April 17-19, 1997.

Bennett, Herman. "Mulatas, miscegenation, and New Spain's 18th-Century Inquisition," Conference on Latin American History Annual Meeting, New York, Jan. 4, 1997.

Cuenya, Miguel Angel. "Característica de los migrantes peninsulares en la Puebla de los Angeles," Presencia Española en Puebla Siglos XVI-XX, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, México, 21 al 24 noviembre 1995.

Dore, Elizabeth. "Family Transitions in Rural Nicaragua, 1850-1930," Latin American Studies Association XX International Congress, Guadalajara Mexico, April 17-19, 1997.

Submitted by Johanna de Soto

Dueñas Vargas, Guiomar. "Las mujeres mestizas y el concubinato en la familia patriarcal Santa Fe de Bogotá. Siglo XVIII," Latin American Studies Association XX International Congress, Guadalajara Mexico, April 17-19, 1997.

Fernos, Rodrigo. "On the Historical Relationships between the Economy and the Demography of Puerto Rico," unpub. ms.

Gil Montero, Raquel. "Consideraciones sobre la residencia multiple. Puna de Jujuy (Argentina), fines del siglo XVIII," Latin American Studies Association XX International Congress, Guadalajara Mexico, April 17-19, 1997.

Grajales Porras, Agustín G. y Roberto M. Vélez Pliego. "Los peninsulares en las cabeceras principales de la intendencia de Puebla a fines del virreinato," Presencia Española en Puebla Siglos XVI-XX, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, México, 21 al 24 noviembre 1995.

Last month we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, and we are now well into the observance of Black History Month. I expect to be criticized by close friends and others for my opinions about these celebrations.

We spend a great deal of time showcasing the achievements of blacks. Each year these stories are told during February and then forgotten the first of March. By celebrating February as Black History Month, does that in any way improve race relations?

To me, designating a time to recognize the accomplishments that blacks have made to this country only seems to isolate and segregate even more. I am not trying to imply that these achievements are any more or less important than others that have made this country as great as it is today. But I think we should emphasize, in our textbooks and in our teachings, that all racial groups have made valuable contributions.

We should be sure that blacks and other minority groups are given credit, to set the record straight and then build a shared understanding from there.

We learn through these Black History programs that there are a great many achievements that are largely unknown -- in medicine, for example, including a black surgeon’s ground-breaking work in open-heart surgery at a Chicago hospital; and a black doctor’s discovery of blood plasma, which saved an untold number of lives in World War II. These feats should be celebrated by all Americans and not be segregated from others.

I was criticized a few weeks ago by a reader for using the terms ‘‘black’’ and ‘‘white’’ when referring to racial groups. These words are so deeply ingrained in our society, they are almost impossible to remove. But a concept such as ‘‘Black History Month’’ only serves to prolong and perpetuate segregation. Until we can accept each other as Americans and look on our accomplishments as being for the common good, the sense of separation will continue.

Accomplishments of all

I would rather encourage the recognition of ‘‘American History Week,’’ a time to recognize the accomplishments of all Americans. Look at all of the outstanding achievements and compare them. One thing that such a comparison might accomplish, I believe, would be to help destroy the myth that one group is superior to others.

We all have a sense of pride whenever a member of our group accomplishes something great. Whether in sports, medicine or industry, we may feel a closer connection to that person because we are in the same ethnic group. It can be German, Irish, Hispanic or Asian. But we should not allow our enthusiasm to make us guilty of what we accuse others of.

By doing that, we give the impression that ‘‘Someone of my group has accomplished something spectacular -- we are better or smarter than you.’’ To obtain the equality we all say we are striving for, we should view every American’s accomplishment with the same pride. Once we are able to feel that being an American makes us part of any group that is American, we will be closer to the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King.

Paul L. Burnley formerly worked as an editorial writer in St. Louis and is now retired and living in Fayetteville. Local material copyright (c) 2000 The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer

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Good news for Costa Rica researchers.

Estimado Señor:

Reciba un cordial saludo de parte de los miembros de la Asociación de Genealogía e Historia de Costa Rica. Nuestra organización fue fundada en junio de 1993 y contamos con 36 asociados (31 activos, 2 honorarios y 3 correspondientes (uno en los Estados Unidos y dos en Argentina). Contamos con la Revista ASOGEHI, de la cual ya se han editado dos números y está por ser publicados el Nº 3 y 4. Asimismo, hemos organizado múltiples conferencias sobre temas genealógicos e históricos, y colaborado en campañas para la conservación de nuestro patrimonio histórico o arquitectónico. Deseo comunicarle a la Junta Directiva de su Sociedad, por su gentil conducto, que en la Asamblea Extraordinaria realizada el sábado 1º de los corrientes, se eligió al siguiente Consejo Directivo que dirigirá nuestra Asociación del 1º de abril del

2000 al 30 de junio del 2001:

PRESIDENTE: German Arturo Bolaños Zamora.
VICEPRESIDENTA: Dulce María Granados Lacayo
SECRETARIA: Cecilia Lépiz Valls. 
TESORETO: Ramón Alfredo Villegas Palma. 
PRIMER VOCAL: Mauricio Meléndez Obando.
SEGUNDA VOCAL: Brunilda Hilje Quirós.
TERCER VOCAL: Isidro Sánchez Vargas. 
FISCAL: José Antonio Fernández Molina.

Siendo ya presidente de nuestra Asociación, quiero como uno de mis primeros actos el remitir esta misiva para solicitar, si ustedes lo tienen a bien, iniciar los contactos oficiales entre ambas organizaciones, esperando que en un futuro cercano podamos establecer una colaboración más estrecha, particularmente si tomamos en cuenta la existencia de muchos lazos históricos y genealógicos que nos unen. Para cualquier comunicación futura, favor de remitirla al Apartado Postal 2718-1000 San José, o a mi correo electrónico: germanartus@yahoo.com Finalmente, deseo ponerme a disposición de la Sociedad para los asuntos que ustedes consideren pertinentes.

Atentamente

German Arturo Bolaños Zamora, Presidente

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Black Latino Connection

In order to show the integrated blood-lines between blacks and Latinos and to show that many individuals are both black and Latino, a 66-page soft-cover book is being prepared by your editor.  The Black Chamber of Commerce and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, both of Orange County, California are sponsoring the publication. The book clearly illustrates many historical symbiotic relationships between the Black community and Hispanics/Latinos.

The booklet contains previously  published Somos Primos articles, with additional supplemental historical and current materials.  The booklet will be distributed at the Black Chambers  Juneteenth celebration.  Juneteenth represents the day(s) when word of the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery reached blacks in Texas.    

For more information about obtaining the book or for possible sponsorship and distribution of the book, please send an email to  mimilozano@aol.com

September 13, 1997

Black Cuban-Americans Face Bias in Two Worlds

By Mireya Navarro

MIAMI -- When blacks and Hispanics in this racially polarized city fought over a vacant City Commission seat, Henry Crespo stepped in and offered himself as the solution.

Being both black and Cuban, and a Spanish-speaker who lives in a black neighborhood, Crespo said he could bridge their worlds. But blacks said they would only accept a "black American," and Cubans regarded him as an oddity with questionable allure.

Crespo was not appointed to the commission; the seat went to an African-American woman. "I'm as black as you can get but I'm Cuban," Crespo, 33, said recently, while on his job as housing director of the small city of Opa-Locka, near Miami, where he lives. "I have to be myself, understanding that I can't please everybody."

As a black Hispanic, Crespo is part of two worlds he says he relishes equally. But as African-Americans and Hispanics wrestle for political influence and the Hispanic majority increases, what Crespo sees as an advantage, indeed a rich example of multiculturalism, can also be a liability.

Black Cuban-Americans find themselves in a bind. As Cubans they belong to an immigrant group that has enjoyed tremendous economic and political success. But as blacks they have experienced the discrimination and hardships of African-Americans.

And they remain virtually invisible in the city's power structure. There are no black Cuban-American elected officials, no black leaders of a major exile group and no major academic studies documenting their migration -- even though they are more representative of an island where half or more of the population is now estimated to be black and mulatto.

"People think I'm Dominican," said Alexis Barcelay, 25, a black boxer who left Cuba by going to the American naval base in Guantanamo three years ago. "I have to tell them that there are blacks in Cuba too."

Part of their invisibility is the result of their small numbers. The 1990 census found that fewer than 30,000 of nearly 1 million Hispanic residents in Dade County, or 3 percent, were black, most of them Cubans, with some Dominicans and Puerto Ricans. Nationwide, black Hispanics were also 3 percent of all Hispanics, the census showed.

Sociologists here say one reason that whites have overwhelmingly predominated in the exodus from revolutionary Cuba in the last 38 years is that the first waves of immigrants consisted mainly of the white elite who then sponsored relatives into the United States. And many blacks stayed behind longer because they had supported a revolution that provided social gains, opening educational and professional opportunities previously denied them, even if it had not extended equally to leadership positions in government.

But black Cubans say Cuba's government has also hampered their migration through propaganda that paints the United States society as violently racist and by portraying those who want to leave as not only traitors but ingrates.

Cuba's dismal economic problems have compelled more blacks to leave in recent years, experts on Cuban affairs say, although information on the demographics of the most recent waves of immigrants is scarce. The Immigration and Naturalization Service, for instance, says it keeps no racial breakdown of the estimated 20,000 Cubans allowed to immigrate legally into this country each year.

But even more crucial than numbers in determining influence for black Cubans here has been their inability to fully integrate into either the black or Hispanic worlds, which requires them to overcome cultural and linguistic barriers among blacks and racism among white Hispanics.

Studies by a geography professor at the University of Miami, Thomas D. Boswell, show that the median income of black Hispanics in Dade County lagged behind that of white Hispanics -- $8,000 to $11,100 -- although the disparity was less than that found between non-Hispanic whites and blacks. And his analysis of the 1990 found the largest concentrations of black Hispanics in neighborhoods like Allapattah, sandwiched between Hispanic Little Havana and black Liberty City.

The predicament afflicts parents like Emmanuel and Luz Mery Angarica, a black Cuban and a white Colombian, who say they are raising their 6-year-old son as "American," with no racial or ethnic labels, after two older sons suffered confusion and harassment from schoolmates over choosing an ethnic identity. "We never said anything, but there was pressure from the other children to join their band," Mrs. Angarica, 47, said. "One of them came home from school and told me, 'Mommy, I am red.' Now we're going to be more careful."

The two older brothers chose black because African-Americans were in the majority at their school.

Black Cubans like Carlos Moore, 53, are not torn about their ethnic identity. In 1986, when Moore was a professor at Florida International University, he came under harsh attack on Spanish-language radio and received death threats for focusing on racial issues and portraying revered white Cuban patriots as racists in a course at the university. He said the harassment forced him to leave Miami in 1987.

Moore, now a professor of international relations at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad, said his experiences here convinced him that those like him should come out "against racism" and ally themselves with other blacks, both Hispanic and African-American.

The substantial number of blacks in Cuba are descendants of slaves brought to the island from Africa to work the sugar plantations, and blacks from other Caribbean islands who came after slavery to do the same work.

"I have everything in common with the American black," Moore said, "the history, slavery, being kicked by whites."

For Rosa Reed, 43, a manager for a pharmaceutical company who moved to the United States from Cuba when she was 5 years old, a watershed moment came in 1990, when she said she was dismissed from a Cuban-American organization when she assumed the role of spokeswoman for one of its programs.

"I was told that when Americans saw a black person they saw crime and poverty and that for the benefit of the organization I couldn't be a spokesperson," Ms. Reed said. "It was so shocking."

Ms. Reed now writes a current affairs column for a black newspaper, The Miami Times, is engaged to an African-American and belongs to a group of black Cuban-Americans that is holding talks with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People aimed at starting a nationwide black Hispanic section.

The group is rallying around domestic issues such as sensitizing white Hispanics to racial discrimination in employment and other forms of racism suffered by black Hispanics.

But the group of black Cuban-Americans says it is also concerned about supporting blacks in Cuba, who they say suffer the island's economic hardships more acutely than whites because fewer can count on relatives here to send them money and basic necessities.

A poll of Cuban-Americans in Dade County this year by Florida International University and The Miami Herald indeed showed marked differences between black and white Cubans in attitudes toward Cuba, with more blacks favoring a dialogue with the Cuban government to help bring about democracy and opposing continuing the American embargo of Cuba or military action to overthrow Castro.

Recent arrivals cited the need to help their families and a desire for professional advancement as the main reasons they came to the United States. Although many said American society is not as racist as it is portrayed in Cuba's government-controlled news media, they have had to adjust to different racial dynamics.

Because Hispanic populations are the product of different racial influences, for instance, racial self-definitions go beyond black and white. A Cuban regarded as black by American standards could be "moro," "Indian" or "jabao" in Cuba, depending on skin color and hair texture, with the gradations making racial classifications more ambiguous.

Cubans like Manuel Elizondo, 38, a trainer on the Cuban Olympic boxing team who defected in 1994, said they find racism to be worse in this country. "In Cuba, racism dictates who is a leader and who is not," Elizondo said. "Here, because private property is allowed, the racism is determined by money. There are more class differences."

But ethnicity has a stronger pull than race in his new country, which has forced two new identities on him: black (in Cuba he was considered mulatto or Indian) and Hispanic. "I'm Cuban and I speak Spanish," Elizondo said. "I am who I am, and I live in my own world."

But those with political aspirations like Crespo, a New York City native, have no such luxury. The sharpest criticism against Crespo when he sought a City Commission seat vacated by a Hispanic lawyer facing criminal charges, who himself had replaced a black commissioner who is in prison on a bribery conviction, came from black civic and political leaders. The loss of the commission's only black left the panel with four Hispanic members and one white one.

"It worked against him by the fact that he tossed the word Cuban out there," said one of the critics, the Rev. Willie Sims Jr., assistant director of Dade County's office of black affairs. "When things get hot, people go back to those they're comfortable with."

Crespo, in a response in The Miami Times to his critics, insisted on claiming ownership of two cultures.

"What may I ask you authenticates one's blackness?" he wrote in a letter to the editor. "Is it that tired age-old debate of skin color? If so, I'm chocolate brown. Is it if one's ancestors were slaves? If so, my great-grandfather was born a slave. Is it if one's family knows the suffering and humiliation of segregation? If so, my mother was forced off the bus in 1959.

"But really, is not this whole discussion silly?"

Copyright 1997 The New York Times Company

http://www.psc.lsa.umich.edu/~drharris/black-cubanamericans.html

                                                                                                   Return to Table of Contents

California University's Library Latin American Holdings

Sent by Johanna de Soto
http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/hasrg/latinam/calafia/micro1.html#4 
Extracts from the Guide to Large Microform, Sets on Latin America

This list includes holdings at the libraries of Stanford University, the University of California, the University of Southern California, and the Center for Research Libraries. Holdings of individual titles are assumed to be complete unless only partial holdings are indicated.

Latin America: Argentina Bolivia Brazil Central America, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Rep., Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala Haiti Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South America, Uruguay, Venezuela .

FOR EXAMPLE FOR HONDURAS

http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/hasrg/latinam/calafia/micro1.html#20

National Censuses
International population census publications: pre-1945: Honduras. Guide available. Census information for 1901, 1905, 1910, 1916, 1926, 1930, 1935, and 1940. 
Resultados generales del censo general. 1950.
Censo nacional de vivienda y poblacion. 1961. 5 reels.
Censo nacional de poblacion. 1974.

U.S. State Department Microform Collections 
Confidential U.S. diplomatic post records: Central America: Honduras.1930-1945. 42 reels.

Confidential U.S. State Department Central Files: Honduras. University Publications of America, 1987. (RG 59)  1945-1949 11 reels.

Records of the Department of State relating to internal affairs of Honduras. (Decimal File 815) 1910-1929. (M647) 49 reels.

Records of the Department of State relating to political relations between the U.S. and Honduras. 1910-1929. (M648) 1 reel. 1930-1944. (S3159) 1 reel.                  Return to Table of Contents

With special thanks for this the first in a historical and genealogical series of noted Spanish figures researched and authored by LaDeane Miller.  The genealogical data of EL CID goes back to 750 AD. Deane points out, 
"You will notice the predominantly Spanish surnames in the first 14 generations. 
After that it is predominantly English. But, all of these Englishmen are mostly Spanish!"

EL CID 

LaDeane Miller
lwmiller24@home.com

Battles of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar "el Cid"
Rodrigo serving the King of Castile

                                                                Battle of Graus (1063)

In this battle, the Moslem king of Zaragoza, Al-Muktadir, defeated King Ramiro I de Aragon, who died in this battle. The first one was helped by his ally, Sancho II, the king of Castile. Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar was about 20 years old at that time, so he probably participated in this battle.

Llantada (19th July 1068) and Golpejera (1072). Sancho II of Castile defeats his brother, Alfonso VI of Leon. Rodrigo commanded the Castilian army for Sancho II. Castile and Leon were united under King Fernando I (1029-1065). Nevertheless, the Leonese noblemen didn't want to be under the government of a Castilian King, so he decided to divide his kingdoms. At his death, the first son, Sancho, heir of the kingdom of Castile, and the second one, Alfonso, heir of León.

Theoretically, that was the logic decision: the first son received the fatherly inheritance, and the second one the motherly inheritance. But León, as heir of the ancient Hispanic-gothic kingdom could claim for its supremacy over the other Iberian countries, so Sancho thought he should have been heir. After the battles of Llantada and Golpejera, where his army was commanded by Rodrigo Díaz, Sancho II conquered the kingdom of Leon, while Alfonso refugeed at the court of the Moslem king of Toledo, Al-Mamún. Nevertheless,

Sancho was murdered by Vellido Dolfos, when he tried to conquest the city of Zamora which was under the government of his sister Urraca. So Alfonso was finally the king of Castile and León. The Castilian noblemen, lead by Rodrigo Díaz, compelled Alfonso to swear he wasn't involved with the murder of his brother, before accepting him. Rodrigo still served the new King for some years and was sent as ambassador to Seville where he won the battle of Cabra in 1079. There he defeated the King Abd Allah of Granada, who was aided by the Castilian, García Ordóñez.

Rodrigo as soldier of fortune Almenar (1082) and Olocau (14-8-1084). Rodrigo was finally exiled, after leading a punishment expedition against Toledo (which was under the protection of Alfonso. He entered in the service of the king of Zaragoza, Al-Mutamin, and his son Al-Mustain. He and his men fought for Zaragoza against his enemies: the king of Valencia, Al-Mundir, the king of Lérida, al-Hayib, the king of Aragon, Sancho Ramírez, and the Count of Barcelona, Berenguer Ramón II: we can see that, at this time there was a certain tolerance between Christian and Moslems, broken only by foreign interventions (North-African invaders or French crusaders): the alliances between Christians and Moslems were not strange.

Tébar (May 1090). In 1085, Rodrigo returned to Castile, where Alfonso needed his help against the new North-African invaders: the Almoravids. Nevertheless, he was again exiled in a short time. Now he started to act as an independent power, looking for his own state in Eastern Spain. In the battle of Tébar, near Teruel, the count of Barcelona was humiliatingly defeated and renounced his ambitions in the area.

Alcaraz (1091). Rodrigo looked for an alliance with the new king of Aragon, Pedro I, and helped him in the battle of Alcaraz, where they defeated the king of Zaragoza, Al-Mustain, and conquered the city of Huesca. Castilian counts García Ordóñez, an old enemy of Rodrigo, and Gonzalo Núñez fought as mercenaries of the king of Zaragoza.Rodrigo as lord of Valencia 

After a short time serving Alfonso, Rodrigo returned to Eastern Spain where the king of Valencia had been deposed by a republican rebellion. Rodrigo Díaz seized the city and took it on (15-6-1094), creating his own Moslem-Christian state. He started to be known as "El Cid" (an Arab word meaning "the lord" or "the boss"). Nevertheless, he had immediately to start his defense works against the Almoravid threat.

Almoravid empire stretched from Ghana (in the African gulf of Guinea) to Spain. A major figure in the empire's history is Yusuf ibn Tashfin, who conquered Morocco and founded the city of Marrakesh in 1062. In fact, there were really two Almoravid empires; one founded by Abu Bakr in the Sahara and Sahel, and the other by Yusuf in the north. Alarmed by the conquests of Alfonso VI, and the new politics of religious intolerance, coming with French monks, the kings of Seville (Al-Mutamid) and Badajoz (Al-Mutawakkil) asked for help to Yusuf: he entered to Spain and defeated defeat the Castilian-Leonese armies at the battle of Sagrajas/Zalaca (23rd October 1086). Nevertheless, the opposition of Moslem countries of Spain (who started to consider him more dangerous than Alfonso) and the dead of his son (that made him to return to Africa) prevented him to take profit of his victory. Later, the Almoravids returned to Spain, starting the conquest of the Moslem kingdoms. A Castilian army, leaded by Alvar Fáñez, went to help the Moslem states, but was defeated at Almodóvar del Río (1091). Later, they tried to recover the cities of Toledo and Valencia, being sent to the second one the nephew of Yusuf, Muhammad. Cuarte (14-10-1094). A huge Almoravid army attacked the state of Valencia.

The army of Rodrigo (much smaller than the Almoravid one) goes out from the city and defeated Muhammad: that was the first time that Almoravids were defeated.

Bairén (1097). Muhammad attacks Valencia again and surprises the armies of Rodrigo Díaz and his ally, Pedro I of Aragón. Nevertheless, he is finally defeated. Consequences. Those battles didn't managed to finish with the Almoravids: they still defeated Christians at Consuegra (1097, where the son of Rodrigo, Diego, died) at Uclés (1108, where the heir of Castile, Sancho, also died), and conquered the cities of Consuegra, Cuenca, Ocaña and Hueste. After the death of Rodrigo Díaz, Valencia had to be abandoned by Christians.

Nevertheless, they had lost their best moment, and Toledo remained under Christian hands. The Almoravid domination over Moslem Spain remained until 1145 (only the kingdom of Zaragoza remained independent), it was a period of artistic renaissance, but also of religious intolerance: many Mozarabics (Christians who lived at the Moslem countries) had to refugee at the Christian Kingdoms. By the other side, during that period the re-conquest was stopped: only at the Ebro Valley the Moorish receded (conquests of Alfonso I "the battler" (1104-1134)).

lwmiller24@home.com  LaDeane Miller                                            Return to Table of Contents

Great biographies of Hispanic Americans in Congress http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/congress/contents.html

Great pictures and biographies, and besides the list I've linked you too, you can get it in chronological order and by state. Submitted by Rudecinda Lobuglio

A BANYAN TREE FIND in Puerto Rico

by Rev. Jose Antonio Oquendo Pabon, priest and family genealogist 
<elpadrejaop@hotmail.com>
<http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/7214/>

Last January 1st, year 2000, I returned home to Puerto Rico on an extended vacation/sabbatical and by January 7th was heavily into my genealogical passion. I went to the Diocesan Archives (in Old San Juan) of the Archdiocese of San Juan searching for early 19th and late 18th century Marriage Dispensations to impediments caused by consanguinity (first cousins, second cousins, etc. marriages). The Catholic Church in the 17th-19th centuries still did not allow marriages to the fifth degree without a formal Dispensation from Rome but had given the Puerto Rican Bishop the right to Dispense from these marriages because of a civil prohibition to "mix classes." As there were few Spanish women, many men lived in concubinage or married descendants of freed slaves who had somewhat "whitened" in time.

These dispensations allowed men to marry very close cousins and until there were enough women, first cousin marriages became almost common. Interestingly enough, another reason why these endogamic practices were strong was to keep property in the family: in Spanish, instead of "kissing cousins" we say "squeezing cousins.". ;-)

The whole concept of dispensations may be strange to some in an age when the Church allows whatever the state allows, but the way to ascertain the degree of relationship is different from the legal measure. In Ecclesiastical Consanguinity one counts from the common ancestor: siblings are of one degree and never are given dispensations; grandchildren of different parents (of brothers and sisters) are of second degree; children of these first cousins are third degree; a grandchild with a child of a first cousin is second degree mixed with third, etc. Marriage was also forbidden to the same degrees with the relatives of a deceased spouse and needed a Dispensation from an impediment  of affinity (of whatever degree). 

At any rate, I never found my dispensations because none are in existence prior to 1840 and very few prior to 1844. As I had been left at the Archive at 9 a.m. to be picked up at 2 p.m., I made the most of it and began to look through the dispensation records of one of the towns some of my PABON ancestors lived in. No luck, but one surname kept cropping up -- DE RIVERA (later the "de" would be dropped and the "Rivera" would be as common as "Jones" or "Smith"). Three hours into the investigation I had not written one annotation when I found the dispensation of the son of a Pedro Miranda and Juana Salgado with the daughter of Pedro's uncle, and I realized that Pedro's full surname was MIRANDA DE RIVERA (Latin American countries and Spain place the mother's surname last, which is why very often non-Hispanics make the mistake of calling someone, erroneously, Mr. Rivera, when it should be Mr. Miranda Rivera) and that his parents, Venancio MIRANDA and Maria Belen RIVERA, and her brother, Fernando RIVERA all appeared on the dispensation. I then realized all at the same time (I blew a fuse!) that I had seen Fernando's name in an earlier dispensation, that Pedro and his wife were my maternal 4th-great-grandparents and that all those DE RIVERA might be related. So I started from scratch.

During January and February I found more than 150 related DE RIVERA and allied families requesting dispensations from as far as 5th degree impediments and was overwhelmed when I found out that other investigators, e.g., Marisol Ort­z Negr›n of Texas and Angel Otero Mel,ndez of New Jersey, were also descended from a common ancestor surnamed DE RIVERA. Then as I prepared a booklet for publication I was introduced to an Archeologist, who is slowly becoming a friend, who also descends from the patriarch who would have been born circa 1700. By the way, the eldest DE RIVERA I found were Tom s, Juan Lorenzo and Diego (all circa 1725-1735), apparently from the TOA ALTA area of Puerto Rico, a large number of their children and even greater number of their descendants from that town and those of COROZAL, CIALES, NARANJITO, and MOROVIS, all in the northwest and central part of the island west of the San Juan metropolitan area. Since then, I have written to several other possible relatives and have gathered information on people who are inter-related with the Rivera and their descendents. I tried to get some others from one of the message boards to cough up some of their information to see whether they were related but very few responded to my request -- so now if they want to know if these are their DE RIVERA they'll have to purchase the booklet!

I would never have believed that in less than two months I would have found more than a thousand people to add to my Banyan tree (as I like to call the family tree). So my advice to others is that if one of your relatives married a cousin, follow it up; you never know who will end up being a part of your history.

Submitted by Mira Smithwick, SAGA president, SagaCorpus@aol.com

Source: MISSING LINKS: RootsWeb's Genealogy Journal, Vol. 5, No. 15, 12 April 2000, Circulation: 606,956+

(c) 1996-2000 Julia M. Case and Myra Vanderpool Gormley

Search ALL of RootsWeb's mailing lists in real time.  RootsWeb's Personalized Mailing Lists: http://pml.rootsweb.com/                                                                    Return to Table of Contents

More on Yucatan by Richard D. Perry

rperry@west.net  
ESPADANA PRESS Exploring ColonialMexico
http://www.colonial-mexico.com/tixcuytun.html

Underwhelmed Reader Revisited, 
Submitted by Lorraine Hernandez

DearMYRTLE, Daily Genealogy Columnist

America Online Keyword: gf, roots or myrtle  www.DearMYRTLE.com

DearMYRTLE was one of the earliest of support columns for help to family history researcher. After receiving a 1997 email questioning when, why, and who is not providing access to digitized primary documents for researches, suggesting that AOL was responsible. Myrtle answered, and has provided even newer thoughts in caps.

DearREADERS,

The following is the transcript of an article I wrote in 1997 in response to a reader frustrated by the use of modern technology and AOL's Genealogy Forum > in particular. I've added my new comments in CAPS. You will recall that in1997, my column was for AOL readers only. Since then www.GenealogyForum.com and  www.DearMYRTLE.com web sites have been established. Many of the features of the GF and all of the new DM columns are now accessible to anyone with an ISP, not just AOL members. Seems we are still heading in the right direction!

                                Return to Table of Contents

Dear ELLIE,

Unfortunately what you construe to be AOL's problem is really an individual state (AND COUNTY) archives problem. AOL has no control over whether or not a state legislature decides to set aside money for electronic scanning of original documents. In fact, there are only a very few individual groups who have managed to get original documents on the internet. This requires an investment of tens of thousands of dollars in equipment, plus the manpower to maintain a WEB site including a juke box to house the CDs storing the information. (NOW THE COST IS MUCH LOWER, AND BANKS OF HARD DRIVES STORE THE DATA, ALLOWING FOR FASTER RETRIEVAL TIMES THAN WE DREAMED OF IN 1977.)

May I direct your attention to the USF - Lib - Spccoll - Hillsborough County, Florida Marriage Records - Index located at: http://www.lib.usf.edu/spccoll/guide/m/ml/guide.html    This particular site was developed by some wonderful folks at the University of South Florida Library headed by Special Collections Director Thomas Kemp. He managed to rescue the marriage records which Hillsborough County was planning to throw out!  You will also be interested to note that over 135 (NOW 150) talented individuals host the activities in the Genealogy Forum here on AOL. (AOL KEYWORD: ROOTS.) Its really wonderful to be part of the largest genealogy society in the world! And, with its roots on Q-Link (the grandparent of  AOL) and PCLINK- APPLELINK (the parents of AOL), the Genealogy Forum on AOL has a history of over 12 (NOWOVER 15) years providing content and opportunity to its members. Like your local genealogical society, we do all we can to further the family history education of our members. When you attend your local society meeting (perhaps monthly), you learn techniques about a particular locality, discuss the push-pull factors associated with your ethnic group's migration, participate in discussions comparing genealogy management programs, share information with other researchers, and you might even go on research trips with friends.

The same is true with this wonderful online society, EXCEPT the boundaries for membership are not limited by driving distance NOR are the times limited to a monthly two hour meeting! Here in the Genealogy Forum (AOL KEYWORD: ROOTS) one can:

1. Learn the basics in the BEGINNERS' CENTER by accessing FAQ, 5-step program, weekly beginning lessons, beginner's tool kit, and a chat room dedicated to beginners! (THE BEGINNER'S CENTER IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE WEB AT: www.genealogyforum.com

2. Attend Genealogy Forum CHATS on over 100 subjects, usually on a weekly basis. The chat list by topic is over four printed pages in length. (That fact alone amazes me!) (THESE AOL-ONLY GENEALOGY CHATS ARE STILL GOING STRONG, CONSULT THE SCHEDULE FOR TOPICS THAT INTEREST YOU!)

3. Use the Genealogy Forum's RESOURCE CENTER to study regions of the world, ethnic resources, info on vital records, basic addresses, etc. Here you will also find genealogy newsletters from all over the forum as well as information about preserving what you are collecting. There are some particularly great collections in regions of the world, complete with descriptive articles, links to special chat rooms and related web sites.Two close friends have been working hard to develop this area in particular. We're talking 10-20 hours a week (PER) volunteer time investments! (THE RESOURCE CENTER IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE WEB AT: www.genealogyforum.com

4. Access the most useful genealogy web sites through the Genealogy Forum's INTERNET CENTER including Web sites, FTP and gopher sites, newsgroups, mailing & distribution lists. This is often the most confusing part for genealogists who are more familiar with accessing antique vital record books in dusty backstacks. (THE INTERNET CENTER IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE WEB AT: www.genealogyforum.com

5. Check out postings in the Genealogy Forum's MESSAGE BOARD CENTER including Surnames, the US, countries of the world, ethnic & special groups, computer tips, and history. Such messages have exposure to over 8 million subscribers, a LOT better coverage than any genealogy periodical I've heard of. (THESE AOL-ONLY MESSAGE BOARDS NOW REACH OVER 15 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS).

By the way, have you ever done an AOL member search to find those who have your surnames? To do this go to MEMBERS, MEMBER DIRECTORY, and type in your surname, then click SEARCH to view the list of those who meet your criteria. Surely one in 8 million (15 MILLION) subscribers will have something in common with you! 

6. Find something to download from the Genealogy Forum's virus-checked FILES LIBRARY including GEDCOM files, lineages, tafels, photos, history & culture, indexes to vital records (that helpful individuals have chosen to upload), meeting logs, lectures, newsletters, software programs, demos and graphic files (to spruce up your printed family history, or dress up your computer's desktop). (THIS AOL-ONLY AREA IS STILL CHOCK FULL OF GREAT FILES FOR GENEALOGISTS!)

7. Search the Forum, using a text-based browser to located articles on topics you specify. (BOTH AOL's KEYWORD: ROOTS AND THE GENEALOGY FORUM'S WEB SITE HAVE WORD SEARCH CAPABILITIES.)

8. Read the monthly Genealogy Forum NEWS, chock full of the latest info on genealogy, family history and the forum! (THIS IS NOW ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE WEB AT: www.GenealogyForum.com

                                      Return to Table of Contents

Cheri Mello, Portuguese AOL chat hosts said that their host names have been expanded to include the host identity.
hostgfscherim@aol.com

About MyFamily.com, Inc.

MyFamily.com, Inc. is creating the largest and most active online community in the world for families. The company's three Internet sites, MyFamily.com, Ancestry.com, and FamilyHistory.com, which can function independently, work together to form the only family service of its kind. MyFamily.com is the leading provider of free, private Web sites for families, where family members can share photos and news, participate in private voice and text chats, and maintain a calendar of family events. Ancestry.com is the premier online resource for tracing family history, where visitors can discover their roots by searching approximately 550 million names. FamilyHistory.com hosts more than 100,000 free family history oriented message boards that allow users to connect and share information with others who are researching similar family lines. For more information, visit

 http://www.myfamilyinc.com/pressroom.                                          Return to Table of Contents

About Ancestry.com

Ancestry.com makes accessible through one simple search more than 550 million names contained in the most comprehensive and diverse collection of online genealogical databases available. Ancestry.com is committed to adding new databases every business day. Recognized as a leading source for family history data in top publications including Red Herring, Wired and Time, Ancestry.com's commitment to leadership in the market is grounded in a 17-year heritage of genealogy publishing.

For more information, visit http://www.myfamily.com/pressroom.

Ancestry SURNAME COMMUNITIES

We've created a place for you to join your relatives around the globe in researching, building, and collaborating the same surname. Visit the Surname Community today and begin discovering your past. You'll be able to build your family tree online, search ancestry's databases, and post a message on our public message boards.

Visit: http://www.ancestry.com/share/surname/main.htm

Submitted by Mira Smithwick                                                               Return to Table of Contents

ANCESTRY.COM

Sent by: Paul Jarvis pjarvis@myfamilyinc.com

Launches free Online Library of family history instruction material. New archives contain extensive "how-to" content. 

OREM, UTAH - March 27, 2000 - Ancestry.com, part of the MyFamily.com, Inc. network of Internet sites, announced the launch of a new online reference library containing hundreds of articles from Ancestry magazine, The library is the one of the largest collections of family history instruction material on the Internet and can be browsed by category, author, date, column or article title.

The new library's vast collection provides a powerful resource for both beginner and expert genealogists. Interactive features enable visitors to email an article directly to friends and allow readers to give feedback to Ancestry.com. Articles can be accessed in a "printer-friendly" format that enables easy use for instructional or other purposes.

More than 500 articles are currently available through the library and additional articles are added each business day. Readers will be able to access more than 3000 articles by the end of the year. To bridge the gap between online and offline resources, the library contains a complete list of all books and CD ROMS currently being published by Ancestry.com. The Ancestry Reference Library can be accessed online at http://www.ancestry.com/library/archive.asp.

Mailing Lists- RootsWeb.com

Browsing is the best way to find mailing lists that relate to the surname, location and/or topic of interest to you. Genealogy-related mailing lists hosted at RootsWeb.com can be found at <http://www.rootsweb.com/~maillist/>.

Interactive online genealogy lessons, you'll find links to resources at RootsWeb and elsewhere on the Internet. Index to Lessons <http://www.rootsweb.com/~rwguide/>

Once you have found a mailing list of interest, you can search the messages year by year by using the Mailing List Interactive Search.

 It provides access to the millions of e-mail messages in the Mailing List   Archive. Do a separate search for each mailing list and for each year that such mailing list is archived. Some messages date back to as long ago as 1987.

<http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl>

Sent by Lynette Chapa,  via iVillagers cheezcrisp & JM

Sent by Irma Cantu                5/8/00