We Are Cousins - South Texas and Northeastern Mexico Genealogy: September 2011

Friday, September 30, 2011

The Mystery - Rancho Santa Teresa

I first came aware of Rancho Santa Teresa when I found Martin Garza's Catholic Church Record at FamilySearch. Unfortunately I have not been able to find this ranch but I have found several clues so far.

My first clue was the same page where Martin's baptism was recorded. There are two other baptismal records that indicate that the children documented there where also born in Rancho Santa Teresa.

My second clue is Mary Jo Galindo's Dissertation "Con Un Pie En Cada Lado: Ethnicities and the Archaeology of Spanish Colonial Ranching Communities Along the Lower Río Grande Valley" on pg 142 she indicates that in a partial Census of Mier taken around 1817, which is in private hands, the Rancho is listed as Santa Teresa de Guardado. Unfortunately she does not list the names of the individuals listed but provided the following synopsis of the rancho:

Indivi- Horses Mules

Rancho Name Families duals Goats Sheep Cattle Mares Tame Colts Tame Colts

Santa Teresa de Guardado 14 71 769 2037 16 34 16 3 6 0

Could this be possibly Guardados de Arriva and Guardados de Abajo which are two communities near Present day Miguel Aleman, Tamaulipas, Mexico?

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Spanish Colonial Ranching Communities

Image from Galindo's Dissertation pg 7 showing the
colonial ranches of Laredo, Dolores, Revilla, Mier,
and Camargo.

Anyone doing Genealogy research in South Texas and Northeastern Mexico at one point, while doing research, cannot help but stumble into Mary Jo Galindo's Dissertation "Con Un Pie En Cada Lado: Ethnicities and the Archaeology of Spanish Colonial Ranching Communities Along the Lower Río Grande Valley" which is a great 353 page work about South Texas and Northeastern Mexico Ranching and its early families. Once you read this Dissertation your views about the settlement, people, and ranchos about this area will completely be transformed. She describes her Dissertation in her own words:

This dissertation involves archaeological excavations and historical analyses of ranches and towns associated with this border in order to understand the nature and articulation of the ranch and town settlements, the types of household production and livestock raising that sustained them, their trade relationships as reflected in their material culture, and the complex issues of ethnic identity construction along a contested border through time. Although my primary goal is to shed new light on a process of colonization and adaptation to a border context that went on a century before the more-studied Anglo-American colonization of the region, this is also a personal journey, because I am a descendant of these early pobladores and my family’s roots are in this border region.

In this document she also provides a unique map of the Mier Porciones of which I have not been able to find anywhere else. She also has family trees and talks about families that are direct ancestors of mine through my paternal side, the Gonzalez from Rancho Los Arrieros (porciones 20 and 21) and Guerra from present day Los Guerra (porcion 6). Give it a read you will enjoy it, it is very detailed and informative.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

PARES - Portal to the Archives of Spain

Another great tool when researching South Texas and Northern Mexico Genealogy is PARES (Portal de Archivos Espanoles).

Don't forget to run your ancestor names in their archives search since it contains numerous collections pertaining to mexico and all of Spaniard territories before the 1800's I found a document as old as 1695 which pertained to one of my ancestors dying intestate and how the family was dividing his estate. The Spanish will be sometimes hard to read but we have to adapt.

This archives contain documents all the way from brawls due to love affairs up to Spaniard officer files. Fortunately in my family tree I have quite a bunch of Spaniard officers. I'll be posting some findings in future posts.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Zamora's Rancho La Mecca Cemetery

Years ago while driving by on our way to Rancho El Ebanito (the family ranch in Los Guajillos, Miguel Aleman, Tamaulipas, Mexico) I saw tombstones from the road. I asked my father Lauro Garza about them and he stated that that was the cemetery of Los Zamora’s and my mother San Juana Tanguma stated that my grandfather’s father Yldefonso Zamora was buried there as well as his parents.

This happened in the 1990's and by around 2006 the land around the cemetery was sold the monte was cut down and the tombstones could no longer be seen, it can just be assumed that they were also destroyed but if that is the case this is still the location were the cemetery should be located at.

Once the drug violence stops, I will go and find out if they were destroyed or if they are just covered by the tall grass. The following is a picture of the piece of land where the cemetery should be located at, the red circle mark's the spot.

Source: "Zamora's Cemetery" 26°14'16.14" N 99°08'03.60" W. Google Earth. September 30, 2010. May 23, 2011.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Jose Martin Garza Garcia - Rancho De Santa Tereza

Jose Martin Garza Garcia is my great-great-grandfather on my paternal side. Unfortunately I don't have much information about Martin and I am currently researching him further. The only thing I have been able to find was his baptismal record on FamilySearch. According to an informal interview with my uncle Horacio Garza he stated that both Martin and his wife are buried in the Cemetery of Los Trevinos, Miguel Aleman, Tamaulipas, Mexico but I have not been able to find their graves. I still have to search the Cemeteries in Mier and El Nogalito to be completely sure that I may never find their graves.

1st Generation

1. Jose Rafael Garza died on an unknown date. He married Maria Ramona Garcia on Oct. 20, 1834 in Inmaculada Concepción, Mier, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Children of Jose Rafael Garza and Maria Ramona Garcia
i. 2. Jose Diego De Jesus Garza was born on Nov. 12, 1835 in Mier,
Tamaulipas, Mexico and died on an unknown date.
ii. 3. Jose Martin Garza was born on Jan. 30, 1837 in Rancho De Santa
Tereza, Tamaulipas, Mexico and died on an unknown date.
iii. 4. Pablo Garza died on Nov. 23, 1838 in Mier, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
iv. 5. Jose George Garza died on Oct. 27, 1840 in Mier, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

2nd Generation (Children)

2. Jose Diego De Jesus Garza was born on Nov. 12, 1835 in Mier, Tamaulipas, Mexico and died on an unknown date. He married Jacinta Lopez, daughter of Jose Manuel Lopez and Maria Tomasa de la Garza, on Aug. 8, 1859 in Inmaculada Concepción, Mier, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

3. Jose Martin Garza was born on Jan. 30, 1837 in Rancho De Santa Tereza, Tamaulipas, Mexico and died on an unknown date. He married Maria Ruperta Lopez, daughter of Jose Manuel Lopez and Maria Tomasa de la Garza, on Mar. 3, 1862 in Inmaculada Concepción, Mier, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

4. Pablo Garza died on Nov. 23, 1838 in Mier, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

5. Jose George Garza died on Oct. 27, 1840 in Mier, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Note: The above information comes from FamilySearch, Ricardo Salinas, and my uncles Horacio Garza and aunt Amelia Garza (both brother of my father Lauro Garza Marroquin). Also keep in mind that there may have had been more children but these are the only ones I have found since snippets of their lives were documented.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

New or Updated Records at Family Search

Family Search has added or updated the following records:

Out of these new additions or updates I am very interested in the Nuevo Leon and Zacatecas Civil Registrations, Ill let you all know about any new family that I am sure to discover with this documents.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Abstracting & Transcribing Genealogical Documents

I do not intend nor will I do a tutorial on how or the importance of Abstracting & Transcribing Genealogical Documents but I will point you in the right direction, just follow these steps:

First

Read Kimberly Powell's article in about.com where she explains the importance of Abstracting & Transcribing Genealogical Documents. She also explains what each is and its role in genealogy.

Second

Read and use, Spanish Records Extraction - An Instructional Guide from byu.edu.

Finally

Use Transcript 2.3 or Genscriber depending on your needs, both are free for personal non commercial use.

Remember always add your abstracts or transcribing to your genealogical database.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Free Genealogy Software

Free is always good specially if your budget does not allow you to buy things that you absolutly don't need. With being the proud father of a toodler and a baby on diapers, there is not much extra left over. Here are a five programs that won't cost a penny unless you want the extras that each offers. I am not going to describe them since I believe that the best way to chose the best one for you is by installing each one and trying them out for yourself.

Legacy family Tree Standard Edition

RootsMagic Essentials

Ancestral Quest Basics

Family Tree Builder - (My favorite and the one I use)

Personal Ancestral File

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Family of Amado Capetillo and Abelina Suarez - Found In the 1930 Mexico Census

I found the following family which are ancestors of one of my brothers in law at familysearch.org and found the original image of the census at Ancestry.com.

1. Amado Capetillo was born About 1888 in Nuevo Leon, Mexico and died on an unknown date. He married Abelina Suarez. Abelina was born About 1891 in Nuevo Leon, Mexico and died on an unknown date.

Children of Amado Capetillo and Abelina Suarez
i. 2. Nemecio Capetillo was born About 1912 in Nuevo Leon, Mexico and died on an unknown date.
ii. 3. Genovevo Capetillo was born About 1916 and died on an unknown date.
iii. 4. Julia Capetillo was born About 1918 in Nuevo Leon, Mexico and died on an unknown date.
iv. 5. Manuel Capetillo was born About 1920 in Nuevo Leon, Mexico and died on an unknown date.
v. 6. Salvador Capetillo was born About 1922 in Nuevo Leon, Mexico and died on an unknown date.
vi. 7. Jesus Capetillo was born About 1924 in Nuevo Leon, Mexico and died on an unknown date.
vii. 8. Jose Capetillo was born About 1926 in Nuevo Leon, Mexico and died on an unknown date.
viii. 9. Maria Capetillo was born About 1928 in Nuevo Leon, Mexico and died on an unknown date.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

1930 Mexico National Census - Free at Ancestry.com

Part of Image from Ancestry.com

The 1930 Mexican Census is available for free at ancestry.com, I already found family in the area around Los Ramones Nuevo Leon and obtained some images. Will you find yours. This census has been labeled as the most important census of the 20th century with over 90% of the population participating.

Search for FREE on Ancestry.com.

It includes over 12.8 Million names.

Unfortunately, I could not locate any family in the Miguel Aleman Tamaulipas area and it apears to be missing. Also could not locate ancestors In the Diaz Ordaz area. I need to do further research to find out why, I just hope the information is there and the problem is me. Well happy hunting, as for me I am still diving into it.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Texas General Land Office Land Grant Search

The Texas land grant database contains over 4,200 land titles issued by Spain and Mexico from 1720 to 1836 covering 26 million acres and other collections for a total of 656,129 records. You can get a full description of it or start searching for your ancestors at the land grant search. Happy Hunting.

Copyright © Moises Garza. All rights reserved, with exception to Land Office Logo. Article may be reused for whatever purpose, and it is encouraged, as long as it is in its entirety including this notice. moisesgarza@gmail.com

Monday, September 19, 2011

Luis Zamora Rios - Baptism and Death Story

When I was just a small kid I used to hear my mother Sanjuana Tanguma Lopez tell the story of how Luis Zamora died. Luis was my mothers half uncle since he and her father Juan Tanguma where half brothers. Their fathers name was Yldefonso Zamora Mendoza. Luis's baptism record was the key to finding who Yldefonso's parents where. The following image can be found in the 24th Baptismal Book of La Parroquia de Mier in Ciudad Mier, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Baptism Image:

Click to enlarge.

Transcription:

No 164
Luis
Zamora
Rios

En la Yglesia Parroquial de Mier Tam. a los doce dias del mes de Noviembre

de mil novecientos veintedos el infrascrito cura Economo de ella bautizo

solemnemente a un nino quien puso por nombre Luis nacido en esta

ciudad en el veinte cinco de Agosto de mil novecientos veinteuno, hijo

natural de Yldefonso Zamora y Felipa Rios. Abuelos paternos Ga-

bino Zamora y Paula Mendoza. Abuelos Maternos Andres Rios y Pi-

lar Gonzalez advirtio su obligacion y parentesco espirit-

tual a los padrinos que fueron Francisco y Ramona Gonzalez Pa-

ra constancia lo Firmo

Padre L. Llamas Flores

Death at an early age:

According to my mother family lore states that the day that Luis died there was a dance (baile) in El Nogalito, Municipio de Miguel Aleman Tamaulipas, a nearby town only a few miles away from La Mecca (the Zamora's ranch). She stated that that night Luis went to the dance and that while there someone cut open his throat with a knife. He was in his teens, about 17 years old, when this happened. She stated that Luis died in his mothers arms. My mother stated that Luis's mother keep her clothing and his clothes all covered with blood. She stated that when ever she would bring them out she would weep due to a pain only known to mothers whose children have died. When asked my mother stated that they never found out who killed Luis.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Raul Longoria's Website

For all of you who may barely be getting their feet wet into their own family genealogy and or family history here is another great resource that I have used many times over and over again. http://raullongoria.net/ is in my opinion one of the greatest resources for hispanic genealogy when it comes to the South Texas and Northern Mexican Genealogy. Starting with this past year Raul N. Longoria posted his sources online thus giving us the oportunity to evaluate his great work and also pointing us to the original documents. The following quote is a description for hsi website.

Many of us with deep family roots in South Texas have found that we are part of a very large extended family; you may find some of your own ancestors here. – Raul N. Longoria

I have posted a link to his website on the resource page of this blog.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Breaking Brick Walls in Genealogy Research

I recently broke two brick walls when doing my own family research; I thought it would be nice if I shared them with you all.

First Brick Wall,

In my Garza family line I had only gone as far back as to my great-great-grandpa, I only knew his name to be Martin Garza but I could not figuer out his wife’s name. I searched every possible way I knew how. I did ask my father but he did not know who the wife might be. I thought if my dad does not know no one knows. Then I thought to myself what if I ask my dad’s sister tia Amelia. So I called my cousin Yolanda who is the eldest daughter of my aunt and she agreed to ask my aunt if she knew who that wife of Martin Garza might be. She called minutes later and told me that the name was Ruperta Lopez. Once I hanged up I could not wait and headed to www.familysearch.org and found their marriage record listing their parents also, and guess what tonight I’ll be researching them.

Second Brick Wall,

I was doing research on one of my wife’s aunts by marriage. I knew she was from the area of Abram Texas and I also had her parent’s names but could not find any more information about them. So I went over to www.texaslandrecords.com and searched for her mother first, there I came across a 1955 Oil and Gas Lease listing her and her husband. What caught my eye where the other names listed on the lease with her same last name. I then went over to www.familysearch.org and searched for one of those names which I had assumed was one of her brothers and there it was a U.S. 1910 Census matching three of the names in the Oil and Gas Lease, and listing also the parents. The same happened once I started to search for her father’s information, I found a 1956 Oil and Gas Lease and found him listed in the U.S. 1920 census listed as Amidio instead of Amadeo. It listed all the siblings and also their parents.

The Lesson,

Reach out and ask
Try and go around the brick wall by searching for siblings instead

Friday, September 16, 2011

Chimney at Rancho Viejo

Rancho Viejo is the name of the ranch were the Marroquines through my fathers side once lived starting in the 1880′s in northern Tamaulipas. The Marroquines in my family were originally from Allende and Santiago Nuevo Leon and have traced them back as far as 1680′s. I have yet to discover why they left their native Allende Nuevo Leon to settle this land. Pedro Marroquin was born and baptised in Allende and ended up marrying my great grandmother Maria Amalia Gonzalez in Mier Tamaulipas Mexico on Aug 27 1912. I have traced her ancestors as back far as the 1590′s. This picture is of the chimney that is left from my great grandparents original jacal. According to my father his aunt accidently burned it down to the ground and they built another jacal about 300 feet in front of this one but only the chimney remains also. Till this date Rancho Viejo continues to be property of the Marroquines.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Lauro Garza Marroquin - Photo Restoration

You may ask yourself what does restoring photos have to do with genealogy. In my opinion evreything, it gives a face to a name and instant imagery to a place. It makes our old photos more presentable and gives them a second chance.

Photo restoration if done by a profesional can get very expensive depending on vendor and how many photos you may need restored.

I for sure can not afford to pay $35.00 or more per picture. I do my restoration my self and I do it digitally using Paint Shop Pro CS3 wich runs for about $77.00, believe me you will not regret purchasing it and besides it is way cheaper than Photoshop.

Photo of Lauro Garza Marroquin Before

Photo of Lauro Garza Marroquin After

I fixed the photo by using the touch up tool on the left hand side panel and also by copying and pasting pieces of similar looking areas in the photo. For a more detailed guide on restoring and fixing your pictures look at this about.com article.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

John Wilmot's Genealogy Notebook

Each Wednesday of the week I will post the link to a blog, website, or article that covers South Texas and Northern Mexico Genealogy.

This weeks pick is JOHN WILMOT’S GENEALOGY NOTEBOOK

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Birth Certificates for Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon

Today I added two of my favorite resources to the resources page of this website. They are the Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon Birth Certificate search websites. Unfortunately to do searches you have to actually know who you are looking for.

The Tamaulipas one asks only for a date of birth and you have to select which Municipality you want to search. Once you find your relative you will be provided with all types of details and also with the parent’s names and their age. I did my own and it worked great.

The Nuevo Leon one is a bit different you have to enter the mothers and fathers last name, person’s name, and date of birth. Once you find the relative you are looking for you will be provided with parents and grandparents names. It is pretty neat. I found my mother’s information using this website.

Texas Land Records

A few days ago I found this owsome resource when it comes to Texas Land Grants. It is www.texaslandrecords.com and Hidalgo County is on their free searches and free images. The only requierement is that you signup but it is free, and also install a TIFF reader, but once you do it you won’t regret it. After playing a few days with it I am still amazed at the wealth of genealogical information I found and not to mention downloadable copies of original court documents. Give it a try.

Copyright © Moises Garza. All rights reserved. Article may be reused for any purpose, and it is encouraged, as long as it is for non-commercial use and it includes this notice. An effort has been made to use materials that provide credit to author or rights holder. If you find anything that should not be listed in this article contact me at moisesgarza@gmail.com

South Texas and Northern Mexico Genealogy

Welcome to We Are Cousins, after much thought I saw the need to create a blog that would not only serve as a place to document my research, family stories, but also a resource to those interested in South Texas and Northern Mexico Genealogy. I also hope that with this blog I can network with other researchers interested in this region. To keep up to date with this blog simply subscribe to the rss atom feed.