PREGUNTAS Y RESPUESTAS
Nos.: latest through #761 (Years 2019 through 2015)
This page is for the exchange of genealogical/historical information relevant to early (pre 1848) Hispanic Californians (also called Californianos or Californios) and their descendants. We will include both question (Pregunta) and answers (Respuestas) for the benefit of all the cousins of the questioner. Questions and responses may be submitted by using the following link: Queries & Responses.
Los Californianos does not guarantee the accuracy of any of the information appearing on this page. It was collected and submitted by a family history enthusiast just like you, and has not been verified. When you use this information, please realize that it is meant to be a research tool, not a source of completely error-free material. The genealogical information provided here should be a starting point from which you continue your research. Please take the necessary steps to verify all information before permanently adding it to your own collection of family information. La Tejedora
Pregunta 796 - 23 November 2019
My son is a descendant of Maximo Martinez (Rancho Corte Madera land grant) and I am trying to get more information for him about Maximo - in particular where he is buried. [Liann Sumner, non-member]
Pregunta 795 - 17 November 2019
On Nov 9th 2019 I found a response from Howard Lee Smith, I think that he responded in 2016 or 2017 to a previous question that I had posted. My gg grandfather was Devereaux Jerome Woodlief, Col. D.J. Woodlief. Mr. Smith stated that Woodlief had married a Spanish lady but my computer crashed and I have lost her name. The post started, Maria Franciscia married D.J. Woodlief. Could someone search or tell me where to search on preguntas and respuestas. I understand that they had children. I am a white anglo saxon and am from D.J. Woodlief's first marriage in Texas. He was in Calif. from 1846 till 1854 I would like to know the history of their descendants who are my distant cousins. For direct contact my e-,mail is quenci@sbcglobal.net I I would appreciate any information. [L. Scott, non-member]
Pregunta 794 - 27 October 2019
Are the TWT surnames (EISENGA, CYNTHIA- Surnames To The Temple Records online to view? I tried Family Search and various family sites and can't seem to locate. [Andrea Bassetti, (non-member)]
Pregunta 793 - 17 August 2019
I am looking for info on my great grandfather who had a child with Agustina Miranda on The Rancho San Jose, Pomona Calif about 1863. That child was my grandfather, Blas Miranda Valdez who came to Ariz Territory about 1868 & settled in Redington AZ. Agustina had 2 other children - Tomas & Fransisca who stayed in the area of Azusa Calif. It is not known if my great grandfather's name was also Blas but he was thought to have roots in Argentina. Also would like to know about my great grandmother, Agustina Miranda who probably gave birth to her 3 children on the Rancho San Jose. [Margaret Valdez, (non-member)]
Pregunta 792 - 5 August 2019
Cantua (San Carlos Mission Indian) I am looking for date and place of death for an Ancestor. He went by several names in his lifetime: he was baptized as Buenaventura (no surname); Ventura was his common name; as an adult he added the surname Cantua (not a family name, but perhaps that of a godparent, benefactor, cousin or friend); he sometimes used Ventura Soto; and he may have sometimes used a Native name, Quittit (as did his father and grandfather). He was born on or around July 14, 1816 at the San Carlos (Carmel) Mission in California, and lived all of his life in the Carmel, Monterey County area, moving from house to house with different relatives after he and his wife eventually separated. And, sometime in his early adulthood, he was blinded in a dispute. Our storyteller Isabel Meadows says that Ventura died "1/4 mile upstream of La Rancheria at the house of his son José Antonio...he died of his throat shutting itself, like a strong diptheria." (Fact check: yes, Diptheria was making the rounds in Monterey County in 1884-5.) She also notes that he died sometime after his wife, Teodosia, who passed in 1885. Ventura was alive in 1879, when he was sketched by Joseph Strong at the San Carlos Day service (below). So, sometime after 1885, I think, Ventura died, perhaps as old as 70. I've done a lot of research in this area, but none of my usual sources have anything. Posting here because my mom, Madgel Miranda, used this site a lot and always had good luck. Many thanks! [Deborah Miranda (non-member)]
Pregunta 791 - 12 October 2018
I would like to know if anyone has any more information on CIPRIANO COTA born abt. 1836. He is the father of MANUEL COTA GONZALES. I'm asking about information about CIPRIANO COTA'S parents or if he had any milicia records. [Celene Federico (nonmember]
Pregunta 790 - 10 September 2018
I am trying to find information about the Larrinaga (Larrañaga, Larreinaga) family who I believe settled in San Diego, Alta Calif. I need more information to apply for membership. [Jack DeZell (nonmember)]
Pregunta 789 - 24 July 2018
Hi: came across your very interesting site while researching a family I believe is part of mine. I am trying to find any descendants of the family of John C KAYS, whose wife was Maria Josefa BURKE: he was one of the founding pioneers of Santa Barbara, and had many children - would love to make contact if any belong to your organisation. I am in London, England, and researching from this distance is very difficult! Many thanks. [Theresa Musgrove (nonmember), London England]
Note: In Marie E. Northrop's Spanish-Mexican Families of Early California: 1769-1850, vol. II, pp. 27-28, I found Maria Josefa Bruna BORONDA born 8 Oct. 1799, baptized 10 Oct. 1799 at Mission Santa Clara, Alta Calif. Her parents were Jose Manuel BORONDA (born about 1750 at Guadalajara, Mex., buried 21 Jan. 1882 at San Luis Obispo, Alta Calif.] and Maria Gertrudis HIGUERA [baptized 28 June 1776 at Mission San Carlos de Monterey, Alta Calif.; died 10 Dec. 1851 at Santa Barbara, Calif.].
Maria Josefa BORONDA married first Manuel Antonio COTA (as his second wife) on 29 Sept. 1817 at Mission San Carlos de Monterey, Alta Calif. (Manuel died 23 Aug. 1826 from p. 116, vol. I.) She married second Gualterio BURKE (James Walter BURKE) on 9 Jan. 1828 at Mission San Carlos de Monterey, Alta Calif.
Jose BORONDA and Maria HIGUERA were married when she was 14 on 27 Jan. 1790 at Mission Santa Clara, Alta Calif. They had 14 children and Maria Josefa Bruna was the 6th. Jose was a corporal, carpenter, and teacher at San Francisco and Monterey, Alta Calif., 1790-1818. The school at Monterey was called Tularcitos. He built the first adobe casa outside the presidio walls about 1817.
On pp. 184-186 I found Maria Gertrudis HIGUERA was the 4th child (of nine) of Jose Manuel HIGUERA [b. about 1744 at Villa de Sinaloa, Sinaloa, Mex.; buried 29 Aug. 1828 at Mission San Juan Bautista, Alta Calif.] and Maria Ignacia Antonia Limon REDONDO ( or ARREDONDO) [b. about 1752 at Villa de Sinaloa, Sinaloa, Mex.; buried 13 May 1834 at Mission San Juan Bautista, Alta Calif.]. Jose HIGUERA and Maria REDONDO were married about 1769 at Villa de Sinaloa, Sinaloa, Mex. Jose Manuel HIGUERA was head of one of twelve families to come from San Blas, Mex., to Loreto, Baja Calif., and overland to San Diego, Alta Calif., in Sept. 1774; he came with his wife and first two sons. He enlisted in Monterey Company and became an original poblador of Pueblo San Jose, Alta Calif., on 29 Nov 1777. He was a resident of Rancho Natividad at his death.
These places were part of Nueva España until the Mexican Revolution and then part of Mexico from 1821 until Alta California was acquired by the U.S. in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. It is my understanding that the records of Villa de Sinaloa have been lost. If someone knows otherwise, please let me know.
I am descended from Maria Gertrudis' sister, Maria Ygnacia Rita HIGUERA. Buenos días prima Theresa. (Good morning cousin Theresa.) La Tejedora
Pregunta 788 - 2 July 2018
Has anyone found the list of California presidio soldiers who donated to King Carlos’ request (2 pesos) to fund Spain. Requested 1781-1784. The donations were used by Spain for the American Revolution? Finding the donation list will open the door for prospective DAR members.
[Joyce Winsryg (nonmember)]
Note: Descending from a soldier of Spain serving in Alta California during the American Revolution qualifies a descendant for the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). La Tejedora
Pregunta 787 - 13 June 2018
Hello,
I am searching for any information on Manuel COTA married to Maria MORALES VILLA?
Any information on them would be greatly appreciated. Manuel COTA'S parents were Cipriano COTA and Josefa GONZALES, he was born abt 1874. He married Maria MORALES who was born in 1878 in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Together they had 9 children in the town of Tecate, Baja Calif. This is all the information I have so far. Any info as to were Manuel was born or lived in his early life would come of great help.
Thank you very much. [Celene Federico (nonmember)]
Please note that Pregunta 780 gives descendants of Cipriano and Josefa. La Tejedora
Pregunta 787 update - 15 June 2018
Maria MORALES' parents were Juan Morales ANADRADE and Placida Villa OSIA. [Celene Federico (nonmember)]
Pregunta 786 - 7 May 2018
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