Latest Update: 12 July 2008

PREGUNTAS Y RESPUESTAS

This page is for the exchange of genealogical information relevant to
early (pre 1848) Hispanic Californians 
(also called Californianos or Californios) and their descendants.
We will include both question and answers, for the benefit of all the cousins of the questioner.
This sub page has been added to ensure 
(1) that the Queries page continues to load in a reasonable amount of time and 
(2) that the older Preguntas and Respuestas are available to new visitors to our Web site.

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 130 - 25 April 2003

Gov. Pio Pico had a son by an Indian woman whom he did not marry. That son, Alfrado had a son by the name of Celestino. This would make Celestino Pico, the grandson of Pio Pico. Celestino married Ramona Padilla, daughter of Yilario Padilla and Juana Rosas. Who were the parents of Yilario Padilla and Juana Rosas? [Shirley Jones (nonmember), Whittier, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 130 - 20 February 2008

I would like to contact Shirley Jones of Whittier to find out the name of the Indian woman that had children with Pio Pico.
My contact is Talia54321@yahoo.com [Talia Pico (nonmember), Foster City, Calif.]

Pregunta 129 - 7 April 2003

Where does the last name Casimiro come from? [Ruben (nonmember), Fontana, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 129 - 7 April 2003

Saint Casimiro was the patron saint of Poland and Casimiro was the name of five kings of Poland. Several of these kings married off their children into noble/royal families of other countries to ensure good relations between the countries. Perhaps, it came from these marriages. My encyclopedia says that is how it became a common name in Germany. [Benita H. Gray (member), San Diego, Calif.]

Pregunta 128 - 3 April 2003

Hi,
I am involved with two properties involving Californiano women. I live in the Miranda Grant in San Francisco, a 100 vara piece of the Presidio given to  Corporal Apolinaro Miranda in 1838 and where he and Juana Briones lived. I have visited Juana's website but wondered if you had more information or could guide me to another site. do you have copies of the Sanford maps that show where the buildings, windmill etc. were?

I also am a member of the Board and one of the founding members of a group dedicated to the restoration of the James Johnston house in Half Moon Bay. Johnston, a Scott, married Petra de Haro and they had four children who lived. Daughter Alice died as a child. Johnston built an unusual house  for his Californiano wife -- a saltbox with a Catholic chapel on the second floor. I am particularly interested in Petra's father and mother  and their ancestry. The house was built in 1853-1855 of mortise and tendon construction. When the Johnstons moved in they had at least one child.

I would appreciate any guidance or information you can give me. Many thanks.
[Terry Pimsleur (nonmember), San Francisco, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 128 - 4 February 2005

You visited Juana's Web site, but want more information or other sites for El Ojo de Agua de Figueroa --- look in the Presidio Web site here: http://www.stanford.edu/group/presidio/juana.html. Maybe you'd like Mexican Land Grants/ Ranchos San Francisco County here: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/EART/SanFranciscoRanchos.html. Enjoy, [Teresa Russell y Espinosa de Boronda (nonmember), Long Beach, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 128 - 21 January 2005

Dear Mr. Pimsleur: I was interested to learn that you live on what you call the Miranda grant in San Francisco, which I generally call the Ojo de Agua de Figueroa. I am writing a biography of Juana Briones, wife of the owner, Apolinario Miranda, and so am familiar with the land. The buildings on the west side of Lyon Street are on land that formed the boundary between the Miranda grant and the Presidio. The grant was for 100 varas square, a vara is about 33 inches. The first map, called in Hispanic times a diseño, showed a stream, the Ojo de Agua, flowing in an east-west direction almost exactly down the middle of the plot. Apolinario died in 1847, and when Californians had to validate their land ownership, Juana did so for herself and children as his heirs. Sanborn maps would have come later. Sorry, I have never heard about a windmill there. I know that Juana sold the land to Matilda Hill in 1862. A good source on Juana is an article by Bowman in the magazine of the California Historical Society of Southern California, in 1957. [Jeanne McDonnell (member), Palo Alto, Calif.]

Pregunta 127 - 3 April 2003

I'm looking for information regarding José María Ruiz.  He was in the 1st Bat. California Native Cavalry from 1864 until he was mustered out in 1866 at the Drum Barracks in Torrance. I have not been able to find any trace of him after leaving the military. His wife was Ramona Navarro, of whom I am unable to find any information. [Karen (nonmember), La Mesa, Calif.]

Pregunta 126 - 28 March 2003

Another limiter on this is the family rumor that she died "young" of a broken heart. Well, in 1890 she would have been 47 years old so that doesn't leave too many years to still be considered "young".  The problem seems to be the many names she goes by. Apparently after the separation she went back to using Espinos/za . Hopefully that would be the name of record at her death. First names have been: Angie, Angeles, María, Angelita, and the full name as above.

Is there anyone in the Santa Cruz, San Mateo areas willing to have a go at finding this elusive one? Thanks for trying if you do. Here is the abstract of the census record:
Household Record 1880 United States Census
Household:

Name/ Relation/ Marital Status/ Gender/ Race/ Age/ Birthplace/ Occupation/ Father's Birthplace/ Mother's Birthplace

Angeles ESPINOZA/ Self/ W /Female /W/ 36 /CA/blank/ CA /CA
Mercy B. ESPINOZA /Dau/ S/ Female/ W /17/ CA /At Home/ CA/ CA
Alexander ESPINOZA/ Son/ S/ Male/ W/ 15/ CA/ At Home/ CA/CA
Dolores ESPINOZA/ Dau/ S/ Female/ W/ 14/ CA/ At Home/ CA/ CA
Joseph R. ESPINOZA/ Son/ S/ Male/ W/ 12/ CA/ At Home/ CA/ CA
Flabino ESPINOZA/ Son/ S/ Male/ W/ 10/ CA/blank/ CA/ CA
Teresa RODRIGUES/ Niece/ S/ Female/ W/ 16/ CA/blank/ CA/ CA
Peter IDALGO/ Other/ S/ Male/ W/ 14/ CA/blank/ CHILE/ CA

Source information:
Census Place Township 3 San Mateo, California
Family History Library Film 1254080
NA Film Number T9-0080
Page Number 428B

Angeles Espinoza is María Angelita de los Ángeles Espinosa. Dolores is the sister we have as Elizabeth, I believe. Mercy B. is Mercedes. Joseph R. is Jose Ramon. Flabino (that one is a doozy!) is Jose Flavio (Walter Robert). [Gail Slade (nonmember), Maine]

Respuesta a Pregunta 126 - 29 May 2003

Respuesta a Pregunta 126 - 25 April 2003

Where to start;
1. I have found lots of information on María de los Angeles Espinosa at familysearch.org. Once there go to Search Ancestral File and type in María Espinosa. The contributor here is Mrs. Lois Elaine McCloskey LeMay,  1904 Pueblo Street , Yuma, AZ  85364-5529 [great granddaughter of María Espinosa]. Maybe if you can contact her she can give you the help you desire. There is listed at this Web site all of María Espinosa's 19 siblings as well as her 5 children. This is the place for you to search !! Good site !! The latest date made available here is 1981, and no dates are listed for Lois other than PRIVATE, which I assume means she is still living.
2. Also there is listed at genealogy.com several Maria Espinosa's. One in particular, your María de los Angeles Espinosa with all of the specifications as to marriage and Walter Bonilla being correct. There is also a María Espinosa also listed in an 1870 census with 5 children (Carlos, Juan, Juana, Felipe, and Mariana) living in San Luis Obispo County. The contributor of this information is :  Donald B. Miller , 15600 Wild Oak Way,  Saratoga, CA 95070. This person, according to what he lists, does not know much about María's death. This address may not current.
Best of luck in your search, as there are hundreds of María Espinosas listed at both of the above web site.  [ Jimmie Hardy (member), Winston, Ore.]

Pregunta 125 - 28 March 2003

Hola Amigos y Amigas:
Within my list of family names is Salgado, There is a Thomas Salgado and his wife, Manuela who were in the Salinas Valley where they were to spawn several children, one of which is my great grandmother, Ginoveval Salgado, born 1861 at Castroville, Calif. My question being is there anyone out there who can trace their lineage to the above Thomas and Manuela Rosalia? More specifically, as to where and when Thomas and Manuela were born. I am of the belief that Thomas is a descendant of Francisco Salgado. I believe his brother was a Padre, a Jesuit priest from Loreto, but am not quite sure of this. Hopefully someone can help me in this quest of discovery into my past.

I have a listing by Bancroft that there was a Thomas Salgado who was a juez auxiliary at Monterey in 1844, but nothing more there. Thanks in advance of any response that may ensue from this query. [Jimmie Hardy (member), Winston, Ore.]

Pregunta 124 - 28 March 2003

My mother was born Mary Betty Ferry; her parents were William Ferry and Mary Olive Hidalgo. Mary Olive's parents were Mary Nattie (Natividad) Boronda and Pedro Hidalgo. Mary Nattie's parents were José Francisco Laureano Boronda and Juana Maria Villa. José Francisco's Laureano's parents were José Manuel Boronda and Juana María Inocencia Cota.

I would appreciate any information that anyone has regarding my family, especially Juana María Villa and Pedro Hidalgo (whom I have no information on ). Thanks in advance for any help that you can give this confused beginner. [Sherry Donovan-Moser (nonmember), Las Vegas, Nev.] Note: see also follow-up #183

Respuesta a Pregunta 124 - 12 July 2008

I am Janel (Westlake) Withers, descendant of Jose Manuel Boronda.  I just want to make sure you all know there is a book Cathedral in the Sun by Anne B. Fisher, 1940, based on this family.  You can get the book on Amazon. It was very popular in its day and even has an audio version. It had several reprints during several years. [Janel S. Withers (nonmember), Fort Mill, S.C.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 124 - 3 April 2003

Respuesta a Pregunta 124 - 3 April 2003

Hi Sherry, its really easy.  We call Jose Manual Boronda 'the old Corporal.'  He had three sons. For more family  information,  check out the Boronda Adobe History Center and Robert B. Johnston Archival Vault. I hope to meet you at the family reunion.  [Teresa Russell y Espinosa de Boronda (nonmember), Long Beach, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 124 - 28 March 2003

According to Marie Northrop's Spanish-Mexican Families of Early California: 1769-1850:

Vol. I, p. 115-18

Juana Maria Inocencia Cota (daughter of Manuel Antonio Cota and Maria Gertrudis Romero and baptized 28 December 1805 at Mission Santa Barbara) married Jose Manuel Boronda 2 May 1821 at Mission San Carlos de Monterey. Manuel Antonio Cota (born 23 January 1779 of Pablo Antonio Cota and Rosa Maria Lugo; baptized 25 January 1779 at Mission San Antonio; died 23 August 1826; buried 25 August 1826 at Mission San Carlos de Monterey) married Maria Gertrudis Romero (born about 1779 at Loreto, Baja California, Mexico of Juan Maria Romero and Maria Lugarda Salgado; buried 24 June 1817 at Mission San Carlos de Monterey) as his first wife 17 January 1796 at Mission Santa Barbara. Manuel and Maria Gertrudis had 7 children. Juana was the 6th. Manuel was a soldier at Santa Barbara, San Fernando, and Monterey.

Pablo Antonio Cota (born about 1774 at El Fuerte, Sinaloa, Mexico of Andres Cota and Angela de Leon; buried 31 December 1800 at Mission Santa Barbara) married Rosa Maria Lugo (born about 1763 at La Villa de Sinaloa, Sinaloa, Mexico of Francisco Lugo and Juana Maria Martinez; buried 10 January 1797 at Mission Santa Barbara) 30 November 1776 at Mission San Luis Obispo. Pablo and Rosa had 9 children. Manuel was the oldest. Pablo was a soldado de cuera of the 1769 Portolá Expedition, accompanying Sergeant Ortega from Velicata to San Diego; trailblazer for Portolá and Fr. Serra; corporal at Mission San Antonio 1778-79; sergeant of escolta at San Buenaventura 1782-87; alferez from 1788; founder of the younger Cota branch of the family.

pp. 210-11

Rosa Maria de Lugo's father, Francisco Salvador de Lugo (born about 1740 at Villa de Sinaloa, Sinaloa, Mexico of Juan Salvador de Lugo and Maria Josefa Francisca Espinosa; buried 17 May 1805 at Mission Santa Barbara) married Juana Maria Rita Martinez (born about 1745 at Villa de Sinaloa of Jose Maria Martinez and Maria Josefa Vianazul; buried 24 March 1790 at Mission Santa Barbara) about 1760 at Villa de Sinaloa. Francisco and Maria had 9 children. Rosa was the oldest. They came with the first families that were recruited by Captain Rivera in September 1774. Francisco was stationed in the north until 1781; soldier of the Los Angeles guard from its founding on 4 September 1781; founder of the oldest branch of the Lugo family in Alta California.

pp. 287-88

Maria Gertrudis Romero's father, Juan Maria Romero (born about 1747 at Loreto, Baja California, Mexico of Felipe Romero and Juana Linon; died and buried 16 June 1816 at Mission San Fernando) married Maria Lugarda Salgado (born 1761 at Loreto of Francisco (?) Salgado; buried 9 May 1847 at Mission Santa Barbara) about 1776 at Loreto. Juan and Maria had 12 children. Maria Gertrudis was the third. Juan Maria came from San Vicente, Baja California to Alta California in 1787; was corporal of the Santa Barbara Company in 1788. His father, Felipe Romero, was born about 1721 (age 68 years in 1789) at Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Felipe joined the army in 1740 at age 19 years; retired after 28 years of service; was granted Mission San Luis Gonzaga, Baja California, Mexico by Visitador Jose de Galvez on 29 April 1769. It was too isolated, so he was granted four lots of workable land near Pueblo de San Jose del Cabo. Maria Lugarda's father, Francisco, was Portuguese and had a brother Padre Salgado, a Jesuit of Loreto.

Vol. II, pp. 27-30

Jose Manuel Boronda (born 5 September 1803 of [Jose] Manuel Boronda and Maria Gertrudis Higuera; baptized 7 September at Mission Santa Clara; died 24 July 1878 at Castroville) married Juana Maria Inocencia Cota (daughter of Manuel Antonio Cota and Maria Gertrudis Romero of Loreto; baptized 28 December 1805 at Mission Santa Barbara; died 22 May 1894 at Castroville) 2 May 1821 at Mission San Carlos de Monterey. Jose and Juana had 17 children. Francisco Laureano was the sixth. Jose Manual was at Rancho Las Salinas 1836, juez de campo; grantee Los Laurels 1839; still living 1850.

Francisco Laureano (baptized 9 July 1831 at Mission San Carlos de Monterey; died 9 June 1914 at Salinas) married first Juanita Salya. He married second Juana Maria Villa (age 30 years) 11 July 1868 at Mission San Carlos de Monterey when he was 38.

Jose Manuel Boronda (born about 1750 at Guadalajara, Mexico; buried 23 January 1826 at Mission San Carlos de Monterey) married Maria Gertrudis Higuera (daughter of Jose Manuel Higuera and Maria Antonia Redondo [my 6-greats grandparents]; baptized 28 June 1776 at Mission San Carlos de Monterey; died 10 December 1851 at Santa Barbara) 27 January 1790 at Mission Santa Clara. Maria Gertrudis, age 14, was married in a double wedding ceremony with her sister Maria Victoria, who married Jose Francisco Valencia. Jose Manuel and Maria Gertrudis had 14 children. Jose Manuel was the 10th. Note: their 7th and 13th sons were named Jose Francisco Laureano; both died in infancy. This Jose Manuel Boronda was a corporal, carpenter, and teacher at San Francisco and Monterey 1790-1818 (school at Monterey called Tularcitos); built the first adobe casa outside the Presidio walls about 1817.

Vol. I, pp. 184-86

Maria Gertrudis Higuera was the 4th child (of 9) of Jose Manuel Higuera (born about 1744 at Villa de Sinaloa; buried 29 August 1828 at Mission San Juan Bautista) and Maria Ignacia Antonia Redondo/Arredondo (born about 1752 at Villa de Sinaloa; buried 13 May 1834 at Mission San Juan Bautista), who married about 1769 at Villa de Sinaloa. They were one of twelve families to come from San Blas to Loreto and overland to San Diego in September 1774. They came with their first two sons. Jose enlisted in Monterey Company; became original poblador of Pueblo San Jose on 29 November 1777; resident of Rancho Natividad at his death.

I hope this will give you a good start on your genealogy. Remember, you should try to find documentation for all this information in mission records, etc. [Benita Gray (member), San Diego, Calif.]

Pregunta 123 - 15 March 2003

Respuesta a Pregunta 123 - 28 March 2003

Casimiro Briones, born 4 March 1823, baptized 5 March 1823, Santa Clara, #7352, the son of Felipe Santiago Briones and Manuela Valencia, was the father listed for a child, Jose Estevan, born 19 March 1847, baptized 27 August 1847, Santa Clara, #10758, from copy of original record. The mother of this child is Dolores Higuera. No other information is available for her.

Casimiro is listed in the 1860 Census, Contra Costa County, Martinez, #40, Farmer, aged 35. His wife is Matilda Mutnick, Div. One, Vol. I, Entry #74.

Casimiro Briones and Matilda Alviso are listed as the parents of 4 children in the J. Vincent Gallagher family group sheets, page 869; Source: St Mary's College; St Catherine's, Martinez. These children are: Lolita Virginia, 7 September 1863. Her Padrinos were Francisco and Juana Soto in her baptismal record at St Catherine’s Church, Martinez. Felipe Benicia Briones, born 23 August 1871 with Padrinos Manuel Mathews and Manuela Valencia (Casimiro’s mother). Francisco Briones was born 10 October 1873 with Padrinos being Enrique Welsh and Josefa Vaca. The last child listed is Juan Cayetano Briones, born 7 August 1874. Padrinos were Julian Cantua and Arcadia Pacheco.

I would look for the marriage of Casimiro Briones and Matilda Alviso between 1856 and 1860 in the Martinez area. She would have been between 13 & 17 years old. The baptismal records of their children may list them as hijos naturals, “natural children” rather than “legitimate”. This may be because Casimiro was probably married earlier to Dolores Higuera. If Dolores did not die, then Casimiro and Matilda would not have been married in the Church.  I would suggest you also look in Contra Costa County for a civil marriage record. [Sheila Ruiz Harrell (Los Californianos Genealogist), Modesto, Calif.]

Pregunta 122 - 15 March 2003

I am searching for information on Maria Jesus or Maria de Jesus Higuera/Yguera (born about 1827), who married Pablo Salazar. Looking for his or her parents. Some of their children were: Juan Salazar, Felecitas, Jose, and Martina. [Becky (nonmember), Bakersfield, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 122 - 28 March 2003

Pregunta 121 - 5 March 2003

I am trying to track down ancestors that were connected to several Californiano families. The surname is Goodfield. Jose Goodfield (born approximately 1830 in California) was married to Narcisae Messa (who may have had the surname Sotelo). Jose is my great great grandfather. They are on the 1880 census of Contra Costa County. His son, Jesus, married Mary Wood, daughter of George Thomas Wood and Maria Augustina Sotelo. Goodfields were also married into the Peralta and Higuera families. The piece of the puzzle that is missing is the origin of the Goodfield name prior to Jose Goodfield and why is it connected to the Californiano families at a early stage in the history of Alta California. [Paul Carroll (nonmember), Santa Rosa, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 121 - 19 January 2006

Pregunta acerca de Update - 15 July 2005

Question to Pregunta 121-5 March 2003 (UPDATE from Paul Carroll) My grandfather died in 1955 in California. On his death certificate his mother's maiden name was Goodfield, no first name listed; his father's name was Fransisco or Frank Altamirano. My grandfather was a butcher in Oakland. I am not sure, but believe he was married to Alta Gracia Goodfield?? I read your update regarding a Leonard Goodfield from Oakland and wonder if there is a connection?? Anyone with any information would be a great help.   [Tina Altamirano [nonmember], Reno, Nev.]

UPDATE -- 23 June 2005

Respuesta a Pregunta 121 - 29 May 2004

My great great aunt, Maria Manuela Josefa Florida (Flora) Higuera Christiana  [sic?] married a Goodfield sometime after 1894. Had a son Edward and a daughter. My questions is How many children were there? When were they married? Goodfield's first name? When she died and he died? The children names and who they married? Any information you provide will fill in the gap we have on that line.   Thank You. [Beverly D. Madera  (member), Oakland, Calif.]

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