Latest Update: 1 March 2009

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 230 - 7 January 2005

A Pregunta 181 follow up: I wrote of my husband's grandmother Ellen (Moore) Machado, who was the daughter of Petra Rafaela de Jesus Ramirez [also known as Jalapa y Briones] and James Moore. Ellen's sister Clemencia Moore married Joaquin Samuel Cano, son of Nicolas Cano and Presentacion Soto on 2 February 1892, in Salinas, Monterey Co., Calif. Joaquin and Clemencia had an adopted son by the name of Joseph Moore. They were living in the San Lucas (Peachtree) area in the 1900 census. Does anyone know of Joseph Moore? We would certainly appreciate any information on him. [Machado (nonmembers)]

Pregunta 229 - 7 January 2005

Why did Francisco Lugo give his land to his son Don Antonio Maria Lugo in Southgate? [Angela (nonmember), Southgate, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 229 - 21 January 2005

Dear Angela, 
See Respuesta a Pregunta 68 - 29 January 2003   http://www.loscalifornianos.org/queries_61-70.htm

See Monterey Presidio Garrison 1782 http://www.southcoastsar.org/Monterey.htm

See Paseo de Carretas or Ballona Creek: http://www.culvercity.org/cityinfo/history/ballona_creek.html

See Lugo info: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/7191/ron00180.htm

See Gage Mansion: http://www.losangelesalmanac.com/topics/History/hi05h.htm

See Respuesta a Pregunta 180 - 21 February 2004 http://www.loscalifornianos.org/queries_171-180.htm

Online Information from Marcy and Maurice Bandy; Shared Research April 2003: Lugo files. [MN=Marie Northrop; TWT=Thomas Workman Temple, II]

And for a more complete education,  you are within minutes driving distance where you can stand on Guacho Village,  former Lugo property at Playa Vista.
See http://www.cheviothills.org/Ranchos.htm

Answer: They were cattlemen. He gave land to his son to raise livestock, cattle and horses, shared grazing land with Rancho Rincon de Los Bueyes, Corner of the Oxen (in a natural ravine). At roundup time, cattle were slaughtered and hides and tallow were piled on carts (carretas) and pulled out to the coast where they were loaded on ships for trade. [Teresa Russell y Espinosa de Boronda (nonmember), Long Beach, Calif.]

Pregunta 228 - 7 January 2005

Respuesta a Pregunta 228 - 21 January 2005

The Spanish title "Don" designates nobility.  When the common Spanish came to California and received land grants, they assumed the title "Don."  It was not earned nor awarded by the Spanish King.  Many of my relatives, the Castros took on the prefix Don, such as Don Rafael Castro.  I can assure you that although many of the Castros were large landowners and were known as "Don" in California history books and articles, they were not nobility and did not, by birth right, earn this title. [Howard Smith (member), Trinity, Fla.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 228 - 15 January 2005

What did Francisco Lugo and son, Antonio, do to be granted land and be know as "DON"? Well not much of anything more than retire from the military at which time it was common practice "In the name of the King" to grant retirees land. These grants were performed usually by the Governor, and thus by a person becoming a land owner it was common practice to refer to him as "DON" which was merely a "Title of respect" in Spanish culture!

Francisco was granted Paraje de Sanchez (also called Punta del Monte), 6,584.32 acres, 1 1/2 square leagues, in Monterey County, June 1839 by J. B. Alvarado. Antonio Lugo was granted Santa Ana del Chino, 22,193.50 acres and 13,366.16 acres, which consisted of 5 square leagues, in San Bernardino County, March 1841 by J. B. Alvarado. Antonio was also grantee of San Antonio, 29,513.35 acres, which is describes by boundaries in Los Angeles County, granted in September of 1838 to Antonio Maria Lugo also by J. B. Alvarado. Some records show San Antonio was granted to A. M. Lugo in 1810. The Lugo and Alvarado families were distant relatives. [Jimmie Hardy (member), Winston, Ore.]

Pregunta 227 - 28 December 2004

I am looking for relatives of Eduardo Poyorena, Manuel M. Zuniga (1800s), or Joseph Hartnell. Also, photos or drawings of La Mission Vieja (first San Gabriel Mission). [Tim Miguel (nonmember), Glendale, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 227 - 21 January 2005

Senor Miguel,
Old black and white photos exist of San Gabriel Mission,  showing the Native California Indian's homes standing in the foreground,  roof materials are visible also, but I don't know who the photographer was.  I will look for photo numbers for you. Surely they must be available in the Southwest Museum.

Note the two L's are 'pronounced' as a Y.  PoLLorena. Check matrimonial records here:  http://voxlibris.claremont.edu/sc/online/marrinvest/MachadoH_PollorenaM.htm
Good luck, [Teresa Russell y Espinosa de Boronda (nonmember), Long Beach, Calif.]

Pregunta 226 - 17 December 2004

Hello, my name is Paul Ostapuk, Arizona Director for the Old Spanish Trail Association. I am doing research on some of the Hispanic families of New Mexico who traveled the Old Spanish Trail and then settled in California. I am especially interested in the Armijo family genealogy. [Paul Ostapuk (considering membership), Page, Ariz.]

Pregunta 225 - 17 December 2004

I am searching for information regarding Francisco Xavier (David) Littlejohn.  He married Francisca Higuera in 1826 and died in Monterey, California on 9 February 1847.  I know he is a Scotsman; however, I cannot find his birth date and birth place. Can anyone out there help me?  It is vital that I find this information as it ties the California family to Scotland.  I read somewhere that he arrived in California in 1824 aboard a Hartnell Ship that originated in Peru; however, I cannot document this.  Other information has David born in Callao, Peru while others have him born in Scotland. [Howard Lee Smith (member), Trinity, Fla.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 225 - 12 July 2008

My husband is the great grandson of Santos Littlejohn's daughter, Eloisa Mary Littlejohn White Silva. The information I have gleaned shows that Alejandro or Alexander Littlejohn was born in Scotland and at some time immigrated to Peru. I found no other immigration records or other records. [M. Roberts-Romero (nonmember), Snelling Calif.]
 

Respuesta a Pregunta 225 - 5 November 2005 [correction]

Francisco Xavier Littlejohn was born about 1795 in city of Ciudad de Arbot, Inglaterra [correction -- Arbot is the Spanish name for an English city, not the English name. La Tejedora]. He married Francisca Antonia Higuera 26 July 1826 in Mission San Carlos De Monterey. [Francisco's father's name was Alexander Littlejohn and his mother's name was Helen Clark.] I'm thinking Maria Littlejohn was their daughter and she was born about 1827 in Monterey, Calif. She married Francisco Maria Castro 15 August 1851 in Mission Santa Cruz. I'm thinking the other girl Maria Elena Littlejohn was born about 1833 and married Becinto Avila about 1852 at Mission San Juan Bautista. At this time that is all the information I have on the Littlejohn family, but my cousin is working on this family here in California, as we are related to the Avila family. If we gather some more information I will pass it on to you. My e-mail address is jam8lrs@aol.com. Adios. [James T. Larson (member), El Paso de Robles, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 225 - 15 January 2005

Señor Smith, the Higueras moved northward from Rancho Rincon de Los Bueyes. Many Peruvians came to California to work in the mines. [Teresa Russell y Espinosa de Boronda (nonmember), Long Beach, Calif.]  

Pregunta 224 - 17 December 2004

This is in regard to Alviso descendants. How can I obtain a copy of Keith Ponsford's, pedigree charts? If, I'm not mistaken, I know it has to do something with Alviso genealogy charts. Please advise. [Stefanie Rodriguez (nonmember), Corona, Calif.] Note: Ponsford's pedigree charts and his Alviso Family [The]. Oakland, Calif.: Ponsford, 1971. 30 pp. are available for research by the public in the Traveling Genealogy Library at the Los Californianos quarterly meetings. La Tejedora