Latest Update: 27 February 2006

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.

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 250 - 25 March 2005

I am looking for anyone or any information on Francisco Contreras who was born in Spain, then left Sonora, Mexico for California in 1833. He was my great-great-great grandfather, his daughter Piedad Contreras was my great-great grandmother. Please feel free to respond to my email which is imperalfr@aol.com with any information.  [Francella Martinez (nonmember), Stockton, Calif.] Note: please remember that other readers may also be interested in the information so we would love you to share with a cc. La Tejedora

Respuesta a Pregunta 250 - 1 April 2005

Pregunta 249 - 25 March 2005

Helping one of the local families find an Indian ancestor they believe to be born in the San Jose/Santa Clara area. They are seeking to find Franchisco Julian Soto, born 16 February 1852 and married Rosa Peraza, daughter of Enaetie Peraza and Saloed. jalbitre@aol.com  Thank you for the help, john [John Albitre (member), Bakersfield, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 249 - 27 February 2006

The 1880 California census shows several Native Americans with the surname Soto in Santa Cruz, Alameda, and Marin Counties.  Go to the LDS site, www.familysearch.org, search, Census, then click the pull down menu and highlight 1880 US Census.  A Race box will appear, and you can highlight Native American and see the results. [no name, no place]

Pregunta 248 - 18 March 2005

I am looking for information about my great, great grandmother, Maria Amelia Ramona Guevara.  She was born in California, probably in Santa Barbara.  She married my great, great grandfather, Francis Ward Lewis, in Santa Barbara in 1850. By 1860 they had moved to Oakland with their growing family.  We believe she died in Contra Costa County in the early 1870s. Our oral family history says that she was the daughter of the alcalde of Santa Barbara?  Is this true?  Who was her family?  Where were they from?  Did she have any siblings?  Thank you for your help.  If possible please include the sources of this information.  [Kathy Javdani (not yet member), Danville, Calif.]

Respuestas a Respuesta de Pregunta 248 - 19 January 2006

Is there more specific history about the LaDron de Guevara family? [Jose Luis Heardo LaDron de Guevara (nonmember), Gunter, Tex.] I'm looking for information on Jose Luis Heardo LaDron De Guevara family history. [Diana LaDron de Guevara (nonmember), Gunter, Tex.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 248 - 18 March 2005

According to the Thomas W. Temple II Abstracts:
Maria Ynez Ramona Trinidad de la Encarnacion Guevara was born 20 January 1838 and baptized [#1438] at Mission Santa Ines on 25 March 1838. She was the legitimate daughter of Canuto Guebara, licensed soldier of Santa Barbara and of Rafaela Lugo, daughter of Juan Lugo.  Emilia Ramona Guevara married 26 February 1850 in Santa Barbara [#326] Don Francisco Lewis, of New York [parents: Francisco Isac Lewis, deceased, and Emilia de Lewis]. Her parents were cited as Canuto Guevara, deceased, and Ma. Eusebia Lugo.

Josef Canuto Guevara was baptized [#133] in Santa Barbara 20 January 1796. His parents were named as Ygnacio Ladron de Guevara and Maria Loreta Cota y Verdugo.

Marie Northrop's Spanish-Mexican Families of Early California 1769-1850 gives the following information in vol. I, pp. 115-116:
Joseph Ignacio Ladron de Guevara [born about 1762 at Queretaro, Mexico; buried 14 December 1820 at Mission Santa Barbara] married on 11 January 1790 at Mission San Gabriel Maria Loreta Cota [born about 1772 at Loreto, Baja California, Mexico of Roque Jacinto de Cota and Juana Maria Verdugo; buried 31 December 1832 at Mission Santa Barbara]. They had 7 children. Jose Canuto was their second son, third child, born 19 January 1796. He married Maria Eusebia Crisanta Lugo at the Santa Barbara Presidio 18 May 1817. [Benita H. Gray (member), San Diego, Calif.]

Pregunta 247 - 11 March 2005 [CORRECTIONS]

I am searching for Maria Luisa Ruiz's parents. She was born 1836, place unknown, and died October 1872, Los Angeles, Calif. She was married to Nicolas Sanchez-Colima [born 1835 near San Gabriel/Los Nietos]. Their daughter, Encarnacion Lidia Sanchez-Colima was born 1860, Los Nietos. In 1884 Encarnacion married Alejandro (Alfredo) Arguello [born 1860, Los Angeles, Calif.]. Maria Luisa would be my great great grandmother. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.   AURORA_MORENO@SBCGLOBAL.NET [Aurora (Murillo) Moreno (nonmember), Stockton, Calif.]

Pregunta 246 - 11 March 2005

I am looking for a connection between William Hartnell and David (Francisco Xavier) Littlejohn.  William Hartnell, came over on the John Begg of the Begg and Company of Lima in 1822.  Another source said that David Littlejohn came over with William Hartnell from Peru.  I am trying to find a connection here.  Does any one have any information on the relationship of these two early Californianos?  How would I find a ship's record of the passengers taken on the John Begg that originated in Peru and landed in Monterey, California? [Howard Lee Smith (member), Trinity, Fla.]

Pregunta 245 - 11 March 2005

I am looking for information on a Luis Arellanes [born: 21 June 1857 and died 6 June1941]. He was married to Gumesinda Moreno [born 13 January 1875 and died 24 February 1969. Luis's father was Luis Arellanes [born 19 May 1829 in Santa Barbara.] His mother was Tomasa Gutierrez. We do not know her date of birth. I have some Luis's, but the dates don't match up. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thank You. Regards [Jim Larson (member), Paso Robles, Calif.] Note: see also Respuesta filed between Preguntas 322 and 323.

Respuesta a Pregunta 245 - 18 March 2005

Pregunta 244 - 3 March 2005

I am looking for my family history that goes back to Spain. I have no record of that surname, but it seems the women married several brothers with the surname of Smith.  These were early settlers of Mexico City, Mexico. I know the family lines include surnames of De La Guerra, Smith, Hartnell, Munoz, Rojos, Herrell, and Moreno. The family lines go back to Mexico and California around late 1700s. Can you help me with any connecting history on these families? Thank you, [Ken Mayer (not yet member), Fremont, Calif.]
UPDATE
Here are the given names as written by an unknown family member.
Joseph Smith marries Loreto Miller and we think they move to Mexico. George, John, Bernard, Lupita, Anna, Alban, Augustin, & Miguel are their children.
George Smith married Blanche Hartnell; their children are Blanca (Blanche), & George McKinley. 
I have a letter dated 1881 from George Smith to Blanca. He is writing from Monterey, Calif. to her in Mexico City. Blanca is my great grandmother. She married Carl Christensen and is the mother of my paternal grandmother, Laura (Loreto) Rose Christensen.
Alban Smith married Maria Ada Hartnell.
Miguel Smith married Theresa Hartnell
It becomes confusing because the given names are used over and again through the generations. Any help you might give concerning these name is greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance, Ken Mayer

Respuesta a Pregunta 244 - 17 June 2005

I have a Joseph Smith who married Loreto with children, George, John, Bernard, Augustine, Anita, and Guadaloupe in my family.  Joseph Smith was a son of Samuel Smith and Lydia Gilpin and was born in either Delaware or Philadelphia 15 October 1801 and died in Mexico in 1848.  This information comes from the book, Genealogy of the Family of Gideon Gilpin, by Joseph Elliot Gilpin, 1897.  My great great grandfather was Alban Gilpin Smith, the oldest brother of Joseph Smith.  This book does not give the name of Joseph's wife and says that they moved to Mexico and all contact with the family was lost.  The site, http://www.haverford.edu/library/special/aids/stevco/
does list his wife's first name as Loreto.  Can you tell me where the Joseph Smith family settled in Mexico?  [Charles Roy Combrink (nonmember), Fort Worth, Tex.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 244 - 15 April 2005

Alban Smith (born 1838; died 1896) married Maria Ada Hartnell (married 1869). They had nine children and one of them was Laura (born 1879; died 1920). Her mother was Maria del Refugio Moreno. No relation to Gumesinda that I know of. Thanks and Regards, Jim. [James T. Larson (member), Paso Robles, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 244 - 25 March 2005

I am not able to find the name of William Petty Hartnell's mother in any records that I have. Her brother's last name is "Petty", which William adopted into his own name in early adulthood. Please inform me the source of this information. "born of ...MARIA CARRILLO" (?) I have done extensive research and have never seen it.  Thank you. [Francis A. Morris, Sr. (member), Gridley, Calif.] Note: I believe the Carrillo entry is probably an error [that is why I used the "sic" ] as William was born in England. Mrs. Northrop does not show this marriage under her Carrillo entries. La Tejedora

Respuesta a Pregunta 244 - 3 March 2005

If you had some given names, it would be helpful. Just using surnames, I find some information from Marie Northrop's Spanish-Mexican Families of Early California: 1769-1850, vol. II, pp. 119-21:
William Edward Petty Hartnell [born 24 April 1798 at Backbarrow, Lancaster, England of George Hartnell and Maria Antonia Carrillo [sic?]; buried 2 February 1854 at Mission San Carlos de Monterey] married Maria Teresa Isidora de la Guerra [baptized 18 May 1809 at Mission San Diego, parents Jose Antonio de la Guerra and Maria Antonia Carrillo]. They had 19 children from 1826 through 1851, all born and/or baptized at Mission San Carlos de Monterey. Their eldest child, Guillermo Antonio Hartnell [born 31 March 1826 at 3 p.m., baptized 2 April 1826] married Maria del Refugio Moreno 16 November 1850. Their sixth child, Maria Teresa Gregoria Hartnell [born 17 November 1832, baptized 16 April 1834] married Miguel Smith 6 June 1851. [Benita H. Gray (member), San Diego, Calif.]

William Hartnell, after living in South America for several years, came to California in 1822 on the John Begg of Begg and Company of Lima. He was baptized at Monterey in 1824 and became naturalized in 1830.  He was at Rancho Alisal (Patrocinio) in 1831, grantee of Alisal in 1834. He established the Seminario de Jose, a college; was regidor in 1835; first officer, inspector, interpreter, and administrator of the custom house. He served as an American surveyor and appraiser of customs, a councilor, interpreter, translator, and county assessor at Monterey.

Pregunta 243 - 25 February 2005

Hi,  I am taking a chance that someone may be able to help me in a long search.  Or  refer me to someone that may have the answers.  I am searching for information on Maria Rita Estrada [born 30 March 1826, Monterey; Cr. 2 April 1826, San Carlos]. Rita was the daughter of Maria Josefa Vallejo and Josef Raymundo Estrada. Around 184-1843 she married Pedro Notasco Antonio Jose Maria Navarez (several different spellings found). They had a son, Alberto Edward Navarez, baptized 16 November 1843, San Carlos.  In 1845 the family moved to Mexico where I have found three other children were born.  I am searching for records especially the marriage . Thanking you in advance for any help you may have to fill in the missing spots . [Bettie Dall (member), Dinuba, Calif.]

Pregunta 242 - 25 February 2005

I have been looking for information on Pedro Poyorena.  He was born in the early 1800's. I have the Marie Northrop book and the Dorothy Mutnick books with that information, but I don't know where he came from and who his parents were and where they came from.  Also, Pedro's son, Juan, married Ana Joaquina Sepulveda.  Any information on that? [Tim Miguel (nonmember), Glendale, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 242 - 25 February 2005

Poyorena is also spelled Pollorena as the "y" and "ll" sounds are similar. On pages 279-280 of vol. I of Marie Northrop's Spanish-Mexican Families of Early California 1769-1850 is the following information.

Pedro Pollorena was born at Villa de Sinaloa, Mexico. He married Maria Antonia (Miranda) Rosalia Ochoa about 1790 at Loreto, Baja California Mexico. Rosalia was born at Loreto and buried 26 January 1849 at Los Angeles Plaza Church. Pedro was buried 21 July 1818 at Mission San Gabriel. They had 7 children between 1792 and 1812. The oldest, Juan de Jesus, was baptized 15 April 1792 at Mission San Diego. Juan married Ana Joaquina Sepulveda 14 July 1824 at Mission San Gabriel.

Pedro arrived at San Diego early in 1792. He was a corporal by 1797 and in command of the Mission San Gabriel escolta by 1 July 1798, succeeding Jose Maria Verdugo. He held that post until 1801, when Jose Maria Pico succeeded him. He settled at Los Angels in 1805 and was living there in 1816.

Pregunta 241 - 25 February 2005

I am inquiring about the Californio surname de Haro.  Francisco de Haro was an alcalde of San Francisco in the 1830s. How was he related to Petra de Haro, who married James Johnston of San Francisco and Half Moon Bay?  Is there a published source for information relating to this family? Grateful for a response, [Lee Hunt Miller (nonmember), Half Moon Bay, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 241 - 18 March 2005

Dorothy Mutnick's Some Alta California Pioneers & Descendants, 1776-1852 has a chart for this family.

I research all of the descendants of Francisco de Haro  & wife Emiliana Sanchez. I am not familiar with any relative of Alcalde Francisco de Haro being named Petra.  However the family had property and marriage ties to Half Moon Bay area. I'd like to know what timeframe this marriage existed in. I would be happy to discuss this further if you would contact me directly: stevejc@bresnan.net [Julia Christy (member), Worland, Wyo.] UPDATE
The James Johnston House is a restored 1850s house in San Mateo Co. Some family names/dates are given at the website:
http://www.johnstonhousehmb.org/?p=history1.htm

Petra's surname was Jara, not Haro.  And her mother's given name was Ursula.  Family members can be found in 1860, 1870 and 1880 censuses for San Mateo Co

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