Latest Update: 22 September 2007

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 260 - 15 April 2005

I'm looking for my great, great grandfather, Juan Echeverria.  I believe he was born in Monterey County in 1832.  Where would you suggest I start?  I believe I have narrowed my search to 2 people--one in Merced and the other in Monterey [Maureen Fay (nonmember), place?] Note: I do not know if you are close enough to any of our planned meeting places to come to a meeting to use our Traveling Genealogy Library, but check out Meetings page and subpages for details. My other suggestion is to go to your nearest LDS (Latter Day Saints) Family History Center and use their resources. They will help you. La Tejedora

Pregunta 259 - 15 April 2005

I am looking for information on Juan Bautista Castro and his wife, Ramona Valencia, relatives from Calif.  The 1850 census lists them in Los Angeles County, and being 60 and 50, respectively, with their family.  They had 3 sons at least, Jose Lucio de Jesus Castro, Zacarias Castro, and Ramon Castro.   The family was in San Diego County in 1880, on a farm in Pala Valley.  I have a record of Jose Lucio's daughter being baptized in San Gabriel Mission in 1847. [Dawn Thompson (nonmember), Costa Mesa, Calif.] Note: an abstract of that record -- 8923) Sep 19 1847- Maria Loreta del Refugio Oriola Castro, 12 dias nacida, of Lucio y Gertrudis Jacome. Zacarias Castro y Gregoria Gomez, pads. O.

Pregunta 258 - 15 April 2005

My ancestor's name was Jose Raimundo Estrada. He was in California from approximately 1800 to his death in 1830. He was married to Maria Josepha Vallejo de Alvarado. One of their sons was Jose Joaquin Estrada who was my great grandfather. Jose Raimundo lived in Monterey, Calif. I would appreciate any information that you can send to me about him and his life in Monterey or any help you can give me as to how and where to look.  Thank you very much,  tjen680332@aol.com [Thornton Jenkins (member many years ago), Sonoma, Calif.] 

Respuesta a Pregunta 258 - 15 April 2005

The following information is from Marie Northrop's Spanish-Mexican Families of Early California: 1769-1850, vol. II, pp. 79-80 with Maria Josefa Vallejo's first marriage date and her first husband's name as corrected by our Genealogist.

Jose Raymundo Estrada [born about 1790 at Loreto Baja California, Mexico of Jose Maria Estrada and Maria Ysabel Ruiz; buried 19 October 1830 at Mission San Carlos de Monterey] married, as her second husband, Maria Josefa Vallejo [born 19 March 1794 of Ygnacio Vallejo and Maria Antonia Ysabella Lugo; baptized 20 March 1794 at Mission San Carlos de Monterey; married 1st Francisco Alvarado 20 May 1808 at San Carlos de Monterey; widowed; married 3rd Bonifacio Madariago 12 May 1831 at Mission San Carlos de Monterey]. Maria and Jose Raymundo were married 18 June 1812 at San Carlos de Monterey Capilla Real. They had 9 children between 1813 and 1828, six of them baptized at Mission San Carlos de Monterey, two at Mission Dolores [#6 in 1822 and # 9 in 1828]. Jose Joaquin Tomas was the third child and second son. He was born 18 December 1815; baptized 21 December 1815 at San Carlos de Monterey Capilla Real. Jose Raymundo [or Raimundo] came to California in 1806 with his brother, Jose Mariano Estrada. He was at Monterey in 1808 and a cadet in the Monterey company in 1818.

It is very likely that there is more information about your ancestor in our Traveling Genealogy Library, which is open at every Los Californianos meeting. You can find out details about the meetings on our Meetings page and subpages. [Benita H. Gray (member), San Diego, Calif.]

Pregunta 257 - 8 April 2005
 [See Pregunta #370 for more on this Query]

Note: because this query is so lengthy I am going to interject, in purple, information from Gateway to Alta California, pp. 168-169, by Harry Crosby, published in 2003. Mr. Crosby has researched the early expeditions and their participants extensively. I suggest those who are interested consult this book for the entire text.  The Family Story below has many errors and much unverified information. La Tejedora

Seeking information to verify a family story regarding Sebastián Tarabal. [I will use the Gateway spelling rather than Tarabar or Taraval]

family story :  Sebastián Tarabal came in 1769 in the initial influx [He was probably in the second party with Father Serra as he was acting as a godparent in Santa Gertrudis, Baja California after the first party left.] of migrating Spanish/Cochimí Indians from Baja California, Mexico, Province of Spain. He came with his wealthy parents and siblings [Mr. Crosby does not mention his family or wealth, but does say he was an Indian neophyte born about 1745 probably at Misión San Ignacio in Baja California.] to build California Missions under Padre Junípero Serra. (San Diego Mission, then 4 other missions, i.e., San Gabriel had 4 sites).  About half of this first  immigration of Baja California Mission Indians died from this migration. [All of the neophytes from Santa Gertrudis in the first party died or deserted by 22 April, four weeks into the trip.]

I can find no information regarding Sebastián Tarabal's family.  I did find some information regarding Sebastián Tarabal being dissatisfied with Mission life and running away, across the desert with his "wife and another Indian male" and his companions dying in the desert. [He had returned to Santa Gertrudis by 4 July 1770 where he was, again, a godfather. He returned north with his wife and some others with Father Palóu in 1773. He was disillusioned and fled with his wife and another male neophyte after a few months.]

BACK TO STORY:  Sebastián Tarabal was from a wealthy family who were to receive a large land grant.  He was not married, [He was married in 1764 at Santa Gertrudis to María Dolores Kinajan.] as now he did not have his parents to arrange a marriage to a suitable Spanish wife, and he did not find the local (Shoshone) Indians suitable and there were no suitable woman among the Spanish/Cochimí Indians at San Gabriel Mission, that he wanted.  So he obtained permission to go back to Baja California.  Padre Junípero Serra gave him permission, but would not provide escort, thinking  that he would give up the notion of leaving San Gabriel. [In the Santa Gertrudis baptismal records: "On 17 December 1769, godmother to a newborn girl was 'María Dolores, wife of Sebastián Tarabal who is in Monterey.'" So he was married and since he was apparently very religious, probably returning to his wife. Mr. Crosby believes he returned to Santa Gertrudis with Rivera's party, leaving San Diego in February 1770.] But not only did Sebastián Tarabal leave, he took a sister [his wife] and a brother [another male neophyte, not specified as his brother] and struck out across the desert, where his sister and brother [wife and the other male] died. He proceeded over the  Tehachapi mountains (to the area now called Willow Springs) and on west (to the areas now Arvin, East Bakersfield, Delano).  When he was going across the great desert (family story had it erroneously as San Joaquin Valley), he was bitten by a rattlesnake and rescued! by some Indians (family story erroneously had that they were Yucuts but they were Yuma Indians) who took him to the military hoping for a reward for returning a Mission Indian runaway.  His cousin Sebastián Albitre born 1722 (not Alvitre), who was a soldier under Capt. Anza,  knew him and his family.  This Sebastián Albitre was not Felipe Sebastián Albitre.  (Sebastián Albitre could read and write and make maps.  Felipe Sebastián Albitre could not read and write and signed his name with an "X".)  If it were not for this connection to the soldier Sebastián Albitre, Sebastián Tarabal would have been just a runaway Indian (who was interestingly enough educated and who spoke Spanish, Cochimí, Latin and Indian hand sign), and would have been treated as such, but instead Anza had him nursed back to health, made him an honorary guide attached to Padre Garcés, and then followed the route, that Sebastián Tarabal had taken from San Gabriel Mission in reverse. [Mr. Crosby as well as several other resources I checked acknowledged that Sebastián Tarabal acted as Anza's guide for the first Spanish crossing back to San Gabriel.] This route was mapped and sites named on route, one of which was for Sebastián.

SOME RESEARCH:  Gov. Neve was furious with Anza, and a bit jealous of his being given full credit for the famous Sonora to Monterey route, and he wrote a letter (dated 1781, which is still in the California Archives) ordering him to stop proclaiming this.  "As it was Sebastián Tarabal who deserved the honor of being the discoverer of this route."  But Gov. Neve died this same year, before he could strip Anza of his new Col. title, and so Anza continued his claims.  But there was enough said and known, that Anza was never appointed governor of Alta California, yet he managed to be appointed governor of New Mexico.

MORE RESEARCH:  Padre Garcés journals are filled with material on Sebastián Tarabal, but nothing on his family and early life.  Can't find if he was ever "blessed or ordained as a Padre", but did find evidence of his offering mass, baptisms, last rites, and marriages under Padre Garcés.  And preaching in a Padre robe to anyone who would listen.  He was a very charismatic person and Padre Garcés accredited him with bringing many converts to be baptized to him.

Recently a book writer named Max Brand, wrote a book about a wealthy land owner who had a daughter Christobal Tarabar in the Monterey area.  I realize that this book is sold as fiction.  But so was the series of books about Zorro, which were fictional characters based on actual truth.

Does anyone know about the family story I have of Sebastián Tarabal?  And his kinship to Sebastian Albitre born 1722, the soldier of Capt. Anza.  Soldier Sebastián Albitre earned his retirement of lands in San Diego, but instead he took lands offered on the largest land grant of Spain in Alta California (Perez Grant, over 300,000 acres near San Gabriel).  He died circa 1794 and his son Felipe Sebastián Alvitre married and produced a male heir then came to Alta California to possess his Casa Albitre, at what became Los Nietos near Los Angeles.  I only know of one son of Felipe Sebastián Alvitre (Jacinto Alvitre).  Were there other siblings to Jacinto? [See Respuesta below.] Would appreciate any information. jalhhf2000@yahoo.com [J. Fischer (nonmember), Buffalo, Mo.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 257 - 8 April 2005

Marie Northrop's Spanish-Mexican Families of Early California: 1769-1850, vol. I, pp. 24-25 gives the following information. Felipe Sebastian Alvitre was born about 1750 at Villa de Sinaloa, Sinaloa, Mexico, no parents listed. He married Maria Rufina Hernandez [born about 1750 at Loreto, Baja California] about 1795 at the Loreto Presidio, Baja California. They had one child [Jacinto Maria] born about 1796 at Loreto; four children [Juan Joseph Maria, Joseph Gabriel, Jose Antonio, and Maria Dominga] born at San Gabriel between 1798 and 1805; one child [Josef Vicente] born at Los Angeles? about 1807; and three more children [Maria Florentina Calistra, Jose Claudio, and Maria Dolores] baptized at Mission San Gabriel between 1808 and 1814. Mrs. Northrop gives quite a bit of information about this family line. Your local library can get her books on interlibrary loan if they do not have them in their own collection. Unfortunately, she does not show any connection between this Felipe Sebastián Alvitre and Sebastian Albitre, a soldier with Anza. In fact, she does not mention the latter at all. [Benita Gray (member), San Diego, Calif.]

Pregunta 256 - 8 April 2005

Respuesta a Pregunta 256 - 8 April 2005

Marie Northrop's Spanish-Mexican Families of Early California: 1769-1850, vol. I has information on the Dominguez family of Santa Barbara on pp. 121-123 and on the Romero family of Santa Barbara on pp. 287-288. Vol. II has information on the Romeros on pp. 242-249. Your local library should be able to get these books for you through interlibrary loan, if they do not have their own copies. Also, there are copies you can use at the Southern California Genealogical Society (SCGS) Library, 417 Irving Drive, Burbank, Calif. [phone 818-843-7247 or check their Web site www.scgsgenealogy.com for their hours]. Finally, you can use the copies in the Los Californianos Traveling Genealogy Library (TGL) -- we will be in Mission Hills in July. Keep checking October Meeting for details. Both the SCGS and TGL libraries will have other resources in addition to the Marie Northrop books to help you.

Pregunta 255 - 8 April 2005

I am searching for the names, and birth dates of the children of William (Guillermo) Antonio Hartnell [born 31 March 1826], married to Maria Del Refugio Moreno 16 November 1850. He is the son of William E. P. Hartnell. I am also interested in any information about Miguel Smith [born 1826]. He married Maria Teresa Georgia Hartnell [born 17 November 1832]. They were married in 1851. Thank You, [Ken Mayer (not yet member), Fremont, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 255 -- 1 May 2005

This is a follow up to my first response. I have found Miguel and Teresa Smith had three other children. 1. Miguel Smith, Jr. (born 1852), 2. Ada Smith (born 1854), 3. Ava Smith (born 1856). I don't know where they were born or if the dates of birth are totally correct, but they were born. Regards, Jim [James T. Larson (member), El Paso de Robles, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 255 - 15 April 2005

Pregunta 254 - 8 April 2005

I am looking for a list of names of all the Lorenzana children who were sent to California in 1800 from the Lorenzana orphanage in Mexico City, Mexico.  I would appreciate any help that I receive. Thanks. [Helen Collins (member), San Jose, Calif.]

Pregunta 253 - 8 April 2005

UPDATE - 25 September 2005

 I am tracing the family of Jose Joaquin Botiller.  I believe his parents were Juan Antonio Maria Botiller and Maria Celia Bonifacia Cota. When did Juan Antonio Maria Botiller die? And how?   Who are the parents of Juan Antonio Maria Botiller and where did they come from?  I would certainly appreciate any information anyone may have.  Thank you and aloha... [Jeri Nixon (nonmember), Pahoa, Hawaii] Note: Northrop does not answer any of your questions about Juan Antonio Maria Botiller. La Tejedora

Respuesta a Pregunta 253 - 8 April 2005

Your query is a little confusing. Are you speaking of two people or one? Marie Northrop's Spanish-Mexican Families of Early California: 1769-1850, vol. II, p. 31, has a Jose Joaquin Botiller born about 1786 in Loreto, Baja California, Mexico. His parents were Juan Antonio Maria Botiller (also born in Loreto) and Maria Celia Bonifacia Cota. Could this be the Jose [Joe] Joaquin you are interested in? [Benita H. Gray (member), San Diego, Calif.]

Pregunta 252 - 8 April 2005

I am seeking to find the birth date of Jose Pio Castro and also the names of his parents.  Also information on his wife, Maria delos Angeles Salazar, whom he married 16 July 1847 at Monterey, Calif.  I am seeking to find if he is a descendant of General Castro.  Thank you for the help, [John Albitre (member), Bakersfield, CA]

Respuesta a Pregunta 252 - 8 April 2005

Marie Northrop's Spanish-Mexican Families of Early California: 1769-1850, vol. I, p. 109-110 has a Jose Pio Castro [no birth place or date, but should be around 1814] whose parents were Maria Clementina Montero and Ygnacio Clemente Castro, the son of Joaquin Isidro de Castro and Maria Martina Botiller. Whether this is your Jose Pio, I do not know. He would not be descended from General Castro. [Benita H. Gray (member), San Diego, Calif.]

Pregunta 251 - 1 April 2005

I am searching for information on Faustino Vasquez, who married Francesca Bravo, the daughter of Don Antonio Bravo of Penjamo, Guanajuato. His father was Jesus Vasquez and we believe he may have been born in Morelia, Michoacan. Faustino's brother was Trinidad and he had a sister named Carmen. My grandfather Louis Josef Vasquez was born in California about 1913, in the Contra Costa area, and stated that his great, great uncle was the famed Tiburcio Vasquez. We were told that our first ancestor Vasquez came with the De Anza Expedition. We descended from a son of Don Tiburcio. Sometime in the 1860s he returned to Mexico and then returned to California later on. Louis Josef said that his grandfather (or father) returned from Mexico intent on helping this bandit, who would have been a brother? These are the only leads we have. Please email: usmcmom@cwo.com if you have any additional information. [Mona Long (nonmember), Bangor, Calif.] Note: Please also cc your replies to La Tejedora as often there are other readers who are interested in the information. Thank you, La Tejedora

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