Queries 331

Queries 331 - 340

Latest Update: 8 November 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 340 - 18 February 2006

My grandfather, Paul Victor Garcia de Alva, was an active member of Los Californianos up until his death at 98 years old in 1994. (H was born in 1896.)

He used to speak of an article that was published in a California magazine featuring a story about an ancestor of his (I believe his father's grandmother?) who had the position of "keeper of the keys" at one of the missions of southern California. At the time, he made copies of the article, and sent them to his two sons (including my father) -- neither of whom remembered seeing the article. If my memory serves me correctly, one of the most remarkable things about this woman (his great-grandmother) was that she lived to be an incredibly old age. My recollection is that he would say 123 years old. (He remembered meeting her once, which certainly could mean that she was born more than 100 years earlier. Another detail was that she was of Mayan ancestry, outlived 3-4 husbands, and came to California with one of them.

I am wondering if anyone has information about this woman, and particularly about the article. I see that Los Californianos has published newsletters, and knowing that my grandfather was an active member of the organization up until his death, it is possible that the article was published in one of the newsletters.

Many thanks for any help that you may be able to provide. [Marti de Alva (nonmember), Arlee, Mont.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 340 - 2 May 2006

Someone asked a question about keeper of the keys, but now I can't find the Pregunta. Anyway, I have 14 minutes on this library computer to answer. Here goes. Women who were widowed or orphaned in the west could work at the mission as llaveras (keepers of the keys). These women's work descriptions were first detailed at Missions San Diego and San Gabriel. Eulalia Arrila de Perez was the llavera at San Gabriel from 1821 to 1835. A Thomas Savage heard her story in 1877, She was 97 years young. She ran the kitchen for the padres and taught cooking to the Indians, and managed the storages at the mission. She managed clothing manufacture and the laundry and the presses for making wine and olive oil also. She and her daughter made oil, candy, lemonade, and chocolate. She was a seamstress.

Ignacia Amador worked as a cook, taught reading and writing to illiterate soldados in her home. Matilda Carrillo helped Pio Pico to read and Antonia Bernal taught mathematics in Monterey (1820); Gertrudis Castillo was pertera (midwife) in Monterey (1783 to 1819). Josefa Sal had a reading school in San Diego.

A women named Apolinaria Lorenzana did such work as llavera at San Diego Mission. She was an orphan. She said "Yo me mantenia con el trabajo de mis manos, ya cociendo, haciendo camisas, perfiladas, bordadas" - I made my living with my hands, cooking, making blouses, cut-out work, embroidery). She was reading maestra (teacher). Muchas aprendieron las primeras letras, y a cocer conmigo - many learned their first letters and to cook with me. She taught Indian women sewing. She was an old maid at age 80. I have more information, but ran out of minutes. Hope this helps. [Teresa Russell y Espinosa de Boronda (nonmember), Long Beach, Calif.]

Pregunta 339 - 18 February 2006

I have recently discovered that I am a descendant of Roque Jacinto de Cota. I am trying to put together my family's genealogy and was wondering if there was any information available about his descendants. Thank you. [Natalie Copra (nonmember), Santa Clarita, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 339 - 18 February 2006

According to Marie Northrop's Spanish-Mexican Families of Early California 1769-1850, Vol. II, pp. 118-120: Roque Jacinto de Cota was born about 1724 at El Fuerte, Sinaloa, Mexico of Andres Cota and Angela de Leon. He was married at Loreto, Baja California, Mexico to Juana Maria Verdugo [born about 1740 at Loreto of Juan Diego Verdugo and Maria Ygnacia Carrillo; buried 14 May 1835 at Los Angeles Plaza Church]. Roque and Juana had 11 children between about 1756 [in Loreto] and 27 September 1784 [near or at Mission San Gabriel]. Roque was at San Gabriel by 4 November 1778. He was in the escolta that escorted pobladores to the founding of the Pueblo de Los Angeles on 4 September 1781. Roque was buried 30 September 1769 at Mission San Fernando. Northrop gives information about the births, marriages, and deaths of the nine daughters and two sons of Roque and Juana. On pp. 141-42 Northrop gives information about the descendants of their daughter, Maria Celia; on pp. 146-48, descendants of their daughter, Maria Josefa; on pp. 176-77, descendants of their daughter, Maria del Rosario Beatriz's first marriage; on pp. 178-79, descendants of their daughter Maria Teresa de Jesus; and on p. 324, descendants of their daughter Maria Dolores.

In Northrop's Vol. 1, pp. 59-65, she gives information about Roque's brother Antonio and sons Guillermo and Mariano Antonio and their descendants. On p. 31 is information about the descendants of daughter, Maria Celia Bonifacia; on pp. 92-93, descendants of daughter, Maria Ignacia Jacinto; on pp. 115-16, descendants of daughter Maria Loreta; on pp. 146-47, descendants of daughter, Maria Luisa; and on pp. 212-13, descendants of daughter, Maria Beatriz's second marriage.

As you can see, there is a lot of information about Roque's descendants, even from just this one source. You can find Northrop's books in many libraries or they may be obtained through interlibrary loan. They are published by the Southern California Genealogical Society from whom they can be purchased. If you would expand on your own ancestors [parents, grandparents, etc.], perhaps I could connect you to a single line and I would be happy to send that information to this Web site. [Benita H. Gray (member), San Diego, Calif.]

Pregunta 338 - 30 January 2006

My family last name is Salinas and there is a street named Salinas in Santa Barbara is there any correlation? [Alfonso Salinas (nonmember), Oxnard, Calif.]

Pregunta 337 - 30 January 2006

I am looking for information on the children of Ignacio Manso (Manzo) and Maria Ignacia Ramirez. Their children were Marcos, Bernarda, Isabel, Perfidia, Porfurio, Epifanio, Sebastiana ,Josepha, Antonio, Estefana Manso. Maria Ignacia Ramirez Manso died in Ventura. The family lived in Orange County, Ventura, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara areas. My great grandfather was Marcos Manso. I would like to make contact with these family branches to exchange information and pictures. pixiebugallen@yahoo.com [Ellen Allen (member), Los Angeles, Calif.]

Pregunta 336 - 30 January 2006

I am interested in information about Augustine Ruiz and Luz Avila and their ancestors. They were married at Mission San Juan Capistrano. I believe Luz died from giving birth to Julia in the 1890s? I have been told that Augustine was an officer in the war, I believe on the Mexican side. Anything you could provide would be so greatly appreciated!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. [Michael Diaz (nonmember)]

Respuesta a Pregunta 336 - 8 November 2006

I am looking for information on Natividad Garcia and her parents who married into this Ruiz family line. Her father was a Garcia and her mother was a Maria Gertrudis Concepcion Rangel Thank you. [Katherine Beatty (nonmember), Santa Fe, New Mexico]

Respuesta a Pregunta 336 - 7 September 2006

Ignacio Maria Ruiz married Maria Bendreta Valencia. Their son, Jose
Guadalupe Ruiz, married (about 1850) Maria De La Asencion Olivares. A son
was born at Rancho Los Alamites, California. These people are listed on my
family tree. [Katherine Beatty (nonmember), Santa Fe, N.M.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 336 - 17 February 2006

I have an Augustine Ruiz whose parents are Ascencion Olivares and Jose Guadalupe Ruiz in my family tree. He married Maria de la Luz Avila. His brother Ignacio had a son named William who is my great grandfather. Augustine's sisters were Pilar, Benedita, Prudencia and Ramona. Does this sound familiar? [Jean Gurzi (nonmember), Riverside, Calif.]

Pregunta 335 - 19 January 2006

I am looking for information on Antonio Vicente Ruiz who married Tomasa Leyba. I believe that his parents were Domingo Ruiz and Maria Josefa Lugo. They had a son Ygnacio Maria Ruiz who married Benedita Valencia. Any information on Antonio Vicente, his siblings, and his parents would be most appreciative. [Jean Gurzi (nonmember), Riverside, Calif.]

Pregunta 334 - 19 January 2006

Really stuck with Manuela Gonzales whom I find in Los Angeles in 1850 as born in California in 1829. She could possibly be a Garcia or Morales. In the 1850 census her parents are written as born in California. Any help greatly appreciated. Also looking for Carriaga in California. Thank you! [Eric Lucero Carriaga (nonmember), Oakland, Calif.]

Pregunta 333 - 19 January 2006

I am looking for information on the children of Carlos and Josephine Bojorquez. Their sons names were John and Gilbert Bojorquez. I am especially interested in their mother who was my great aunt. I would like to make contact with this family branch to exchange family stories and pictures. [Ellen Allen (member), Los Angeles, Calif.]

Pregunta 332 - 19 January 2006

Hi! My great grandfather is Theodore Gilroy, son of Neofito Gilroy and Cecelia Doak and grandson of John Cameron (Juan Baptista) Gilroy and Maria Clara Ortega.
After months of looking, I cannot find any reference to my great grandmother Refugia Gonzales. Why? She bore many of Theodore Gilroy's children. Born in Mexico, she died in Merced in 1895. Why, why, why is she not mentioned somewhere? It is sad that she is not honored this way. Is this unusual? [Marie Terranova (nonmember), Westerly, R.I.]

Pregunta 331 - 2 January 2006

I have a woodcut (1762) of a young child in a high chair with rosary beads around his/her neck. The name on the woodcut is Maria Juan Salvador. Can anyone give me information on the child in the chair? The woodcut is original. [Jodee Liedtke (nonmember), Milwaukee, Wisconsin] Note: there is no documentation that this is related to Alta California, but I believe there is that possibility and identifying the child is of general interest. La Tejedora

Respuesta a Pregunta 331 - 21 April 2006

Early California settlers built adobe homes, had well swept dirt floors and sparse furnishings. Some people sat on mats or furs at home and at school. Some master carpenters arrived in 1769, who built furniture after hauling trees, and they later replaced the adobe casa with a new style wood house on the old adobe foundation. I'm told that artists and painters, etc. sailed in off the coast. Items ended up all over the country and the world. I would be very interested in trying to help you identify Salvador. [Teresa Russell y Espinosa de Boronda (nonmember), Long Beach, Calif.]

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