Queries 371

Queries 371 - 380

Latest Update: 20 February 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.

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 380 - 24 July 2006

I am looking into my maternal grandfather's side of the family. We have been told that a Pedro de la Mesa came from Spain as a foot soldier to find a route from Mexico to Monterey. The name was changed later to Messa. My grandfather's name was Peter Gregory Messa. He was born 12 March 1895. We believe he was born in a part of San Jose called Hall's Valley. We also believe that the Spanish married amongst themselves. So we think we are related to the Berryessas' and the Bernal families. Do you know what the best way would be for me to further my research? Thank you [Janis Giovacchini (nonmember)]

Pregunta 379 - 24 July 2006

I am also looking for any information/connections with the family surname of Martinez of the Los Californios of early California history. Specifically with the Rancho Pinole in the Contra Costa county and the town of Martinez.
My name is Amiee Conn, I am the granddaughter of Margaret Mary Martinez (born: 4 January 1919) and Robert Harold Penoli Donelson. My grandmother is from the long line of the Los Californios Martinez's going back to Don Ignacio Martinez who owned Rancho Pinole in Martinez, Calif. This family has many ties in California history and marriages with Vallejo, Carrillo, etc., family members. The problem is that each generation's family is sooooooo huge (Don Ignacio had about 11 children!) it's been VERY hard trying to find the exact link to my family side of the Martinez branch from the history books. If anybody knows of any cites available that would help or any knowledge of the following names please send me a message! I would love to exchange information and share family history!

My grandmother's parents were: Laura May Colburn and Walter Charles Martinez. His siblings were: Carmen "Carmeletta" (who was believed to have had a twin?), Herbert & Jose (John) (also twins), Woodward (Clarence?) , Theodore , and Rafael Martinez Jr. There is also a Carmel Grace Martinez but I'm not sure if she was a sister, wife or daughter/niece to one of them. I believe she received some of the acres of the Rancho Pinole later on in the years. There was also some speculation about my grandmother's true biological father. She has known for many years that she was adopted, but it's strongly believed that she was adopted through her own family. It's very possible that her biological father was Clarence "Woodward" Martinez, whom she would grow up to know as "Uncle" Woods, and that the family - Walter Charles Martinez and Laura May Colburn who had trouble with producing their own children, covered up the "child out of wedlock scandal" of that day by adopting her as their own. She grew up as an only child, but there also may have been a second child -twin girl - sister to my grandmother that the biological mother kept and raised possibly in Berkeley (name possibly ironically Mary Margaret Martinez. Everything was hush-hush but my grandmother says she had a few looks at hidden away documents as a child and has been struggling to piece this information together ever since. She's never had a birth certificate (supposedly the building that it was kept in burned down) so we can't find legal documents that would show this information accurately.

Anyway, the Martinez children mentioned above, their parents were Alice McCartin and Don Rafael Martinez. From him I have no direct linkage names until, I believe, Rafaela Martinez who married Dr. Samuel J. Tennent in the 1850s and she was one of the daughters of Don Ignacio Martinez.

I've been told the Don Ignacio Martinez family originally came from Spain and was Castilian. I don't know anything about his wife, family in Spain and/or Mexico, or his past. Possibly went to Mexico first then to California region to set up his Rancho Pinole while it was still a part of Mexican territory. We still have a family heirloom of a cattle branding iron with the Rancho Pinole's symbol/logo that has been passed down our line for generations.

If anyone has ANY information to ANY of the names written above please don't hesitate to write back to me! I've been working on this side of the family for a very long time and need help finding organized, accurate information with the rich California history. I hope I may also be of help to some people by providing some more names to possibly their side of the family and may find a connection to one another.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this as I've poured out as much as I know at this point. Thank you! [Aimee Conn (nonmember), Santa Rosa, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 379

Hi, I'm trying to reach Aimee Conn. Is it possible to obtain her email address from you or you may give her mine. NOTE: either Aimee did not give me her e-mail or I have lost it. I hope she will see this and contact me. La Tejedora

I, too, am looking for information on the Martinez family of Contra Costa County. Thank you, researching Almason, Espinosa, Figueroa, Juarez, Leavas/Leibas, Martinez, Pacheco, Whitfield. [Helen Ortez Eberle (nonmember), Pleasanton, Calif.]

Pregunta 378 - 24 July 2006

I am writing a segment for a TV spotlight (KVMD) about Long Beach Calif., which starts with the early history of the land grants to Manuel Perez Nieto who came with the Portola Expedition. I would like some information on Nieto's family tree after he settled in Alta California. [Orlando Perez (nonmember)]

Respuesta a Pregunta 378 - 31 August 2008

I have done some research on the Nieto Family and have started a book of memories on the township of Los Nietos based on stories and tales of families that have since passed. I would be interested in hearing from you. I live just outside of the box, 100 steps over and I'm in Los Nietos. My husband's family had ancestors from that era. I would be interested in hearing from you. [Lupe C. Lopez (nonmember), Whittier, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 378 - 24 July 2006

Marie Northrop's Spanish-Mexican Families of Early California: 1769-1850, Vol. I has the following information on Nieto's family. He had married Maria Teresa Morillo about 1756 in Loreto, Baja California and they had Joseph Ygnacio 16 July 1776 there. Juan Joseph Maria (born 3 February 1781, baptized 26 February 1781 at Mission San Diego; married Maria Tomasa Tapia 28 November 1806 at Mission San Gabriel), Joseph Antonio Maria (baptized 14 August 1785 at Mission San Gabriel; married Maria Catarina Ruiz 12 August 1804 at Mission San Gabriel), Antonia Maria de los Santos (baptized 2 November 1788 at Mission San Gabriel), Maria Manuela Antonia (born 4 August 1791, baptized 5 August 1791 at Mission San Gabriel; married Guillermo Cota 14 July 1805 at Mission San Gabriel), and Antonio Maria de los Santos (born 13 July 1796, baptized 14 July 1796 at Mission San Gabriel; married Maria Josefa Alvina Cota 25 January 1815 at Mission San Gabriel) completed his family.

Pregunta 377 - 24 July 2006

I am lost as to how I can find information on Antonio Vicente Ruiz and Maria Tomasa Leyba. In Crosby's book Men of the 1769 Overland Expedition I found information that states Antonio was born around 1740 in El Fuerte (Sinaloa). He was a soldier at Mission de San Borja - witness on 6 September 1762, also a guard at Mission San Fernando de Velicatá, with Rivera to San Diego, then Portola and Rivera to San Francisco. I found some information that he died in Santa Clara at the Mission around 1836. According to what I have found, he is the father of Ignacio Maria Ruiz who married Maria Gorgona Valenzuela. His son, Jose Guadalupe Ruiz, by his second wife, Benedicta Valencia, is my 3rd great grandfather. I have found information that Antonio Vicente was also related to Efigenio Ruiz and that their parents were Domino Ruiz and Josefa Lugo - not factual proven information I believe. Any suggestions as to where I can find some of theses questions? [Jean Gurzi (nonmember), Riverside, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 377 - 11 October 2006

My great-great-great grandfather is Ignacio Maria Ruiz and my great-great-great grandmother is Maria Benedicta Valencia. That's where my search ended. You have given me another generation to add to my family tree. If your information is correct, Domingo Ruiz and Maria Josefa Lugo are my great-great-great-great grandparents. My search started because the Ruiz family is my link to the Juaneno Mission Indian Tribe. If you have any other information, I would appreciate it. [Ray Bracamontes (nonmember), Anaheim, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 377 - 8 November 2006

Prudencia Ruiz is the sister of Ignatio Ruiz who married Natividad Garcia. Ignatio and Natividad had my great grandfather, William B. Ruiz, who had my grandmother, Rosie Ruiz (Gonzales). I am a member of the Juaneno Tribe and traced that relationship through the Ruiz family. Would love to share information. My email is prrncess@aol.com [Jean Gurzi (nonmember), Riverside, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 377 - 7 September 2006

I am a descendent of Efigenio Ruiz - I will share what I have. I currently do not have anything on the your direct line. You can contact me at :stormyowl@yahoo.com [Lesa Bielman (nonmember), Fontana, Calif.]

Pregunta 376 - 24 July 2006

I am trying to relocate Kevin Currin, a member. I was attempting to provide him further information on the Rafael Gomez family in Monterey. Thanks for your assistance, senmuffin@comcast.net [Jim Metcalfe (nonmember), Novato, Calif.]

Pregunta 375 - 1 July 2006

Looking for information on my great, great, great grandfather's, Esteban Green, burial place. I believe he came to Alta California around 1840 and died around 1850 somewhere in the San Francisco area. [Rita Garza (nonmember), San Diego, Calif.]

Pregunta 374 - 1 July 2006

I am looking for information on relatives of Jose Antonio Dominguez, buried in the Capilla del Presidio Real de Santa Barbara. He was born 20 January 1787 in Santa Barbara. I am a descendant of his brother, Jose Maria del Carmen Dominguez, born 14 September 1791. There is family lore that perhaps two generations later a family member married a Chumash. My great, great grandfather Pedro Dominguez (1827-1905) married to Magdelena Carlotta Arellanes (1835-1886) may have been Chumash. His daughter, my great grandmother Elvira (married Fred Butt) was reported to be an herbal healer who worked among the poor in Santa Barbara. I think they lived on State Street. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. [Rebecca Oster (nonmember), Seattle, Wash.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 374 - 20 February 2009

I am Culver Greenwell Parker, son of Anna Elizabeth Greenwell, daughter of Grace Violet Cavalleri, daughter of Vincent Cavalleri, son of Maria Cavalleri (nee Maria Antonio Dominguez), daughter of Jose Antonio Dominguez. Jose Dominguez's father came to Mexico from Spain in 1769 to walk with Father Serra to Alta California and establish the Missions. [Culver G. Parker (nonmember), San Diego, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 374 - 24 July 2006

Magdalena Carlotta Arellanes was a Spaniard. Her father was Jose Regino Arellanes born 7 September 1792. He was my third great grandfather. Her mother was Maria Monica Josefa Sanchez. No Chumash here! If you want some information on the Arellanes family send an E-mail to jam8lrs@aol.com. It looks like your relative was Pedro Regalado Antonio Dominguez, baptized 13 May 1827 at Los Angeles Pueblo Church. He married first, Felipa Zuniga 11 April 1847 at the Los Angeles Pueblo Church. Carlotta was born 4 February1836 in Santa Barbara, baptized 5 February 1836 at Mission Santa Barbara #1139. I think she married Pedro in 1860 at Mission Santa Barbara. She died in 1886 in Santa Barbara. Somehow I found your Pedro died in 1905 in Santa Barbara. Regards James T. Larson From San Miguel Arcangel. [James T. Larson (member), El Paso de Robles, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 374 - 1 July 2006

According to Marie Northrop's Spanish-Mexican Families of Early California 1769-1850, Vol. I, p. 122: The first Jose Antonio Dominguez was baptized 20 January 1787 and buried 21 January 1787 at Mission Santa Barbara, parvulo. A second Jose Antonio Dominguez (twin) was born 27 February 1796; baptized 28 February 1796 at Mission Santa Barbara was buried 1844 at Mission La Purisima (Viruelas). He was married 6 November 1819 at Mission Santa Barbara to Maria Francisca Villa (vicencio).

Pregunta 373 - 1 July 2006

Estoy buscando a descendientes de Jose Maria Mata, quien llego a Monterey en 1810, procedente de Mexico. Trabajo para el gobierno en asuntos diplomaticos. En 1815 se traslado a Loreto, Baja California Sur, como alférez del entonces ejercito Español. Se caso con una hija del Gobernador Jose Dario Arguello. Tengo información desde que arribo a Loreto hasta su muerte en Tlaxcala en 1870, pero me falta la parte en que vivo en Monterey. [Sergio Morales Polo (nonmember), Loreto, Baja Calif., Mex.] Note, rough translation: I am looking for descendants of Jose Maria Mata, who arrived at Monterey in 1810, coming from Mexico. He worked for the governor in diplomatic affairs. In 1815 he moved to Loreto, Baja California Sur, as second lieutenant in the then Spanish army. He married a daughter of Governor Jose Dario Arguello. I have information from when he arrived at Loreto until his death in Tlaxcala in 1870, but I am lacking the part about his life in Monterey. La Tejedora

Pregunta 372 - 23 June 2006

Help!! The Bold Bandit of Monterey, Tiburcio Vasquez, the son of Jose Hermenegildo Vasquez and Maria Guadalupe Cantua.

I find plenty of reference that the Bold Bandit had several siblings but I can find nowhere any specifics, like who and how many there were. I am in search to find these peoples as my grandmother is reportedly a 3rd cousin of the bandit. My uncle at one point had a serape that was Tiburcio's, he has since sold it, AAARRRGGGHHH, and my aunt reportedly had a pistol of his that she gave to some museum or historical society several years back, AAARRRGGGHHH!!!

My great-great-great grandmother is Manuela Norbeta Vasquez y Cantua. She married Tomas Salgado and herein lies where I come to an impasse. I think (operative word, think) Manuela was maybe Tiburcio's sister? I do find reference to a Concepcion, Antonio, Fernando de Jesus, and a Francisco, who are definitely siblings of Tiburcio, and reports I have seen mention 5 or more siblings!

Tomas Salgado's daughter, Geneoval, who married Manuel Sainz at the time of the reign of the Bold Bandit were the grantees of the Pinnacles in California where Tiburcio would often take refuge, also at the home of Geneoval and Manuel. There are some wonderful family stories of them hiding Tiburcio when he was afoul of the law! This is my fathers family. Every where I look I can find no reference to the particulars of the siblings of the Bold Bandit. Thanks in advance for any and all replies. [Jimmie Hardy (member), Winston, Ore.]

Pregunta 371 - 23 June 2006

I am researching brothers Rafael and Roman Villalba who came to Mariposa County from Sonora, Mexico (per naturalization records in Santa Barbara County) for the gold rush around 1850. They are in Santa Barbara in 1852. I am looking for their ancestors. There is an Onofre Villalba in San Diego who married an Osuna in 1797 at San Gabriel Mission. He disappears and is not mentioned again in any records after his marriage. He may have returned to Mexico. I am wondering if Onofre may be an ancestor of Rafael and Roman Villalba. Can anyone please help? [Dorothy Oksner (nonmember), Santa Barbara, Calif.]

Respuesta a Pregunta 371 - 7 September 2006

I am also researching the Villalba line (my husband descends from Rafael). I don't have anything about Onofre and Osuna, but I was at the California State Library last week and found a reference to a Nicolas Villalba who was killed in an Indian uprising in 1780. (The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, volume XVIII; History of California, Vol. 1 1542-1800). I also found a passage on the Villalba brothers in La Carpenteria by Georgia Stockton published by the Carpinteria Valley Historical Society in 1960. I am currently trying to find a link between Nicolas and our Villalbas and will add Onofre and Osuna to my list. I am willing to share anything I find. You can reach me at leonabreck@hotmail.com. [Leona Breck (nonmember), Modesto, Calif.]

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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.