"Kiva, Cross and Crown" Online!

Once again, searching for something else, I found this online: a free, electronic copy of John Kessell's "Kiva, Cross and Crown"! This is on the National Park Service's website.

This is a very good book about 300 years of Spanish / Pueblo interaction and conflict. I have a copy of this book at home. But my copy is better: it's signed by the author.

I followed a link that showed Miera's 1758 Map of New Mexico.

Why It's a Good Idea To Make Copies....

Remember that Zimmerly Pension File that I just got in the mail? Well, I almost lost it and I don't have a copy.

I went to the Special Collections Library yesterday, and I set down the file next to a microfilm reader I was using. I walked away and forgot it there. Luckily, someone picked it up and put it in the lost and found. I'm going to go pick it up today.

I spent $25 on the file, and if I had to re-order it I would have to wait another couple of weeks to get it. I intended to start working on an article today using the information I found on the file.

So next time I have an important file like that, I'm going to make copies before I leave the house.

Crespin Torres Article Published in New Mexico Genealogist

Crespin Torres

As I've mentioned before on this blog, I have published before. I contributed two chapters to Aqui Se Comienza: A Genealogical History of the Founding Families of La Villa de San Felipe de Alburquerque. I just published again, this time in the March 2008 issue of the New Mexico Genealogist. The article is titled "The Story Behind the Photograph: Crespin Torres' Genealogy." Below is the first paragraph of the article:

When I was in my late teens, my dad shared with me a black and white photograph of a certain old man. He said that this picture was of my great-great grandfather Crespin Torres. Crespin's gaze in the photo was fierce. His disheveled appearance - a ragged beard, large nose, and ill-fitting clothes - added to his terrifying impression. I imagined Crespin to be a tough, mean old man.

I continue the article by explaining that my first impression of Crespin was erroneous. As I've come to find out, Crespin was a friendly, family man.

The article also includes the story of how the Torres family came to New Mexico and how Crespin's ancestors migrated from town to town, eventually arriving in the Socorro, New Mexico area.

If you would like to get a copy of this issue, you may order it by visiting our website at http://www.nmgs.org/geneal.htm. Or, you can join the New Mexico Genealogical Society and get this issue and the forthcoming issues of the New Mexico Genealogist. The application form is at http://www.nmgs.org/Memform2008.pdf. Membership is $30 a year after March 1, 2008.

For more information about Crespin's family, check out my Torres Family mini-blog.

New Mexico Genealogical Society Announcements 28 March 2008

Greetings:

Below are a couple of announcements from the New Mexico Genealogical Society:

1. The March 2008 New Mexico Genealogist was mailed yesterday, March 27th. Members should be receiving this journal in the mail soon. If you are not a member, and wish to become one you may do so by completing the membership form at http://www.nmgs.org/Memform2008.pdf, and sending the form to us with the membership fee of $30.00. With membership, you will receive all four issues of our quarterly the New Mexico Genealogist.

2. The New Mexico Genealogical Society will receive the 2007 Lancing B. Bloom Award during the Historical Society of New Mexico’s annual conference on April 24-27, 2008 in Deming, New Mexico. The award will be given in recognition of NMGS’s publication Aquí Se Comienza.

Each year, the Lansing B. Bloom Award is presented to a society or institution for an outstanding publication or series of publications. This is not the first award that the book Aquí Se Comineza has won. It also tied for Best Book on a Hispanic Subject at 2007 New Mexico Book Awards.

Aquí Se Comienza: A Genealogical History of the Founding Families of La Villa de San Felipe de Alburquerque was published in March 2007 by NMGS to commemorate Albuquerque, New Mexico’s Tricentennial. Gloria M. Valencia y Valdez was the project co-ordinator and general editor of the book. Dozens of NMGS members contributed to this publication.

For more information about the Lancing B. Bloom Award and the Historical Society of New Mexico, please visit the society’s website at http://www.hsnm.org/.

The book Aquí Se Comienza may be purchased through the NMGS website at http://www.nmgs.org/books.htm, or at any NMGS meeting. For meeting schedules, please visit the NMGS website at http://www.nmgs.org/.

The New Mexico Genealogical Society congratulates all who were involved in the creation and publication of Aquí Se Comienza.

Robert J. C. Baca
President
New Mexico Genealogical Society

Subscribe / Unsubscribe

Members of the New Mexico Genealogical Society and other interested parties receive e-mailed monthly newsletters and announcements. If you wish to join our e-mail list, please send me an e-mail at abqbobcat@nmia.com and type in the subject line “Subscribe: NMGS Newsletter.”

Los Lunas Museum of Heritage and Arts

Another good library/museum is the Los Lunas Museum of Heritage and Arts. The New Mexico Genealogical Society had their March 2008 program there.

Presently, the museum has two exibits: one of the "Civil War in New Mexico" and the other on the "Founding Families of Los Lunas - Luna/Otero Exhibit." Both are great exhibits that include artifacts, photos, and video presentations.

The library is at

251 Main St. NE
Los Lunas, NM 87031

Do a map search to get directions. It's right next to a water tower. Literally - the water tower is in the parking lot.

Like many museums, this one relies on contributions. You may send a donation to their post office box at

PO Box 1209
Los Lunas, NM 87031

They are building up their genealogy collection. If you ever get a chance to find Jim Rickey at the library, he'll help you out with your research. Speaking of which, he wrote up a document titled "Commonly Accessed Websites of Interest to Genealogists in New Mexico." It has a bunch of links that you may find useful. It can also be found on their website.

One more link. Here is a story about the museum in the Valencia County New Bulletin. It also mentions the program that NMGS did at the museum.

Menaul Historical Library of the Southwest

In January, the New Mexico Genealogical Society hosted a program put on by the Menaul Historical Library of the Southwest. This library is housed at the Menaul School in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

As per their webpage:

The Menaul Historical Library of the Southwest, located in Bennett Hall on the school campus, was founded in 1974. The library serves as the official archive of Menaul School and John Hyson Educational Center in Chimayó. In addition, it is a primary source of information on Presbyterian and related Protestant history in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah.

The library's collections include books, letters, Bibles, Menaul alumni records, photographs, microfilm, artifacts, manuscripts, oral histories and other memorabilia. All these materials are accessible on site to researchers, students, alumni, churches and other interested parties. Books on Presbyterian, mission school and southwestern history published by the library are available for sale.

The address of the library is

301 Menaul Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107

Their hours are posted on the website.

The library is supported by donations, so please consider sending them a contribution.

Socorro ... Texas

In 1680, the Pueblo Indians revolted against the Spaniards of New Mexico. The Spaniards were forced out of New Mexico into the area of El Paso, Texas. Many communities were formed; some named after communities in New Mexico. Socorro del Sur was one of them.

The people who lived in Socorro at the time were mostly Piro Indians. These people followed the Spanish south. A mission was built in Socorro del Sur called Nuestra Senora de la Limpia Concepcion de las Piros del Socorro [Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of the Piros of Socorro.] Here is a link to a historical marker at the site, as well as photos of the church. I found the marker on the Historical Marker Database.

I also found this site about the Piro Indians.

Colorado Society of Hispanic Genealogy

Since some of our families went into Colorado, I've decided to offer a link to the Colorado Society of Hispanic Genealogy.

As with many other genealogy society website, this website contains queries, research help, publications for sale, links and much, much more.

Link.

Another Torres Family

Recently, Jason Ramirez posted a comment on my blog letting me know that there was a Torres Family in California that had connections to New Mexico. La Familia Torres is a website dedicated to that family.

This is the family of Lorenzo and Lucina (Trujillo) Torres from Mesilla, NM. I'm not sure how this family is related to my Torres families, but I'll let you know once I find out.

It's a good website. There are photos, genealogies and family stories. Thank you, Jason, for sharing this site with me.

Link.

Possible Ancestry of Certain 2008 Presidential Candidates

I found a site that lists the ancestry of certain US politial figures. Below are links to genealogies of the three Presidential front runners:

* Hilary Clinton

* Barach Obama

* John McCain

... and here is a possible relationship between Barach Obama and John McCain.

I don't know how accurate these are. However, at least the author of these genealogies included the sources so that you may check them out yourself.

1953 Socorro High School Graduation

Frances Baca

I found this link to a 1953 Socorro High Graduation photo. My mother, Frances Baca, is in the middle row, second from the left.

When you get to the website, click on the picture to get a better view.

Zimmerly Civil War Pension Records

Yesterday, I received in the mail Civil War pension records for my 2nd great grandfather Samuel Zimmerly and his widow Paula Zimmerly de Torres. What can be found in these documents:

* Samuel Zimmerly declared that he was an invalid due to rheumatism contacted while in the army. He claimed to have been exposed to "damp, wet weather."

* Samuel was working as a carpenter while living in Socorro, New Mexico.

* There are two documents that include Samuel's signature.

* A couple of the documents include Paula's mark (apparently she could not write.)

* Certain affadavits include statements and signatures by prominent Socorro residents such as Samuel Meek and Luis Maria Baca.

* One record includes a list of items and value of Paula's property.

* Handwritten copies of Samuel and Paula's marriage record, as well as the baptismal records of four of their children: Maria Dolores, Estavan, Tereza and Ricardo Maximiano.

* A letter from the Socorro County Assessor Ricardo Zimmerly to the Pension Department announcing his mother's death on 23 July 1917.

... and a bunch of other stuff.

There is no new information about Samuel's family. The copy of the marriage record once again states that he was Swiss, and that he was the son of Santiago Zimmerly and Maria Schus.

Luis Maria Baca declared that as far as he knew, Samuel was not married before he married Paula Torres. But then again, he only knew Samuel since 1864.

I hope to write an article about Samuel Zimmerly soon. I'll probably publish it in the New Mexico Genealogist. Maybe I'll give the readers of this blog a sneak peak.

More links about Samuel Zimmerly:

* Samuel Zimmerly and Paubla Torres

* Searching for My Zimmerly Cousins

* Civil War Roster

* Camp Lathan and the California Column

* Samuel Zimmerly Living in Visala, California?

* Zimmerly Questions

NMGS Officer to be Honored at Banquet

The New Mexico Genealogical Society’s web site editor Patricia Black Esterly has been chosen to represent Doña Eufemia at the 2008 Thanksgiving Banquet of the New Mexico Hispanic Culture Preservation League. The banquet is to take place on April 19, 2008 at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 1000 Woodward Pl NE, Albuquerque, NM.

Patricia is a long time member of NMGS and has worked on many projects for our society. The New Mexico Genealogical Society congratulates her for this honor.

Also being honored at this event is Hispanic Genealogical Research Center President Ron Miera, and teacher and author Dolores Valdez de Pong. The banquet’s featured speaker will be Rick Padilla of the Bataan Military Museum.

For more information, please visit the New Mexico Hispanic Culture Preservation League website at http://www.nmhcpl.org/.

This notice is for informational purposes only, and is not meant to be an endorsement of another organization by the New Mexico Genealogical Society.

Genealogical Databases at the Rio Rancho Library

The Rio Rancho Library website has links to a number of databases that can be accessed online. Many of them, such as FamilySearch and Rootsweb, can already be accessed without using the library website; while Ancestry.com Library edition can only be be accessed by visiting the library and using their computers. However, there is one database that patrons can access for free through the library website. If you have a Rio Rancho Library card - or even a Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Library card - you can get on to Heritage Quest Online for free.

Although Heritage Quest is not quite as good as Ancestry.com, it does have some good databases. For instance:

* U.S. Census records. You may search certain censuses: 1790 - 1820; 1860-1920; and part of 1930. You may browse any census from 1790-1930.

* Over 22,000 family and local history books.

* Abstracts for over 2,000,000 genealogy and local history articles (you have to pay a fee to get the actual articles.)

* Selected records from the Revolutionary War.

* Freedman's Bank records.

* U.S. Serials Set - memorials, petitions and private relief actions of the U.S. Congress.

Check it out!

Hispanic Resources Links

I found these links on the Dear Myrtle blog:


* Hispanic Newspapers at GenealogyBank.com. This includes New Mexican newspapers such as El Defensor del Pueblo from my hometown of Socorro, New Mexico.

* More Hispanic Resources.

Zimmerly Questions

As I mentioned in a previous post, it was pointed out to me that a Samuel Zimmerly is listed in a 1860 Visalia, California census record. Since my 2nd great grandfather enlisted in California just a year later, I assumed that this was him. However, I found a listing for another Samuel Zimmerly on the online California Genealogy and History Archives.

He is listed on the bottom of the page of the Tulare County Great Register of 1898. This man was 53 years old in 1898, which would make his birthdate circa 1845. This would make him 15 years old in 1860, not much younger than the 21 year old enumerated in the 1860 census. Other information about this Samuel Zimmerly is that he lived in Lindsay, CA and was orginally from Ohio.

One more point, both Lindsay and Visalia are in the same county.

Who is this Samuel Zimmerly? What is his relationship to my 2nd great grandfather, if any? I'm going to have to do further research. This register is not in the Albuquerque Special Collections Library. However, there are two other Tulane County books in their catalogue - a listing of marriage records, and a index of the 1860 census. I'm going to see what I can find in those books. If I can't find anything, I may check with the California Genealogy and History Archives website to see if I can do some further research for me.

Native American Genealogy

While searching for something completely different, I found a website that deals with Native American Genealogy. Looking up Native American roots can be tricky. One of the links on the site is to a blog on Suite101.com also called Native American Genealogy.

Being Hispanic, I definately have some Native American blood. Jose Tomas Candelaria is one of my Indian ancestors. The 1790 Census of Plaza No. 4 of Alburquerque enumerates his family:

(Family #) 155 Jose Tomas CANDELARIA, G(enizaro) , 20 (years old), shoemaker; m(arried) Anna M(aria) GALLEGOS, M(estiza), 15 (years old.) (1.)

A Genizaro is "an Indian who became part of the Spanish community and adopted the Spanish way of life". It is a term used almost exclusively in New Mexico. A Mestiza is a woman who has mixed Spanish and Indian blood. (2.)

Jose Tomas Candelaria is my 5th great grandfather.

1. Virginia Langham Olmsted, New Mexico Spanish and Mexican Colonial Censuses: 1790, 1823, 1845 (Albuquerque, NM: New Mexico Genealogical Society, 1975), p. 9. Hereinafter, "NM Censuses 1790, 1823, 1845".

2. Olmsted, "NM Censuses 1790, 1823, 1845", p. 1.

Why Ancestors are Important

In her final article for the Albuquerque Tribune, Mary Penner tells us just why our ancestors are important. Read Learning About Your Past is an Awesome Journey. Her reason that she gives for doing her genealogy is also the reason why I research my own family history.

It's just too bad that the Tribune folded. Hopefully, Mary Penner will find another place to do her weekly columns.

P.S., this link may dissappear at the end of March when the website is slated to close. So check out this article now.

March 2008 New Mexico Genealogical Society Newsletter

March 2008 Newsletter

Table of Contents


1. President’s Message
2. Upcoming Programs
3. Sale: Valencia County Books!
4. New Mexico Genealogist March Issue Preview
5. Call for Papers: Aquí Se Comienza Special Issue
6. NMGS Website
7. Links
8. Subscribe / Unsubscribe



1. President’s Message

Greetings:

This month we may have come in like a lamb, but we will be leaving it roaring like a lion.

The New Mexico Genealogical Society has much planned for this month. First, we are going to have a fantastic program at the Los Lunas Museum of Heritage and the Arts. Second, at that program we will be offering at a discount of certain Valencia County books. Third, at the end of the month we will be sending out the New Mexico Genealogist’s first issue of the year.

April isn’t looking too shabby, either. Roar!

Robert Baca, President NMGS


2. Upcoming Programs

Saturday March 15, 2008, 10:30 AM, Los Lunas Museum of Heritage and the Arts, 251 Main St., Los Lunas, NM.

The much anticipated traveling programs begin this month! Join us at the newly opened Los Lunas Museum of Heritage and the Arts. Noted genealogist Francisco Sisneros will present the story of “Ana de Sandoval y Manzanares: Woman of Perseverance and Triumph”. This historic woman was recently selected to represent Valencia County in the New Mexico Historic Marker Initiative.

Saturday April 19, 2008, 10:30 AM, Special Collections Library, 423 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM (NW corner of Edith and Central)

Jan Bennett will give a presentation on her book The Making of a Family: The Pecos Years 1916-1940 (written in collaboration with her cousin Penny Storms.) Jan will talk about her family’s experiences in New Mexico. Her great-uncles, the Grant brothers, were railroad contractors who also owned many Albuquerque businesses such as the water works, the icehouse, the Grant Opera House and the Albuquerque Morning Journal. The city of Grants, NM is named after them. Their nephew, Jan’s grandfather, followed his uncles to New Mexico to help out with their businesses. This is also a story about his family.

Jan will read excerpts from her book, which includes personal reminisces, letters and diaries. Copies of her book will be available for purchase. Come join us on April 19th to listen to this dynamic speaker.

All programs are open and free to the public. For more information about these programs, please visit our website at http://www.nmgs.org/workshop.htm. A map showing directions to the Los Lunas Museum of Heritage and the Arts can be found on that page.


3. Sale: Valencia County Books!

It’s a one day sale! In honor of our March 15th presentation at the Los Lunas Museum of Heritage and the Arts, we will be selling certain discounted NMGS books! This sale is based on mailing costs; therefore, these books cannot be sold at these prices and then shipped to you. You must be present at the museum to get the discount. (If we run out of books, we will give out rain checks; however, you must make arrangements to pick up your purchases at a future NMGS meeting.)

Books for Sale on the morning of March 15, 2008 at the Los Lunas Museum of Heritage and the Arts:

San Augustin de la Isleta Church, Marriages and Baptisms (A5) - $30.00
Our Lady of Belen Church Baptisms (A10) – $40.00
Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepción de Tomé: Volume I (A11) - $42.00
Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepción de Tomé: Volume II (A12) - $40.00
Churches of Immaculate Conception of Tomé and Our Lady of Belen Marriages (C2) - $23.00

Look for other discounted books at future NMGS meetings!


4. New Mexico Genealogist March Issue Preview

Continuing our commitment to a quality journal, the March issue of the New Mexico Genealogist offers the following articles:

“The Story Behind the Photograph: Crespin Torres’ Genealogy” by Robert J. C. Baca
“Abiquiu Burial Records” (a transcription of lost burial records)
“Jose Carrillo, Civil War Veteran” by Nancy Anderson
“Genealogy and Citation” by Karen Daniel, CGsm
“The Lucero/Fresquis Family” by Eva Coca-Lucero

This issue will also include the regular articles Primeras Familias, New Mexico Ancestors, and Queries. The issue will be mailed out at the end of March.

5. Call for Papers: Aquí Se Comienza Special Issue

In March 2007, NMGS published our contribution to the Albuquerque Tri-Centennial: Aquí Se Comienza. This book chronicled the first few generations of the founding families of Alburquerque. When we issued this book, we realized that it was not a finished work. As with any genealogical enterprise - especially one of this magnitude – there would be a need for additions and revisions. Therefore, we asked you, the genealogical community, to submit papers based on this book.

In honor of the book’s second anniversary, we will be publishing a special March 2009 Issue of the New Mexico Genealogist: “Aquí Se Comienza”. We are calling for papers for this special issue. The deadline is less than nine months away, on January 1, 2009. Send us articles expanding on the families found in the book. You probably have a family history that you are dying to tell. No book can tell the whole story; but you certainly can tell the story that we didn’t.

… and don’t forget, we are always looking for other articles on New Mexican genealogy. Take up the challenge! Tell your family’s story. Contribute to our journal.

Our mailing address is:

New Mexico Genealogical Society
Attn: New Mexico Genealogist editor
PO Box 27599
Albuquerque, NM 87125-7559

Or, send an e-mail to our editor, Russ Shaw at rfshaw@vla.com.

6. NMGS Website

Here are a few things that you can find on the NMGS website:

“DAR New Mexico Colonial Patriot Soldiers and Alcalde Mayores” by Virginia Sanchez http://www.nmgs.org/artPatrDAR.htm

“Zuni Training School Register of Employees, 1905-1906” abstracted by Karen Daniel, CGsm http://www.nmgs.org/artZuniSchool.htm

“Grant County Marriages – 1868 – 1872” by Ann L. Mossman http://www.nmgs.org/artGrantmar1868.htm

Check out these online articles and more at the NMGS website: http://www.nmgs.org/

7. Links

Our upcoming program at the Los Lunas Museum of Heritage and Arts was mentioned in the Valencia County News Bulletin. The article also has some great photos of the museum. http://www.news-bulletin.com/lavida/78152-03-01-08.html

Here is an article about Grants, NM on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grants,_New_Mexico

Here is an article about Pecos, NM on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecos%2C_NM

8. Subscribe

If you wish to have this newsletter e-mailed to you every month, send us an e-mail to abqbobcat@nmia.com. Type in the subject line “Subscribe: NMGS Newsletter”.