Census Records of Martin Baca and his son Juan Baca

A photo of Juan and Carolina (Bourguignon) Baca, and their children, taken on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary (April, 1950). Kneeling left to right: Martin B. Baca, Philip B. Baca. Standing left to right: Robert B. Baca, Priscilla B. Baca, Lorenzo B. Baca, Juan Baca y Luna, Carolina Bourguignon Baca.

Photo courtesy of Ed Baca.

Martin Baca is my second great-grandfather on my dad's direct paternal line. His son Juan, was my great-grandfather. Martin Baca was the son of Jose Mateo Mauricio Cabeza de Baca, who, himself, was the son of my 4th great-grandfather Luis Maria Cabeza de Baca and his second wife Ana Maria Sanchez.

In 1860, Martin shows up in Lemitar, New Mexico with his brothers. (Click on the image to get a closer look.)

Source: Louis Baca household, 1860 U. S. census, population schedule, Territory of New Mexico, Socorro County, Town of Lemitar, page 63, dwelling # 648, family # 580; digital image retrieved 6 March 2010, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com/).

A close up of the family record shows Louis Baca, a 30 year old male; Ramona, a 25 year female (most likely his wife); three young girls Beatriz, 11 years old; Jesusa (?), 5 years old; and Trinidad, 2 years old. Most likely these girls are the children of Louis and Ramona Baca. Listed in the household are Louis' brothers Juan de Dios, 26; and Martin, 22. Three female servants and another girl are listed: Rita (?), 27 ; Clara Baca, Indian, 27; Librada (Baca), also listed as an Indian (Clara's child?), 11 years old; and Jesusa (?), a 15 year old. (Click on the image to get a closer look.)

The 1870 census of Lemitar, New Mexico shows Martin Baca with his wife Rita Luna and three of their children. My great-grandfather Juan was not in this record because he would not be born until 10 February 1871.



Source: Martin Baca household, 1870 U. S. census, population schedule, Territory of New Mexico, Socorro County, Town of Lemitar, page 13, dwelling # 117, family # 111; digital image retrieved 6 March 2010, Ancestry.com.



A close up of the record shows Martin Baca, 28 years old; his wife Rita; and their children Ramona 7, Miguel 6 and Adelida, 1.




I did not find the family in the 1880 census. Due to a fire, there is no 1890 census for New Mexico.

The next time I find the Baca family, Juan Baca and his wife Carolina Bourguignon are listed with his mother Rita (Luna)Baca.

Source: Juan Baca household, 1900 U. S. census, population schedule, Territory of New Mexico, Socorro County, Town of Lemitar, supervisor district # 170, enumeration district # 136, page 22A, dwelling # 127, family # 128; digital image retrieved 6 March 2010, Ancestry.com.

A close-up of the record shows that the couple are newlyweds. It says that Juan Baca, born March 1872 (sic); and his wife Carolina, born June 1882 (sic); were married for 1 year and had no children. In reality, they had been married only a few months prior, on 9 April 1900. Included in the household is Juan's mother, Rita Baca, who, according to this record, was born in May 1844. Interestingly enough, it shows that Rita gave birth to only one child, and only one child was living. This does not seem to be correct.


The 1910 US census shows a larger household. Rita is no longer living with her son. It is possible that she passed away by this time.

Source: Juan Baca household, 1910 U.S. Census, Territory of New Mexico, Socorro County, Precinct # 2 Lemitar, supervisor's district # 181, enumeration district # 203, sheet # 5B, dwelling # 77, family # 79, digital image retrieve 6 March 2010, Ancestry.com.

A close up shows Juan Baca, 38; and his wife Carolina, 26. They had been married 10 years; Carolina gave birth to 4 children, with only three surviving. Their three child are also listed: two boys Lorenzo, 6 years old and Roberto (my grandfather), 4 years old; and one 7 month old girl, whose name is hard to read. I don't know of this daughter. The only daughter I know is of Prescilla, who would not have been born yet.

The deceased child may have been a Juan Felipe Baca. I show that Carolina gave birth to a Juan Felipe Baca on 15 January 1903. This is not the same Felipe Baca who was be born after this census was taken. It appears that the other Felipe died early, possibly at birth.

The 1920 census shows all of the family that lived on until at least the 1950s, minus for one son: Martin. I'm assuming he was born after this census was taken.

Source: Juan Baca household, 1920 U.S. Census, State of New Mexico, Socorro County, Precinct # 2: Lemitar, supervisor's district #211, enumeration district # 150, sheet 4B, dwelling #83, family # 84; digital image retrieved 6 March 2010, ancestry.com.

A close up of this record shows 48 year old Juan Baca, with his 36 wife Carolina B. Their children are listed as sons Lorenzo, 15; Roberto, 12; Felipe 7; and the one daughter Precila, 4 years old.

I could not find a 1930 census record for this family.