The Baca / Douglas Genealogy and Family History Blog

26 October 2010

NMGS Year-end program, November 20, 2010

Saturday, November 20, 2010
10:30 AM at the Salón Ortega in

The National Hispanic Cultural Center
1701 4th St. SW
Albuquerque, New Mexico
On the southwest corner of Avenida
César Chávez and 4th Street

The New Mexico Genealogical Society’s
Year-end program

featured speaker

Robert Julyan
Author of “The Place Names of New Mexico”


Additionally:
· Door prizes / NMGS Volunteer Appreciation
· NMGS Officer elections
· Vote on proposed NMGS by-law amendments (the amendments are featured in the September 2010 issue of the New Mexico Genealogist)

This program is free and open to the public. For more information, visit national recognized NMGS website at www.nmgs.org.

24 October 2010

First Hand Account of the New Mexico Territorial Period

Recently, I have been researching early Socorro County history, when I came across a book online titled "El Gringo, or New Mexico and Her People". It was written by William Watts Hart Davis, a circuit judge the United States Attorney for New Mexico. He traveled throughout New Mexico for two and a half years in the 1850s. I find the book interesting because he talks a lot about the people he came across in his travels.

What I specifically found useful in my research was his mention of the residence of the last and late Mexican Governor of New Mexico Manuel Armijo:





The mayor domo of the establishment received us in the court-yard and conducted us into the house, where we were welcomed by the owner of the establishment, a son-in-law of the deceased general [Governor Armijo.] As is customary of a Mexican gentleman, he placed everything at our disposal, but we felt well understood that nothing farther was donated to us than accommodations for ourselves and our horses. We were ushered into the main sala, where servants soon made their appearance with water and necessary ablutions and accompanying toilet fixtures...." [page 363]


The son-in-law is undoubtedly Luis Maria Baca, husband of Manuel Armijo's adopted daughter Ramona Armijo. Ramona inherited her father's house after he died. 1. Additionally, Luis Maria Baca was also a grandson and namesake of land grant proprietor Luis Maria Cabeza de Baca, and the brother of my 2nd great-grandfather Martin Baca.2. Through this vignette, I was able to get a better understanding of this family.

To read "El Gringo", click on this link.

Sources:
1. Fray Angelico Chavez, Origins of New Mexico Families: A Genealogy of the Spanish Colonial Period, Revised Edition (Santa Fe: Museum of New Mexico Press, 1992), p. 318. See also J. J. Bowden, "Socorro Land Grant", in the New Mexico Office of the State Historian website
http://www.newmexicohistory.org/>, retrieved 24 October 2010. (Link)

2. Chavez, "Origins of New Mexico Families", p. 152-153. See also J.J. Bowden, "Luis Maria de Baca Grant", in the New Mexico Office of State Historian website, http://www.newmexicohistory.org>, retrieved 24 October 2010. (Link)

19 October 2010

Cousin writes about genealogy ... and her iPhone

My cousin Maurine Pool, a reporter for the Orange County Register, wrote a short article about using her iPhone at a recent reunion - the Torres Family Reunion, to be specific. She was showing all of us her new genealogy program and photographs ... well, why don't I let her explain it herself. Click on this link to read her article.

By the way, check out the photos that go along with her iPhone. One photo includes a picture of my 2nd great grandparents Crespin Torres and Andreita Trujillo.

06 October 2010

Family Photos at NMGS Conference

I'm putting together a slide show for the New Mexico Genealogical Society's 50th Anniversary Conference on October 15th and 16th. As part of the slide show, I would like to show some family photos.

If you wish to contribute your family photos to the conference, please do the following:

1.) Send me up to three family photos to my email at abqbobcat@nmia.com.

2.) Include the names of all the people you know in the photos, how they are related to you, and when and where you think the photo was taken. Approximate dates are fine.

Send it to me by Sunday, October 10th. I'll be preparing the slide show the week following.

Thanks! Hope to see you at the conference!

Robert Baca
President, New Mexico Genealogical Society.

Family Photos at NMGS Conference

I'm putting together a slide show for the New Mexico Genealogical Society's 50th Anniversary Conference on October 15th and 16th. As part of the slide show, I would like to show some family photos.

If you wish to contribute your family photos to the conference, please do the following:

1.) Send me up to three family photos to my email at abqbobcat@nmia.com.

2.) Include the names of all the people you know in the photos, how they are related to you, and when and where you think the photo was taken. Approximate dates are fine.

Send it to me by Sunday, October 10th. I'll be preparing the slide show the week following.

Thanks! Hope to see you at the conference!

Robert Baca
President, New Mexico Genealogical Society.