Looking for Socorro area obituaries

Dear readers of this blog:

I'm currently collecting obituaries for people who have connections the Socorro, New Mexico area. This includes people who lived and died elsewhere. If you have an obituary that you would like to share, please scan it and send it to me at info@socorrogrant.org. You may also send me transcriptions that you made of obituaries. If you have a link to a specific obituary that is online, please send it to me.

Once again my email is info@socorrogrant.org.

Thank you,

Robert Baca
Socorro Land Grant Research Project

Tomasa Gonzales and Philip Bouguignon in the 1860 Census

A woman who marries a soldier often finds herself physically separated from him for substantial periods of time. Tomasa Gonzales is no exception.

Nineteen year old Tomasa Gonzales, the wife of Philip Bourguignon, can be found in the 1860 U.S. Census at Fort Craig, 30 miles south of Socorro, New Mexico. She was living in household #310, as head of family #222. She was a laundress. She is listed with three children: Abram (5 years old), Celsa (4) and Amado Gonzales (4 months.) Interestingly enough, it does not appear that any of these children were her own. She had been married just 3 years prior, and seems too young to have had 4 and 5 year old children. Also, I find no other documentation of her having children by those names. She should have had a daughter Margarita Bourguignon by this time. Margarita would have been born around 1858 or 1859, according to the 1880 and 1885 censuses.

Tomasa's 26 year old sister, Maria Ynes Gonzales, is shown in the same household, as the head of family #223. Maria Ynes is a laundress also. She is listed with two children: Margarita 2 years old, and Nestor 11 years old. Is this Margarita actually Margarita Bourguignon?

1860 Census of Fort Craig, Territory of New Mexico, p. 28

Meanwhile, Tomasa's husband is enumerated in a different military fort. Sgt. Philip Bourguignon is listed with his fellow soldiers of the 1st Regiment of the Mounted Rifles at Ft. Union in San Miguel County.

The couple had been married for only three years. What would it have been like to be living apart so early in the marriage?

1860 Census of Fort Craig, Territory of New Mexico, p. 127

Sources:
1860 U.S. Census, Socorro County, New Mexico, population schedule, Fort Craig, p. 28, dwelling # 310, families # 222 & #233, Tomasa Gonzales & Maria Ynes Gonzales; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 29 October 2015).

1860 U.S. Census, San Miguel County, Territory of New Mexico, population schedule, Military Camp at Red River, Fort Union, p. 127, dwelling #1263, family # 1268, Phil. Bourginon; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 October 2015).

1880 U.S. Census, Socorro County, Territory of New Mexico, population schedule, Palomas, enumeration district (ED) 45, p. 63, dwelling # 44, family # 44, Donaciano Montoya; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 July 2015).

1885 U.S. Census, Sierra County, Territory of New Mexico, population schedule, Las Palomas, Precinct No. 4, enumeration district (ED) 30, p. 2, household # 17, family # 17, D. Montoya; digital images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 4 July 2015).

Matrimonios: San Miguel del Socorro, 1 January 1854 - 31 December 1900; San Ignacio y San Cristobal, 1 March 1869 - 31 December 1900; San Marcial, 26 March 1883 - 31 December 1902; Our Lady of Sorrows of La Jolla, 1 January 1872 - 31 December 1900 (Alburquerque: Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of New Mexico, 1999), p. 20.

Socorro Land Grant Presentation, May 16, 2015 in Socorro, New Mexico

From Immediate Release

Genealogist to Speak about Socorro Grant

Family historian Robert J. C. Baca will speak on “The History and People of the Socorro Land Grant”, on May 16, 2015, at 10 A.M., at the Cottonwood Valley Charter School in Socorro. This program is being presented by the New Mexico Office of the State Historian, the New Mexico Genealogical Society and the Socorro County Historical Society.

Baca has been researching Socorro genealogy and local history for over 15 years. Recently, his research has focused on the Socorro Land Grant. Baca has identified over 60 families who appear to be those who re-settled Socorro in 1815. This year marks the 200^th anniversary of the land grant. 

Baca’s presentation will focus on the controversies regarding the land grant. He will also do a case study on a few of the founding families.

Baca has deep roots in Socorro, going back its founding. He grew up in the community and is a 1986 graduate of Socorro High School. He has a bachelor’s degree in social studies education from the University of New Mexico. He presently teaches history at Foothill High School in Albuquerque.

This presentation is in fulfillment of a scholarship presented to Baca by the New Mexico Office of the State Historian.

Socorro Land Grant presentation in Socorro, May 16, 2015

Cottonwood Valley Charter School
Socorro, New Mexico

Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 10:00 AM

Office of State Historian

Presents

Robert J. C. Baca

The History and People of the Socorro Land Grant

In 1815, 60+ families re-settled the community of Socorro, New Mexico. They established a land grant that was later challenged in court by the U.S. Government. Two centuries after its founding, genealogist and Socorro native Robert J. C. Baca investigates the history and people of the Socorro Land Grant.

Juan Jose Baca, born circa 1796-1799, of Socorro, New Mexico

 Here's some information about Juan Jose Baca, possible son of Juan Dionosio Baca and Maria Rita Pino. His parents were among the founders of the Socorro Land Grant.

Juan Jose Baca was not born in Socorro, as Socorro was not resettled until 1815. However, he probably arrived there as a teenager or young man.
 

Father  Juan Jose BACA
	Birth	ca 1796–1799	New Mexico1–2
	godfather/padrino	5 May 1825	Maria Atencia GALINDO; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico3
	godfather/padrino	7 May 1827	Maria de la Cruz ROMERO; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico4
	godfather/padrino	31 May 1829	Juan Pascual Vayla JOJOLA; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico5
	godfather/padrino	23 Oct 1835	Juana Maria Salome BACA; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico6
	godfather/padrino	7 Feb 1837	Maria de Jesus BACA Y PADILLA; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico7
	godfather/padrino	22 Apr 1838	Juan Dionosio Aniseto BACA; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico8
	godfather/padrino	8 Apr 1846	Maria Selestina Dionisia PADILLA; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico9
	godfather/padrino	15 Nov 1846	Jose Teodoro BACA; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico10
	godfather/padrino	22 Nov 1846	Maria Felistia PINO; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico11
	godfather/padrino	3 Mar 1850	Matias Miterio TORRES; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico12
	godfather/padrino	12 Sep 1851	Jose Serapio JARAMILLO; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico13
	Death
	Burial
	Census (fam)	1833	1833 Mexican Census; La Parida, New Mexico1
	Census (fam)	1845	1845 Mexican Census; San Antonio de la Parida, New Mexico2
	Census (fam)	30 Jul 1860	1860 U.S. Census; dwelling #1293, household #1187, La Parida, The Pueblitos de la Parida, Socorro County, Territory of New Mexico14
	Marriage		1
	Father	Juan Dionosio BACA (1763-    )
	Mother	Maria Rita PINO (1774-    )
Mother  Maria Antonia JARAMILLO
	Birth	ca 1805–1808	New Mexico1–2
	godmother/madrina	5 May 1825	Maria Atencia GALINDO; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico3
	godmother/madrina	7 May 1827	Maria de la Cruz ROMERO; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico4
	godmother/madrina	31 May 1829	Juan Pascual Vayla JOJOLA; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico5
	godmother/madrina	23 Oct 1835	Juana Maria Salome BACA; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico6
	godmother/madrina	7 Feb 1837	Maria de Jesus BACA Y PADILLA; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico7
	godmother/madrina	22 Apr 1838	Juan Dionosio Aniseto BACA; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico8
	godmother/madrina	8 Apr 1846	Maria Selestina Dionisia PADILLA; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico9
	godmother/madrina	15 Nov 1846	Jose Teodoro BACA; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico10
	godmother/madrina	22 Nov 1846	Maria Felistia PINO; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico11
	godmother/madrina	3 Mar 1850	Matias Miterio TORRES; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico12
	godmother/madrina	12 Sep 1851	Jose Serapio JARAMILLO; San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico13
	Death
	Burial
	Father
	Mother
Family Sources2,10,14
Children
M	Francisco BACA
	Birth	ca 1813	New Mexico1
	Enumerated	1833	Juan Jose BACA and Maria Antonia JARAMILLO; 1833 Mexican Census; La Parida, New Mexico1
	Death
	Burial
	Marriage
M	Miguel BACA
	Birth	ca 1815	New Mexico1
	Enumerated	1833	Juan Jose BACA and Maria Antonia JARAMILLO; 1833 Mexican Census; La Parida, New Mexico1
	Death
	Burial
	Marriage
M	Felipe BACA
	Birth	ca 1818	New Mexico1
	Enumerated	1833	Juan Jose BACA and Maria Antonia JARAMILLO; 1833 Mexican Census; La Parida, New Mexico1
	Death
	Burial
	Marriage
F	Maria del Pilar BACA
	Birth	ca 1820–1825	New Mexico1–2
	Enumerated	1833	Juan Jose BACA and Maria Antonia JARAMILLO; 1833 Mexican Census; La Parida, New Mexico1
	Death
	Burial
	Spouse
M	Dionosio BACA
	Birth	ca 1831	New Mexico2
	Death
	Burial
	Marriage
M	Jose Alejandro BACA
	Birth	ca 1833	New Mexico2
	Death
	Burial
	Marriage
F	Maria Romana BACA
	Birth	ca 1843	New Mexico2
	Death
	Burial
	Marriage
M	Jose Dinicio BACA
	Birth	ca 1845	New Mexico2
	Death
	Burial
	Marriage
M	Jose Teodoro BACA
	Birth	12 Nov 1846	La Parida, New Mexico10
	Baptism	15 Nov 1846	San Miguel Church, Socorro, New Mexico10
	Death
	Burial
	Marriage
F	Crecencia BACA
	Birth	ca 1847	New Mexico14
	Enumerated	30 Jul 1860	Juan Jose BACA and Maria Antonia JARAMILLO; 1860 U.S. Census; dwelling #1293, household #1187, La Parida, The Pueblitos de la Parida, Socorro County, Territory of New Mexico14
	Death
	Burial
	Marriage
Preparer				Comments
Robert J. C. Baca Albuquerque, New Mexico

FAMILY NOTES

Census (fam) (1833):
Juan Jose Baca         37
Maria Xaramiyo        28
Maria del Pilar            8
Franco                      20
Miguel                      18
Felipe                        15

Census (fam) (1845):
(married) Juan Jose Baca        46
                Ma Anta Jaramo     37
                Jose Alejandro       12
                Diono                     14
                Ma del Pilar            25
                Ma Romana              2
                Jose Dinicio             ___

Census (fam) (30 July 1860):
Juan Jose Baca, 60 years old, male, farmer, real estate $1,500, personal estate $3,500, born in New Mexico.
Maria Anta ", 54, female, born in New Mexico, person 20 years or older who can neither read nor write.
Crecencia ", 13, female, born in New Mexico.
Ramona ", 11, female, Indian, Nabajoe.
Jose Fabian Gutierrez, 15, male, born in New Mexico.
Filomeno ", 12, male, born in New Mexico.

General:
There is a 10 year difference between Maria Romana Baca and her next youngest sibling and a 12 year difference between Jose Dinicio Baca and the same sibling that it appears that it may be possible that neither Romana and Dinicio were actually the children of Juan Jose Baca and Maria Antonia Jaramillo. It is possible that the children are adopted OR are actually their grandchildren.

Jose Teodoro Baca is named as the son of "unknown". He is baptized by Juan Jose Baca and Maria Antonia Jaramillo. Therefore, he is listed here are adopted by this couple.

Crecencia Baca is listed as being 13 years old in the 1860 U.S. Census. This would make her birth date as 1847. Once again, it appears that she may not be a daughter of Juan Jose Baca and Maria Antonia Jaramillo, but rather possibly a grandchild or adopted child.

CHILD NOTES: Jose Dinicio BACA

Birth (circa 1845):
There is no actual age listed on the 1845 census, so he may have been a baby at this time.

        1. Teresa Ramirez Alief Jose Gonzales and Patrica Black Esterly, New Mexico Censuses of 1833 and 1845: Socorro and Surrounding Communities of the Rio Abajo (Albuquerque: New Mexico Genealogical Society, 1994), p. 24.

        2. Alief, New Mexico Censuses of 1833 and 1845, p. 72.

        3. Lila Armijo Pfeufer, Margaret Leonard Windham, and and Evelyn Lujan Baca, New Mexico Baptisms San Miguel de Socorro Church: 1821-1853 (Albuquerque: New Mexico Genealogical Society, 1998), p. 25.

        4. Pfeufer, Windham, and Baca, New Mexico Baptisms San Miguel de Socorro Church, p. 35.

        5. Pfeufer, Windham, and Baca, New Mexico Baptisms San Miguel de Socorro Church, p. 46.

        6. Pfeufer, Windham, and Baca, New Mexico Baptisms San Miguel de Socorro Church, p. 89.

        7. Pfeufer, Windham, and Baca, New Mexico Baptisms San Miguel de Socorro Church, p. 99.

        8. Pfeufer, Windham, and Baca, New Mexico Baptisms San Miguel de Socorro Church, p. 112.

        9. Pfeufer, Windham, and Baca, New Mexico Baptisms San Miguel de Socorro Church, p. 218.

        10. Pfeufer, Windham, and Baca, New Mexico Baptisms San Miguel de Socorro Church, p. 227.

        11. Pfeufer, Windham, and Baca, New Mexico Baptisms San Miguel de Socorro Church, p. 228.

        12. Pfeufer, Windham, and Baca, New Mexico Baptisms San Miguel de Socorro Church, p. 280.

        13. Pfeufer, Windham, and Baca, New Mexico Baptisms San Miguel de Socorro Church, p. 304.

        14. 1860 U.S. Census, Socorro County, Territory of New Mexico, population schedule, La Parida, The Pueblitos of La Parida, p. 137, dwelling #1293, household 1187, Juan Jose Baca; digital iages, Ancestry Library Edition (www.anestrylibrary.com : accessed 31 March 2015).

 

Juan Jose Baca is probably the son of Juan Dionosio Baca and Maria Rita Pino. Curiously, there is definite lack of evidence for Juan Jose Baca’s parentage. There is no baptismal or marriage record for Juan Jose, and few sacramental records for his children. Before 1833, there are no census records listing Juan Jose Baca before 1833, even though he was apparently born between 1796 and 1799 and could have been listed in the 1802 Spanish census of the Albuquerque Confraternity, the censuses of Las Huertas and Bernalillo (1803-1807), or even the San Antonio del Sabinal census of 1827, just to name a few.[1]

Since it appears that all the Baca families that arrived in the Socorro area in its first few decades were from the Rio Abajo area, a review was made of the Albuquerque, Isleta, Tomé, Belen and Socorro records. Other than a couple of baptismal records for the illegitimate children of Juan Jose Baca’s daughter Maria del Pilar Baca, there are no other sacramental records for his children. The evidence of Juan Jose Baca’s parentage therefore must come from two other sources.

First, Juan Jose Baca and Maria Antonia Jaramillo are listed as padrinos for four of Juan Dionosio Baca and Maria Rita Pino’s grandchildren and great grandchildren: Mariade Jesus Felipa Baca (1837),  Juan Dionosio Aniseto Baca (1838), Maria Felistia Pino, and Jose Serapio Jaramillo (1851). All of the baptisms took place in either Socorro of in La Parida.[2]

Second, Juan Jose Baca and Maria Antonia Jaramillo are continually listed as living in La Parida in the 1833, 1845 and 1860 censuses (see above.) Descendants of Juan Dionosio Baca and Maria Rita Pino who also lived in the area include Jose Miguel Baca, Antonio Maria Baca and Jose Leon Baca.[3] Certainly, there are other Baca families in this area who definitely or possibly not related to this family;[4] however, Juan Jose Baca and Jose Miguel Baca are enumerated very near each other in the 1860 census.[5] This may be significant, or it may mean nothing. In any case, the circumstantial evidence seems to point to Juan Jose Baca being a relative of this Baca clan.

---

[1] See Virginia Langham Olmsted, C.G., Spanish and Mexican Censuses of New Mexico 1750 and 1830 (Albuquerque: The New Mexico Genealogical Society, 1981), pp. 125-147, & 250-260.

[2] Lila Armijo Pfeufer, Margaret Leonard Windham, and Evelyn Lujan Baca, New Mexico Baptisms San Miguel de Socorro Church: 1821-1853 (Albuquerque: New Mexico Genealogical Society, 1998), pp. 99, 112, 228, and 304. To be fair, Juan Jose and Maria Antonia are also listed in the baptismal records of Juana Maria Salome (1835), whose grandfather is a certain Juan Miguel Baca, (not to be confused with Jose Miguel Baca) whose parentage is unknown; and Matias Miterio Torres, who was the grandson of Altagracia Baca, who was the daughter of Dionosio Antonio Baca, a different, yet similarly named, founder of Socorro. Ibid, pp. 89 and 280. Juan Jose Baca and Maria Antonia Jaramillo are also listed as padrinos for at least four other children not directly related to this Baca clan. Ibid, pp. 35, 46, 218 and 280.

[3] Teresa Ramirez Alief Jose Gonzales and Patrica Black Esterly, New Mexico Censuses of 1833 and 1845: Socorro and Surrounding Communities of the Rio Abajo (Albuquerque: New Mexico Genealogical Society, 1994), p. 26.

[4] See Ibid, pp. 24 - 27, and 72-75 for a full listing of residents of La Parida in 1833 and 1845.

[5] 1860 U.S. Census, Socorro County, Territory of New Mexico, population schedule, La Parida, The Pueblitos of La Parida, p. 137, Juan Jose Baca and Jose Miguel Baca households; digital images, Ancestry Library Edition (www.anestrylibrary.com : accessed 31 March 2015).