There is a high incidence of Cavernous Malformation among Hispanic families in New Mexico, specifically among descendants of Cristobal Baca II and his son Manuel Baca. Manuel Baca was a progenitor of Baca families who returned to New Mexico in 1693 after the Pueblo Revolt of 1680.
This genetic mutation can cause brain hemorrhaging among many other symptoms. Obviously, this can be a life altering and life threatening condition.
CCM1, the Common Hispanic Mutation , does not skip generations, and children of those who are affected have a 50/50 chance of inheriting the disease.
Estimates are that there are 5 million descendants of the Baca family, and that anyone who has 7 generations of New Mexican (Hispanic) ancestry are probably descendants of the Baca family. Among the ancestors identified as probable carriers of the illness are two children of Manuel Baca, (Maria) Josefa Baca and Cristobal Baca III. Cristobal Baca III has the most descendants identified as affected by the disease. In addition, half of Luis Maria Cabeza de Baca 23 children inherited the disease. He was the grandson of Cristobal Baca III.
Both Josefa Baca and Cristobal Baca III are my ancestors multiple times and Luis Maria Cabeza de Baca is my 4th great-grandfather, along my paternal Baca surname line.
I'm not by any definition an expert on this topic, but I felt I should share this information. If you are interested in finding out more about this illness, I suggest visiting the site Alliance for the Cure: Cavernous Malformation.
Sources for this post are in its textual links.
