The Baca / Douglas Genealogy and Family History Blog

06 January 2011

No January 2011 NMGS Program

The New Mexico Genealogical Society will not be presenting a program on January 15, 2011. However, we will be back in February.

Our next program will be on February 19, 2011 at the Albuquerque Special Collections Library. Keep on eye on this blog for further information.

Robert Baca
President, New Mexico Genealogical Society

28 November 2010

Socorro Fire Co. Fire Dept. - 1891

Today I've been doing some research on Socorro, specifically about Candelario Garcia, a political figure in the mid to late 19th century. I found this reference to Socorro County's fire department in the Insurance Yearbook: Fire and Marine, Volume 19 (1891):

Socorro, Socorro Co., population 2500; fire area 1/2sq mile; mercantile buildings, brick and adobe, 1 and 2 stories; no fireworks ordinance. Fire department – 1 hose carriage; hose rubber good 500 ft; value of fire department equipment $1000; total membership 25, volunteer; bell alarm. Catarino Cortanes.


Water Supply- Source, springs; system, gravity; reservoir cap 500,000 gals; 25 hydrants, Ludlow; pipe 6 miles, 2 to 10 in dia; 15 valves, Ludlow; pressure 65 pounds; cost to construct $30,000; ann expenses $1000; in on bonds $1800. Supt, R. W Monroe; mayor, Candelario Garcia; city clerk, Abram Abeita.

Click on this link to read this book online.

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.

21 September 2010

Early registration for NMGS Conference ... extended

Shh... it's a secret.

Even though we've passed the early registration date, I can get you into the


New Mexico Genealogical Society's 50th Anniversary Conference
October 15 - 16, 2010
Mariott Pyramid Hotel, Albuquerque, NM

at the early registration price. Click on this link to print up a registration form. Initial the form with my initials, (RB) send it in with a check or money order at the early registration fee amount, and - there you go - you're attending a great conference.

Can't make it to the conference on both Friday and Saturday? Have you thought about attending the banquet instead? The luncheon banquet begins at 12:30 PM on Saturday, October 16th. Bennett Greenspan, the President and CEO of FamilyTreeDNA, will be talking about genetic genealogy. This is a must for anyone who is interested in using DNA for genealogical research. It's only $35 per person.

Remember, send in your registration soon. If you mail it too late, we might not get it in time....

11 September 2010

Last minute deal: NMGS 50th Annivesary Conference

Save $20 by registering early for the NMGS conference!
Send it postmarked by September 15th to get the deal!
Find a registration form at this link.

New Mexico Genealogical Society
50th Anniversary Conference

October 15-16, 2010

Marriott Pyramid North
515 San Francisco Road NE
Albuquerque, NM


For more information, visit the NMGS website at http://www.nmgs.org/

05 September 2010

Early registration for NMGS Conference ends Sept 15th!

Just a reminder to everyone: early registration for the New Mexico Genealogical Society's 50th Anniversary Conference ends September 15th!

You can certainly wait until after September 15th to register, but why? Wouldn't you rather save money by registering early? For more information about the conference, and to print out a registration form,
click on this link:

October 15-16, 2010
Marriott Pyramid North
515 San Francisco Road NE
Albuquerque, NM