I've started yet another blog. This one is called Socorro and the Beyond Graveyard Rabbit. A graveyard rabbit is someone who blogs about cemeteries, tombstones and the dearly departed. Hey, what can I say: I'm a genealogist - I'm interested in dead people.
My first post is about my great-grandparents Ignacio and Andreitta M. Torres.
Visit my site.
28 January 2010
20 January 2010
February 2010 NMGS Program
Saturday, February 20, 2010, 10:30 AM
Albuquerque Special Collections Library
423 Central NE, Albuquerque NM
(NW Corner of Edith and Central)
The New Mexico Genealogical Society presents
Angel R. Cervantes
Who will discuss the
New Mexico DNA Project:
The Anglo/Saxons connection to New Mexican Families
In Part IV of an ongoing series, Mr. Cervantes will explore the connection between certain New Mexican families and the Anglo Saxon tribes. Cervantes will show a short film that will trace the history of these people. He will discuss which families show the markers that are most identified with this tribe.
Angel Cervantes is the New Mexico Genealogical Society’s DNA Project Advisor. For more information about the New Mexico DNA Project, visit their website online at: http://www.familytreedna.com/public/NewMexicoDNA/default.aspx
This program is free and open to the public. For more information about our programs, please visit the New Mexico Genealogical Society website at http://www.nmgs.org/workshop.htm
Albuquerque Special Collections Library
423 Central NE, Albuquerque NM
(NW Corner of Edith and Central)
The New Mexico Genealogical Society presents
Angel R. Cervantes
Who will discuss the
New Mexico DNA Project:
The Anglo/Saxons connection to New Mexican Families
In Part IV of an ongoing series, Mr. Cervantes will explore the connection between certain New Mexican families and the Anglo Saxon tribes. Cervantes will show a short film that will trace the history of these people. He will discuss which families show the markers that are most identified with this tribe.
Angel Cervantes is the New Mexico Genealogical Society’s DNA Project Advisor. For more information about the New Mexico DNA Project, visit their website online at: http://www.familytreedna.com/public/NewMexicoDNA/default.aspx
This program is free and open to the public. For more information about our programs, please visit the New Mexico Genealogical Society website at http://www.nmgs.org/workshop.htm
16 January 2010
Baca cousin writes article about his roots
Edward Baca, one of my dad's cousins, wrote an article in the Dallas Morning News about his family. Coincidentally, he is also related to me through my mom's side. His mother was my maternal grandmother's first cousin.
In the article, he talks about his three great-grandfathers who were posted at Ft. Craig: Philip Bourguignon, Samuel Zimmerly, and Richard Stackpole. Bourguignon and Zimmerly are my 2nd great grandfathers; Stackpole is not related to me.
He also writes about other ancestors, including Cristobal Baca and Cristobal de Torres. It's a really good article. Read it by clicking on the link below.
Edward Baca of East Dallas: My roots help me better appreciate how different cultures can mix News for Dallas, Texas Dallas Morning News Opinion: Viewpoints
Posted using ShareThis
In the article, he talks about his three great-grandfathers who were posted at Ft. Craig: Philip Bourguignon, Samuel Zimmerly, and Richard Stackpole. Bourguignon and Zimmerly are my 2nd great grandfathers; Stackpole is not related to me.
He also writes about other ancestors, including Cristobal Baca and Cristobal de Torres. It's a really good article. Read it by clicking on the link below.
Edward Baca of East Dallas: My roots help me better appreciate how different cultures can mix News for Dallas, Texas Dallas Morning News Opinion: Viewpoints
Posted using ShareThis
13 January 2010
January 2010 NMGS Program
Saturday, January 16, 2010, 10:30 AM
Albuquerque Special Collections Library
423 Central NE, Albuquerque NM
(NW Corner of Edith and Central)
The New Mexico Genealogical Society presents
Mary Wyant, Map Librarian
The Map and Geographic Information Center (M.A.G.I.C.) at the University of New Mexico
From the web site: "Whatever your needs or interest, maps can add a new dimension to your research, assignments, work or recreational activities. The Map and Geographic Information Center has thousands of maps and atlases on topics as diverse as flood zones in Bernalillo County to mineral resources in East Asia." Included is New Mexico historical material, such as Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, and maps of New Mexico and the Southwest, 1700s to 1940.
Ms. Wyant will display a number of maps from the center and discuss their significance to history.
Come join us at Botts Hall for this unique presentation.
This program is free and open to the public.
For more information about our programs, please visit the New Mexico Genealogical Society website at http
Albuquerque Special Collections Library
423 Central NE, Albuquerque NM
(NW Corner of Edith and Central)
The New Mexico Genealogical Society presents
Mary Wyant, Map Librarian
The Map and Geographic Information Center (M.A.G.I.C.) at the University of New Mexico
From the web site: "Whatever your needs or interest, maps can add a new dimension to your research, assignments, work or recreational activities. The Map and Geographic Information Center has thousands of maps and atlases on topics as diverse as flood zones in Bernalillo County to mineral resources in East Asia." Included is New Mexico historical material, such as Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, and maps of New Mexico and the Southwest, 1700s to 1940.
Ms. Wyant will display a number of maps from the center and discuss their significance to history.
Come join us at Botts Hall for this unique presentation.
This program is free and open to the public.
For more information about our programs, please visit the New Mexico Genealogical Society website at http
28 November 2009
Signor (Sydnor) Hanks family in the 1850 US Census
Below is the 1850 Census record for my wife's 2nd great grandparents Sydnor and Elizabeth Hanks (Family # 183.) This enumeration shows the following family members:
Signor Hanks, 38 years old, male, farmer ("), $1,500 in real property, born in Kentucky
Elizabeth (Hanks), 29 years old, female, born in Kentucky, person over 20 years old who cannot read or write.
Elijah (Hanks), 13 years old, male, born in Kentucky
Susan J. (Hanks), 11 years old, female, born in Indiana
Sarah F. (Hanks), 9 years old, female, born in Indiana
Matilda (Hanks), 7 or 8 (?) years old, female, born in Indiana
From this record, it appears that the family moved from Kentucky to Indiana between 1837 and 1839, which would be the birth years of Elijah (born in Kentucky) and Susan F. (born in Indiana.)
My wife's great-grandfather John William Hanks would not be born until 1856, which is the reason that he was not listed in this census.
I was researching this information because my sister-in-law had questions about Susan J. Hanks.
See also The Sydnor Hanks Family - 1860 Census and the 1870 Census.
Signor Hanks family, 1850 U. S. census, enumeration schedule, state of Indiana, Hamblin township, Brown County, dwelling # 183, family # 186, retrieved 28 November 2009; digital image, Records Search, pilot site, Family Search website (pilot.familysearch.org).
Signor Hanks, 38 years old, male, farmer ("), $1,500 in real property, born in Kentucky
Elizabeth (Hanks), 29 years old, female, born in Kentucky, person over 20 years old who cannot read or write.
Elijah (Hanks), 13 years old, male, born in Kentucky
Susan J. (Hanks), 11 years old, female, born in Indiana
Sarah F. (Hanks), 9 years old, female, born in Indiana
Matilda (Hanks), 7 or 8 (?) years old, female, born in Indiana
From this record, it appears that the family moved from Kentucky to Indiana between 1837 and 1839, which would be the birth years of Elijah (born in Kentucky) and Susan F. (born in Indiana.)
My wife's great-grandfather John William Hanks would not be born until 1856, which is the reason that he was not listed in this census.
I was researching this information because my sister-in-law had questions about Susan J. Hanks.
See also The Sydnor Hanks Family - 1860 Census and the 1870 Census.
Signor Hanks family, 1850 U. S. census, enumeration schedule, state of Indiana, Hamblin township, Brown County, dwelling # 183, family # 186, retrieved 28 November 2009; digital image, Records Search, pilot site, Family Search website (pilot.familysearch.org).
01 November 2009
John William Hanks Family, 1900 U.S. Census
I found my wife's great-grandparents in the 1900 United States Census of Sergeant Township, Douglas County, Illinois. John William Hanks and Amanda Ann Craven were her paternal grandmother's parents. They are listed here in dwelling # 209, household # 209, as John and Mandy A. Hanks. Their daughter Ethel M., who is listed on the record as being 3 years old, was my wife's grandmother.
Click on the image below to get a better view of this record:
I retrieved this page today from the Family Search, Records Search website. Click on this link to go to that site.
Click on the image below to get a better view of this record:
I retrieved this page today from the Family Search, Records Search website. Click on this link to go to that site.
A couple more deceased uncles, and an aunt....
Yesterday, I mentioned that I found a death record for my father's stillborn brother Robert Lewis Baca. As I mentioned, Robert Lewis was born before my father - hence, the same first name as my dad. However, my family also mentioned that there were two other children of my paternal grandparents who were also stillborn.
I didn't know if they were born before of after my father's birth. However, I found a couple of death record abstracts on the Family Search, Record Search page that confirmed that they were born after my father:
Lily Florence Baca died on 30 August 1933, while Raymond Eugine (sic) Baca died on 15 November 1934. My father, Robert Carlos Baca, was born on 6 April 1932. My aunt Teresa once showed me where my father's two brothers and sister were buried - there is no gravestones, just a few stones mark the spot in the San Miguel Cemetery.
I also searched for a record for another uncle, this time a son of my maternal grandparents Santiago Baca and Pablita Zimmerly (remember, my mother's maiden name is also Baca.) Estevan Baca, who was named after my great grandfather Estevan Zimmerly, died a little over a month after he was born. The family story was that the doctor did not know how to use forceps and crushed my uncle's spine. My uncle Estevan, or Steven as the gravestone has his name, is buried in my family's plot at the San Miguel Cemetery in Socorro, New Mexico.
Below is the abstract that shows that he died on 5 May 1938 in Socorro, Socorro County, New Mexico. I didn't know until I found this record yesterday that his middle name was Carlos.
Coincidentally, today is El Dia de los Muertos - the Day of the Dead.
I didn't know if they were born before of after my father's birth. However, I found a couple of death record abstracts on the Family Search, Record Search page that confirmed that they were born after my father:
Lily Florence Baca died on 30 August 1933, while Raymond Eugine (sic) Baca died on 15 November 1934. My father, Robert Carlos Baca, was born on 6 April 1932. My aunt Teresa once showed me where my father's two brothers and sister were buried - there is no gravestones, just a few stones mark the spot in the San Miguel Cemetery.
I also searched for a record for another uncle, this time a son of my maternal grandparents Santiago Baca and Pablita Zimmerly (remember, my mother's maiden name is also Baca.) Estevan Baca, who was named after my great grandfather Estevan Zimmerly, died a little over a month after he was born. The family story was that the doctor did not know how to use forceps and crushed my uncle's spine. My uncle Estevan, or Steven as the gravestone has his name, is buried in my family's plot at the San Miguel Cemetery in Socorro, New Mexico.
Below is the abstract that shows that he died on 5 May 1938 in Socorro, Socorro County, New Mexico. I didn't know until I found this record yesterday that his middle name was Carlos.
Coincidentally, today is El Dia de los Muertos - the Day of the Dead.
31 October 2009
Creepy Halloween Find
I found a creepy death record today; one perfect for Halloween. On the Rootsweb Socorro County discussion list, someone posted the Family Search, Records Search page. He said it was a good place to search for New Mexico death records. I put in my father's name, Robert Baca. The search brought up a number of men by that name who died in New Mexico, but none after the mid 1940s. My dad died in 1999. However, one of the abstracts caught my eye:
I recognized the names of the parents of the deceased as my grandparents, Robert Baca and Terecita (Teresa) Torres, and that the death place was Socorro, New Mexico. A Robert Lewis Baca, the son of my grandparents, died on 6 May 1931. He was 0 years old.
I knew that although my father was the oldest child of his parents, he certainly was not the first one born. He was also not the first one with the name Robert Baca. According to my father, my grandparents had a child who was either stillborn or died soon after birth by the name of Robert Luis Baca. This abstract confirms that I had an uncle who died as a baby.
Happy Halloween!
24 October 2009
Too early for Christmas shopping?
Nah, it's never too early to shop for Christmas, especially in these unsure economic times. I know plenty of people who begin shopping in October. Heck, a certain retail store - that will remain nameless here - is already advertising for layaway.
Are you one of those people who shop early. Are you thinking about shopping at Amazon.com? Well, if you are, consider shopping through the New Mexico Genealogical Society's link for Amazon.com . (The Albuquerque Genealogical Society also sponsors this link.) If you shop through us, a percentage of the proceeds will go towards our fund. That fund is only used to buy books for the Albuquerque Special Collections Library.
To buy books from our link, you can either:
* Go to the NMGS website and click on the Amazon.com link under the "Bookstore" heading; or,
* Go to the side margin of this blog and click on the Amazon.com link; or,
* Simply click on this link.
By the way, the books from the NMGS Bookstore also make great gifts for your favorite genealogist, even your favorite genealogist is yourself. Click on this link to purchase our books.
Are you one of those people who shop early. Are you thinking about shopping at Amazon.com? Well, if you are, consider shopping through the New Mexico Genealogical Society's link for Amazon.com . (The Albuquerque Genealogical Society also sponsors this link.) If you shop through us, a percentage of the proceeds will go towards our fund. That fund is only used to buy books for the Albuquerque Special Collections Library.
To buy books from our link, you can either:
* Go to the NMGS website and click on the Amazon.com link under the "Bookstore" heading; or,
* Go to the side margin of this blog and click on the Amazon.com link; or,
* Simply click on this link.
By the way, the books from the NMGS Bookstore also make great gifts for your favorite genealogist, even your favorite genealogist is yourself. Click on this link to purchase our books.
20 October 2009
November 2009 NMGS Program
Saturday, November 21, 2009, 10:30 AM
Albuquerque Special Collections Library
423 Central NE, Albuquerque NM
(NW Corner of Edith and Central)
The New Mexico Genealogical Society presents
Angel R. Cervantes
Who will discuss the
New Mexico DNA Project:
The Vandals’ Connection to New Mexican Families
In Part III of an ongoing series, Mr. Cervantes will explore the connection between certain New Mexican families and the Vandals, a Germanic tribe that occupied Spain. Cervantes will show a short film that will trace the history of these people. He will discuss which families show the markers that are most identified with this tribe.
Angel Cervantes is the New Mexico Genealogical Society’s DNA Project Advisor. For more information about the New Mexico DNA Project, visit their website online at: http://www.familytreedna.com/public/NewMexicoDNA/default.aspx
NMGS will also be having its annual officer elections at this meeting.
This program is free and open to the public.
For more information about our programs, please visit the New Mexico Genealogical Society website at http://www.nmgs.org/workshop.htm
Albuquerque Special Collections Library
423 Central NE, Albuquerque NM
(NW Corner of Edith and Central)
The New Mexico Genealogical Society presents
Angel R. Cervantes
Who will discuss the
New Mexico DNA Project:
The Vandals’ Connection to New Mexican Families
In Part III of an ongoing series, Mr. Cervantes will explore the connection between certain New Mexican families and the Vandals, a Germanic tribe that occupied Spain. Cervantes will show a short film that will trace the history of these people. He will discuss which families show the markers that are most identified with this tribe.
Angel Cervantes is the New Mexico Genealogical Society’s DNA Project Advisor. For more information about the New Mexico DNA Project, visit their website online at: http://www.familytreedna.com/public/NewMexicoDNA/default.aspx
NMGS will also be having its annual officer elections at this meeting.
This program is free and open to the public.
For more information about our programs, please visit the New Mexico Genealogical Society website at http://www.nmgs.org/workshop.htm
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