I was born in Santa Fe, N.M. To Gerald and Rosina(Lujan) Leyba in 1946. I was raised by my Grandparents,k Rafeal and Marinita(Silva) Leyba of Pena Blanca, N.M. I went to grade school in Pena Blanca until 1957, when my Grandfather was very sick with cancer and died later that year. While we were in Albuquerque, during his illness, I attended Coronado Grade School for that one year. Returned to Pena Blanca, and went to High School in Bernalillo, N.M. In 1965 I joined the Marines and served two years during the Viet Nam War. I married Rita L. Martinez (high school sweetheart) in 1966. We had one son in 1975 and he married and now has two sons of his own. As I understand it, three Leyba brothers came up from Mexico to the now State of N.M. in the early 1800. But I have found evidance that Leyba's were here as early as the 1500. Anyway I was told by my father that one Leyba brother went North East, one North West and the other pretty much stayed in the area of Northern New Mexico. My Grandfather was a sheepherder, and my Grandmother came from a well to do Silva family. I am first cousin to M.D. Leyba.