I've received a number of requests from new Sesma researchers, asking for suggestions on where to start looking for their Sesma ancestors. The family prospered in/around Castille, Spain during the middle ages, and maintains a healthy population there to this day. During the 1600's various family members, for reasons not yet fully understood, traveled to the New World. While Sesmas can be found in South America, the greatest concentrations settled in Senora, Mexico, and Central America. Following the Texas revolution of the 1830's, during which General Sesma was General Santana's chief advisor, a fair number of the family began moving north. Sizeable populations established in Arizona and New Mexico, and are still well represented. Around 1850 Sesmas began showing up in Northern California, particularly around San Francisco. Not too long after, records for them start appearing in Los Angeles County. Several family members owned property in Orange County, raising citrus crops on land that would become Disneyland. Numerous family members continue to live in the San Diego/Riverside/Los Angeles areas, although a limited number appear to be actively involved in Genealogy. I'd enjoy hearing from any other Sesma family members.
Pat Sullivan
Pmssfga11@aol.comGardner, Kansas