Spanish in California - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: The Obituary of GREGORIO ORTEGA

Mary_Mendoza916 — 2013-04-29 00:46:46Z

hello cousin's I want to thank you again for the info on our gggrandpa gregorio ortega,last time we talked you said you were putting everything together and would let me know,I have put together everything I have on that line but been waiting for your info,I am willing to pay for the copy's of the info that proves gregorio birthwe did go to the santa barbara mission and found the baptizem but copy's of what tia genovia left would help even more ,we are planning a reunion for aug.24 if you are interested my e-mail is atishish62@yahoo.com thank you again for everything

Re: Castro-Rodriquez

gailslade — 2013-04-01 19:31:33Z

Hi Penny,
My husband's line here is only by marriage, no direct bloodline. I was hoping you may be another cousin of his through Angie Pitera. He has always said he was told of a Rodriguez line and I know he has a solid castro line as well as Espinosa, Higuera, Pacheco, Soto, Buelna, Garcia, Peralta,
etc. Hope you and yours had a joyous Easter.

Re: Castro-Rodriquez

pennymariestinson — 2013-03-25 01:37:42Z

HELLO,

And your husband comes from Alexandro to Facundo where I come from Alexandro to BuenaVentura the youngest child of Alexandro. Where do you guys live? I'm still here in the home town of Santa Cruz. Boy there sure are some stories of Facundo. Facinating reading and fun to be living here and explore all the history.

Thanks,
Penny

Re: The Santa Barbara ORTEGA's

loril4 — 2013-03-24 21:51:09Z

Hello possible Ortega cousins,
I am not connected to Gregorio Ortega, but I am connected to the Santa Barbara Ortega's. José María Ortega was my 4th great grand father, he died in Santa Barbara in 1821. I am interested in that line of Ortega's. If anyone has any information on that line I would appreciate it. My father was adopted by his mother's sister and her husband and lost the Californio connection. I met my real blood grand father a few times, but nobody else. I have met some cousins as I research my real family which is pretty cool. My line is as follows:
José María Ortega (1759 - 1821) 4th great grandfather
José Dolores Ponciano de Alta Gracia Ortega (1790 - )
María del Pilar Fermina Ortega (1818 - 1894)
Alexander Noelle Smith (1855 - 1928)
Carlos Alexander Smith "Carl" Noelle (1904 - 1978)
Carlos "Kip" Elbert Noelle Ling (1931 - 1998)
Lori Ling

I thank you in advance for any help you can provide.
Lori Ling,
San Francisco Bay Area

Re: Castro-Rodriquez

dardena — 2013-03-24 19:32:32Z

Isn't genealogy wonderful? Ten years ago these posts were written and now there is a connection to my husband's family.
Here, briefly, is what I have:
Alexandro Rodriguez + Maria Concepcion and had
Facundo Primitivo Rodriguez b 22 Nov 1815 + Maria Guadelupe
Concepcion Rodriguez + Matias Loranzana and had
Marianna Loranazana + Pitera and had
Angie Ellen Pitera + Melbourne G Slade,I(my husband's grandfather)
Does anything look familiar?

Gail

Re: Castro-Rodriquez

pennymariestinson — 2013-03-24 16:46:06Z

Hello, You are talking about my family. I am a descendant of Jose Antonio Rodriguez and Alejandro Rodriguez. Alejandro is my 4th ggf. I am here in Santa Cruz. If anyone related wants to talk please contact me. I also have Castro grandparents too.

Re: The Obituary of GREGORIO ORTEGA

Mary_Mendoza916 — 2012-10-21 21:57:45Z

hello cousin's hope you are still on ancestry I'm very interested in your book if you need names of other relatives please call on and I will send anything I have so glad geneova Babe kept documents have asked other's with no answer's they all said probaly mex.I am on fb mary mendoza or send me e-mail

Re: The Obituary of GREGORIO ORTEGA

martarata — 2012-01-08 05:06:29Z

primo!! oh man i didn't realize its been sooo long since i wrote u! i hope u had some great holidays!! our cuzzin, della blake, who lives in san jose..her email is..dellaroseblake@yahoo.com..drop her an email so u 2 can meet..everything here is kool..new year..do u ever come down 2 the el rio area? let me know..did u find any old fotos? do u want a foto of celedonia? talk 2 u later!! happy new year!!

Re: The Obituary of GREGORIO ORTEGA

pedro_montero53 — 2011-10-10 18:45:40Z

back to you again prima,your dad's Name Simon just kept nagging at me and finally the memory came back he had the same character as Tio Val funny as the day is long.Sorry to hear of his passing is anyone named after him because like I tell my children it is through names that they are not forgotten.I don't have face book page, my daughter told me I can have one when I learn the web"ha-ha"but she says i can use her's my web adress is pedro.montero58@yahoo.com contact there so that we can share info because me and mine would also like to meet you when you come to see your son also I would like to meet dell blake that would be cool.My sister Ramona is going to introduce me to a cousin of ours,her name Gloria"Big Chupi"Martinez her dad was francisco"Kito"Martinez he was my
grandfathers primo I did know him as Tio Kito anyhow Chupi is really into family history especially the San Jose side I can't wait to talk with her well thats it for now tu primo Pete

Re: The Obituary of GREGORIO ORTEGA

martarata — 2011-10-05 19:42:21Z

hi primo! yes we r talking about the same valentine! & i'm sure u met my dad, simon..he 2 was large than life! he passed in 2002..i'm sure u know his cuzzin,gene ortega..i have a foto of my dad, gene & i @ '80 ortega reunion..in san jose lives another prima who just 2 yrs. ago found out they were ortega! i haven't met met them yet..they r thru gregorio also..her name is della blake..i can give u her email if u would like 2 meet her..also my bo, roy, lives in watsonville..i plan 2 go see him soon & would luv 2 meet up w/you all!! any fotos u can share would be much appreciated! r u on facebook? i have fotos of our last ortega reunion from 2009..we invited tapia's & browns...will talk later!! marta

Re: The Obituary of GREGORIO ORTEGA

pedro_montero53 — 2011-10-05 19:13:05Z

Hi again prima,I never met Ramona, but I may have met your Dad at a family reunion in 1980 in saticoy if my memory serves me right he looks like Tio Val.Valentin lived here in San Jose I hope we are talking about the same Valentin Ortega he was a helluva character always joking,he belonged to the Charro de Espuelas de Plata also here in San Jose.Since I was a kid I remember Tio Val riding in the Cinco de Mayo parades which made me proud to know he was kin especially since I rode with him on his horse one time.You are so right when you say that the family is big,do you know any of the Browns from El Rio or the Smiths or Contreras from Oxnard.My Grandpa Fidel when he was a young man was Known In that county as "Knock out Brown".In 1970 I lived in El Rio on Balboa St.I was twelve at the time I was born here in San Jose in 1958 we tended to move around a lot after my parents split up in 68.It has been just in the last few years that I have really become interested in our family history and only by chansa that I ran across the obituary of Gregorio Ortega and had goose bumps when I ssen my Grandpa's name although they had it wrong and now with your help my puzzle has came that much more complete so thanks again and I will see ya later tu primo Pete

Re: The Obituary of GREGORIO ORTEGA

martarata — 2011-10-04 21:39:08Z

hi again, primo..yes..my last name is melendez..my dad, simon ortega melendez, did u know him? we have been researching gregorio ortega 4 his native american..we find, so far,it's thru an olivera..did u know ramona ortega urango? she passed,but have met her grandson w/some ortega info..valentin ortega sandoval was my dad's older brother..also my dad's younger sister,eva, & i recently attended ysidro vazquez' services in el rio..i have so many relatives i have never met..i was born in ventura in 1955..we have all the tapia genealogy, all the ortega..now working on gregorio & ur g-greatgrandma maria antonia ortega martinez navtive amer. line..so good 2 see u !! see ya later, marta

Re: The Obituary of GREGORIO ORTEGA

pedro_montero53 — 2011-10-04 20:01:50Z

Sorry for not getting back sooner,I do not have any fotos of Tio Gregorio but I'm sure if you looked towards Valentin Ortegas brother in Saticoy you may have some luck. also did you ever meet a cousin named Richard Jaramillo also from Saticoy,he wa pretty tight with my mother Darlene.Last I know he lives in Guiymas Mexico.I think his mother was named Cristina she may have been from Santa Paula I may be mistaken, bye the way that was a trip about our great Grand Mothers being sisters any how when my Grandma Francis passed I remember a stand up photo album in her house and I am tyring to track it down.My Mom at the time did'nt realize what the house contained, to our loss.Do you know she actually had those things the Spanish ladies put in their hair called "panetas" and my Mom just got rid of them what a shame, since I was just a kid I had no say, sad but true.As far as ggGreat GrandMohter Celedonia I was told she was from Yucatan "wrong" also she was huera red hair green eyes but who knows. Excuse me but is Your last name Melendez,well hope to here back from you soon cuzz, later Pete.

Re: The Obituary of GREGORIO ORTEGA

martarata — 2011-09-16 04:28:01Z

hi primo!! do u by any chance have the names of Celedonia's parents..thru her we r Native American..but we don't have her ancestry..tell me how i can assist u with our family lines..see you!!

Re: The Obituary of GREGORIO ORTEGA

martarata — 2011-09-15 05:46:04Z

wow,primo!! so Francisca Tapia Twist (actually not a Corona,that was her step-father) was my g-grandmother= theodora tapia sister!! Fidel Ortega Martinez (ur Ortega side) married Josefine Tapia Twist (ur Tapia side)!! thru the Tapia side ur Nootka Native Amer.Indian from Vancover, Canada.
i have a foto of Francisca w/her sister Theodora in one of there visits 2gether..i will make a copy 4 u..the Tapia's come from a long line of military serv..so I am related 2 both Fidel & Josefine! and of course u r aware of ur Native Amer. thru Twist..do u know anyone who might have a foto of Gregorio Ortega? what a small world we live in!!! keep in touch!

Re: The Obituary of GREGORIO ORTEGA

pedro_montero53 — 2011-09-15 02:24:40Z

funny you mentioned my Great grandfather Samuel"Tanke" TwistMy youngest son is his namesake he came ino this world huero with red hair like Tia Aida sorry to say was'nt at her funeral espescialy since I grew up for a few years in her home she was my favorite.You brought goose bumps when you mentioned Tia Julia, sorry to say our family has grown apart,I do have some pictures of my grandpa fidel when he was in the army also as a cement finisher which I am also and other misc. pictures. as far as Tio Gregorio's American Indian ancestry I'm at a blank,because as a kid I was nosy and always asking questions I have always kwown my familia was big down south.How did you know about Sam Twist yes he was married to
Francis Tapia de Corona Daughter to Atanacio Y Celedonia Corona both from Ventura county bye the way can I look up my grandpa Fidel's fathers family on the web site you mentioned well hope to hear back from you soon prima and good lookin out Pete.

Re: The Obituary of GREGORIO ORTEGA

martarata — 2011-09-14 02:00:58Z

primo!! u come from a huge family!! lots of us still live in the el rio area..i went 2 aunt aida's funeral & reception afterwards..were u there? anyway..i don't know when ur g-grandmother Maria Antonia Ortega martinez passed..up til now i had only met some decendants of Fidel's sister..julia martinez Zambrano..mother 2 Ana"Dolly" Alvarez..Dolly has lived in the Atascadero, calif area 4 many years..Maria Antonia Ortega Martinez & Gregorio's parents were Manuel Ortega & Andrea Cota..Thru ur Ortega side we can trace back 2 Sgt. Francisco Ortega who came up with Father Serra 2 found the Mission system & major Calif. cities..if u go 2 "rootsweb.com" enter Gregorio Ortega (father manuel ortega & andrea cota) u can trace ur family backwards & decendancy..u mentioned Fidel married Josefine Twist..was her father Samuel Twist married 2 Francisca Tapia Twist? ...and do u have any fotos od Gregorio or Fidel or anyone else? and...any info on Gregorio's Native American Ancestry?? i know...will stop 4 now!!! see u, primo!!

Re: The Obituary of GREGORIO ORTEGA

pedro_montero53 — 2011-09-13 18:20:07Z

Thank you so very much for the Info on my great Grandmothers name,do you know Dolly Alvarez's maiden name,who were her parents. I ask because My tia Aida Sandoval from Oxnard who was my Grandpa Fidels first cousin on the Ortega side has a daughter named Dolly,tia Aida Did you know her she was great,she owned a bar on sixth st. called MI Tierra Cafe. Growing up I lived in Oxnard off and on,also we lived in El Rio in 1970 mainly I grew up here in San Jose.There are nine of us all born here in S.J I have one sister who grew up in Port Hueneme and Oxnard she was adopted away from us when y other lived in Santa Paula her name is Rosalie Morales she was married to Joe David Morales from El Rio. Another question I have is When did My Great Grand Mother Maria Antonia pass away is that why my Grand Father was with his Tio Gregorio, well hope to here back from you and again my family is grateful for the info. Thanks Pete

Re: The Obituary of GREGORIO ORTEGA

pedro_montero53 — 2011-09-12 23:25:32Z

hey prima i'm tyring to find out gradpa fidels mothers name I lived in oxnard off and on with my tia Aida sandoval who was my grandpa Fidels first cousin when I was a kid she owned a bar on sixth st. called Mi Tierra Cafe. Mainly my family grew up in San Jose My Grandpa lived and died here also he was married to my gradma Josephine Twist A halph chumash halph mexican from Ventura County I still live here in San Jose any information I would appreciate.there is a lot of family here from ventura county A couple of years back my tio valentin ortega passed away here in S.J he is missed I think he has a brother in Saticoy bye I am married to Tami Torres de Ortega of the Santa Barbara Ortegas although our familias are all mixed up from long ago.Her tia Lucy Ortega not Tio Gregorio's daughter she was married to Andres Verdugo my Grandpa Fidel's primo which makes my wife my prima politico ha!ha! well bye for now hope to stay in touch

Re: The Obituary of GREGORIO ORTEGA

martarata — 2011-09-08 01:58:36Z

hello, nu cuzzin !! u descend from gregorio ortega's sister, maria antonia ortega..i have met another of maria antonia's decendant from atascadero, ca..dolly alvarez..i had been looking for fidel's info & family & what became of them...i am still in the el rio area...ventura...where r u living...what can ur family answer 4 u ?? please answer back!!!

Re: The Obituary of GREGORIO ORTEGA

pedro_montero53 — 2011-08-15 01:35:02Z

My name is pedro montero My mother was Darlene Martinez daughter of Fidel Adolpho Martinez. Gregorio Ortega was my great Uncle.Grandpa Fidel lived with his Tio Gregorio after his fathe Jouquin Martinez was murdered. what was lost in family history is my Grandfathers Mothers name,also was she Tio Gregorios sister or Tia Reginas sister any info will be foever appreciated in my familia.My regret is not listening to the old timers when they spoke because family history when not cherished is soon lost. gracias

Re: The Obituary of GREGORIO ORTEGA

bruinwald — 2010-12-01 18:45:29Z

Gregorio Ortega's obituary was featured in three newspapers at the time of his death. Bear in mind that these were simply that...obituaries. They also do not mention his wife Regina who was the daughter of a woman who was descended from four of the original soldados (soldiers) who arrived in Alta California with Portola. These obituaries also do not state that Gregorio was interred in the Santa Clara Catholic Cemetary in Oxnard, California in an Ortega family plot. Yes, "The Other Ortega's". I find it interesting that no one has ever questioned why Gregorio was even in the El Rio area or why he is buried where he is. People of his time did not settle in isolated areas unless they were accompanied by family and El Rio was very isolated at that time. Here is the answer to that question, although it has not been asked: Greogio Ortega's second cousin, who was one Valentin Cota and his mother's first cousin, owned a rancho that was the Mexican land grant "El Rio de Santa Clara o la Colonia", this land grant was a very large one that was comprised of 44,883 acres. Gregorio settled on that land grant along with his brothers Vicente and Ezequiel. There was also a second land grant conferred in that area and owned by family members. It was "Santa Clara del Norte". Gregorio did have 18 children and it is interesting to note that one of his children was named Valentin. Valentin was a Cota family name and as I mentioned earlier, Gregorio's mother was a Cota. Gregorio and his brother Vicente named several of their children by the same names, Maria Antonia, Ezequiel, Salomon... Gregorio Ortega was born Jose de la Luz de Jesus Ortega. He was born 23 Jan 1840 to Manuel Ortega and Andrea Cota. His elder brother Vicente was born 29 February 1836. They are both listed in several voter precinct records living in El Rio along with their children and nephews and these records do provide ages. Gregorio was also a major land holder and was the only one in his family who was forced to become naturalized and it was because of these land holdings that he was forced to do so. Gregorio and many of his family members maintained throughout their lifetime that they were born in Mexico...and they were. When Gregorio was born California was still part of Mexico and the Ortega and Cota families had very good reason to dislike the fact that they were forced to become "Americans". One case in point was that Gregorio's maternal grandmother Maria de Jesus Olivera y Cota was forced into legal litigation over the rights to keep her deceased husbands land grant of "Rancho Santa Rosa". The United States of America on behalf of the presisent of the United States sued her in an attempt to take her land from her (this is a well documented case that can easily be found on the internet) and although she won the case, with the help of a few of the origianl pioneers who came to her aid, she was still responsible for all of the legal costs incurred by not only herself but by the US government. This was also a means at that time of taking someones land, by forcing them to pay all the costs entailed to keep it, many times they were forced to relinquish it anyway to pay for the legal fees. Fortunately, Maria was posessed of a kindly German neighbor who purchased part of her land in exchange for paying her legal costs in full. Evidently she felt that this was better than giving anything to a government that could be so manipulating and unfair. There is much information readily available today Johnny P. that was extremely hard to come by when your's and Jennifer's book was written. If you still care about what you've written in the past and wish to set the records straight then do your homework over again. I think you'll find that there was a great deal of information that was missed because of the way it had to be obtained "at that time" and if you have a conscience you will stop defending what WAS incorrectly stated and make it right. If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact us, we will be happy to share what we have. Sincerely, The descended family of Jose "Gregorio" de la Luz de Jesus...and yes, he was one of "those Ortegas".

Re: The Obituary of GREGORIO ORTEGA

BruinwaldOne — 2010-03-19 04:37:12Z

My husbands grandmother, Camillia Virginia Dominguez Acosta was the daughter of Genevieve Virginia (Babe) Ortega who was married to Jose Ygnacio Ynocente Dominguez, who was a descendent of Ildefonso Dominguez and Ygnacia German. Genevieve was Gregorio Ortega's daughter and Valentin Ortega's sister. My husbands grandmother remembered her grandfather Gregorio well. She was 13 years old when he died and remembered that her family was heartbroken at his death. She spoke of him often to her family and children and one of her sons, Rodolfo, is still active and living today. However, Gregorio was not known as Gregorio by his family. He was their Poppa Jesus. Gregorio's full name was Jose de la Luz de Jesus Ortega. At the time Gregorio was born, Southern California was still part of Mexico. When Gregorio died the family members who gave his vital information to the church, funeral home AND the cemetery had no idea what they were doing and there were many mistakes made especially at the cemetery. Gregorio is buried at the Santa Clara Catholic Cemetery at Oxnard in an Ortega family plot that neighbors his brother Jose Vicente Ortega's site. There were six plots in that site. On his grave marker, which was replaced in the 1950's and continues to this day to display mistaken information, it states that Gregorio was born in 1825 and died in 1915??? This information, as well as most of all the rest of the information given, is incorrect. Gregorio was born on 23 Jan 1840 and he died 24 Feb 1916, he had just turned 76 years old. His obituaries, which were published in three separate newspapers, lists him as 75 years old...close, but still not accurate. Camillia attended his funeral with her mother Genevieve, but her family lived in Piru, California and they were not responsible for the arrangements that were made at that time. Although I am quite sure her mother would have made corrections had she been made aware of so many errors in the reporting of who he was and where he was actually from. Gregorio maintained throughout his life that he was born in Mexico and complained often of the treatment of his family by the American government. For example, Gregorio was never able to claim that he was naturalized under the Treaty of Hidalgo because he was a land owner and actually had to petition the courts to become a naturalized American citizen in order to maintain his land holdings. Neither of his brothers, Vicente or Jose Maria owned land...Gregorio did and his considerable land transaction records are documented in Ventura County. His grandmother went through a similar, but much more frightening situation, when she had to literally fight the US government in order to keep her land holdings of Rancho Santa Rosa. When Francisco Atanasio Cota died, his wife Maria Josefa (who was an Olivera) had to travel by carriage from her home all the way to San Francisco, involve many of her friends and relatives by petitioning them to witness on her behalf and pay the courts for all of the expensive legal fees incurred just to keep what was legally given her husband by the Mexican government during the time when California was still part of Mexico. She was literally sued for her land by the US government on behalf of the President of the United States. Maria Josepha won her battle but still had to barter a portion of her land for the cost of of her legal fees, which she could not afford to pay, to a German neighbor. She decided that it was better that her neighbor have her land than to allow any of it to go to the American government. There are many stories of injustices such as these that were perpetrated against the descendents of the first pioneers by the American government. Nearly all of them entailing land rights. Gregorio was not an itinerate farmer from "Southern Mexico," he was a respected landowner and was living in El Rio because there was a shared land grant located very near at Port Hueneme that was originally conferred to his uncle Valentin Cota and six others (three of which were also related to Gregorio) called El Rio de Santa Clara o la Colonia. This land grant bordered a second land grant, that existed where the township of El Rio is located today, by the name of Santa Clara del Norte and it was conferred to yet another relative by the name of Juan Maria Sanchez who was the son of Thadeo Sanchez and Maria Petron Montiel. Although the original township of El Rio was christened in 1865 as "New Jerusalem" it was renamed in 1905 to El Rio, meaning "the river" after the nearby family rancho.
Gregorio had a brother by the name of Salamon and both he and Vicente named their sons after him. (Vicnete's son was later nicknamed Palemon and the name stuck throughout his lifetime) They had a sister by the name of Maria Antonia and both named daughters after her. They had a brother by the name of Ezequiel and Vicente named one of his son's by the same name and Gregorio named his son after his uncle Valentin. They are all listed as living together in El Rio, along with several others of the same extended family, in many voter precinct records. Gregorio didn't marry Regina until he was 30 years old, which was rather old for a man back then. But it was because Gregorio served two consecutive stints in the military during the Civil War as a cavalryman in the Union Army. First as a private in the New Mexico Territories and then as a corporal. His brother Jose Maria served along with him in New Mexico and Vicente served as a private in the First Battalion Native Cavalry, Company C (along with Regina's uncle) in both the Arizona and California Territories.
We are currently working on a book and all documentation and family records will be listed there. My husbands side of the family kept very good records and Camillia's mother Genevieve passed down numerous documents. We were not privy to all of this information until all of Camillia's records and many photographs were sent to us by the wife of her youngest son who recently passed away. Camillia Dominguez married Rudolfo Acosta and they had 8 children. My husband is the son of their son Henrique Ricardo (Senovio) Acosta. As you can see nicknames run in the family. It is believed that Gregorio gained his nickname through an uncle by marriage who was also the best friend of his father. But his grandmother Maria Estefana also had a son who died in infancy by the name of Gregorio, so it was considered a family name anyway. Genevieve was nicknamed "Babe" and she not only used this name on her marriage certificate, but gave it to every census taker she ever met. One of them even mis-spelled her nickname as "Labe." There are many family stories and a great deal of history that have been passed down through Genevieve's line and there have been many mistakes made in outside documentation listed for this family. Jose (Gregorio) de la Luz de Jesus Ortega was not from Southern Mexico, this information is also incorrect and the information listed here is not "suggested." This writing is a simple statement of well documented fact.

Re: Surnames for Child Born Out of Wedlock 1800s Los Angeles

DMarieDishman — 2010-01-04 03:25:56Z

Rick: this is what I am reading in the baptism record; "que su madrina la Snr[? abbreviation for senorita] Josefa Dominguez, soltera hija del Sr Mariano, y la Sra Venancia Sotelo",

Translation: her godmother miss Josefa Dominguez, single daughter of Mr Mariano, and Mrs Venancia Sotelo [the wife almost always kept her surname after marriage]

It was common practice to note the marital status of the godparents, if they were single, who their parents were, if married were they married to each other or married to others but standing together as godparents, etc., if you read through a few pages of baptisms you will begin to see a pattern emerge. The church kept excellent records, baptisms being a good example.

Why the child's mother was not mentioned is a good question, but, a common occurrence. I've compiled quite a few Native American genealogies for California families and many have missing names or, the native name is not given, only the name the priest bestowed upon the child or adult when they were brought into the church. My 5th great grandmother is a good example of this, a Salinan Indian born at Mission San Antonio, her father was named by his native name in her baptism but she was not and her mother was not mentioned. 5G aquired a surname at marriage,we never have figured out where it connected. Her father aquired one sometime after his baptism as did some of his children, poor wife never did.

I’ve also a g. grandmother born out of wedlock, when she was baptized, she was given her mother’s surname but at some point started using her godparents surname. At the time of her death her husband, my great grandfather, was the only one that knew and gave her actual full name, it made genealogy in my family a real challenge until I found his affidavit.

If you would like a copy of LA Bat# 109 for Gertrudis, please contact me off list with your email address and will e-mail it to you as an attachment. I'm assuming you already have the one for the child Josefa, if not I can send that as well.

slo2@charter.net

Re: Surnames for Child Born Out of Wedlock 1800s Los Angeles

RWaldau — 2010-01-03 16:30:24Z

Maria: Thank you for the great information. I don’t have current access to baptism #109, which is referenced in baptism #124, however I will be reviewing it.

I am puzzled by baptism #124, because for all the information about father, Chapo, why would there be no information about the mother of the child? I believe the reference to madrina, which is prefaced by a word that I believe is either fuero or fuerza, which is a word that can mean to reserve – reserve the right to godparents. Wouldn’t it make since that with so much information in the baptism about Josefa Dominguez, including her parents, that she would be the mother of the child? In addition, in the baptism record, after Josefa Dominguez, a word appears that I believe to be soltera, meaning unmarried woman or single. Why would it be relevant to mention a godmother’s marital status?

I would appreciate your thoughts, respectively,

Rick

Re: Surnames for Child Born Out of Wedlock 1800s Los Angeles

DMarieDishman — 2010-01-01 01:19:34Z

Looking at the baptisms for Josefa, LA Bats #124, 13 May 1828 and Gertrudis LA Bats # 109, 8 Feb 1828; both children are noted to be of the Gentile known as Chapo, with no mother listed, but, Josefa Dominguez, daughter of Mariano Dominguez [and Benancia Sotelo]is listed as the madrina for both children.

LA BATS_#207
11 Apr 1830 Ma. Josefa Dominguez, single, daughter of Mariano and Benancia [Venancia]Sotelo had a child with Ireño Perez her name was MARIA CASILDA PEREZ. There may be more, I just happened on this one while reading the baptisms of the 2 children above.

This may or may no be the same parents as above:
2 Mar 1843-San Gabriel confirmation #2886) JUAN PEREZ, of Ireneo and Josefa Dominguez

Re: Surnames for Child Born Out of Wedlock 1800s Los Angeles

RWaldau — 2009-12-31 19:26:33Z

Thank you for your response and you bring up a good point; emancipated slaves would often assume the surnames of their previous owners. There were indigenous laborers working for the owners of the Spanish Ranchos. It is conceivable that at some point, the child worked for one of the Rancho Families. In this case the Reyes family. There may be slight evidence for this scenario in the 1850 US census of Los Angeles. Of course, this is conjecture until I can support my suspicions.

I realize I did not give any information regarding the individuals or families in question.

Does anyone have information regarding the children born out of wedlock to Josefa Felicana Dominguez? Josefa F. Dominguez was b. 28 Feb 1810, she is the daughter of Mariano Dominguez and Maria Venancia (Benancia) Sotelo. In “Spanish-Mexican Families of Early California 1769-1850” Vol. II by Maria Northrup, Page 66 there is a reference that Josefa Felicana Dominguez had several children born out of wedlock. I have located in Josefa F. Dominguez in the USCs of 1850, 1860, and 1870, and not once is there a mention of her children. She had a daughter named Josefa, Baptized #124 on May 15, 1828 at the Plaza Church de Los Angeles, to father gentiles (non-Christian Indian) named Chapo(?). There may also be another daughter named Gertrudis born prior to 1828.

Any help would be appreciated.

Re: Surnames for Child Born Out of Wedlock 1800s

pelayokitty — 2009-12-31 07:36:16Z

A very good question, tho i do not have a non-surname..I have 2 born out of wedlock..a mother and daughter, the mother, spanish (born about the same time as yours) took her mother's surname, father unknown. the daughter, father known, at first went by mothers previous marriage name, then later took on father's name. i have not been able, so far, to find a precedent for this.

what i do know is that pomo natives in my family took on their what i call 'master's' name, the spanish and americans whom they labored for..

or, the mother's maiden name was prob? used.

Surnames for Child Born Out of Wedlock 1800s

RWaldau — 2009-12-30 23:47:14Z

What was practice in Spanish colonial Alta California, Los Angeles area for the surname of a child born out of wedlock if the father did not have a surname? No surname for child Josefa, Baptized #124 on May 15, 1828 at the Plaza Church de Los Angeles, to father gentiles (non-Christian Indian) named Chapo/Chado (?) and mother Josefa Dominguez. Does the child take the mother’s surname or does the child at some age declare or assume a surname? Does anyone have information regarding the customs or practices during the Spanish Colonial period of Alta California for children born out of wedlock? Better yet, does anyone know anything about this child, who I suspect is my GGGG grandmother?

The Obituary of GREGORIO ORTEGA

johnnypj — 2009-12-11 05:49:40Z

The following obituary appeared in the Ventura Free Press after Gregorio’s death:

PATRIARCH OF COUNTY DIES AT RIPE OLD AGE: Father of Eighteen Children and a Pioneer of County Passes Away Suddenly

Gregorio Ortega, in his 75th year, was found cold in death at 7 o’clock Wednesday at his home in El Rio. He was sitting, fully dressed and with his hat on his head when found, and it was the opinion of the physician who was called that the old man had passed away early Tuesday evening.

Ortega had eaten supper at the home of his son-in-law, David Ayala, early Tuesday evening and had gone directly to his rooms. It appeared that, on arriving there, he had sat himself on the edge of his bed, possibly for the purpose of disrobing for the night. He had thrown a light blanket about his shoulders.

One of his daughters went to his room this morning to call him for breakfast and was not particularly surprised at finding him sitting on his couch dressed. But when he did not respond to her call she looked more closely and thought her father asleep, or choking.

She removed his hat and eased his body into a reclining position and then discovered for the first time that life had fled. An Oxnard physician was called. Later Coroner Hathaway was summoned and later he convened an inquest. It was the verdict of the jury that death of Gregorio Ortega was due to an apoplectic stroke.

Ortega, a pioneer of the El Rio section, was the father of 18 children, fifteen of whom, eight sons and seven daughters, survive him. He was a sturdy character, a hard worker and a good citizen. Undertaker Diffenderffer of Oxnard is the undertaker in charge of the funeral arrangements.

As you can see by this obituary, there is no indication that Gregorio has any relationship to the other Ortega's. This is a tribute to him and his children but it does not say he is from a well-known pioneer family, simply that he was a pioneer of the "El Rio," and his death certificate gives his birthplace as "southern Mexico."

Re: GREGORIO ORTEGA

johnnypj — 2009-12-11 05:21:54Z

Hi Sheila and Gregorio Ortega Descendants:

I have researched Gregorio Ortega quite thoroughly over the years. The Gregorio Ortega who married Regina Esquivel was not a descendant of the California Ortegas as some people have suggested. He was born in Southern Mexico as indicated by his death record dated Feb. 22/23, 1916 (County of Ventura). I can send a copy of that if you'd like to see it.

The names of his parents are not given, nor is his state of birth, but it says he had lived in California for 55 years, but was born in "Southern Mexico." Gregorio Ortega's wife, Regina, however, was descended from an illustrious group of pobladores and Californios:

Great-Great-Granddaughter of Juan Matias Olivas (soldado)
Great-Great-Granddaughter of Jose Rosalino Fernandez (soldado)
Great-Great-Granddaughter of Pedro Gabriel Valenzuela (soldado)
Great-Great-Granddaughter of Anastacio Feliz (soldado)
Great-Great-Great-Granddaughter of Luis Quintero (Poblador)

I researched this family thoroughly 11 years ago and had originally tried to link Gregorio up to the "other Ortega's," but it never happened. Everything points to Mexico. But Regina has a very fascinating California background, while Gregorio states in every census between 1870 and 1910 that he was a native of Mexico, and his naturalization is recorded in Ventura County as follows: "Gregorio Ortega, Mexico, 23 Jul 1877, 2:31(M):338 Octaviano Morago/Guadalupe Elwell."

Gregorio, however, was a very well respected member of his community and the proud father of 18 children, but he was no Californio; he was married to one.

John P. Schmal

Re: DOMINGUEZ

wilmamoffat — 2009-12-09 01:07:37Z

Jose Ramon Buelna and Maria Petra Mejias are among my ancestors. My line goes down through their daughter, Maria Guadalupe P. Buelna who married Joaquin Verdugo. I have the names of the siblings of Maria Guadalupe, but no further info on them. I have no Dias in my file.
Lorraine

Re: DOMINGUEZ

claydeas — 2009-12-08 17:03:55Z

Does anyone know if any buelna women married a man with the last name Dias.james dias was born in monterey in 1855 but nobody really know who his parents were. Some say his mother was a Buelna and that james was born on the la mirada adobe property.
thanks
clay

Re: my family history.

Gen1899 — 2009-04-21 05:38:53Z

Tell us your family history. We will help you. Give us a name and an approximate date. Give us any clue. We have many resources and we can help.

my family history.

cano1957 — 2009-04-20 20:52:41Z

fax#1-210-592-8900.

Re: Briones

rwondra160 — 2009-02-21 04:07:03Z

My Vicente Briones born in 1727 or 1736 in San Luis Potosi area and married Maria Antonio de Padron was his first wife.

He remarried in 1784 at Mission San Carlos in Monterey, a woman named Mariana, an Indio.

He son Marcos Joseph Briones born in 1757 or 1760 in San Luis Potosi is my ancestor, maybe the brother of your Maria Guadalupe.

Marcos had a daugther he named Maria Guadalupe b 1792 an San Antonio De Padua mission, ca, maybe named after Marcos's sister.

I would like to know Vicente's other children, when he and family migrated to California. I know it was not with De Anza. Also Vicente's parents or his wife parents.

Re: Angel Ruiz Quintero

sdavisrobinson43 — 2008-05-13 08:23:41Z

Hello Rachel,
Don't know if you are still on this sight as your last post was in 2005. My name is Sharon Quintero Robinson. I am the daughter of Joseph Ingle Quintero, my grandfather is Angel Peter Quintero and my g/grandfather is Angel Ruiz Quintero. I was born and raised in San Diego but now live in Oregon. I have worked on the family tree off and on since 1980. If this reaches you please respond to xcowgirltoo48@msn.com Sharon

Re: grandpa quintero

sdavisrobinson43 — 2008-05-13 00:46:57Z

My name is Sharon Quintero Davis-Robinson. My father was Joseph Ingle Quintero, my grandfather was Angel Peter Quintero and my great grandfather was Angel Ruiz Quintero. I was born and raised in San Diego/National City, California. I have cencus records and death records for this family. If you are interested, contact me at
xcowgirltoo48@msn.com

Re: grandpa quintero

sdavisrobinson43 — 2008-05-13 00:11:18Z

Hello Ron,
This is your cousin Sharon who now lives in Oregon. I have a lot of information on our family tree also. You may contact me at xcowgirltoo48@msn.com

lopez spanish in california

mamaserrano007 — 2008-03-22 21:22:10Z

HELLO.

BRIGIDOS,S LOPEZ DESCENDANT (1913 IN SAN FRANCISCO).

mama_serrano0072hotmail.com

Re: grandpa quintero

lemha — 2008-01-31 13:34:14Z

Hopefully, someone is still interested in acquiring some information to add to the "grandpa Quintero" genealogy after these few years. My relationship is to Leonard Quintero who married Hallie Hanes in 1920. I was their only grand-child, a female, born to their only son. I would appreciate hearing from anyone interested in this Quintero lineage.

Re: grandpa quintero

swails1 — 2007-07-07 20:22:22Z

Ron,
I am looking into the Hanes/Haines/Haynes family. Mainly Hallie Hanes sister's side of the family. Can you tell me anything about that side of the family.
When did Hallie and Leonard marry and seperate. Were there any childern. Anything would be a big help. Thank you,Marion

Re: Yorba, Peralta- Farias, Talamantes. Groups, Help

starrmadera — 2006-12-15 03:42:02Z

Hi Eva, (phone (559)868-8681,starrmadera@aol.com)
I am a Director for Heritage Discovery Center, a California Spanish Colonial Museum, and I would be pleased to help you.

Please call me at your conveiance.

Sincerely,
Barry Starr

Re: DOMINGUEZ

ValerieHall61 — 2006-09-21 19:27:29Z

I found information on your Felipa Dominguez, if you still need it.

Maria Northrop's "Spanish and Mexican Families of Early California" Vol. 2, page 66 shows Felipa, her parents and 13 siblings:

Father - Mariano Dominguez
born about 1786-89 in Villa de Sinaloa, Mexico
Parents Dominguez and Valdez

Married 7 Nov 1801 at San Diego Presidio to
Maria Venancia Sotelo
baptized 12 May 1789 at Mission San Diego
Parents Francisco Antonio Sotelo and Maria Josefa Gabriela Silvas
(we are related on this Silvas line, which I have back another 2 generations)

The family appears on the 1823 Los Angeles Census. Northrop wrote of Mariano: Called "Domiguito" because of his short stature. Murdered at the Pauma Massacre in December 1840, shortly after the Battle of San Pasqual in San Diego County, along with 10 other victims.

Their 4th child was your Maria Felipa
Born 16 March 1812, baptized 1 May 1812 San Diego Presidio.
Married 2 February 1830 ant Mission San Gabriel to Bernardo Fernando Antonio Yorba (another relative of mine)
Felipa died 7 Sept 1851, buried 9 Sept 1851 at Los Angeles Plaza Church Cemetery.

Good luck, and let me know if I can be of further help with the Silvas or Yorba lines.

Valerie

Vaca Families

ValerieHall61 — 2006-09-21 19:27:29Z

Has anyone connected the Juan Manuel Vaca, founder of Vacaville, with the early explorer Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca.

My son and I are researching Cabeza de Vaca for a school report and I've found what looks like a sketchy trail of his descendants from Cadiz, Spain, to Mexico City, then up to New Mexico were Juan Manuel Vaca and family moved to San Bernardino, California in 1841 with the Rowland-Workman expedition.

We've found plenty of interesting facts about Cabeza de Vaca, but we'd like to verify the trail of his descendants in general (no great details needed) before we put anything in the report.

Thank you, Valerie
Los Californianos #1734

Re: Vaca Families

ValerieHall61 — 2006-09-21 19:27:29Z

Mr. Baca,

Thank you for your offer of help in tracing the Vaca / Baca family of California. We became interested during a school report about the early explorer Cabeza de Vaca, then found our neighbor across the street is our 5th cousin, related through our Alvarado's, one of whom married a San Francisco Bay Area Vaca, of Vacaville. Even though the report is long past, we would still be very interested in finding out more about this family. Let me know what information I can provide here for you.

Thanks again,

Valerie

Re: Yorba, Peralta- Farias, Talamantes.

wsdean — 2006-08-30 23:44:40Z

Hello, Eva

Our family descent from Jose Antonio Yorba is through his son Jose Antonio Yorba II and his son Miguel Chavito Yorba down to Daisy Yorba (daughter of Teresa Pryor and Miguel Nicolas Yorba).

I'm working on a complete family tree. Contact me.

William S. Dean
wsdean@earthlink.net

Re: Briones

2006-08-27 22:53:52Z

Yes, it definitely helps! Thank you so much. This is the first tie to a Martinez.

Re: Briones

RDoyle2000 — 2006-08-27 03:16:39Z

Answers

I do not know the relation of Egyfacia to Margarita.

The spelling of her name (Egyfacia) varies in all records.(there's Eyiaca, and Kiricaca?)

After her husbands death, she moved first to Martinez. and when she got older, she moved in with her sister, the famous Juanna Briones de Miranda in Fremont (Santa Clara Co Census-1880 listed her as Kiricaca Briones). She died in Martinez in 1885 age 81.
She did have a son Angel Briones (b 1829) he was married to Frances Martinez, who was a daughter of Vicente Martinez and Nieves Soto.

Hope this helps,

Re: Briones

ancstrsrch — 2006-08-26 05:01:57Z

Wow! This was the fastest response yet! Thank you.

Three questions:
1. You wouldn't happen to know what Egyfacia's relationship to Margarita Juarez was (other then her godmother) would you?

Margarita was baptized Juarez but actually was called Margarita Espinosa. I've been told that she was probably Augustin Whitfield's offspring, adopted by an Espinosa. Margarita was my Uncle's great grandmother.

Margarita Espinosa married Francisco Martinez, 4 Nov 1877 in Martinez, Contra Costa, Ca. I'm trying to locate Francisco and his ancestors.

Since Egyfacia was born in 1804 she would have been abt. 57 yrs. old when Margarita was baptised.

2. When did Egyfacia die? I couldn't seem to locate her in the Contra Costa Census or anywhere else for that matter. Did she use a middle name?

3. Was Angel Soto related to Egyfacia?