Does Anyone Know....?
This page updated Sunday, June 28, 1998 - 12:54:15PM
I have created this page as a forum for all those questions that aren't specifically about surnames. Maybe we can help each other out. These questions need not be specifically about Nuevo Leon, but they should have a hispanic genealogy bent to them. Some of us are new at genealogy, others have been at this for some time. I encourage all of you to share your knowlege. One of the greatest rewards we can reap is the joy of helping others. Remember, in the end...."¡todos somos primos!".
I'll start this off by asking a question for which I now have the answer.
#1. "So now that I know the town and province my ancestors came from in Spain, how do I find out what region that would be found in?"
Spain is divided into fifty provinces, but you will find many more references to the fifteen historical divisions based in the main on the original small kindoms. You will find below a list of the fifteen regions, and under each one the names of the present-day provinces within that region. In this way, if you only know that your ancestor came from Catalonia, you will at least now know the names of the four provinces within Catalonia:
Source:In Search of Your European Roots by Angus Baxter. Third Printing - 1988, Geneaalogical Publishing Co., ISSBN#0-8063-1114-2
#2. "Often while reading books how Hispanic Genealogical research I find much written about a catagory of records referred to as "protocolos". I simply want to know is "how do I get my hands on these records"? I suspect that these must be seen where they are kept, but even then how do I locate and arrange to see them? Thank you for your fine forum.
Robert Suarez Bob (my dear friend and psyberprimo) finally found an answer to his question and writes back to share what he found:
The "Protocolos" are the notarial records of the various government units from different time periods. They may include anything that one today would get notarized. There are court records, bill of sale, law suits etc. For example if one of your ancestors lived in the general area and he bought or sold land during the time period - there will be a record in the "Protocolos". These records are haphazard because they were considered the personal property of the notary. Later the government tried to round them all up. They are kept in government archives in Mexico City or various state capitals. However Israel Cavazos Garza actually organized all the records of Monterrey, sorted them and published them long ago. There are not many copies to be found. Mr. Cavazos Garza has had six "Protocolos" published. Numbers 1 & 2 are extremely difficult to find and very expensive when you do find them. The other four are also out of print but do turn up at times...You may try contacting the
Borderland Bookstore to from time to time to see if they have any available. Muchisimimas Gracias Roberto! #3. "I recently came across references to something called "los Bexarenos"
Genealogical Register". I came across it in an article I posted on my web site at http://geocities.datacellar.net/Heartland/Ranch/7807/. I am hoping someone can educate me as to what exactly is the aboved named register and how would one be able to see or research it. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Robert Suarez The "Genealogical Register" is a quarterly publication published by LOS BEXARENOS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY (contact them at: P.O. Box 1935, San Antonio,TX 78297). The register is published, March, June, September and December. It has useful information for those researching Northern Mexico and Southern Texas. One can obtain the register by joining "Los
Bexareños". They may also have back issues. One can also check with the
Borderland Bookstore, as the owner is a member of that society. Muchisimimas Gracias JJ Gallegos and Henry Campbell for helping out with this one! #4. "In my quest for more genealogical information I have written to the Church of a small town in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. After a couple of months I assume the letter did not get to the village priest. It was simply addressed to the Parrish Priest of the Burgos Catholic Church. Is there a way to find a current listing of Parrishes in a particular state or Diocese? The name of the Parrish was obtained from old sources. The church may not even exist anymore. So I would hesitate to write again unless I can verify that the Church there exists or I can find an alternative church authority to write to. Thanks in advance. Robert Suarez We still need help on this one! #5. Bob is now studying the "protolocos" he recently acquired. He's writes: "While translating some of these records I need to find out something. For example one statement I found says ....."los refunde a cuatro reales cabeza, que es el precio corriente en este reino." Another place I found this...Los recibe por dos anos a 8 pesos en reales el ciento al ano en primales de pelo a 7 reales c/u." I need to find out what is the relationship of reales to pesos. These transactions occurred in the 1730's and I don't understand what is going on. According to my dicionary a "real" was a spanish coin or Spanish money of account equal to a quarter of a peseta. That doesn't tell me much. I just want to know what was the relationship between the reales to the peso so I can understand how much is owed by who for how long. It sure would make things simpler. Thanks again. Robert Suarez In answer to Robert Suarez's monetary question, JJ Gallegos has this information to share — "One of the monetary units in the New World during the mid-eighteenth century is what was called the pieces of eight or "ocho reales". It was a silver coin also known as the "peso." It could be divided into two "real" sections or pieces. In other words, "ocho reales" was equal to a silver "peso." This "peso" or "ocho reales" became the de-facto monetary unit of the Americas. It was even used in the US as legal tender up until the 1830's and was equivalent to the US dollar. Remember, during the early US independence period, the continental dollar lost most of its value and the silver "pieces of eight" were preferred. There's where the old "two bits, four bits, six bits, a dollar" saying comes from.
These "pieces of eight" also found themselves distributed throughout Europe and help spark the Capitalist turn in Europe.
I just wanted to make one more salient point on the pieces of eight. Our economy is still affected by this venerable coin by way of the stock market. The reason that stocks trade in 1/8 increments is because originally the US colonials used "reales" to bid on stocks--remember one real=1/8 of a peso or one bit. I hope this is of some help".
#6. Miguel writes: "Does anyone know about a Dairy Co. in Monterrey by the name of "Falfurrias"? If so can you drop a line indicating that a company by this name exists? Thanks.
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This page created Saturday, Nov. 15, 1997 - 12:44:15AM
Maintained by Mercedes Marquesa.
I look forward to your questions or comments.
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