BXAR

TEXAS

Los Bexareos
Genealogical and Historical Society
Those born in Bxar and those who migrated to and made their home in Bxar throughout the ages, whether under the influence of
Tribal Law, or the laws of Spain, France, the 1st Republic of Texas, the Republic of Mxico, the 2nd Republic of Texas, the Confederate
States of Amrica, or the United States of Amrica are known as Los Bexareos.
Their families extend to all the lands of the world. Once a Bexareo always a Bexareo.

E-Newsletter

July 20 15
LBGHS Monthly Meeting

July 4, 2015

San Antonio Main Public Library

The July LBGHS meeting has been

CANCELLED
July 4th is a federal holiday and all venues for the meeting will be closed.

CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS

Contents In This Issue

Erika Arredondo-Haskins

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
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10.
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14.
15.
16.

LBGHS Monthly Meeting - July 2015

From the Presidents Desk
Letters to Los Bexareos
Websites That Tell Our Stories Membership Dues LBGHS Directory
Los Bexareos June Monthly Meeting ~ A Photo Collage
Book Review - Glvez
The Gift of Kindness Is Immortal
Flags of Texas Settlers
A Facebook Conversation Announcement ~ DRT lamo Couriers Chapter
The Ordeal of Manuel Ramrez Martnez
Announcement ~ Hispanic Heritage Cup
The 36th Annual Texas State Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Conference
Announcements ~ 2018 Conference Committee San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
The Gilbert I. Patio Resource Center and Library Web Indexes
Calendar of Events
Around The State Message From the Editor Submit Your Articles

2015 LBGHS E-Newsletter

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Judge Ed Butler
Carlos O. Castaeda
Anthony Delgado
Mary Esther Escobedo
Santiago Escobedo
Eleanor Foreman
Jos Antonio Lpez
Mara Elena Martnez
Cristina Guerra McCoy
Sylvia Morales
Luis Morales
Dennis Moreno
Yolanda Patio
Oscar Ramrez
Rudy Sandoval, M.A., J.D., LL.M.

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M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T

From The

The mission of Los Bexareos Genealogical

and Historical Society is to promote
awareness of Hispanic genealogy and history
through publications, public forums,
research, consultations, education, and to
promote the preservation of archival material
for public research.

Presidents
Desk

2015 EXECUTIVE BOARD

President:

Eleanor Foreman
eforeman1264@gmail.com

Vice President:

Mara Elena Martnez

Los Bexareos thanks Ral Guerra for putting the 2014 LBGHS
Register together and Santiago Escobedo and his volunteers for dis-
tributing it. If you did not receive a 2014 LBGHS Register and
you believe you should have, please contact Sylvia Morales at

rmtz321@aol.com

Secretary:

Ernesto Menchaca
prtxem@gmail.com

Treasurer:

Santiago Escobedo
santiagodebejar@sbcglobal.net

lousyl@icloud.com

BOARD

OF

DIRECTORS

2014 - 2015:

Olga Hickey

2014 - 2015:

Ed Mata

2014 - 2015:

Mary Reyes

2015 - 2016:

Mary Esther Escobedo

2015 - 2016:

Cindy Farmer

Ral Guerra has given us excellent annual journals for many

years. He is a dedicated volunteer, but he has decided to retire as
editor of the LBGHS Register.
I have appointed an LBGHS Register Committee so as not to
burden one person with such a heavy task. They are working on the
2015 LBGHS Register, and it should be ready to distribute by the
THGH Conference in Laredo.
It is important to understand that the LBGHS Register cannot be
produced without articles from YOU, the members. This is YOUR
LBGHS Register, and as such YOU must maintain it by providing
YOUR articles to the LBGHS Register Committee. We need articles
with your pedigree charts and direct lines to the oldest ancestor
you have researched. We need photos and stories of your childhood
and stories of your grandparents. Bring your ancestors to life.
Please, please send in your articles to the LBGHS Register Commit-
tee as soon as you can.
In order to make things simple, you can email your articles in
MS Word format to Sylvia Morales at

APPOINTED OFFICERS
Historian:

Norberto Martnez

Parliamentarian: Jos Hernndez

lousyl@icloud.com
P.S.
I know, I know, this is redundant, but it is worth repeating:
Please send Sylvia Morales, Editor of the LBGHS
E-Newsletter, an article (with photos) describing what you have
found in your family research. If it is one or two pages long, we may
print it in the LBGHS E-Newsletter. If it is more than two pages
long, we may print it in the 2016 LBGHS Register. We can help you
write your article. Sylvias email is lousyl@icloud.com.

LOS BEXAREOS
PO BOX 1935
SAN ANTONIO TX 782971935
www.losbexarenos.org
Los Bexareos Facebook Page
2015 LBGHS E-Newsletter

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LETTERS TO LOS BEXAREOS

Los Bexareos Genealogical and Historical Society

and South Texas History were his favorites. Some of

you may not know that he played minor league baseball in his younger years. When he served on the
McAllen School Board, he presented a proposal that
one of the schools in the district bear the name of a
Hispanic person. Unbelievably, until that time there
was no such school. He proposed the name of Francisca lvarez, the Angel of Goliad. The proposal
was accepted, and an elementary school in the district bears the name, Francisca lvarez.
As a County Judge, he presided over many
interesting cases. Upon his retirement, To, already
known as he marrying judge, continued to perform weddings. He married generations of parents,
children and grandchildren.Sometimes due to unsual circumstances, he would stand at the international
bridge to conduct aceremony joining a couple (each
one standing) on either side of the river.He was flexible that way.
Another one of his passions is genealogy. To
say he is a MASTER GENEALOGIST is an understatement. He has been blessed with an amazing memory.
He would say to an individual, Tell me who your
grandparents are/were, and Ill tell you your family
genealogy. He and Ral Guerra collaborated to produce an extensive genealogy of a member of the
Guerra family: "Descendantsof Jos Felipe Guerra
Hinojosa & Mara Josefa Gonzlez Garca, Researched by Dario R. Garca, Prepared by Ral J.
Guerra, Jr.
My reason for recounting the story of an
amazing man, Dario Garca, is to ask several favors.

1) If each of you would kindly pass along this information to the many people who know To Dario.
2) If you would kindly send him a note, card or letter mentioning your concern, and thank him for any
help he might have given you in the past, in whatever capacity. His address is:

Query
To Los Bexareos,
I am looking for information on Josefa de
Len. In particular, I would like to know the names
of her parents. I know that my ancestor, Josefa,
married Guadalupe de los Santos on 26 Feb 1838 in
San Antonio de Bxar. However it was a civil ceremony, and the record does not list her parents. I have
been unable to find a church ceremony record. There
were two Josefa de Lens living in Bxar during this
time period. One was listed in the Census Report of
San Jos Mission, 23 June 1831, age 17, living with
Francisco de Len and Luisa Martnez. Another Josefa was listed in the San Fernando Church Baptisms,
1816, as the daughter of Ignacio de Len and
Manuela de la Garza.
I wonder if someone has any information that
would help me determine who are the parents of the
Josefa that married Guadalupe de los Santos. I do
know that Guadalupe and Josefa had a daughter
named Guadalupe de los Santos. The daughter,
Guadalupe, married Miguel Ramos; and, they were
living in Wilson County per the 1880 census.
Thank you for your assistance,
Oscar Ramrez
oramirezo@sbcglobal.net
~~~~~~~

The Honorable Dario R. Garca (retired)

Hello to Everyone,
This afternoon (21 June 2015), I phoned Dario
Garca, a distant uncle who lives in McAllen, to wish
him a Happy Fathers Day. His daughter, Laura, answered, and informed me that her dad is completely
bedridden, on hospice at his home. She said he eats
very little, and, subsequently, has lost much weight.
He does speak a bit, but does little else. It seems he
had been in a nursing home in hopes of receiving
some rehabilitation, but unfortunately, no progress
was made. Laura said they took him home, and
states,Its been down hill ever since.
To Dario is 95 years old and has been legally
blind for many years. His hearing has deteriorated
greatly. In the past, he listen to a machine that read
books and mail, but no more. Books about baseball
2015 LBGHS E-Newsletter

The Honorable Dario R. Garca (retired)

2104 Highland Avenue
McAllen, Texas 78501
3) Please keep him in your prayers.
Thank you for your charity and kindness.
Sincerely,
Cristina Guerra McCoy
ccgm@satx.rr.com

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GENEALOGICAL

Websites That Tell

Our Stories
There is more to genealogy than just
gathering names of ancestors. It is very
important to do the basics like pedigree
charts, names, dates, places, family work
sheets, etc. However, let us not forget
that there are stories that go with these
names. There are histories in the places
and times they lived. Photographs and
stories bring our ancestors to life. Here
we intend to transport you to websites
that tell our stories. Click on the following links and read more.
lamos Tejano Heroes Gain Recognition
Bexar Archives Online

AND

HISTORICAL

SOCIETY

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Please join/renew your membership to

Los Bexareos Genealogical and Historical Society

Be part of an ever growing family who loves to do ancestral research. Meet people who share the same interest and love of
genealogy, and people who may be doing research on your particular family lineages.

PLEASE SEND YOUR

2015 MEMBERSHIP DUES
To become an LBGHS member, fill out the 2015 Membership

Bexar County Historical Commission

Application Form and mail it to the address on the form. Better

Bxar Genealogy

yet, bring the form with you when you attend our next meeting.

Children of the Revolucin

Hispanic Heritage Center of Texas

2015 Membership Form

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Click Here

And Join Us

PBS Documentary: Latino-Americans

Somos Primos
Tejano Monument
Texas Highways
Texas Tejano
We Are Cousins

Tell Us Your Stories

Do you have a special, interesting, historical,
or just a funny story about your relatives that
you would like to share? Un chiste that you
would like to contribute?

We are the hero of our own story.

Mary McCarthy
Email your ancestral stories, and we will try to
print them in the LBGHS E-Newsletter on a
first-come-first-serve basis.

lousyl@icloud.com
LBGHS eMail Newsletter

LBGHS Membership Directories are still available for the small

price of $15.00. Members who have purchased a directory have
expressed what a good resource it has turned out to be for
them. You will find the surnames that are being researched by
your fellow members. Some have added the full names of their
ancestors as well as the cities, counties and years. You will find
their contact information and many have a photo of themselves.
We have members across Texas and many many other states as
well as Mxico. You must be an LBGHS member to purchase
the directory. Become a member today and purchase a membership directory.
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Los Bexareos June Monthly Meeting

PHOTO COLLAGE BY:

Luis Morales

For Los Bexareos Genealogical and Historical Society

Los Bexareos Genealogical and Historical Society held its monthly meeting on June 6, 2015
at the San Antonio Public Library. Erika Arredondo-Haskins, Executive Director of the Hispanic
Heritage Center of Texas, presented Las Damas de Tejas: A glance into the life of San Antonio de
Bxars influential businesswoman, Doa Mara Josefa Granados.
This was a great opportunity to exchange genealogy information with friends in a great environment. Come and join us at the LBGHS monthly meetings. Enjoy coffee, pastries and good
conversations with others who share the same passion in genealogy and Texas History.

2015 LBGHS E-Newsletter

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GLVEZ
BY:

Judge Ed Butler

For Los Bexareos Genealogical and Historical Society

n May 10, 2010, National Society, Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR) President General Judge Ed Butler, during a private audience with then HRH Crown Prince
Felipe de Borbn of Spain, was asked by HRH the Prince to write a book about
Spains involvement with the Continental Colonies during the American Revolutionary War. Bernardo de Glvez y Madrid, Viscount of Galveston and Count of Glvez. On the
day of the audience, HRM Juan Carlos was in the hospital recovering from lung surgery, and
HRH Felipe was the acting king. Last year, HRM Juan Carlos abdicated in favor of Felipe, who now serves as HRM Felipe VI de Borbn,
King of Spain. During the interview, King Felipe asked judge Butler to
write a screen play and wanted him to get Hollywood to make a movie,
and I want Antonio Banderas to play the part of Glvez, he said.
Judge Butler has also written the swashbuckling screen play and contacted Mr. Banderas agent, who declined until the money for the production is in place. royal audience was part of a three week tour of Spain,
organized and led by Judge Butler for members of the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution
(NSSAR) and their wives.
As president of the Mxico Society of SAR in 2001, Judge Butler had been interested in helping Hispanics prove their decent from American Revolutionary War heroes. Judge Butler descends from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of
Spain. It was because he had published several articles, about Spain helping the northeastern American colonies during the American Revolutionary War, in both the National Genealogy Societys NGS Magazine and The SAR Magazine, that he had received letters of appreciation from both HRH Prince Felipe and his father, Juan Carlos, King.
For Hispanic family historians, the book is a treasure trove. It contains 360 pages, with 214 footnotes, 22 single spaced pages of
reference materials, and 38 pages of Appendices. It is rich with the names of Spanish patriots who may be the ancestors of local Hispanics. These appendices include names of soldiers in the local area; citizens who donated pesos at the request of the king; and a list
of Havana, Cuba merchants who loaned money to France so it could pay its soldiers fighting in Virginia. This book gives a blow by
blow description of how Spain systematically removed England as a threat for a second front from either the west or the south.
Interested Hispanics may find that they are eligible for membership in the SAR and DAR, and Judge Butler is attempting to
recruit as many as can document their respective family trees.
For historians, the book discusses many heretofore unknown battles involving Spanish soldiers and Spanish militia who fought
the British at Fort San Carlos, in present day St. Louis; and who attacked Fort Saint Joseph, in present-day Niles, Michigan, and
seized their large stockpile of weapons and food, which ended a planned British sweep
down the Mississippi River Valley to destroy
Spanish and American outposts.
Judge Butler is seeking speaking dates
for other organizations. He can be
The Texas Connection with the American
reached at SARPG0910@aol.com.
Revolution (TCARA) presented Judge Butler
For additional information please see the
an award for the Best American Revolutionary
web site established for the book at
War History Book in 2014. The most imporwww.galvezbook.com
tant aspect about this book is that it documents
For more information about Judge Butparticipation in the American Revolutionary
ler, consult his web site at
War by hundreds of Spaniardsall of whom
judge-ed-butler.sarsat.org
have descendants living and working in the
The book can be ordered for $29.00 +
southwestern and Gulf of Mexico areas of the
$6.50 in postage and handling. There is
United States.
Hispanic children must no
also a digital CD in color, that will allow
longer feel estranged from society, as the probyou to scan the book for the names of
abilities are that one of their ancestors helped
your possible ancestors. Alone the CD
the U.S. achieve its independence.
costs $15.00, but when ordered with the
book, the cost is only $10.
Judge Edward Butler is a member of Los
Bexareos Genealogical and Historical Society.
Mail your order to:
At the June meeting he spoke briefly about his
Southwest Historical Press
book, and sold a few of his books. He is schedPO Box 170
uled to be a principal speaker next year.
24165 IH-10 West Suite 217-170
San Antonio, TX 78257

2015 LBGHS E-Newsletter

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The Gift of Kindness Is Immortal

BY:

Rudy Sandoval, M.A., J.D., LL.M.

For Los Bexareos Genealogical and Historical Society

It is with great and deep sadness and sorrow to know

that our good friend, Gilbert Patio, is no longer with us.
Gilbert was one of the first individuals I met when I first
joined the Bexareos Genealogical and Historical Society
many decades ago. In our conversations he was always genuinely inquisitive about my research projects and complimentary of my work. But it was on a Bexareo sponsored research
tour to Monterrey many years ago, in which he and his charming wife participated, that I got to know Gilberts wonderful
and charming character and kindness. I was, at that time, a
fledging genealogy researcher, and I needed a lot of guidance.
During our time together in Mxico he was most generous
with his suggestions and recommendation on how to effectively and efficiently trace my family history. We spent many
hours together walking in the park, researching our family
trees in the Monterrey genealogy section of the library and
sharing delicious Mexican meals. What I found was that he
was one of those rare individuals with a special gift for kindness and unlimited generosity.
As I continued my genealogy work over the years, I
would sometimes meet Gilbert at conventions and meetings,
and he would always find his way to me and would inquire
how I was doing with my family tree. It was not just a passing
curiosity, he was deeply interested in my work, and I was surprise by his detail recollection of my research. During those
brief meetings we would always reminisce of the pleasant time
that we spent together in Monterrey.
I deeply regret that I did not take the time to nourish our
friendship further for it would have enriched me profoundly
and I would have learned more about kindness, generosity and
about his gift that he shared with me. Men like that always
leave a vacuum in our hearts that can never be filled. I will always remember my friend, Gilbert Patio.
Rudy Sandoval, M.A., J.D., LL.M.
Associate Professor Emeritus, Retired
The University of Texas at San Antonio

LBGHS eMail Newsletter

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FLAGS OF TEXAS SETTLERS

BY:

Carlos O. Castaeda

From the Institute of Texan Culture ~ For Los Bexareos Genealogical and Historical Society

Most of the flags displayed in front of the Institute of Texan Culture were in use when the peoples of their respective nations first came to
Texas.
At least, this was the original idea. However, some individuals and groups departed their native countries long before a national flag was
adopted; some left areas that had no "flag" in the European sense of the word; some peoples coming to Texas did not want to be represented by a
hated symbol; and some groups emigrated from countries in which the national standard was disputed.

The Texas flag represents all peoples, every ethnic and cultural group in the state.
Lone Star: This familiar flag was adopted by the Third Congress of the Republic of Texas meeting in Houston on January 25,
1839. At the time, some five other popular designs were either in use or had been suggested for adoption.
Belgium: The national flag of Belgium was adopted in 1830. The colorsblack, yellow, and redare from the coat of arms of
the House of Brabant.
China: The Manchu dragon flag of Imperial China was adopted in 1872. Originally triangular with a blue dragon and red sun on
a yellow field, the flag was altered to a rectangular shape in 1890.
Czech Republic: When Czechs began coming to Texas, there was no Czech Republic. The national flag was adopted in 1920.
Red and white are colors of the historic kingdom of Bohemia; blue represents the province of Moravia.
Denmark: The national flag of Denmark bas been used since 1219, when Denmark virtually ruled the Baltic. By legend, the flag
descended from heaven during a military siege. Never changed, it is the oldest flag still in use without alteration.
England: St. George is the patron saint of England. St. George's flag became England's national symbol in 1277.
France: A white flag became the royal ensign when Henry III came to the throne in 1574. In the subsequent reign of Henry IV, it
became the symbol of the French Bourbons. On occasion, the pure white flag was used as a naval flag but was not favored because
of the connotation of surrender.
Germany: Three German state and province flags are flown. At the time of the first significant German settlement in Texas, there
was no unified Germany. The flags of Hesse, Mecklenburg, and Saxony represent the variety of German flags in use before the
founding of the German Empire 1871.
Greece: The Greek national flag dates from 1832, when the country won independence from Turkey.
Ireland: Although Ireland did not become an independent nation until 1922, the color combination of the modern Irish flag was
in use in 1848.
Italy: The Italian naval flag symbolizes the period of Italian immigration to the Amricas.
Japan: The Japanese national flag came into use in 1870. The sun, traditional ancestor of the emperor, has been used on Japanese flags for more than a thousand years.
Lebanon: Lebanese immigrants, often identified as Syrians, began coming to Texas long before their country became independent. The cedar tree is the national symbol of Lebanon.
Mxico: The Mexican state flag was adopted in virtually its present form in 1833. The Mexican coat of arms, an eagle on a
cactus with a serpent in its beak, denotes the founding of Tenochtitln, capital city of the Aztec empire.
Netherlands: The Netherlands flag dates from the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule led by William of Orange. It was adopted
in 1579 and changed in 1630 to the version flown.
Norway: The Norwegian national flag was first introduced as the Norwegian merchant flag in 1821.
Poland: The flag of the dependent Russian Kingdom of Poland came into being after the Napoleonic Wars. The blue cross denotes Russian rule of Poland; the Polish eagle is the national symbol.
Scotland: St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland. His cross appears on Scotland's national flag, also called St. Andrews flag.
Spain: The flag of Castile and Len was the first national flag of Spain. It was the flag carried by Christopher Columbus in 1492.
Sweden: The Swedish national flag, a yellow cross on a blue field, has been flown since 1523.
Switzerland: The white cross on red was carried by Swiss soldiers as early as 1339. The flag was adopted as the national flag in
1848. The square version was established in 1889.
United States: The flag flown commemorates those who came to Texas from the United States. It is the flag of 1820 bearing 23
stars and 13 stripes. This flag was in use when U.S. settlers first came to Texas in 1821.

When the flags were first flown at the opening of the Institute of Texan Culture in 1968, nearly every design was considered correct and approved
for display by either a national consulate or embassy located in the United States. Some nations, China, for instance, could not then be asked;
some nations no longer existed in an older formItaly for example. A few nations, such as Scotland, had been long conquered by others and necessarily regarded their flag as of historic moment. And the Native Americans had a host of banners and standards reminiscent of the Roman Empire, but they were not unified symbols. At the time of the original research, ambassadors from some nations requested that an earlier version of a
flag not be displayed. For these groups, other representative flags are flown. Further, initial research at the Institute did not complete study of a
few research topics,e.g., Russian settlement, Gypsy migrations, and Wends origins; thus, certain problems were avoided by omission.
In any case, flags are national symbols evoking strong feelings, both good and bad. They are flown here in honor of the peoples who made
Texas.
2015 LBGHS E-Newsletter

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A FACEBOOK CONVERSATION
BY:

Antony Delgado

For Los Bexareos Genealogical and Historical Society

was researching the parents of my 4-times great-

grandmother, Mara Luisa AROCHA (Rocha),
and I hit a brick wall. I needed help, so I decided
to try my luck with Facebook. this is a great source
for sharing information and nding cousins we never
knew we had!

Elisa Gutierrez

Same book from above: San Agustn Parish of Laredo Mar-

riage Book I 1790-1857 by Angel Sepulveda Brown and Glo-
ria Villa Cadena. Both will be found in this book.

Anthony Delgado
You're wonderful. Thank you so much.

Joe Arciniega

Anthony Delgado

Thank you for helping my cousin Anthony Delgado. See

Anthony, Laredoans are just the nicest people.

Any suggestions on where I can nd a marriage record

around 1830? Does Webb County, Texas have any online
records? I am trying to nd a marriage record for Mara
Victoriana HERRERA and Timoteo ROCHA. I see where
the Villa De San Agustn - Laredo Genealogy Society
(VSALGS) website has their names and says they were
married, but provides no date or source. I'm aTempting to
conrm the parents for my 4-times great-grandmother,
Mara Luisa AROCHA (Rocha).

If we can help each other, we are beTer genealogists.

Elisa Gutierrez
San Agustn Parish of Laredo Marriage Book I 1790-1857, Page
177, No. 538: Rafael SALINAS ~ Mara Victoriana HER-
RERA, May 5, 1830. Groom: A soldier of the 1st Permanent
Company, widower of his second marriage to Mara Diega
ROS. Bride: Widow of her second marriage to Timoteo
ROCHA, a soldier buried in the parish of Soto La Marina.
Witnesses: Corporal Joaqun MARTNEZ of this garrison
and Jos de Lorento PARDO. Priest: Jos Mara GARCA

Elisa Gutierrez
No online records that I know of. Let me see if there is any-
thing for Mara Luisa AROCHA.

Elisa Gutierrez
In the very same book, Page 291, No. 986: Juan Nepomu-
ceno CERVANTES ~ Mara Prudencia SNCHEZ, June
25, 1855 Groom: Resident of Bexar, son of Agapito CER-
VANTES and Mara Luisa AROCHA. Bride: Native of
Laredo, widow of Jos Mara RAMN. Witness: Pablo
RAMREZ. Sponsors: Prudencio HERRERA and
Emeregilda VELA. Priest: Santiago GIRAUDON

Elisa Gutierrez
Now in order to get the actual certicate you need to go to
the church.

Anthony Delgado
Wow! Thanks Elisa. What book are you referencing (page
291)? What church?

2015 LBGHS E-Newsletter

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THE ORDEAL OF MANUEL RAMREZ MARTNEZ

BY:

Jos Antonio Lpez

For Los Bexareos Genealogical and Historical Society

write with a sincere effort to familiarize South Texans

with their early Texas history. Of special concern to me
continues to be the sad fact that so many of our young
people are unaware of their ancestors courageous stories. With a great sense of optimism, my goal is to try to fix
that.
Articles involving actual people tend to be more popular
than those that deal with history in a general sense. That is,
readers wish to learn specific details, and rightly so. Nothing
adds more warmth and personal interest in a story than family
names. Thats to be expected, since a number of popular old
Spanish surnames bind us together as one large family, linking
us to the past. In short, its those distinct roots of our family
tree that encourages us to affectionately refer to each other as
prima, primo, Ta, and To.
In writing history articles, I often mention that our ancestors accounts of faith, courage, and determination are second
to none. At a minimum, they match any of the human interest
storylines of families struggling to survive in popular Old
West-based programs weve seen on TV for years. Yet, readers themselves often point out (and many wonder why) our
stories arent better known and accepted as part of U.S. history.
Sadly, stories of endurance involving Spanish-Mexican
people of early Texas and the Southwest are rare (absent) in
mainstream history book pages. Thats true, but that doesnt
mean theyre not real. Worse still is the fact that the movie
industry and western paperback books have done grave damage to our beautiful legacy in Texas. Such venues normally
dismiss, diminish, and distort our ancestors role as pioneers
in founding the region now known as Texas, New Mexico,
Colorado, Arizona, and California.
To that end, I offer below the true story of my ancestor,
Manuel Ramrez Martnez.
~~~~~~~
Manuel grew up in the early 1800s South Texas brush
country; a time when people of Spanish European ancestry on
either side of the Ro Grande were few. Rancho families originating in Las Villas del Norte were just beginning to start life
on their own in the wild, harsh countryside.
Typical of the ranchos in those days was the one owned
by Jos Luis Ramrez and Basilia Martnez de Ramrez. They
were granted land in Porcin 5 in the township of Revilla,
Nuevo Santander. Manuels job was to tend the familys herds
of cattle and goats. At times, looking for sufficient grass for
the animals to graze on took the young man miles from his
home. It was during one of those outings that while searching
for a lost calf in a thicket, he was hit from behind and knocked unconscious by a Comanche. The band of Comanches
quickly tied his hands together and dragged him through the
brush. Bloodied and hurting from his wounds, he awoke to
discover that he had been thrown across the back of a horse
and securely tied to avoid his escape.

For days, the party travelled north. All the while, Manuel
only saw the ground because he was still riding face down,
bound hand and foot. At night, he was secured to a stake and
made to stand or sit. He wasnt allowed to lie down to sleep.
Manuel recalls that it was at night that his captors became his
tormentors. They punched, kicked, and taunted him endlessly
while being hand-cuffed to the stake. Finally, the group reached their main camp on the Brazos River. He soon realized that
he was one of four white Spanish captives the Comanches had
captured. Manuel and the other prisoners continued to be brutalized and made to do menial tasks in the village for many
months. Because they were kept separated, Manuel never
learned of their fate. Worse, he was then traded to a man leading another group on their way to Natchitoches, Louisiana to
take part in a slave auction.
Shortly after arriving at the auction house, a kind man by
the name of Mr. Denis noticed Manuel before he was put on
the selling platform. This individual observed that Manuel
was not black, nor was he a slave of indigenous background.
On a hunch, Mr. Denis spoke to him in Spanish. Hearing
someone speak to him in his language brought great joy and
relief to Manuel, who was finally able to tell his story.
Mr. Denis, a slave trader himself, was overcome with
Manuels agonizing narrative. So, Mr. Denis bargained with
Manuels owner and became his new master. However, upon
arriving in his plantation nearby, Mr. Denis allowed Manuel to
recover from months of distress. Further, he told Manuel that
he was free to go back to his home on the Ro Grande whenever he wished. To pay back his new owner, Manuel worked
for Mr. Denis for about one year as payment for his freedom.
Eventually, he returned to his grief-stricken parents who had
given him up for dead.
Manuel left for his descendants a vivid first-person account of his ordeal by using a form of Spanish verse known as
Dcimas (ten-line stanzas). He wrote it when he was eighty
years old. The poem records the bravery, anguish, and inner
strength of this remarkable man.
~~~~~~~
Stories such as Manuels are just now being rediscovered.
No doubt, theres dozens of such anecdotes sitting in castaas
(old family trunks) waiting to see the light of day. The main
reason that its time to tell our stories is that before the TV
series, Little House on the Prairie that records pioneer life in
the 1870s-1880s, our early Villas del Norte pioneer ancestors
had already experienced real survival ordeals as shown above
since the late 1700s to early 1800s. Similarly, our brethren in
Nuevo Mxico had done likewise since 1598. It is in recognizing our ancestors courageous sacrifice to build a life for us
(their descendants) that we must continue to honor their
memory by preserving early Texas history. If we dont do it
ourselves, no one else is going to do it for us.
Copyright 2015. Jos Antonio Lpez. All Rights Reserved.

Note: Special thanks and a hearty abrazo in spirit go to my late grand-uncle Mercurio Martnez, Sr., for co-authoring the book, Kingdom of Zapata.
It is the source for my article.

2015 LBGHS E-Newsletter

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Tee High and Let it Fly!

Hispanic Heritage Cup 6th Annual Golf Tournament is right around the corner!

Hispanic Heritage
Cup

Register Now!
Play the Course
Advertise Your Business
Purchase Power Drawing
Tickets
and Win Great Items

DATE: July 18, 2015

TIME: 8:00 a.m.

LOCATION: La Cantera Hill Country Resort

REGISTRATION SITE:
hhctx.org

Get in on the Chance to Win

Some of these Amazing Prizes!
POWER DRAWING ITEMS

Enjoy your time at the Hispanic Heritage Cup not only playing golf,
but by participating in the HHCTX Power Drawing Offers and Luncheon.
*All Power Drawing participants must be present to win*

Americus Diamond Circle of Support

Diamond Pendant
Americus Diamond Fine Jewelry has donated their Circle of Support Diamond Pendant.
Designed by the owner of Americus Diamond and created by the Americus Diamond goldsmiths.
Created in 14 karat white gold and set with a round brilliant cut diamond.

Silver Eagle Distributors

Lightweight Stand Bag
With a lightweight performance and innovative features, this modern style is perfect for any golfer.
Confidently walk the course with this 4 double strap stand bag.
Features, rubber handle on spine, plenty of storage, and easy to carry.

North Park Lexus

Weekend with a Lexus
Win a Weekend with a Lexus! This luxury car will be an exciting ride for a weekend of your choice.
"As a longtime supporter of The Hispanic Heritage Center of Texas, I am asking for
your participation in the Hispanic Heritage Cup 6th Annual Golf Tournament to greatly
benefit the educational programs and scholarships provided by The Hispanic Heritage
Center of Texas. I hope you will consider supporting this essential fundraising event."
-Ron Botello, Event Chair

Vehicle Subject to Change

Hispanic Heritage Center of Texas

110 Broadway, Ste 525
210-892-0136
San Antonio, Texas 78205
2015 LBGHS E-Newsletter

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36TH ANNUAL
TEXAS STATE HISPANIC
GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL CONFERENCE
(Celebrating Laredos 260th Anniversary)

Las Villas del Norte: Spanish Footprints on the Lower Ro Grande

HOSTED BY
VILLA SAN AGUSTN DE LAREDO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

October 8-10, 2015

La Posada Hotel
1000 Zaragoza Street
Laredo, Texas

($99.00 + tax by September 28, 2015)

Registration Fee: $75.00 per person: (after September 1, 2015) - $85.00
You can visit We Are Cousins for more information at

HOPE YOU
CAN JOIN US!

http://www.wearecousins.info/2015/05/36th-annual-texasstate-hispanic-genealogical-and-historical-conference/
Moises Garza posted the conference information in PDF
format at
https://app.box.com/s/6rxb83h4nfhf705pfnbhzl4glgqes1r4

Thank you, Moises.

For additional information contact:

Sanjuanita Martnez-Hunter, Ph.D (956) 722-3497
Sylvia J. Reash (956) 763-1810 sjre0348@yahoo.com
2015 LBGHS E-Newsletter

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2018 CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

Attention Los Bexareos Members:
Seize the opportunity! We want your help!
Los Bexareos will host the 39th Annual Texas State Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Conference to be held in 2018. We will be hosting the conference the same year that San Antonio will be celebrating its 300th anniversary of its founding (Mission San Antonio de Valero on May 1, 1718). As with all
conferences, we are looking for a themepreferably one that addresses the conference as well as the historic anniversary.
The theme will be the central focal point for the conference. Speaker presentations will focus on
topics connected to the theme. The theme will appear on all publicity materials, programs, as well as
serve as the focus for the main banquet.
When Victoria hosted the conference in 2013, their theme was Putting Together the Puzzles
Pieces. Our theme in 2011 was All Roads Lead to San Antonio. What should our theme be? One of
you out there has the right idea, and we want to know what it is.
Submit your theme ideas via email to losbexarenos@gmail.com. Your ideas must be received by
Saturday July 11, 2015. You can submit as many ideas as you wish. The LBGHS members attending
the August 1st LBGHS meeting will vote for their favorite theme among the top ten themes chosen by the
2018 Conference Committee. We will announce the 2018 Conference Theme at the September 5th LBGHS
meeting.
The winning theme will receive a special prize. Put on your thinking cap and get those ideas in!

This post from the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Facebook page is being
shared for your enjoyment. Los Bexareos challenges you to visit Mission San Jos in July
the National Parks Month! See the difference 77
years can make. See the similarities. Some things
never change like our culture, heritage, our history. Show our children and grandchildren how
it use to be and how our Hispanic values have
never changed.
Proud to live in San Antonio, Bxar, Texas, USA
Proud to be Tejanos

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The Gilbert Patio Resource Center & Library

LBGHS

The following list of resources

is an ongoing project.
Be sure to keep checking as the list will be updated as additional indexing is completed.

Genealogists
Extraordinaire
os Bexareos Genealogical and Historical Society
is fortunate to have Dennis Moreno and Yolanda
Patio as members and dedicated volunteers.
They are always ready to help anyone with their
family research. People are often referred to
themwhether they need help in starting their genealogy,
or they've come to that preverbal "brick wall." Sometimes
the load becomes heavy with all the requests for assistance,
especially now that Los Bexareos is getting more exposure. Los Bexareos is well known throughout Texas, as
well as throughout the United States. An individual from
Florida was referred to Los Bexareos by Ancestry.com.
Apparently, they had exhausted all their resources. That
person is now a member of Los Bexareos.
There are many experienced members in the Society.
Los Bexareos needs others who are willing to step-up-tothe-plate. Please share your expertise, your knowledge,
and your time to help Dennis and Yolanda with the heavy
load. Contact Dennis Moreno or Yolanda Patio if you
think you can help out. Maybe you have access to a good
resource, or youre knowledgeable of a particular region, or
you personally possess information that would be helpful
to others. Whatever your area of expertise may be, just
share that with Dennis and Yolanda so that they have more
resources and manpower at their disposal.
Dennis and Yolanda are at the Gilbert Patio Resource
Center and Library every Saturday, except for the first Saturday of the month. They are a very valuable asset to our
organization. Thank you Dennis and Yolanda for all that
you do for Los Bexareos!

INDEX TO THE LBGHS LIBRARY

Introduction to the Index

Index of Articles sorted by Title

Index of Articles sorted by State and Location

Index of Wills, Estates and Death Records sorted by Surname

he Gilbert Patio Resource Center and

Library is located on the campus of
Holy Rosary Parish. The Church is located at 159 Camino Santa Mara, just north of
Culebra Road. Park in the noted parking lot
and walk through the gate to the courtyard
and turn to the right passing the first building.
Click to see a Larger Map

LBGHS

Resource Center
&

Parking

Library

ta Mara

Library

Culebra Ro
ad

(210) 434-3530
patinogil@sbcglobal.net

INDEX TO THE LBGHS REGISTERS

Yolanda Patio

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nis.
den

(as of Feb 2013)

(as of Feb 2013)
(as of Feb 2013)
(as of Feb 2013)

Camino San

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2015 LBGHS E-Newsletter

Books and Resources

Journals
Family Genealogy
Facts and Events

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JULY 2015
Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday
1

Thursday
2

Friday
3

Saturday
4

LBGHS Meeting
D

National Parks Month

5

9:30 a.m. - 11:30

LE a.m.

L
CE

N
CA

10

11
GILBERT PATIO
RESOURCE CENTER

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

lamo Couriers
Book Review - Luncheon

Witte Museum
10:00 a.m.

12

13

14

15

16

17

18
GILBERT PATIO
RESOURCE CENTER

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Hispanic Heritage
Center of Texas

Golf Tournament
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

GILBERT PATIO
RESOURCE CENTER

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

26

27

28

29

30

31

Important Dates to Remember

July 4

LBGHS July Monthly Meeting has been CANCELLED - San Antonio, TX

July 4

Los Bexareos wishes you a Safe and Happy 4th of July!

July 8

lamo Couriers Book Review and Luncheon at the Witte Museum - San Antonio, TX

July 18

HHCTX Golf Tournament at La Cantera Hill Country Resort - San Antonio, TX

October 8-10

36th Annual Texas Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Conference - Laredo, TX

2015 LBGHS E-Newsletter

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From Around The State

Austin :

News from Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin

Corpus Christi :

News from Spanish American Genealogical Association (SAGA)

Dallas :

News from HOGAR de Dallas

Edinburg :

News from Las Porciones Society

Harlingen :

News from Ro Grande Valley Hispanic Genealogical Society ~~~~ Facebook

Houston :

News from Hispanic Genealogy Society of Houston ~~~~ Facebook

Laredo :

News from Villa de San Agustn - Laredo Genealogy Society

San Elizario :

News from San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society

Victoria :

News from Victoria Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Society of Texas

Message from the Editor

f you are reading this message, then hopefully, you read the entire LBGHS E-Newsletter. I hope you enjoyed the information
provided. QUESTION: Will you do me a favor and comment on
the articles, letters, announcements and/or the contents as a
whole, whether good, bad, or indifferent? I really want your input.
I want to bolster our Presidents Message: we need more articlesYOUR articles. Your photos. Your stories. Your recipes.
Your pedigree charts. Your ancestral lineages. Your input. Your
suggestions. Please do not be afraid. We will work with you. I
have talked to many of you, and you have such wonderful stories.
Many of you have done remarkable research. I have seen many of
your photo albums with beautiful, nostalgic photos of your ancestors. Please share this information with each other. OK, Ill get off
of my soapbox, but I will be waiting to hear from you.
~~~~~~~

July is National Parks Month. Visit the parks here in San Antonio. Visit the Missions. Enjoy your heritage with your children and
grandchildren. And above all, be safe.
Sylvia Morales

4th

Happy

PLEASE
TELL US YOUR STORY
Write down your family stories just as
you would tell them to your family and
friends. Send them to the email address
below. We have volunteers who will make
suggestions and assist you with the writing
style, spelling and grammar. We will send
it back to you for your approval. We will
print your story after you approve the final
version of the article. You will have full
control of your article, and you will have a
published family story that can be shared
with your descendants.
Please send your comments and suggested articles to the editor (preferably before the 15th of the month).

Sylvia Morales
3543 Byron St.
San Antonio, TX 78247-3193
(210) 291-7702

of July!

lousyl@icloud.com
(preferred method of communication)

THE FACE OF THE LBGHS FACEBOOK PAGE

The administrator for the LBGHS Facebook page is Anthony Delgado. I want
to recognize and thank Anthony for the great job he is doing! Anthony can be
reached at 12thfamily@gmail.com. He welcomes comments, old ancestral photos,

Get the latest version of a Free Adobe Reader

family stories, as well as critiques and suggestions to enhance our LBGHS Facebook

Needed to read the LBGHS E-Newsletter in PDF

page.

2015 LBGHS E-Newsletter

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