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LBGHS eMail Newsletter 1 Volume 1 - Issue 3
LBGHS Monthly MeetingAugust 4, 2012
San Antonio Public Library (Downtown)9:00 am - 11:30 am
Speaker: Dan ArellanoTopic: The Battle of Medina
Dan Arellano will discuss the events leading up to the Battle of Medina, and the events after the battle. He will also speak about his efforts to incorporate this important event into mainstream Texas history at the school level and to the general public.
Dan Arellano is a Tejano historian from Austin, Texas. He is the author of Tejano Roots. He is the President of the Battle of Medina Society, and a member of the Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin. He has passionately researched the Battle of Medina, and he has made it his life mission to inform and educate all who are willing to listen about the bloodiest battle on Tejano soil. For many years, he has mounted an effort to locate the exact site of the conflict. He has organized and conducted several archaeological expeditions in the battle area. ✥
Los BexareñosGenealogical and Historical SocietyThose born in Béxar and those who migrated to and made their home in Béxar throughout the ages, whether under the influence of Tribal Law, or the laws of Spain, France, the 1st Republic of Texas, the Republic of México, the 2nd Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of América, or
the United States of América are known as Los Bexareños.
Their families extend to all the lands of the world. Once a Bexareño always a Bexareño.
A Newsletter via e-Mail August 2012
In This Issue1. LBGHS August Monthly Meeting2. Message from the President3. Membership Committee • Los Bexareños on Facebook4. Los Bexareños at The July Meeting5. Tell Us Your Stories - Damacio Pérez Andrade6. Do You Know Your Cousins7. Websites That Tell Our Stories • 33rd Annual Conference in South Padre Island8. 4th Annual Texas History Extravaganza9. Calendar of Events10. Queries • Battle of Medina Ceremony in 11. “Go Ahead Guys” vs The Royal Spanish Army; Battle of Medina, Texas, August 18, 181312. San Pedro Cemetery • 281st Anniversary of the First Civil Government (Cabildo)13. LBGHS Resource Center • Ask The Bexar14. From Around The State • Message From the Editor
Like Us On
Los Bexareños
ATTENTIONThe LBGHS August meeting
will be held on the
6th FLOORof the San Antonio Public Library
(Downtown).
LBGHS eMail Newsletter 2 Volume 1 - Issue 3
L O S B E X A R E Ñ O S G E N E A L O G I C A L A N D H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y
L B G H S O F F I C E R S
Congratulations to the 2012 elected officers of Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society. Your willingness to serve this organization with your time, effort, work ethics, and countless contri-butions is truly appreciated.
2 0 1 2 E X E C U T I V E B O A R D
President: ! ! Ed Mata
Vice President: !Joseph Zavala
Secretary:! ! María Elena Martínez
Treasurer: ! ! Lillie Johnson
B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S
2011 - 2012:! ! Federico Martínez
2011 - 2012: !! Sylvia Valero
2012 - 2013:! ! Anthony Delgado
2012 - 2013:! ! Eduardo Hinojosa
2012 - 2013:! ! Yolanda Patiño
A P P O I N T E D O F F I C E R S
Historian:! ! ! Norberto Martínez
Parliamentarian: ! José Hernández
NationalHispanic Heritage Month
September 15th through October 15th is National Hispanic Heritage Month. There will be many celebrations asso-ciated with this event throughout the United States and Texas. It is a time to highlight the many contributions and accomplishments of Hispanics to the fabric of this great country from years past and present.
The focus will be on past historical events, prominent Hispanics, and the Hispanic involvement in the U.S. military, all well deserved. We must never forget those that came before us and the price they paid so that the next generation would be better. These accomplishments came at a price. Our ancestors did not hesitate to give their time, talent, hard work, and many times the ultimate sacrifice—like Damacio Pérez Andrade.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage! with your children and grandchildren. Take this time to celebrate the histories, cultures and con-tributions of U.S. citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. On the first day of our Hispanic celebration you will have the opportunity to participate in honoring our Tejano Defenders of the Battle of the Álamo. ✥
Tejano Defenders
On September 15, 2012, Los Bexareños together with the DRT Álamo Mission Chapter will assist Farmers Insurance Group in presenting the 4th Annual Texas History Extravaganza.
At 9:00 a.m., we will have the op-portunity to honor the Tejano Álamo Defenders in front of the Álamo. Their vision, desire and sacrifice for freedom were no less than their Anglo counter-parts, but they are often overlooked. At present, we are looking for direct descendants of each of these Tejano heroes to participate in this event. Two descendants of each defender are needed for the wreath laying ceremony honoring each hero. Come and join us in paying tribute to the Tejano Defenders and the Tejana Women of the Battle of the Álamo. If you are interested, contact me at
Los Bexareños Genealogical and Histori-cal Society is now on Facebook. This is one more way we can communicate with our members and the public. Try it out. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. If you have photos or comments, please contact Anthony Delgado at
He is working hard to keep our Facebook page updated. Great job, Anthony. ✥
LBGHS Website
Los Bexareños Genealogical and Histori-cal Society has a Website. The website contains the Society’s governing docu-ments, membership form, publications, queries, pedigree charts, extractions, and information on the Resource Center & Library. The URL for the LBGHS website is http://www.losbexarenos.org. If you have questions or comments, please contact Dennis Moreno at
He has been working hard to keep our website updated for quite some time. Keep up the good work Dennis. ✥
—Ed Mata
Messagefrom the
President’sDesk
LBGHS eMail Newsletter 3 Volume 1 - Issue 3
L O S B E X A R E Ñ O S G E N E A L O G I C A L A N D H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
If you are not a member yet, you are cordially invited to join Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society. Become part of an ever growing family who loves to do ancestral research. Meet people who have the same interests and people who may be doing research on your family lineages.
As a member, you will receive a copy of the annual publication, Los Bexareños Genealogical Register. You are encouraged to attend the monthly meetings on the first Saturday of the month from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the San Antonio Public Library (downtown). LBGHS starts its meeting with a “meet and greet” between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. Meet members and potential members and/or guests while enjoying pan dulce, tasty tacos, and coffee. Between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. you will be able to listen to the guest speaker. LBGHS has notable speakers with an array of interesting topics. Click on this link to see the list of speakers we have enjoyed in the recent past.
To become a member, fill out the Membership Application Form and mail it to the address on the form. Better yet, bring the form with you when you attend our next meeting. ✥
MEMBERSHIP FORM
☞Click Here And Join Us
Click on this link http://www.facebook.com/HispanicGenealogy and see what they say
about Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society.
When you get there, click on the word “Like” and then click on the word “Comment” and write
a comment about the post.
Los Bexareños on Facebook! Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society joined Facebook on March 3, 2012. LBGHS member, Anthony Delgado, volunteered to create and maintain the LBGHS Facebook page. For a while, there were only a handful of people (maybe three) who visited us on Facebook. Then in late June it started to pick up.
! This is a great way to communicate with our members and the general public. Eventually, Los Bexareños hopes to reach a large number of people from all over the world. Yes, we are talking all fifty States, México, South America, Europe, and ultimately anywhere your imagination can take you.
! As more LBGHS members visit the LBGHS Facebook page, they will see that they can communicate almost instantly. They will be able to “post” comments, photos, and even video. Anyone can ask a genealogical question regarding their research, and others can make comments on the query when they read the question. Facebook gives every genealogist an opportunity to share documents, old family photos, pedigree charts, family trees, and so much more.
! The younger generations (our future genealogists) are already using Facebook for reaching out to large numbers of “friends.” This is a tool that can be used to motivate our children and grandchildren to participate in family research. Facebook can make it easier to tell our stories and celebrate our Hispanic Culture. Remember when we used to sit on the steps of the front porch and attentively listen to Abuelito and Abuelita telling us stories about their parents and grandparents? They were teaching us about our culture and values. They were enriching our lives with tales of how we got where we were through the sacrifices of our ancestors.
! We can now do the same thing by using Facebook to reach out to our loved ones, even if they are half way around the world. ✥
Thank You to all our members who have "Liked" and "Posted" on our Facebook page. Remember: the more we interact with our Facebook page the more exposure we get.
—Anthony Delgado
As I mentioned today, we even have visibility "across the pond." My cousin (on my mom's side) lives in England and recently "liked" a recent post. Friends of Friends are watching
and "liking" our posts. Let's keep it up!
—Anthony Delgado
LBGHS eMail Newsletter 4 Volume 1 - Issue 3
The Los Bexareños meeting in July again proved to be interesting, educational, and inspiring. The guest speaker, Mr. Mauricio González Puente, presented his book Historia Gráfica de la Bandera Nacional y Símbolos Patrios. México, through its numerous transformations in its form of government, has had many changes in the characteristics of its most patriotic symbol, its national flag. The slide presentation displayed a extraordinary array of Mexican Flags from its beginnings to the present, including the Bandera de Colón, Bandera de Hernán Cortés, La Mariscala, Bandera de Morelos, Bandera de las Tres Garantias, Bandera Republicana 1823, Bandera del Segundo Imperio, Bandera Porfirista, Bandera del Presidente Madero, and the Bandera Actual. These were just a few of the many he shared with his audience. Mr. González Puente talked about the Banderas Cristeras. He exhibited the Bandera Escuadrón 201, a Mexican Fighter Squadron that aided the Allied war effort in WWII. The squadron was attached to the 58th Fighter Group of the U.S. Army Air Forces during the liberation of the main Philippine island of Luzon in the summer of 1945. And of special interest to Los Bexareños, he showed a painting with the Bandera de Coahuila y Texas, which was the flag flown during the Battle of the Álamo. ✥
L O S B E X A R E Ñ O S G E N E A L O G I C A L A N D H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y
Los Bexareños at the July MeetingHistoria Gráfica de la Bandera Nacional y Símbolos Patrios
Membership Committee Chair, Sylvia Morales, welcomes July’s guest speaker, Mr. Mauricio
González Puente.
Scholarship Committee Chair, Louis Benavides reports on the Gloria Cadena Scholarship
program.
Dr. Félix Almaraz and Mr. Jesse Rodríguez review the book Historia Gráfica de la Bandera
Nacional y Símbolos Patrios.
LBGHS members and guests listen as. Mr. Mauricio González Puente talks about the
Banderas Cristeras.
“This was an excellent historical development of the origins of the Mexican Flag. We saw banners and flags that we might have had a difficult time researching.”
—Arturo and Tessie Chávez
“Certainly appreciated the information delivered by this excellent speaker. Fantastic teacher. Amazed at the many changes made to the Mexican Flag. It encouraged me to learn more about the U.S. Flag and the changes made throughout history.”
—Esperanza Olvera
“Really was interesting how the history of México was represented in the development of the flags. Mr. González Puente gave an excellent presentation. As usual, the camaraderie is so uniting. So much energy, joy, and amistad. Y los tacos are the cherry on top!”
—Sandra Benavides
Art and Tessie Chávez filling out the comment form.
Bandera deCoahuila y Texas
at the Battle of the Álamo.
Book signing for those interested in Mr. Mauricio González Puente’s
book Historia Gráfica de la Bandera Nacional y Símbolos Patrios.
EDITOR: Mr. Mauricio González Puente and his wife, Marjua, reside in Saltillo, Coahuila, México.
—————❧❧❧❧❧—————
Photos by: Luis MoralesMore photos will be posted on the Los Bexareños Facebook page.
LBGHS eMail Newsletter 5 Volume 1 - Issue 3
Damacio Pérez Andrade
! Damacio Pérez Andrade was born in Milam County, Texas on 21 February 1915 to Librado Andrade (1876-1950) and Feliz “Felicitas” Pérez (1885-1958). On or about 1930, the family moved from Cameron County to San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, when Damacio was approximately 15 years old. They lived in an area of San Antonio which was referred to as the Rock Quarry (La Piedrera).
! Nine years after arriving in San Antonio, on 30 April 1939, Damacio married Mary Louise Vara in San Antonio, Texas. They lived on Austin Street.
! Nine days after his 27th birthday, Damacio Pérez Andrade enlisted in the U.S. Army, according to the San Antonio Express & News dated February 3, 1942. He served as a radio operator in the Pacific Theatre.
! PFC Damacio Pérez Andrade died a hero on January 24, 1945, at the age of thirty in Luzón, Philippines while he advanced “ahead of his own front lines...to transmit fire or-ders which broke up a Jap[anese] armored attack. He was killed while sending his messages from an exposed posi-tion.” He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously, the Purple Heart, Asiatic-pacific Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantry Badge 1st Award, and Honor Service Lapel Button WWII.
! Damacio Andrade is a 1st cousin - 3 times removed of José María Gregorio Esparza, who died in the Álamo on March 6, 1836.
! One hundred and thirteen years before Damacio was born, José María Gregorio Esparza (aka: Gregorio Esparza) was born on the same day as Damacio, 21 February, but in the year 1802 in La Villa de San Fer-nando de Béjar, now known as San Antonio, Texas. Gregorio’s paternal grandfather was José Francisco María Esparza who lived and settled in the Presidio de San Antonio de Béjar in the 1700s. Gregorio Esparza fought and died for Texas independence from México, as a cannoneer, joining forces with other Tejanos at the Álamo.
! Two heroes, born 113 years apart, from the same lineage, fighting to preserve liberty and freedom for all.
! Damacio Pérez Andrade is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Plot S, 0, 210. He is the brother of José Andrade Pérez Tovares and the paternal uncle of Maria Tovares-Ashmanskas, Esq., both members of Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society. ✥
—María Tovares-AshmanskasCopyright 2012. All rights reserved
21 Feb 1915 — 24 Jan 1945
2 PosthumousAwards Given Posthumous awards to two San Antonio men killed in action in the Pacific theater have been present- ed by Brig. Gen. C.K. Nulsen, com-mander of Fort Sam Houston, to the mother of one and the widow of the other. Pfc. Damacio P. Andrade, radio operator, who was killed in the Philippines, was awarded the Silver Star for advancing ahead of his own front lines with an artillery observer to transmit fire orders which broke up a Jap armored at-tack. He was killed while sending his messages from an exposed po-sition. The medal was presented to his widow, Mrs. Mary L. Andrade, 1006 Austin street.
Damacio P. AndradeSan Antonio Light
January 4, 1946
L O S B E X A R E Ñ O S G E N E A L O G I C A L A N D H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y
EDITOR: María Tovares-Ashmanskas is a member of Los Bexareños and a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. She is an attorney in Massachusetts. She is also a professional genealogist.
—————❧❧❧❧❧—————
This section is dedicated to those of you who wish to share your stories about your Tejano ancestors. Those stories told by your grandparents and their grandparents are an important part of Tejano history. There are many stories that were handed down by word of mouth, and they need to be preserved in writing. There are volunteers who will help you write your stories. You do not have to worry about formatting, grammar, or spelling. Just write your stories like you normally speak.
LBGHS eMail Newsletter 6 Volume 1 - Issue 3
L O S B E X A R E Ñ O S G E N E A L O G I C A L A N D H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y
Domingo PERES CASANOVAMaría GRANADOS
José Antonio PERES CASANOVAJuana Gertrudes DE LA ZERDA
José Manuel PERES CASANOVAMaría del Carmen DEL TORO
Juan Francisco PERES CASANOVAMaría de Jesús LEAL
Santiago MORALESMaría de Jesús CASANOVA
Mark KENDRODonna Jean MOORE
Santiago MORALES Jr.Santa CANTÚ
Antonio de Jesús CASANOVAMaría Juana FLORES
Donald John MOOREGenevie MORALES
Simon CASANOVAMaría Guadalupe TARÍN
Roberto TANGUMAKaren C. MENDIOLA
Estevan CASANOVAMaría Leonor MC LANE
José Simon Desidoro CASANOVA
Travis MENDIOLAAngelita M. CASANOVA
Siblings
1st Cousins
2nd Cousins
3rd Cousins
4th Cousins
Do You Know Your Cousins?! “Do You Know Your Cousins?” is a suggestion submitted by one of our members. The idea is to identify a family line which follows the lines of two or more siblings from a distant generation. Do the living cousins know each other?! In this particular case, Donna MOORE Kendro and Karen MENDIOLA Tanguma are 4th cousins. Donna and her family live in Sacramento County, California. Karen and her family live in Bexar County, Texas. They have never met, and this is the first time they have been paired as 4th cousins. This is interesting because they share a unique family history. They are both descendants of the Canary Islanders who founded the first government in La Villa de San Fernando de Béjar, present-day San Antonio, Bexar, Texas in 1731.! Obviously, there are other LBGHS members who have the same family lineage. If you are a descendant of Domingo and María PERES CASANOVA, try to place yourself in the appropriate generation and determine how you are related to these two families. ✥
EDITOR: If you like this idea, please send us your family lines. We will try to pair you with others who share the same family line. You may want to share a story to see if your cousins have similar stories. You can email your family lineage and/or story to: [email protected]
!
José Antonio PERES CASANOVA is listed in the sixteenth family who emigrated from the Canary Islands of Spain and founded the first government of La Villa de San Fernando de Béjar, en La Provincia de Tejas (present-day San Antonio, Bexar, Texas) on 09 Mar 1731.
LBGHS eMail Newsletter 7 Volume 1 - Issue 3
33rd Annual Texas HispanicGenealogical and Historical
Conference
“Los Caminos del Río”
South Padre Island, TexasOctober 11 - 14, 2012
Hosted by:
Río Grande ValleyHispanic Genealogical Society
Click on the selections below for more information.
Registration FormHotel Registration
Shuttle to AirportVendors Application Form
Menu Choice
Tour Information
Speakers
DEADLINE TO REGISTER ISSEPTEMBER 11, 2012
The Rio Grande Valley HGS is doing an excellent job of hosting this year’s Conference. It doesn’t get better than this. The sun, the beach, the friendships — all is wonderful! See y’all at South Padre Island! ✥
Websites That Tell Our StoriesThere is more to genealogy than just gathering names of ancestors. Yes, it is important to do the basics, like pedigree charts, names, dates, places, family work sheets, etc. But 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. ✥
Álamo’s Tejano Heroes Gain RecognitionThe names aren’t familiar like Crockett and Bowie, but history is starting to honor these defenders.By: Vianna R. Davila Published: 10:29 p.m., Sunday, February 27, 2011
Bexar County Historical Commission
Bexar Genealogy
Children of the Revolución
Hispanic Heritage Month
Somos Primos
Tejano Monument
Texas Tejano
Tell Us Your StoriesDo 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 share? Email your ancestral stories to [email protected], and we will try to print them in this newsletter on a first-come-first-serve basis. ✥
~~����������� ������������������ ~~����������� ������������������ ~~Experiences����������� ������������������ that����������� ������������������ are����������� ������������������ shared����������� ������������������ are����������� ������������������ added����������� ������������������ to����������� ������������������ life’s����������� ������������������ beautiful����������� ������������������ memory����������� ������������������ books
L O S B E X A R E Ñ O S G E N E A L O G I C A L A N D H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y
LBGHS eMail Newsletter 8 Volume 1 - Issue 3
L O S B E X A R E Ñ O S G E N E A L O G I C A L A N D H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y
4th Annual Texas History Extravaganza
Join us at the 4th Annual Texas History Extravaganza presented by Farmers Insurance Group on Saturday, September 15, 2012, at the Álamo and the Menger Hotel. The Álamo Mission Chapter of the DRT will pay tribute to the Tejano Defenders and Tejana Women of the Battle of the Álamo. Register for the Texas History Symposium which will be from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm at the Menger Hotel. Noted authors, historians, and archeologists will provide interesting facts of our Tejano ancestors. They will also exhibit Texas & Mexican artifacts. At 7:15 pm, get ready for live performances and Tejano music.
All proceeds will benefit the March of Dimes.
Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society together with the Álamo Mission Chapter of the DRT will assist Farmers Insurance Group in presenting this extravaganza. September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month and this extravaganza is part of our heritage celebration. Come join us in remembering and celebrating our Tejano Heritage. ✥
Agenda
9:00 am DRT Tribute to Tejano Defenders & Tejana Women of The Battle of the ÁlamoDedication of the Phil Collins/George Nelson Álamo Bronze Sculptures- in front of The Álamo & Convento Courtyard [ Misión San Antonio de Valero ]
10:00 am 4th Annual Texas History Extravaganza CommencementBallrooms A-B-C • The Menger Hotel • San Antonio, Texas
10:00 am 1st PresentationManhunt for La Salle’s French Settlement in Spanish Texas - Fort St. Louis
11:15 am 2nd PresentationWho were the Franciscan Priests that founded the Spanish Missions in Texas • Lucas Martínez (Director of State Archives, Office of the Governor - Coahuila, México)
12:30 pm 3rd PresentationWho founded The Álamo & Where Did It Come From | Spanish Entradas to Texas • Dr. Félix Almaráz | Senator Jesús María Ramón | Francisco Gracia (Mayor - Guerrero, México)
Break Lunch provided on-site • Exhibit booths • Author autograph signings • Historic Artifacts
3:00 pm 4th PresentationPhil Collins & George Nelson – Evolution of The Álamo Complex & Its Artifacts
4:15 pm 5th PresentationFlags at the Battle of The Álamo & San Jacinto (New Orleans Grey | Gen. Santa Ana) • presented by DRT Álamo Mission Chapter w/ Lorena Román - Museo Nacional México City
5:30 pm 6th PresentationThe Álamo Soldiers – The Military Unit From Parras, México Who Named The Site • Miguel Ángel Muñoz | Dan Arellano (descendant of an Álamo soldier - Francisco Arellano)Battle Of Medina - Santa Ana’s 1st Fight In Texas 1813 • Dr. Robert Thonhoff | Roland Vela
7:15 pm Live PerformancesADINA DE ZAVALA, Savior Of Álamo Convento & San Antonio Missions • presented by DRT Álamo Mission Chapter
CHILI QUEENS [in San Antonio’s Military Plaza - 1880s]With Live Tejano Music & Chili Queens • with Dr. Marian Martinello
Texas History Extravaganza Adjournment
9:00 am Dedication is FREEExtravaganza & Symposium $75.00
For Reservations Call: (210) 485-4444ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT MARCH OF DIMES
LBGHS eMail Newsletter 9 Volume 1 - Issue 3
August 2012
Do you have a “Save The Date” announcement you want to share with your fellow genealogists? If yes, please email your announcement to [email protected].
Important Dates to Remember in 2012August 4! 281st Anniversary of the First Civil Government - San Antonio, TX
August 16! The Battle of Medina Press Conference at City Hall - San Antonio, TX
August 18! The Battle of Medina Ceremony - Pleasanton, TXSeptember 9! Las Bodas de Nuestros Antepasados - Laredo, TX
September 15 ! The 4th Annual Texas History Extravaganza - San Antonio, TX
October 11-14! 33rd Annual Texas Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Conference - South Padre Island, TX
L O S B E X A R E Ñ O S G E N E A L O G I C A L A N D H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4LBGHS Meeting9:00 am - 11:30 pm
5 6 7 8 9 10 11LBGHS
Resource Center10:00 am - 2:00 pm
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
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19 20 21 22 23 24 25LBGHS
Resource Center10:00 am - 2:00 pm
26 27 28 29 30 31
Battle of MedinaCeremony
10:00 am at Bruce Rd1:00 pm in Pleasanton
ATTENTION
LBGHS Meeting
will be on
6th FloorCIDA
1st Cabildo CelebrationLunch at Earl Abel’s
2:30 - 4:30
LBGHSResource Center10:00 am - 2:00 pmBattle of Medina
“Save Our History”Press Conference
2:00 pmSan Antonio
City Hall
LBGHS eMail Newsletter 10 Volume 1 - Issue 3
QUERIESIf you are researching your family line and you come to a dead end, this is the place to ask for help. If you have a general question about an individual, this is the place to seek answers. If you see something that is not quite right or that is just plain incorrect in one of your genealogy books, this is the place to try to fix it.
Email us your queries, and we will list them in the Newsletter. Los Bexareños community will have the opportunity to work on these queries. Consider these as mysteries that need to be solved through community effort. This will be a fun way to work together and help each other with our family research. We will also forward all these queries to our experienced volunteers at the LBGHS Resource Center & Library, where they will be archived for future generations.
Please email your queries and answers to [email protected].
L O S B E X A R E Ñ O S G E N E A L O G I C A L A N D H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y
Battle of Medina Ceremony in Pleasanton, Texas! The public is invited to attend the 199th anniversary of the Battle of Medina on Saturday, August 18, 2012, at a site in Atascosa County overlooking the Galvan Creek, where we believe between 800 and 1,300 men died August 18, 1813. This was the bloodiest battle and largest loss of life of any battle in Texas history, and it occurred about 20 miles south of San Antonio, Texas. The ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2012, and everyone interested in Texas history is invited. Due to the heat, we will only be at the large Oak tree overlooking the battle site for about one hour.
Everyone will then retire to Pleasanton, Texas, for lunch on your own, and then reconvene at the Pleasanton Church of Christ located at 1003 North Main Street for an air-conditioned history seminar from 1:00 p.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m. in the church meeting hall. The Atascosa County Historical Commission members will graciously provide us with refreshments in the afternoon at the church during the symposium again this year.
! To reach the site for the 10:00 a.m. outdoor ceremony, proceed south from San Antonio on Highway 281 some 15 miles from the intersection of Loop 410 South and Highway 281, to the community of Espey, Texas, at the intersection of U.S. 281 and FM 536; then turn right (west) onto the Old Pleasanton Road, and then left onto Bruce Road where signs will direct you to the ceremony. For additional details, contact Tom Green, at (281) 922-1118, or Cell Phone (832) 687-3474. Wear a hat and comfortable shoes and bring water and a lawn chair that will not easily sink into the “sugar sand!”
—For more information, please go to the Texas History Page
4. MORALES - LÓPEZ ! Hello! I am working on docu-menting my maternal family lineage. I am writing a book about the place my family had in the history of México and the United States. My maternal grand-father, José Pedro MORALES was born in May 1902 in Durango, México, and he died in Denver, Denver County, Colorado in 1982. He had many si-blings, maybe ten or so. His father, Carlos MORALES was born about 1869 or 1870.! My maternal grandmother was María “Chonita” LÓPEZ. She had two sisters, Mary and Josefina. Their father was John (maybe Juan) LÓPEZ. Their mother was Leonicia. I do not know her
maiden name. Both John and Leonicia were born in México about 1870, but I do not know where in México.! I am having a difficult time understanding the historical context of my ancestors’ lives in Durango and their journey to El Paso, El Paso County, Texas and finally to Denver, Denver County, Colorado. Can you recommend a book about 1906-ish life in Durango and/or immigration to El Paso?
—KIRSTEN LA BLANC
My family tree is a few branches short.Can you help?
EDITOR: This particular query was posted on the Los Bexareños Facebook page last month, July 2012, by Ms. Kirsten LaBlanc. This is the time for LBGHS members to shine by helping others find their roots and ancestral history.
If anyone can help Kirsten, please email your answers or suggestions to [email protected]. We will post your advice on the LBGHS Facebook page. You can go directly to Facebook and post your com-ments on Kirsten’s query.
As you can see, we are trying to get as many LBGHS members to experience the communication possibi-lities of Facebook as it pertains to genealogy.
LBGHS eMail Newsletter 11 Volume 1 - Issue 3
L O S B E X A R E Ñ O S G E N E A L O G I C A L A N D H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y
In recent memory, the Battle of Medina has generated new interest among advocates of Texas and Tejano history. In a state with several unique battles sites—Texas can claim the first battle site of the Mexican-American War, the last battle of the United States Civil War, the Battle of San Jacinto, and of course, the Battle of the Álamo. The Battle of Medina, or the Battle at the Live Oaks at Medina, has often been overlooked in Texas history. As history advocates searched within the shadows of Texas history, the Battle of Medina has reemerged. The result of this new research has detailed the dire consequences of the 1813 battle, especially upon the town of San Antonio and its population. In the early 1800s, the United States continental expansion was a continual economic and social process, a disruptive encroachment that moved Native Americans onto reservations and swept other European powers off the mid-North American continent. However, as part of its growing pains, the young Republic’s merchant and naval ships were targeted by England. When U.S. ships were stopped on the high seas, England would kidnap their crews and forced them to serve aboard British warships. On June 1st, 1812, Presi-dent James Madison requested a “decla-ration of war against Great Britain.”2 By the end of the month, the United States was once again at war with Great Britain and her North American colony, Canada. Canada, upon hearing of the declaration of war, called out its national elite military units. The United States, on the other hand, had to rely upon individual states to provide militia for its federal forces. Many north-eastern States chose to defend their own coastline with very few of the militias
leaving their home states. In the north, the young Republic fought with its northern neighbor, Canada, for supremacy of the Great Lakes. The United States suffered military defeats at the battles of York-Niagara and Montreal.3 In the middle of this war, President Madison was reelected among the political struggle between pro-war and anti-war factions. In August of 1813, U.S. Naval forces were defeated at the Battle of Burlington Races. The United States Army went into winter quarters fol-lowing these disastrous campaigns. Along the Canadian border, the British were up against Winfield Scott and his army—a hard charging command that routed the British army. The British Army had more success with an invasion along the Chesapeake River. The Potomac River Naval Yard was captured by the British and was burned along with the White House. The British then return to their ships and sailed on to Baltimore where they attacked Fort McHenry. The British Land Forces could not take the fort and therefore could not bring in their navy to bombard the city. However, in the southern region of the United States, the encroaching U.S. population faced hostile Native American Creeks, who were in the middle of their own civil war. The Creeks allied them-selves with Spain to protect their traditional lands against the U.S. encroachment. The Creek-Hispanic coalition battled militiamen from Mississippi and Tennessee. The Battle of Burnt Corn Creek on July 27, 1813, marked the start of the American-Creek War. Locked in naval and land battles with Great Britain, and over Spanish protests the United States government would do little to stop the illegal military invasions of Texas.
Spain had levied heavy taxes on its new world colonies to support its wars in Europe, which New Spain felt were better used in the improvement of Spain’s colonies rather than European warfare. In 1810 Father Miguel Hidalgo was captured and for all practical purposes the revolution was over in México. Insurgent heads began to roll as Spanish troops hunted and executed the leaders along with supporters of the rebellion. As the fires of the Hidalgo revolution were smoldered in México, a tiny spark on the outmost edge of the Spanish empire ignited a U.S. supported invasion into Texas. In Texas, the Battle of Medina would be a small part of the overall world wars waging in the Americas and Europe. ✥1Davy Crocket. Walt Disney Studios, “Disneyland” show, ABC-TV (1954-1955).Fess Parker who portrayed Davy Crocket proclaimed, “Be sure you’re right, then go ahead.” as his motto. The attitude of eager U.S. males during the early 1800s reflected this motto.
2Mahon, John K. The War of 1812. (New York: Da Capo Press reprint, 1972) p. 31.
3Brookhiser, Richard. James Madison, (New York: Basic Books, 2011) p. 196.Winfield Scott, as a young lieutenant colonel in 1812 described the United States officers as having had, “very generally, sunk into either sloth, ignorance, or habits of intemperate drinking.” Europe had been at war for over 20 years while “America was out of practice” in the art of war.
—Santiago Escobedo
“Go Ahead, Guys” vs. The Spanish Royal Army;Battle of Medina, Texas, August 18, 1813
“Be sure you’re right, then go ahead.” —Davy Crocket1
EDITOR: The Battle of Medina is an integral part of Bexar County, Texas, and Spanish history. Next year, 2013, will mark the 200th anniversary of the bloodiest battle in this area, and the end of the 1st Republic of Texas. Between now and next August, we encourage articles referencing this historical battle and it’s aftermath.
—————⚑⚑⚑⚑⚑⚑⚑—————
This is the first of a series of articles from a presen-tation, “Go Ahead, Guys” vs. The Spanish Royal Army; Battle of Medina, Texas, August 18, 1813 by former LBGHS President, Santiago Escobedo.
Stay tuned for more informative articles on this series regarding the Battle of Medina.
LBGHS eMail Newsletter 12 Volume 1 - Issue 3
L O S B E X A R E Ñ O S G E N E A L O G I C A L A N D H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y
! The century old Cementerio San Pedro, present-day San Pedro Cemetery in San Marcos, Hays County, Texas, was established in 1909 to provide burial sites for the members of the community who were of Mexican heritage. An Association was organized for the upkeep of the cemetery. The original group of 47 men collected enough to buy two acres of land at the corner of Posey Road and County Road 266. By 1937, the organization was able to buy an additional two acres. The Hays County Historical Commission has compiled 720 inscriptions from tomb-stones. Some are still legible. Sadly some graves have been lost due to deterioration of wooden markers and crumbling of concrete headstones. The inscriptions are available on the Hays Historical Commission Inscription Page page.
The San Pedro Cemetery Association reached a mem-bership of 300 in 1915, according to the City of San Marcos website. A telephone interview with Toribio L. Torres who heads the present Association revealed that as time passed fewer families helped with the upkeep. Mr. Torres stated that the County Commissioners now handle the upkeep of the cemetery.
Evidence of the county’s involvement can be seen in the improved walkway linking the cemetery’s two gates.
To reach the cemetery off IH 35 take the Posey Road exit south of San Marcos and go east to County Road 266. The gate on Posey Road is usually locked but the side gate has no lock. ✥
—Mary Esther Escobedo
SAN PEDRO CEMETERYSAN MARCOS, HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS
281st Anniversary Of The First Civil Government(Cabildo)
Saturday, August 4, 2012Join us for lunch at
EARL ABEL’S1201 AUSTIN HIGHWAY 78209
2:30 - 4:30 pmPrice per Person $25.00
Child’s Plate $12.00Reservation Only
RSVP by August 1st
Dorothy Pérez112 Logswood
Universal City, TX 78148(210) 658-3184
Make check payable to CIDA
Canary Islands Descendants Association
San Antonio, Texas
First Election in TexasAugust 1, 1731
! On this day in 1731, Capitán Juan Antonio Pérez de Almazán, the commander of San Antonio de Béxar Presidio, presided over what was pro-bably the first election in Texas history. In March, he had welcomed a group of settlers from the Canary Islands by laying out a place for their homes and by establishing a municipal govern-ment. The immigrants formed the nucleus of the Villa of San Fernando de Béxar, the first regularly organized civil government in Texas. On August 1st the new city council met to elect alcaldes, and electoral politics was off and running.
Copyright © Texas State Historical Association
LBGHS eMail Newsletter 13 Volume 1 - Issue 3
The LBGHS Resource Center & LibraryIT WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED ON NOVEMBER 2009. The LBGHS Resource Center & Library is open to the public on Saturdays (except the first Saturday of the month) from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. You will be able to do your family research in a very friendly and casual environment. You will be able to peruse the books and other genealogical information at your leisure. There will be volunteers to help you with any questions you may have. They can help you start your family tree or assist you in your research. It is preferable to set an appointment, so they can dedicate some time just for you. Call or email Yolanda Patiño at (210) 434-3530 /[email protected] or Dennis Moreno at (210) 647-5607 / [email protected].
HELP FOR THE BEGINNING GENEALOGISTS. The Society assists individuals in getting started with genealogical research through beginner's workshops. Beginners also receive one-on-one assistance from the more experienced members of the Society.
MAP AND DIRECTIONS. The Library is located on the campus of Holy Rosary Parish in one of their portable buildings. The Church is located at 159 Camino Santa María, just north of Culebra Road and adjacent to the southeast part of the St. Mary’s University campus. Park in the noted parking lot and walk through the gate to the courtyard and turn to the right passing the first building. The Library is located in the second building on your right as you approach it. Click on the following link to see a larger virtual view. ✥ Larger Map of Resource Center
L O S B E X A R E Ñ O S G E N E A L O G I C A L A N D H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y
LBGHS
Resource Center & Library
Culebra Road Cam
ino
Sant
a M
aría
How can I join Facebook?
! Probably the best way to learn how to join Facebook is to click on this link: How To Join Facebook. Notice that there are other YouTube links on the righthand side, which can help you join or learn more about Facebook. ✥
Do I have to join Facebook if I just want to visit the Los Bexareños Facebook page?
! Some say yes; others say no. If you are not comfortable joining Facebook just yet, click on this link: Facebook. It will take you to the Los Bexareños Genealogical and
Historical Society Facebook page. Now you can peruse the Facebook page that everyone is talking about! OK, maybe not everyone, but we’ll get there.! You can also get to the LBGHS Facebook page by Googling “Los Bexareños” (without the quotes). Underneath Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society, you will see:
www.facebook.com/LosBexarenos
The Google link will take you to the LBGHS Facebook page.! Please let us know what you think about Los Bexareños being on Facebook. If you approve, click on the “Like” button. ✥
Ask The Bexar
Thank you for the resources and service you provide. Here's a photo I took today of the volunteer staff at the Los Bexareños Resource Library. In addition to many genealogical and historical resources, I learned more about the Los Bexareños publications that are for sale.
—Diane Duesterhoeft
Photo by: Diane Duesterhoeft 2012
LBGHS eMail Newsletter 14 Volume 1 - Issue 3
Message from the Editor
From Around The StateAustin :! ! News from Tejano Genealogy Society of AustinCorpus Christi :! News from Spanish American Genealogical Association (SAGA)Dallas :! ! News from HOGAR de DallasHarlingen :! ! 33rd Annual Texas Hispanic Genealogical and Historical ConferenceHouston :! ! News from Hispanic Genealogy Society of HoustonLaredo :! ! Las Bodas de Nuestros Antepasados
This section will be dedicated to our sister Hispanic Genealogy Societies throughout the State. They can let us know what their organizations are doing and what their members are researching. We are looking for volunteers who are willing to stay in touch with the different Hispanic Genealogy Societies and encourage them to submit monthly reports on their organizations. We are also contemplating “Around The Nation” and “Across The Border” as resources for genealogical information. I do not want to get too far ahead of ourselves, but we are willing to entertain all ideas for this Newsletter. ✥
! As more readers become familiar with the LBGHS eMail Newsletter, I hope to get volunteers to be in charge of certain sections of the newsletter. —❧— If you are an LBGHS officer or the chair of a committee, please send me a monthly report so we can post it in the newsletter. —❧— “Tell Us Your Stories” is a section that we encourage the participation of all our members. Please send me your stories; eventually, years from now, this will be one of our most important sections. —❧— I need someone to volunteer to be in direct contact with our sister societies around the State—let us know what they are doing to advance Hispanic Genealogy. —❧— If you are interested in “Ask The Bexar” or “Tips From The Bexar,” please let me know. This section is a means of communication from our more experienced genealogist to our beginning genealogist. Here we try to answer the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN of genealogy, as well as technical questions of the computer world as it applies to genealogy. —❧— I may or may not continue the “Queries” section, depending on your involvement. This section requires answers to the queries. If you have been doing research on a particular name listed under the “Queries” section, please email me ([email protected]) the answer to the query so we can include the reply and everyone can benefit from that particular research.
! Share your searches and discoveries with your family, friends, and other genealogists.
! Articles, articles, articles...we need articles from the LBGHS committees and the general membership. Please do not worry about writing style, spelling and grammar. Write down your stories just as you would tell them to your family and friends. Send it 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 only 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 printed family story you can share with your children and grandchildren. ✥
! You can send your comments and suggested articles to the editor:
! ! Sylvia Morales3543 Byron StSan Antonio, TX 78247-3193
(210) 494-7932 or (210) [email protected] (preferred method of communication)
L O S B E X A R E Ñ O S G E N E A L O G I C A L A N D H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y
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