For 15 years, I have beaten my head against a wall in total frustration at being unable to locate a birth record for my paternal grandfather, Benjamin Robledo (1919-1990). 14 months ago, I finally had a breakthrough that only confused things more. Yesterday, I obtained a copy of his original birth certificate.
Dad’s Ethnicity Estimates on AncestryDNA vs Family Tree DNA: Robledo, Nieto, Salas, Jimenez
Despite having Dad test with AncestryDNA over a year ago, I never really did anything productive with his autosomal DNA results until now, after learning about transferring the raw data to Family Tree DNA. My FTDNA results and matches got unlocked and processed last week. Comparing Dad’s ethnicity estimates from both sites is my first step into analyzing his DNA.
#52Ancestors: Grandmother Rosie Salas Married Benjamin Robledo Surprisingly Close to My Home
Despite them both living in Los Angeles County, California, and Benjamin having a very large family in Los Angeles County, my grandparents Rosie Salas and Benjamin Robledo chose to marry in nearby Orange County. I found this out when I discovered their marriage record, which came as a big surprise to both me and my dad….because his parents married one city away from where I spent my entire childhood.
#52Ancestors: Grandfather Benjamin Robledo, So Far Away in WWII New Caledonia
New Caledonia, in particular its port of Nouméa, became a strategic base for the Allies during World War II, serving as the base of operations for the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942-43 and the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. Navy Station Nouméa is where I first find my grandfather serving in the war. My grandfather served here in 1944.
1940 Census Stories: Maria (Nieto) Robledo And Son Benjamin Robledo
My great-grandmother, Maria Nieto Robledo (1887-1974). I was very thrilled to find out last night that the 1940 U.S. Census is now indexed and searchable for California on FamilySearch.org! A quick search for Robledo quickly led me to my great-grandmother Maria Nieto (married name, Robledo) and my grandfather Benjamin Robledo living at 3032 Rosslyn Street […]
A Google Street View Look At My Robledo And Nieto Ancestors’ Long Beach Residence Off Now-Trendy Pine Avenue
When my Mexican-born Nieto and Robledo ancestors immigrated from San Luis Potosi in the 1910s, little did they know that their first home, a Long Beach, California address (123 E. 4th St.) would one day be part of a hip and trendy urban redevelopment spot. According to Google Maps, my ancestors’ former Long Beach home […]
Anniversaries: Benjamin Robledo Died 21 Years Ago Today
Benjamin Robledo (1919-1990) Twenty-one years ago today, on December 22, 1990, my grandfather Benjamin Robledo passed away. Despite being my grandfather, I don’t know very much about Benjamin. He led a hard life and just wasn’t in the lives of his children or grandchildren on any sort of consistent basis. My last real memory of […]
