My extended family has always proudly claimed my great-grandmother lived to 105 years. But the most credible records I’ve found thus far indicate she most likely was only 95 years old. Only 95? I still hope Dad inherited those healthy long-living genes!
#52Ancestors: Fourth great-grandfather Jose Victoriano Compean exemplifies Mexican naming conventions
Mexican naming conventions can make genealogical research very difficult, and also very easy. My 4th great-grandfather Jose Victoriano Compean (b. abt. 1803) and his family are a very good representation of this dichotomy.
Manuel Nieto Project #52Ancestors: The 1834 Breakup of Rancho Los Nietos in Alta California
The third part in my ongoing Manuel Nieto Project — trying to prove or disprove my family relationship to this famous early Californian. A look at the initial 1784 Rancho Los Nietos land grant, and its subsequent 1834 breakup into multiple smaller ranchos throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
Manuel Nieto Project: His Birthplace Does Not Jive with My Nieto Ancestry
My first discovery for the Manuel Nieto Project. Identifying Don Manuel Nieto’s birthplace in Spanish-ruled Mexico makes it very highly unlikely that my family is descended from him. It is more likely we may be related to him, sharing a common ancestor.
#52Ancestors: King’s Soldier and Alta California Ranchero Manuel Nieto
My entire life, I have heard my father’s family claim that we are descended from THE Manuel Nieto, the Spanish Army soldier who was part of the Gaspar de Portolà expedition of 1769 into Alta California, and who was awarded one of the largest Spanish land grants in Alta California. Every year I have to explain that as a historian and librarian, I cannot accept things as historical facts until I can verify through actual documented evidence. So I have decided that I am going to try to prove or disprove our connection to the famous Manuel Nieto. Join me on the Manuel Nieto Project!
#52Ancestors: A Fresh Start for Immigrant Great Grandfather Jose Robledo (1875-1937)
Although Joe died — according to family — never recovering from losing everything in revolution-torn Mexico and having to juggle poor sporadic work, he provided his family with a successful fresh start. Joe just didn’t live long enough to witness most of these successes.
#52Ancestors: My 3rd Great Grandmother, Maria Eutimia Sanches Nieto
My 9th week in Amy Johnson Crow’s “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” family history blogging challenge. The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor. This week’s ancestor is […]
