23 December 2009

New Mexico DNA Project

New Mexico DNA Project

Project Background:

The New Mexico DNA Project will cover the colonial expeditions of New Mexico by the Spanish in 1598 and 1693, by the Mexicans in 1821, and by the Americans in 1848. The New Mexico DNA Project will encompass not only Hispanics, but also Anglo-Americans who have come to New Mexico.

In the years just after the Conquest of the New World, the Native-American population was decimated by disease and war, leaving a relatively small gene pool of Native-American, Spanish, French, and English ancestors.

DNA studies on Hispanics show a higher European admixture. *Anthropologist Andrew Merriwether and colleagues conducted a study on Hispanics living in Colorado. Using classic genetic markers they estimated an admixture of 67% European and 33% Native-American.

He further tested their mitochondrial DNA (mtdna) which is a test to find the origins of your great, great...grandmother, going back 10's of thousands of years. This one ancestor which is your families "Eve" so to speak, showed up as Native-American 85% of the time and European in origin 15% of the time. Thus showing that the majority of unions in this admixture were of European males and Native-American females.

Project Goals:

To find our ancient origins, whatever they may be. To discover previously unknown living relatives. To determine migration patterns of different families. To see if similar sounding surnames are related. To discover how closely related all of us really are. To share this information with others so that we can learn more about where we came from.

How to join this DNA project:

FamilyTreeDNA offers a discount on their 12 marker test ($99 +P/H, the price of several genealogy books) and their 25 marker test ($124 +P/H) or the 37 marker test ($149 +P/H) to those participating in a DNA Project. Since women do not have Y-chromosome DNA they would need the assistance of a brother, Uncle or other male relative with the family surname.

In order to join the "New Mexico DNA Project" and get this discount just go to this link, or contact Angel R. Cervantes at angelrcervantes@yahoo.com.

Just decide on the 12 marker test or the 25, 37, or 67 Y-dna marker test. The 37 or 67 marker tests are more economical in the long run. All tests show the group discount of $99 for the 12 marker test, $124 for the 25 marker test, $149 for the 37 marker test, and $239 for the 67 marker test. The test results take about 4 to 6 weeks from the time FamilyTreeDNA gets your sample.

To see project results go to this website: http://www.familytreedna.com/public/NewMexicoDNA

Disclaimer: Only Family Tree DNA benefits monetarily from those who sign up to the New Mexico DNA Project

26 November 2009

GSHA - SC Holiday Gathering - in Burbank, CA

Below is from an e-mail that I received from the GSHA - Southern California Chapter. It will be taking place in Burbank, California.

We hope to see you on Saturday, December 5, at our annual Holiday Gathering,the last general meeting of 2009 which will feature the documentary Los Pastores, filmed in Taos, New Mexico and a Q&A with the producer Loren Stephens. [Flyer attached has full information.]

Click on flier below to get a full sized image.




You are also invited to share our potluck--bring your favorite dish. And don't forget this is a good time to clear out your re-gifting drawer andtake a tax deduction for donating those items to our Silent Auction. We also accept certificates for services. One of the most popular items in thepast was several hours of research donated by Jeanette Fisher. Other donations have included plants, jewelry, books, giftware, artwork, baked goods, CDs & DVDs, etc.



For those of you who cannot attend, you can use the attached tickets toenter our door prize drawing. Prizes include a 2010 Membership in GSHA-SCand several gift certificates redeemable at our book sales table.



Date: Saturday, December 5, 2009, 10:30am-4pm

Where: Southern California Genealogical Society Library
417 Irving Drive
Burbank, California 91504-2408

Directions: 818-843-7247



Please feel free to circulate this flyer. If you are a GSHA-SC member, your newsletter is in production and will reach you before December 2. I apologize for the delay.



Happy Holidays,


Donie

Donie Nelson
VP Communications
Genealogical Society of Hispanic America-Southern California Chapter

310-204-6808

http://www.scgsgenealogy.com/GSHA.htm

19 November 2009

African-Ancestored Genealogy Vidcast #1

The self-described "Evangelist for African Ancestored Genealogy" George Geder has produced his first videocast on his blog. This Santa Fe family historian and photo restoration artist has a wealth of imformation on how to research African-American roots. His first videocast begins with a description of two books that he believes all African-American genealogical researchers should have. It ends with a montage of his family photos. Let me have him explain the video himself:

Dear Family & Friends,Most of you know that I'm into family history & genealogy. I'm also calling myself an 'Evangelist for African Ancestored Genealogy'.

To that extent, I've uploaded my first videocast.I promise to get better as I master the techniques involved. LOL

Please check it out at http://bit.ly/44yUC.Tell me what you think; and suggest what I should feature next.Pass it along to your contacts, if you like.

Thanks in advance for any and all feedback!

George Geder

Peace

17 November 2009

Reminder: November 21st NMGS Program

Saturday, November 21, 2009, 10:30 AM
Albuquerque Special Collections Library
423 Central NE, Albuquerque NM
(NW Corner of Edith and Central)


The New Mexico Genealogical Society presents
Angel R. Cervantes

Who will discuss the

New Mexico DNA Project:
The Vandals’ Connection to New Mexican Families


In Part III of an ongoing series, Mr. Cervantes will explore the connection between certain New Mexican families and the Vandals, a Germanic tribe that occupied Spain. Cervantes will show a short film that will trace the history of these people. He will discuss which families show the markers that are most identified with this tribe.

Angel Cervantes is the New Mexico Genealogical Society’s DNA Project Advisor. For more information about the New Mexico DNA Project, visit their website online at: http://www.familytreedna.com/public/NewMexicoDNA/default.aspx

NMGS will also be having its annual officer elections at this meeting.

This program is free and open to the public.

For more information about our programs, please visit the New Mexico Genealogical Society website at http://www.nmgs.org/workshop.htm

Land Grand Research Lecture

This announcement crossed my desk today. I wish to share it with you.

You are invited
Open to Public
Free Parking

Land grant research lecture

The Center for Land Grant Studies will present a lecture on land grants and land grant research at the New Mexico State Library in the Southwest Room on Friday, November 20, from 3-4 p.m.

Malcolm Ebright, historian/lawyer and president of the Center for Land Grant Studies and Richard Salazar, former State Archivist, will give a talk on land grant research in New Mexico. They will illustrate the process of land grant research with examples and identify research tools and their availability.

The State Library’s Southwest Librarian will be there to provide research assistance, and publications from the Center for Land Grant Studies will be on display and for sale. This presentation is free and open to the public.

The State Library is located at 1209 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe. For further information call Faith Yoman, Southwest Librarian, (505) 476-9790.

08 November 2009

Valencia County Genealogy Links

Below is a list of Valencia County Genealogy Links. Please send your suggestions for additional links to abqbobcat@nmia.com. Please put in the subject line the words "Valencia County Genealogy Links." Thank you - Robert Baca, President NMGS.

New Mexico Genealogical Society Links

* Locating Catholic Church Records in New Mexico - Valencia County

- See also the Introduction to the Project

* NMGS Press

* Genealogical Resources of New Mexico (book)


Libraries and Archives:

* Family History Centers

* Valencia County Libraries


Genealogical and Historical Societies:

* New Mexico Genealogical Society

* Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of New Mexico


Genealogy Resources:

* USGenWeb - Valencia County

- Archives - Valencia County

* Genealogy Trails - Valencia County


Genealogy Queries & Message Boards:

* Cousin Connect - Valencia County

* GenForum - Valencia County

* GenCircles - Valencia County

* Rootsweb - Valencia County


Genealogy Directories, List, and Links:

* EPodunk -Valencia County Profile

* Cyndi's List - Valencia County

* Linkpendium - Valencia County


Vital Records

* Nuestra Senora De Guadalupe, Zuni, Valencia, New Mexico: 1706-1774

* Valencia County, New Mexico Marriages 1727-1900

* Belen, New Mexico Genealogy Records Database Assorted Records 1740-1825

* Valencia County Clerk


Cemetery, Burial & Obituaries:

* Find a Grave - Valencia County

* The Political Graveyard - Valencia County

* Tombstone Transcription Project - Valencia County

* Riverside Funeral Home (obituaries)

* Valencia County News Bulletin (obituaries)


Census Records:

* 1885 State Census for Valencia County, New Mexico

* Census Records and Indexes (Linkpendium)


Community Genealogy and History:

* Valencia County

* History of Valencia County

* Histories of specific towns or townships

* History of New Mexico - Valencia County



Cultural Resources:

* Los Lunas Museum of Heritage and Arts

* Belen Harvey House Museum

Personal Websites, Biographies and Surnames

* Dennis Chavez - US Senator

* Surnames

Misc.

* World War II Enlistees for Valencia County

* National Register of Historic Places - Valencia County

* Newspaper Abstracts - Valencia County

* New Mexico Digital Collection - Valencia County

* New Mexico Military Records

* Land Patent Search (New Mexico)

* Valencia County, New Mexico World War II Casualties Army and Air Force


This is the final New Mexico County Links post. We will continue to update these posts with new links. Please send me an e-mail at abqbobcat@nmia.com with suggestions for additional links or to notify me of dead links.

You will find posts for all New Mexico counties, in reverse alphabetical order, at this Link.

02 November 2009

New Mexican Census and Death Records online

The Family Search website has a Record Search pilot program online. I've found abstracts of New Mexican death records, as well as census indexes on this site. The 1900 United States census index includes images of the actual records.

Since this is a pilot program, expect more records to show up on this site in the future.

To search this site, click on this link.

01 November 2009

Union County Genealogy Links

Below is a list of Union County Genealogy Links. Please send your suggestions for additional links to abqbobcat@nmia.com. Please put in the subject line the words "Union County Genealogy Links." Thank you - Robert Baca, President NMGS.

New Mexico Genealogical Society Links

* Locating Catholic Church Records in New Mexico - Union County

- See also the Introduction to the Project

* NMGS Press

* Genealogical Resources of New Mexico (book)


Libraries and Archives:

* Family History Centers

* Union County Public Libraries


Genealogical and Historical Societies:

* New Mexico Genealogical Society

* Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of New Mexico

* Union County Historical Society


Genealogy Resources:

* USGenWeb - Union County

- Archives - Union County

* Genealogy Trails - Union County


Genealogy Queries & Message Boards:

* Cousin Connect - Union County

* GenForum - Union County

* GenCircles - Union County

* Rootsweb - Union County


Genealogy Directories, List, and Links:

* EPodunk -Union County Profile

* Cyndi's List - Union County

* Linkpendium - Union County


Vital Records

* Union County Marriage Index, 1727-1900


Cemetery, Burial & Obituaries:

* Find a Grave - Union County

* The Political Graveyard - Union County

* Tombstone Transcription Project - Union County

* Union County, NM Cemeteries USGS GNIS Geographic Names Server

* Hess Funeral Directors (Obituaries)


Census Records:

* Census Records and Indexes - Union County


Community Genealogy and History:

* History of Union County

* Union County Historical Markers

* History of Clayton

* History of New Mexico - Union County

* The Leading Facts of New Mexico History - Union County


Cultural Resources:

* Herzstein Memorial Museum

* Capulin Volcano National Monument

* Clayton, NM Website


Personal Websites, Biographies and Surnames

* Early Residents, Settlers and Homesteaders of Union County

* Smylie Family of Union County

* Surnames (Linkpendium)

* "Black Jack" Ketchum


Misc.

* Union County, NM World War II Casualties Army and Air Force

* World War II Enslistees for Union County

* National Register of Historic Places - Union County

* Newspaper Abstracts - Union County

* New Mexico Digital Collection - Union County

* New Mexico Military Records

* Land Patent Search (New Mexico)



Look for "Valencia County Genealogy Links" on Sunday, November 8, 2009. As always, if you wish to contribute to this or another county, please send me an e-mail at abqbobcat@nmia.com.

If you wish to see all of the New Mexico County Links posted so far, click on this link.

25 October 2009

Political Papers of New Mexico at the CSWR

The UNM Center for Southwest Research has a number of documents stored in its archives. It publishes on the web finding guides that describe the contents of collections within their archives. I recently found a handy website that categorizes some of these collections: Political Papers of New Mexico at the CSWR.

Click on this link, and you will find tabs to categories such as "U.S. Senators", "U.S. Representatives", "N.M. Governors", "American Indian Officials", "Political Organizations" and more. There is also a link to the online version of the 2007/2008 New Mexico Blue Book.

You may also find contact information on the home page, so that you may find out how to access these collections.

Much more can be found on the LibGuides Home (including Land Grants in New Mexico!)

Torrance County Genealogy Links

Below is a list of Torrance County Genealogy Links. Please send your suggestions for additional links to abqbobcat@nmia.com. Please put in the subject line the words "Torrance County Genealogy Links." Thank you - Robert Baca, President NMGS.

New Mexico Genealogical Society Links

* Locating Catholic Church Records in New Mexico - Torrance County

- See also the Introduction to the Project

* NMGS Press

* Genealogical Resources of New Mexico (book)


Libraries and Archives:

* Family History Centers - Torrance County

* Torrance County Libraries

Genealogical and Historical Societies:

* New Mexico Genealogical Society

* Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of New Mexico

* The East Mountain Historical Society


Genealogy Resources:

* USGenWeb - Torrance County

- Archives - Torrance County

* Genealogy Trails - Torrance County


Genealogy Queries & Message Boards:

* Cousin Connect - Torrance County

* GenForum - Torrance County

* GenCircles - Torrance County

* Rootsweb - Torrance County


Genealogy Directories, List, and Links:

* EPodunk -Torrance County Profile

* Cyndi's List - Torrance County

* Linkpendium - Torrance County


Vital Records

* Torrance County Clerk

Cemetery, Burial & Obituaries:

* Find a Grave - Torrance County

* The Political Graveyard - Torrance County

* Tombstone Transcription Project - Torrance County

* Interment.Net - Torrance County

* Harris-Hanlon Mortuary (obituaries)

* Mountain View Telegraph (obituaries)

Census Records:

* Census Records and Indexes - Torrance County


Community Genealogy and History:

* About Torrance County

* Torrance County

* Estancia

* History of New Mexico - Torrance County

* The Leading Facts of New Mexico History - Torrance County

Cultural Resources:

* None listed. If you know of any cultural resources, send me an email at abqbobcat@nmia.com

Personal Websites, Biographies and Surnames

* Norman/Maxwell Family Genealogy

* Biography of Julius Meyer

* Biography of Manuel Sanchez, Jr.

* Clint Smith Family


Misc.

* National Register of Historic Places - Torrance County

* Newspaper Abstracts - Torrance County

* New Mexico Digital Collection - Torrance County

* New Mexico Military Records

* Land Patent Search (New Mexico)

* Military Data - Torrance County

* Torrance County, New Mexico World War II Casualties Army and Air Force

Look for "Union County Genealogy Links" on Sunday, November 1, 2009. As always, if you wish to contribute to this or another county, please send me an e-mail at abqbobcat@nmia.com.

If you wish to see all of the New Mexico County Links posted so far, click on this link.

24 October 2009

Too early for Christmas shopping?

Nah, it's never too early to shop for Christmas, especially in these unsure economic times. I know plenty of people who begin shopping in October. Heck, a certain retail store - that will remain nameless here - is already advertising for layaway.

Are you one of those people who shop early. Are you thinking about shopping at Amazon.com? Well, if you are, consider shopping through the NMGS's link for Amazon.com . (The Albuquerque Genealogical Society also sponsors this link.) If you shop through us, a percentage of the proceeds will go towards our fund. That fund is only used to buy books for the Albuquerque Special Collections Library.

To buy books from our link, you can either:

* Go to the NMGS website and click on the Amazon.com link under the "Bookstore" heading; or,

* Go to the side margin of this blog and click on the Amazon.com link; or,

* Simply click on this link.

By the way, the books from the NMGS Bookstore also make great gifts for your favorite genealogist, even your favorite genealogist is yourself. Click on this link to purchase our books.

22 October 2009

NM Historic Documents and History on Google Books

Google Books has a number of digital reproductions of historic documents and history of New Mexico. Here are just a few that I found recently, in no particular order:

* Statehood for New Mexico: Speech of Hon. L. Bradford Prince of New Mexico - Delivered at the Trans-Mississippi Congress, held at Cripple Creek, Colorado, July 19, 1901.

* History of New Mexico and Arizona: 1530 - 1888 by Hubert Howe Bancroft and Henry Lebbeus Oak. (c. 1889)

* The Spanish Archives of New Mexico Vol 1 by Ralph Emerson Twitchell (c. 1914)

* The Religious Architecture of New Mexico in the Colonial Period and Since the American Occupation by George Kubler (c. 1940)

* Journal of a Military Reconnaissance from Santa Fe, New Mexico to the Navajo Country.... by James H. Simpson, A.H. (c. 1852)

* Report of the Governor of New Mexico to the Secretary of Interior 1901

* Contitution of the Proposed State of New Mexico (February 1911)

* History of New Mexico Spanish and English Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church from 1850 to 1910 - Volume II

... these are just a few of the books that can be found on that site. To search for more books, go to Google Books and search for "New Mexico" or "New Mexico History" or use other search terms.

21 October 2009

Confederate Soldier's Remains Found In Socorro?

Bone that were found by Socorro City workers may be those of Confederate soldiers burried in the town. According to KRQE TV:

The February 1862 Battle of Valverde brought wounded Confederate soldiers to Socorro, and some historians believe those who later died were buried under what are now a paved street and the backyard of a local family....


This find is especially controversial because a supposed burial site is on private land and the owners do not wished for their property to be disturbed. To read more about this find, read and see the video at this link: Bones find renews Civil War dispute

20 October 2009

November 2009 NMGS Program

Saturday, November 21, 2009, 10:30 AM
Albuquerque Special Collections Library
423 Central NE, Albuquerque NM
(NW Corner of Edith and Central)


The New Mexico Genealogical Society presents
Angel R. Cervantes

Who will discuss the

New Mexico DNA Project:
The Vandals’ Connection to New Mexican Families


In Part III of an ongoing series, Mr. Cervantes will explore the connection between certain New Mexican families and the Vandals, a Germanic tribe that occupied Spain. Cervantes will show a short film that will trace the history of these people. He will discuss which families show the markers that are most identified with this tribe.

Angel Cervantes is the New Mexico Genealogical Society’s DNA Project Advisor. For more information about the New Mexico DNA Project, visit their website online at: http://www.familytreedna.com/public/NewMexicoDNA/default.aspx

NMGS will also be having its annual officer elections at this meeting.

This program is free and open to the public.

For more information about our programs, please visit the New Mexico Genealogical Society website at http://www.nmgs.org/workshop.htm

19 October 2009

The Battle of Cieneguilla

I found this article while searching for Taos County Genealogy Links:

In 1856, a military court cleared U.S. Dragoon Lt. John Davidson of any wrongdoing two years earlier in the Battle of Cieneguilla above Embudo — despite testimony that he had taken a “war whoop” as a threat and needlessly led his troops into a fatal fight.

During the short battle in the early spring of 1854, about 60 U.S. Dragoons got trapped in a canyon and, before retreating, suffered their worst defeat — 22 dead, 22 wounded — in the campaign against American Indian tribes, in this case the Jicarilla Apache.

Ironically, the Jicarilla victory only served to intensify the U.S. Army’s efforts to run American Indians off their homelands and sequester them on reservations.


For more information about the article "Archaeologists fill in some blanks of Battle of Cieneguilla" click on this link.

Bats!

The following was passed on to me via e-mail:
Corrales Historical Society 2009 Speaker Series
invites you to attend:

Michelle McCaulley,
speaking on the Rio Grande Basin Bat Project
Thursday, October 29th @ 7:00pm
Old San Ysidro Church @ 966 Old Church Road (Corrales, New Mexico)


Event is free and open to the public. No reservations required.

Halloween is just around the corner, and so is a very interesting speaker who will dispel misconceptions and intrigue you with fascinating facts about… bats!

Among other subjects, Ms. McCaulley of the Rio Grande Basin Bat Project will speak on the concept and conservation of bats and bat habitats as a natural biological alternative to pesticides. Since 2002, this non-profit organization has worked with the Bat World Sanctuary and is a permitted bat rehabilitation project in New Mexico.

Find out more about this organization at http://www.riograndebasinbats.com/

18 October 2009

Taos County Genealogy Links

Below is a list of Taos County Genealogy Links. Please send your suggestions for additional links to abqbobcat@nmia.com. Please put in the subject line the words "Taos County Genealogy Links." Thank you - Robert Baca, President NMGS.

New Mexico Genealogical Society Links

* Locating Catholic Church Records in New Mexico - Taos County

- See also the Introduction to the Project

* NMGS Press

* Genealogical Resources of New Mexico (book)


Libraries and Archives:

* Family History Centers - Taos County


* Taos Public Library


* The Southwest Research Center of Northern New Mexico





Genealogical and Historical Societies:

* New Mexico Genealogical Society

* Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of New Mexico


* The Taos County Historical Society


* Red River Historical Society


* Taos Mountain Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution


Genealogy Resources:

* USGenWeb - Taos County

- Resources (Baptisms, Censuses, History, etc.)

* Genealogy Trails - Taos County


Genealogy Queries & Message Boards:

* Cousin Connect - Taos County

* GenForum - Taos County

* GenCircles - Taos County

* Rootsweb - Taos County


Genealogy Directories, List, and Links:

* EPodunk -Taos County Profile

* Cyndi's List - Taos County

* Linkpendium - Taos County


Vital Records

* Marriages 1727-1900 - Taos County


* Taos County Marriages, Penasco, New Mexico 1859-1895


Cemetery, Burial & Obituaries:

* Find a Grave - Taos County

* The Political Graveyard - Taos County

* Tombstone Transcription Project - Taos County


* Interment.Net - Taos County


* Cemeteries (Linkpendium)


* The Taos News (Obituaries)


* Weylen's Funeral Home


* Garcia de Taos Obituaries

Census Records:

* Census Records and Indexes - Taos County (Linkpendium)


Community Genealogy and History:

* Taos County


* Picuris Pueblo


* Red River


* Town of Taos (State Historian site)


* Town of Taos (office site)


* Taos Pueblo


* History of Taos Public Library

* First Term of the American Court in Taos, New Mexico


* History of New Mexico - Taos County

* The Leading Facts of New Mexico History - Taos County

Cultural Resources:



* Red River


* Taos Plaza


* Fred Baca Park

* Kit Carson Park


* Museum Association of Taos


* Taos Historical Museums


Personal Websites, Biographies and Surnames


* Biography of The Honorable Antonio D. Archuleta


* Kit Carson Family History


* Garcia de Taos


* Salas Family Genealogy


* Biography of John Morgan Whitlock

Misc.

* National Register of Historic Places - Taos County

* Newspaper Abstracts - Taos County

* New Mexico Digital Collection - Taos County

* New Mexico Military Records

* Land Patent Search (New Mexico)

* Military Data - Taos County


* Toas County, New Mexico World War II Casualties Army and Air Force


Look for "Torrance County Genealogy Links" on Sunday, October 25, 2009. As always, if you wish to contribute to this or another county, please send me an e-mail at abqbobcat@nmia.com.

If you wish to see all of the New Mexico County Links posted so far, click on this link.

New Mexican Personal Historians

Today, The Sunday Journal has an article in its Mature Life magazine insert about professional personal historians. These are people that record a person's life histories for posterity.

The article profiles a personal historian Genevieve Russell. The article paraphrases and quotes her by saying:

Leaving a record is a way to help children and grandchildren "appreciate where they came from" says Geneive Russell. The lives of others "further connects us and gives us clarity about who we are.

Local men who have had personal histories created for them include Ramon Montes, 90 years old, a well-known carver of traditional religious buttos and retablos, and Danish-born artist Gaston Lotvig of Santa Fe who passed away in February at the age of 96. Montes was named a Santa Fe Living Treasure and has his personal history archived in the Fray Angelico Chavez History Library.

To read more about personal historians, either find the insert in today's Sunday Journal, or go to the Albuquerque Journal website to view a digital version of the story:

* Go to abqjournal.com,
* Click on the "Magazines" header,
* Click on the "Mature Life" icon,
* View the magazine. The title of the article is "On the Record" and can be found on page 3 of the magazine. It continues on to page 12.

Query: Club Recreativo Cosmopolita Mexicano

Our NMGS website editor received this question from one of our readers:

Is anyone familiar with an organization in La Mesa about 1909 called the Club Recreativo Cosmopolita Mexicano? I found hand written minutes (in Spanish) which appears to be a social club of men. I was just curious if anyone in your group was familiar with it? - Theresa H. E.


If anyone is familiar with this group, either send me an e-mail at abqbobcat@nmia.com or post a comment to this blog post. Thank you - Robert Baca, President, NMGS.

15 October 2009

Michelle Obama's Roots

I know that Michelle Obama has nothing to do with New Mexico genealogy, but as genealogists, I feel that we often have an interest in the roots of famous people - especially that of the First Family.



The author of this video, (or as she calls it, "a glorified Power Point presentation") Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak is a genealogist who works for Ancestry.com. Her research is very thorough, and always very interesting.



To see Smolenyak briefly discussing Michelle Obama's ancestry on the CBS Early Show, click on this link.

11 October 2009

Socorro County Genealogy Links

Below is a list of Socorro County Genealogy Links. Please send your suggestions for additional links to abqbobcat@nmia.com. Please put in the subject line the words "Socorro County Genealogy Links." Thank you - Robert Baca, President NMGS.

New Mexico Genealogical Society Links

* Locating Catholic Church Records in New Mexico - Socorro County
- See also the Introduction to the Project

* NMGS Press

* Genealogical Resources of New Mexico (book)


Libraries and Archives:

* Family History Center - Socorro County


* Socorro Public Library


* New Mexico Tech Library


Genealogical and Historical Societies:

* New Mexico Genealogical Society
* Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of New Mexico

* Socorro County Genealogical Society

* Socorro County Historical Society


Genealogy Resources:

* USGenWeb - Socorro County

-Archives
* Genealogy Trails - Socorro County

Genealogy Queries & Message Boards:

* Cousin Connect - Socorro County

* GenForum - Socorro County

* GenCircles - Socorro County
* Rootsweb - Socorro County


Genealogy Directories, List, and Links:

* EPodunk -Socorro County Profile
* Cyndi's List - Socorro County

* Linkpendium - Socorro County

Vital Records

* Socorro County, New Mexico Marriages - 1727-1900


Cemetery, Burial & Obituaries:

* Find a Grave - Socorro County

* The Political Graveyard - Socorro County

* Tombstone Transcription Project - Socorro County

* Obituaries - New Mexico Tech website

* El Defensor Chieftain Newspaper - Milestones (includes obituaries)

* Soldiers Forgotten (a website about Confederate soldiers' remains that may be buried on private property in Socorro, NM)



Census Records:

* Socorro County Census 1860, 1870 & 1880 (USGenWeb)

* Socorro County Census Data (Genealogy Trails)

* Socorro County Census Index (Linkpendium)


Community Genealogy and History:

* Towns of Socorro County (Genealogy Trails)

* La Joya de Sevilleta

* La Vega de las Nutrias

* Las Barrancas

* Lemitar

* Los Chaves

* Luis Lopez

* Sabinal

* Socorro, New Mexico

* Valverde Battle Summary

* San Antonio del Rio Colorado Grant Settlers

* History of the San Miguel Church

* A Brief History of New Mexico Tech

* History of New Mexico - Socorro County

* The Leading Facts of New Mexico History - Socorro County

* Walking Tour Guide of Historic Socorro, New Mexico

* Socorro County Historical Markers


Cultural Resources:

* El Camino Real International Heritage Center


* Ft. Craig National Historical Site


* Hammel Museum

* Bosque del Apache
* Very Large Array

Personal Websites, Biographies and Surnames

* Socorro County Biographies (Genealogy Trails)


* Anna K. Brown


* The Baca/ Douglas Genealogy and Family History Blog


* My New Mexico Roots (Nancy Lopez) - some family was from the Socorro area


* Mathias Mattieson


Misc.

* National Register of Historic Places - Socorro County

* Newspaper Abstracts - Socorro County

* New Mexico Digital Collection - Socorro County

* New Mexico Military Records
* Land Patent Search (New Mexico)

* Military Data - Socorro County


* World War II Casualties - Socorro County

Look for "Taos County Genealogy Links" on Sunday, October 18, 2009. As always, if you wish to contribute to this or another county, please send me an e-mail at abqbobcat@nmia.com.

If you wish to see all of the New Mexico County Links posted so far, click on this link.

2010 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy

The following information was relayed to me from Paula Stuart-Warren, through the NMGS website editor Patricia Esterly:

Hi,

I thought you might be interested in the ... the 2010 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. The dates are January 11-15. Additional information including the list of classes for each course and instructor and coordinator bios are on the Utah Genealogical Association website. www.infouga.org

It's also very easy to register online. The variety of courses is wonderful. I coordinate and teach the intermediate level Course I, American Records and Research: Focus on Families. I am also teaching an evening class and one class in the Certification & Accreditation Course. No matter which course you choose, you will have an educational and exhilarating week.

Please feel free to pass this [information] on to other genealogists. It's a great way to spend part of January and a way to get energized for research in the coming year. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me.

I hope to see you in January.

- Paula Stuart-Warren paulastuartwarren@gmail.com

04 October 2009

Volunteer position: NMGS website editor

Our website editor, Patricia Esterly, will be stepping down soon. Until then, she needs help with the website. The person who helps out will most likely become our next website editor.

From the NMGS website:

Interested in helping our webmaster with the NMGS web site? It's a volunteer position, so it takes a special, dedicated person who is also interested in genealogy. It can be done from home. We are using Dreamweaver at this time. Get answers to any or all your questions about this position by sending an email to webmaster@nmgs.org or Robert Baca, NMGS President.

Sierra County Genealogy Links

Below is a list of Sierra County Genealogy Links. Please send your suggestions for additional links to abqbobcat@nmia.com. Please put in the subject line the words "Sierra County Genealogy Links." Thank you - Robert Baca, President NMGS.

New Mexico Genealogical Society Links

* Locating Catholic Church Records in New Mexico - Sierra County

- See also the Introduction to the Project

* NMGS Press

* Genealogical Resources of New Mexico (book)


Libraries and Archives:

* Family History Centers

* Truth or Consequences Public Library

* Sierra County Libraries


Genealogical and Historical Societies:

* New Mexico Genealogical Society

* Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of New Mexico

* Sierra County Genealogical Society


Genealogy Resources:

* USGenWeb - Sierra County
- Archives

* Genealogy Trails - Sierra County



Genealogy Queries & Message Boards:

* Cousin Connect - Sierra County

* GenForum - Sierra County

* GenCircles - Sierra County

* Rootsweb - Sierra County


Genealogy Directories, List, and Links:

* EPodunk -Sierra County Profile

* Cyndi's List - Sierra County

* Linkpendium - Sierra County


Vital Records

* Births (Lathem, Meyers, Harrington and Goins)

* Sierra County Marriage Records


Cemetery, Burial & Obituaries:


* Find a Grave - Sierra County

* The Political Graveyard - Sierra County

* Tombstone Transcription Project - Sierra County

* Interment Net - Sierra County

* Sierra County Cemeteries (Genealogy Trails)

* Sierra County Cemeteries (Linkpendium)

* Sierra County Obituaries (Genealogy Trails)

* The Herald (Obituaries)


Census Records:

* 1890 Veterans Census - Sierra County

* Sierra County Census Records (Linkpendium)


Community Genealogy and History:

* Sierra County

* Histories of Specific Towns and Townships of Sierra County

* History of New Mexico: Sierra County

* The Leading Facts of New Mexican History: Sierra County


Cultural Resources:

* Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway

* Lake Valley Historic Townsite

* Elephant Butte Dam


Personal Websites, Biographies and Surnames

* Lewis Charles Lathem

* Major James P. Blaine

* Pioneer Families - Sierra County


Misc.

* National Register of Historic Places - Sierra County

* Newspaper Abstracts - Sierra County

* New Mexico Digital Collection - Sierra County

* New Mexico Military Records

* Land Patent Search (New Mexico)

* Military Data - Sierra County



Look for "Socorro County Genealogy Links" on Sunday, October 10, 2009. As always, if you wish to contribute to this or another county, please send me an e-mail at abqbobcat@nmia.com.

If you wish to see all of the New Mexico County Links posted so far, click on this link.

03 October 2009

Atlas of Historic New Mexico Maps

The New Mexico Humanities Council has added 20 historic New Mexico Maps to its website. They are annotated with descriptions by the original mapmakers and other people living during those eras. Images of artwork from each period are included with the annotations.

This is a preview of a book to be published by the University of New Mexico Press in 2010: The Atlas of Historical New Mexico Maps. This atlas will feature over 100 maps.

To view the online version of The Atlas of Historical Maps, click on this link.

This link was suggested by the NMGS Website editor, Patricia Esterly.

01 October 2009

Book Signing: "Converso" by Mario Martinez

Posted on MySpace today....

Mario Martinez signs "Converso" Saturday 10/3 1-3 PM
Category: Writing and Poetry

Author Mario X. Martinez signs his novel "Converso" from 1-3 PM Saturday, October 3, at Treasure House Books & Gifts, 2012 South Plaza NW in Old town Albuquerque. The event is free and open to the public.

"Converso" is a story of crypto-Jewish life in a small town in northern New Mexico during the 1870's, the time of Bishop Lamy. Abran Espinosa along with his uncle, Don Moisés Espinosa, discover their Jewish birthright through an old family journal. The newly-appointed priest, Father LaSalle, mistakenly suspects them of sorcery, leading to a confrontation and Abran's exile from the local church. The resulting story is compelling and surprising. Mario X. Martinez uses stories from his family to create this historical novel of powerful Dons, dashing young men, beautiful women, and the foreign priest who did not understand New Mexican life and culture. This combustible mixture leads to conflict, revenge and the suspicious demise of the priest as he was conducting mass. This is a story that Willa Cather would have understood about life and death and the secrecy by which crypto-Jewish families lived and protected their identity.

For more information, call 505-242-7204

UNM Lecture: The Santa Fe House

The following announcement was sent to my email....

Lecture and booksigning for

THE SANTA FE HOUSE:
Historic Residences, Enchanting Adobes and Romantic Revivals
by Margaret Moore Booker

Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 1:00 p.m.
Willard Room, Zimmerman Library
Main Campus, UNM, Albuquerque, New Mexico


Santa Fe, New Mexico has a rich history in architecture. The high desert climate and mountainous terrain has shaped and reshaped building design, fusing Pueblo- style housing with modern concepts. In THE SANTA FE HOUSE, Margaret Moore Booker, features key examples of the region’s most important residences.

THE SANTA FE HOUSE presents forty picturesque residences, ranging from the earliest one-story adobe structures to today’s bungalow and Mission style homes, demonstrating deep roots in Pueblo, Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo traditions. It includes the best of the so-called “Southwest Territorial Style,” introduced by newcomers from the East after 1846, as well as houses revealing Victorian influences. Her new color photographs show Santa Fe’s most beautiful houses,carefully preserved today.

Historic black-and-white photographs, maps, floor plans, and other original illustrations further enhance the story of Santa Fe.

Santa Fe is commemorating its 400th Anniversary in 2009 and 2010. Just in time for the celebration, SANTA FE HOUSE provides a comprehensive survey of the historic architectural styles of the city and is a useful guide for both tourists and homeowners.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Margaret Moore Booker is the author of numerous books and articles on art, architecture, and women’s history. She is co-author of Sea-Captains’ Houses and Rose-Covered Cottages: The Architectural Heritage of Nantucket Island (Universe/Rizzoli).Open to the public.For more info write to Audra Bellmore at abellmor@unm.edu or call the Center for Southwest Research at 505-277-6451.

28 September 2009

Suggestions on how to apply for Certificate of Indian Blood

I'm not an expert on applying for a Certificate of Indian Blood - I've never had to do it myself. Nor would I be able to, because, although I undoubtably have Native American blood, it's too far back to mean anything. So when I was asked to help two sisters with their request, I had to apply certain knowledge that I already had, and guess at the rest.

Find out what I did, by reading the post on my personal blog "Searching for Native American Roots".

Click here to view the post.

Virtual Flier: Harvey House Museum - Oct 3, 2009

Today, we begin a new service on the NMGS Blog: Virtual Fliers. We receive many handbills in the mail from other genealogical and historic organizations. Since we believe it is important to let you know about the events that these groups are presenting, we will publish an image of the actual flier here with all the imformation that they provided us.

Valencia County Historical Society and the Harvey House Museum
Invites you to the meeting of
The Rio Abajo Coalition for New Mexico History Preservation and Education
Saturday October 3, 2009
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
at the Harvey House Museum in Belen, NM

Click on the image below to enlarge.


27 September 2009

Santa Fe County Genealogy Links

Below is a list of Santa Fe County Genealogy Links. Please send your suggestions for additional links to abqbobcat@nmia.com. Please put in the subject line the words "Santa Fe County Genealogy Links." Thank you - Robert Baca, President NMGS.

New Mexico Genealogical Society Links

* Locating Catholic Church Records in New Mexico - Santa Fe County

- See also the Introduction to the Project

* NMGS Press

* Genealogical Resources of New Mexico (book)


Libraries and Archives:

* State Records Center and Archives

* Family History Centers - Santa Fe County

* Santa Fe Public Library

* Fray Angelico Chavez History Library

* Southwest Collection - New Mexico State Library

* Links: Santa Fe County Libraries

Genealogical and Historical Societies:

* New Mexico Genealogical Society

* Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of New Mexico

* Stephen Watts Kearny Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

Genealogy Resources:

* USGenWeb - Santa Fe County

* Genealogy Trails - Santa Fe County



Genealogy Queries & Message Boards:

* Cousin Connect - Santa Fe County

* GenForum - Santa Fe County

* GenCircles - Santa Fe County

* Rootsweb - Santa Fe County


Genealogy Directories, List, and Links:

* EPodunk -Santa Fe County Profile

* Cyndi's List - Santa Fe County

* Linkpendium - Santa Fe County


Vital Records

* Santa Fe County website


Cemetery, Burial & Obituaries:

* US Dept of Veteran Affairs: Santa Fe National Cemetery

-VA National Gravesite Locator

* Find a Grave - Santa Fe County

* The Political Graveyard - Santa Fe County

* Tombstone Transcription Project - Santa Fe County

* Interment Net - Santa Fe County

* The Santa Fe New Mexican (Obituaries)

* Santa Fe Times (Obitaries)

* Cemeteries: Santa Fe County (Genealogy Trails)

* Obituaries: Santa Fe County (Genealogy Trails)

* Obituary Database - Fray Angelico Chavez History Library


Census Records:

* Census Records and Indexes (Linkpendium)


Community Genealogy and History:

* Book! : "Old Santa Fe Trail"

* History: Santa Fe County

* Santa Fe County History (Linkpendium)

* Glorieta Pass Battle Summary

* Santa Fe County: Built in America

* History of New Mexico: Santa Fe County

* The Leading Facts of New Mexican History: Santa Fe County


Cultural Resources:

There is a plethora of cultural resources in Santa Fe, NM. Santa Fe probably has more museums and galleries per capita than any other city in the United States. As such, only a few are these many splendid cultural resources are listed here:

* Museum of New Mexico

* El Rancho de los Golindrinas Living History Museum

* Museums of Santa Fe - Santa Fe Convention and Visitor's Bureau

* Galleries of Santa Fe - Santa Fe Convention and Visitor's Bureau

* Santa Fe Convention and Visitor's Bureau


Personal Websites, Biographies and Surnames

* Santa Fe County GEDCOM database index

* Surnames (Linkpendium)


Misc.

* National Register of Historic Places - Santa Fe County

* New Mexico Digital Collection - Santa Fe County

* New Mexico Military Records

* Land Patent Search (New Mexico)

* Newspaper Abstracts - Santa Fe County

* Military Data: Santa Fe County

* World War II Casualties - Santa Fe County

* Catron Land Grant Cases

* Livingston Law Register, 1851 (Santa Fe, NM)


Look for "Sierra County Genealogy Links" on Sunday, October 3, 2009. As always, if you wish to contribute to this or another county, please send me an e-mail at abqbobcat@nmia.com.

If you wish to see all of the New Mexico County Links posted so far, click on this link.

20 September 2009

Sandoval County Genealogy Links

Below is a list of Sandoval County Genealogy Links. Please send your suggestions for additional links to abqbobcat@nmia.com. Please put in the subject line the words "Sandoval County Genealogy Links." Thank you - Robert Baca, President NMGS.

New Mexico Genealogical Society Links

* Locating Catholic Church Records in New Mexico - Sandoval County

- See also the Introduction to the Project

* NMGS Press

* Genealogical Resources of New Mexico (book)


Libraries and Archives:

* Family History Center

* Sandoval County Libraries

* Rio Rancho Library Genealogy Databases


Genealogical and Historical Societies:

* New Mexico Genealogical Society

* Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of New Mexico

* Sandoval County Historical Society


Genealogy Resources:

* USGenWeb - Sandoval County

* Genealogy Trails - Sandoval County



Genealogy Queries & Message Boards:

* Cousin Connect - Sandoval County

* GenForum - Sandoval County

* GenCircles - Sandoval County

* Rootsweb - Sandoval County


Genealogy Directories, List, and Links:

* EPodunk -Sandoval County Profile

* Cyndi's List - Sandoval County

* Linkpendium - Sandoval County


Vital Records

* Sandoval County Clerk

* Sandoval County Births

Cemetery, Burial & Obituaries:

* Find a Grave - Sandoval County

* The Political Graveyard - Sandoval County

* Rootsweb Cemeteries - Sandoval County

* Tombstone Transcription Project - Sandoval County

* Interment Net - Sandoval County

* Cemeteries of Sandoval Co., NM

* List of Cemeteries in Sandoval County

* The Rio Rancho Observer (Obituaries)


Census Records:

* Linkpendium Census Records - Sandoval County


Community Genealogy and History:

* Sandoval County

* Sandoval County History

* History of New Mexico: Sandoval County

* The Leading Facts of New Mexican History: Sandoval County


Cultural Resources:

* Coronado State Monument

* Jemez State Monument

Personal Websites, Biographies and Surnames

* Biography of Jose Ynes Perea

Misc.

* National Register of Historic Places - Sandoval County

* New Mexico Digital Collection - Sandoval County

* New Mexico Military Records

* Land Patent Search (New Mexico)

* Newspaper Abstracts - Sandoval County

* Newspaper Stories - Sandoval County

* World War II Enlistees for Sandoval County

* Historic Markers - Sandoval County

* World War II Casualties - Sandoval County


Look for "Santa Fe County Genealogy Links" on Sunday, September 27, 2009. As always, if you wish to contribute to this county or another, please send me an e-mail at abqbobcat@nmia.com.

If you wish to see all of the New Mexico County Links posted so far, click on this link.

Evangelist for African Ancestored Genealogy

George Geder, self-described "evangelist for African ancestored genealogy", posted to his blog a link titled "Where are the African Americans in Santa Fe?" This article is his debut column in Examiner.com, a website that emphasizes local information.

In the article, Geder notes that there are not many African Americans in Santa Fe, pointing out census statistics that show only 0.7% of Santa Fe is African American. However, he goes on to describe how African Americans enriched Santa Fe's history for over 400 years.

Another link on his post is for an article that he wrote for Shades of the Departed. In additon to being a genealogist, Geder is a photo restoration artist. In the article, he describes how to do what he calls a "background check": making the background of a photograph black and white, while leaving the foreground subject color. He uses Photoshop to create this effect, which mutes the "busy" background that can be found on some photos.

Read more of George Geders posts on his blog by clicking on this link.

19 September 2009

October 17, 2009 NMGS Program

Saturday, October 17, 2009, 10:30 AM
Albuquerque Special Collections Library
423 Central NE, Albuquerque NM
(NW Corner of Edith and Central)

The New Mexico Genealogical Society presents

John Taylor
Author of “Bloody Valverde”
and co-author, with Thomas S. Edrington, of “The Battle of Glorieta Pass”

will speak on

The Civil War in New Mexico

Famed historian John Taylor will discuss how New Mexico played a part in the Civil War. He will sign copies of his books at the presentation.

This program is free and open to the public.

For more information about our programs, please visit the New Mexico Genealogical Society website at http://www.nmgs.org/workshop.htm