LBGHS Newsletter 2012 11 Nov - Los Bexarenos · Pedigree Chart — Dahlia GUAJARDO-CANTÚ de...

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LBGHS eMail Newsletter 1 Volume 1 - Issue 6 Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society Those 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 1 st Republic of Texas, the Republic of México, the 2 nd 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 November 2012 Contents In This Issue 1. LBGHS November Monthly Meeting 2. Message from the President 3. Membership Committee • Gloria Cadena Scholarship Fund • Announcements • Book Sales Committee 4. Websites That Tell Our Stories • San Juan Cemetery 5. Los Bexareños at the October Meeting 6. Telling Our Stories — Guadalupe “Lupe” Martínez 9. Pedigree Chart — Dahlia GUAJARDO-CANTÚ de Palacios 10. “Go Ahead Guys” vs The Royal Spanish Army; Battle of Medina, Texas, August 18, 1813 (Part Four) Reenactment — Battle of Medina 11. In Memory of … Guadalupe “Lupe” Martínez 12. 33 rd Annual Texas Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Conference 13. Calendar of Events 14. From Around The State • Message From the Editor Like Us On Facebook Los Bexareños LBGHS Monthly Meeting November 3, 2012 San Antonio Public Library (Downtown) 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Speaker: George Farías Topic: The Proposed Establishment of a Hispanic Genealogy and History Research Center of the Americas and the Role of the Col. Ernest A. Montemayor Collection George Farías has a BBA Accounting Degree and an MBA Degree in Financial Management, both from St. Mary’s University. His longest tenure with a company was 17 years with the Bexar County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center, where he served as Executive Director from 1979 to 1988. He is a past president of Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society, a founding board member of the National Society of Spanish Pioneers and Patriots of America, a Friend of the Society of Descendants of Peter Francisco, a past member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, and former vice president of the San Antonio Library/Texana-Genealogy Friends of the Library group. He is the original owner of Borderlands Book Store, Inc., a mail order business specializing in books on Hispanic genealogy and history available on the World Wide Web. The website is www.borderlandsbooks.com and contact can also be made by telephone number (210) 401-4915. In 1995, he published his family history book titled The Farías Chronicles, A History and Genealogy of a Portuguese/Spanish Family, winning a Documentation Award from the Webb County Heritage Foundation and a favorable review in the April 1997 Southwestern Historical Quarterly. In collaboration with G.A. “ Lupe” Martínez, he recently published a family history book on his maternal family, titled Agapito Martínez and Emma Almazán of Laredo, Texas: Their History, Ancestry, and Descendants. This book won the Jim Parish Award for Documentation and Publication of Local and Regional History presented by the Webb County Heritage Foundation. He is married to Mary Helen Lozano, originally of Monterrey, México, and has six children and seven grandchildren.

Transcript of LBGHS Newsletter 2012 11 Nov - Los Bexarenos · Pedigree Chart — Dahlia GUAJARDO-CANTÚ de...

LBGHS eMail Newsletter 1 Volume 1 - Issue 6

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 November 2012

Contents In This Issue1. LBGHS November Monthly Meeting2. Message from the President3. Membership Committee • Gloria Cadena Scholarship Fund • Announcements • Book Sales Committee4. Websites That Tell Our Stories • San Juan Cemetery5. Los Bexareños at the October Meeting6. Telling Our Stories — Guadalupe “Lupe” Martínez9. Pedigree Chart — Dahlia GUAJARDO-CANTÚ de Palacios10. “Go Ahead Guys” vs The Royal Spanish Army; Battle of Medina, Texas, August 18, 1813 (Part Four) Reenactment — Battle of Medina11. In Memory of … Guadalupe “Lupe” Martínez12. 33rd Annual Texas Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Conference13. Calendar of Events14. From Around The State • Message From the Editor

Like Us On

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Los Bexareños

LBGHS Monthly MeetingNovember 3, 2012

San Antonio Public Library (Downtown)9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Speaker: George FaríasTopic: The Proposed Establishment of a Hispanic Genealogy and History Research

Center of the Americas and the Role of the Col. Ernest A. Montemayor CollectionGeorge Farías has a BBA Accounting Degree and an MBA Degree in Financial Management, both from St. Mary’s University. His longest tenure with a

company was 17 years with the Bexar County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center, where he served as Executive Director from 1979 to 1988.He is a past president of Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society, a founding board member of the National Society of Spanish Pioneers and

Patriots of America, a Friend of the Society of Descendants of Peter Francisco, a past member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, and former vice president of the San Antonio Library/Texana-Genealogy Friends of the Library group. He is the original owner of Borderlands Book Store, Inc., a mail order business specializing in books on Hispanic genealogy and history available on the World Wide Web. The website is www.borderlandsbooks.com and contact can also be made by telephone number (210) 401-4915.

In 1995, he published his family history book titled The Farías Chronicles, A History and Genealogy of a Portuguese/Spanish Family, winning a Documentation Award from the Webb County Heritage Foundation and a favorable review in the April 1997 Southwestern Historical Quarterly. In collaboration with G.A. “ Lupe” Martínez, he recently published a family history book on his maternal family, titled Agapito Martínez and Emma Almazán of Laredo, Texas: Their History, Ancestry, and Descendants. This book won the Jim Parish Award for Documentation and Publication of Local and Regional History presented by the Webb County Heritage Foundation.

He is married to Mary Helen Lozano, originally of Monterrey, México, and has six children and seven grandchildren. ✥

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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

33rd THGH ConferenceCongratulations to the Río Grande Valley

Hispanic Genealogical Society for a most successful state conference. It is not an easy task to plan for such an event in just a year time frame, and with just a few members. Job well done!

San Antonio will be the site of the 2018 Texas Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Conference as the city of San Antonio will celebrate its 300th anniversary of the founding of San Antonio. ✥

And The Winner Is...Santiago Escobedo is the winner of the

Libros de Los Entierros: Iglesia Parro-quial de Monterrey 1668-1773, Volumes 1 & 2.

FacebookLos Bexareños Genealogical and

Historical Society is on Facebook. This is another way we can communicate with our members and the public. If you have photos or comments, please contact Anthony Delgado at

[email protected]

Anthony is open to any suggestions and ideas that might improve the LBGHS Facebook page. ✥

LBGHS WebsiteVisit the Los Bexareños Genealogical

and Historical Society WEBSITE. The website contains the Society’s governing documents, membership form, publi-cations, queries, pedigree charts, extrac-tions, and information on the Resource Center & Library. Because many of you requested that this eMail Newsletter be on the LBGHS website, Dennis Moreno has now included a page where you can view previous eMail Newsletters. The URL for the LBGHS website is

http://www.losbexarenos.org.If you have questions or comments,

please contact Dennis Moreno at

[email protected] is open to any suggestions and

ideas that might improve the website. ✥

In MemoriamOn behalf of Los Bexareños Genealogi-

cal and Historical Society, I would like to extend our sympathies to the families of LBGHS members, Guadalupe “Lupe” Martínez and José and Mary Tovares. Their contributions to their families, country, community, and Los Bexareños set a standard for many to follow. May they rest in peace. ✥

—Ed Mata, PresidentLos Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society

[email protected]

Messagefrom the

President’sDesk

Familylike branches on a tree

we all grow in differentdirections, yet our roots remain as one

—Author Unknown

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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

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.

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

University of Texas at BrownsvilleWe are making a call for articles, in either English or Spanish, on

all aspects of Río Grande Valley history or genealogy, concerning either or both sides of the river, for upcoming books in the University of Texas ongoing series of books on Valley history.

Please submit articles by e-mail attachment to Milo Kearney at [email protected] in Microsoft.Word, Times New Roman, with 14-font text and 12-font quotes and end notes, single-spaced. Articles can be short or up to 40 or so pages, if the subject matter warrants. Please also feel free to call Milo Kearney with any questions at (210) 561-1608.

—Milo Kearney

Announcements

The Little River That Wouldn't Run StraightMilo Kearney will be giving a reading and book signing of The Little River That Wouldn't Run Straight: A Children's History of the San Antonio River (The Arnulfo Oliveira Literary Society Press) at The Twig Book Shop ~ 200 E. Grayson Street, Suite 124 ~ San Antonio, TX 78215 on Saturday morning, November 3rd, at 10:00 a.m. His book

San Antonio's Churches (Arcadia Press) came out last January and is on sale at Barnes and Noble and the Twig.

—Milo Kearney

María, Daughter of Immigrants

I do want to tell you that my book, María, Daughter of Immigrants is out.  I not only told short stories about my family, as you suggest, but actually wrote a book.   And this book reflects the influence in my life of a lot of people, well beyond my family. One of the individuals who I include is Fernando Rodríguez, who was one of my teachers in social justice.

At this time there are books at WINGSPRESS.COM or they are at The Twig Book Shop at the Pearl Complex.

—María Antonietta Berriozábal

The Little River That Wouldn’t Run Straight

A Child’s Story of the San Antonio River

written and illustrated by Milo Kearney

Arnulfo L Oliveira Literary Society Press

GLORIA CADENA GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL

SCHOLARSHIP FUND

You are invited and encouraged to make a donation to the Gloria Cadena Genealogical and Historical Scholarship Fund. Los Bexareños will award scholarships to students who are or will be attending an accredited college/university. They will be chosen based on their ability to produce a four generation pedigree chart which is accom-panied with an essay of their ancestors.

Los Bexareños is trying to get young people involved in genealogy. They want to encourage students to embrace their culture and heritage. The sacrifices their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc. must should not be forgotten. The younger generations need to be encouraged to retell the stories their ancestors handed down throughout the ages. ✥

Please make your donation to the LBGHS Scholarship Fund and send your check to:

LOS BEXARENOS PO BOX 1935 SAN ANTONIO TX 78297-1935

BOOK SALES COMMITTEEAT THE NOVEMBER 3RD LBGHS MEETING there will be four new books

for sale: two on Roma, Texas; one on Eagle Pass, Texas; and, one on Saltillo, Coahuila, México.

To give those who did not attend the 33rd State Conference the same consideration, all books, including the new ones, will be $5.00 off. ✥

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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

SAN JUAN CEMETERYBEXAR COUNTY, TEXAS

" The historic San Juan Cemetery seldom has burials. There is no room for additional graves to be dug. Rebecca Stuart Montez (Becky) states that in accordance with the wishes of the families of those already interred there, only direct descendants are now buried at San Juan. The recently deceased are buried on top of their ancestors. " The website FIND A GRAVE.COM lists 192 intern-ments, while other sites have 300. In 1994, members of Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society undertook the task of mapping and surveying the cemetery. The Bexareños that volunteered their time in this endeavor were: Mickey Killian, Robert García, Gilbert and Yolanda Patiño, Larry and Yolanda Kirk-patrick, and Dennis Moreno. The information they gathered is available in Volume One of the San Antonio Genealogical and Historical Society’s Cemeteries of Bexar County. It can be found and used in the Texana/Genealogy Department of the Central San Antonio Public Library. " The cemetery is located on Graf Road between South Presa Street and the railroad tracks. The date of its beginning is unclear. It is clear that the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad opened the Bergs Mill depot in 1885. It no longer exists. In an attached photo you can see the adjacent railroad tracks.

The main gate is unlocked and the site can be visited without an appointment. Ms. Montez invites anyone interested to attend the All Souls Day ceremony at 6:00 p.m. on November 2nd. The cemetery is illuminated by candles on that evening. She recommends bringing a flashlight because there are no electric lights. For further information please call Becky at (210) 300-2359. ✥

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GUEST SPEAKERMr. William Bowlin is a history teacher for the Edgewood Independent School District, and he

is an adjunct instructor at St. Philip's College. He has a passion for history, especially for the birth of the United States and the critical involvement of New Spain.

In the late 1700s, it could be said that England was the most formidable military country in the world. The fledging militias of the Thirteen Colonies seemed to be doomed from the beginning of the Revolutionary War. All they had going for them was their patriotism and sheer will to become independent. Then France decided to aid the young Thirteen Colonies, but even this did not seem to be enough.

Spain comes to the aid by not allowing the British Navy to take control of the Gulf Coast and the Mississippi River. This surely would have cut off all supply routes. More importantly, this would have allowed the British Army to surround General George Washington and his troops, as Britain was already in control of the entire Atlantic Coast and southern Canada along the Saint Lawrence River and the Great Lakes.

" The Spanish military leader and colonial administrator/governor of Louisiana and Cuba, Bernardo de Gálvez y Madrid, aided the Thirteen Colonies in their quest for independence and led Spanish forces against Britain in the Revolutionary War, defeating the British at the SIEGE OF PENSACOLA (1781) and reconquering Florida for Spain. ✥

HISTORIANNorberto Martínez, the current LBGHS Historian, is getting ready to retire from this position.

President Ed Mata is searching for someone to volunteer to be the next LBGHS Historian. We need volunteers. Mr. Martínez has agreed to stay on until the next historian is appointed. He will assist the new historian in any way he can. ✥

HOSPITALITY COMMITTEETHANK YOU to the Hospitality Committee, Gloria , Louis and Sandra Benavides, and the donations (pan dulce, homemade

cookies, and other delicious treats) from Elsie Adams, José Hernández, Ernesto Menchaca, and Mary Esther Zahradnick. ✥

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 October MeetingSpain and the Thirteen Colonies

L-R: Walter Herbeck, Gilbert Patiño, Dennis Moreno, and

Socorro Morales enjoy a good conversation and camaraderie

after the LBGHS meeting.

Former LBGHS President Eliseo Martínez visits with

other LBGHS members.

Mr. William Bowlin uses Spain and the American Revolution to teach his history students about

New Spain’s critical involvement in forming the United States.

Vice President, J.J. Zavala, presents a Los Bexareños certificate of appreciation to Mr. Bowlin

for a job well done.

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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

OUR STORIES - OUR PERSPECTIVESOUR FAMILY STORIES AS ONLY WE CAN ARTICULATE THEM

Continued on page 7

Decorated Army Officer was also Historian of Los Ojuelos, TX

When Lt. Col. Guadalupe (Lupe) Martínez graduated from the fifth grade at the Las Madres Obreras Catholic School in Laredo and moved to a public school, they placed him in the first grade because he only spoke Spanish. They quickly moved him to the second grade, but only because the chairs in the first grade room were too small for him. Despite this early attempt to hold him back, Martínez went on to success in three different careers—as a highly decorated army officer serving in four conflicts, an elementary school principal in San Antonio, and a noted historian, genealogist, and author—where he ex-celled in each.

Born during a rare snowstorm in Laredo, Texas, on 28 Dec 1925, to Agapito Ezequiel Martínez, an auto mechanic, and his wife, Nidia Laurel, Martínez was named after his father's father, also Guadalupe Martínez, who had passed away the day before. Martínez grew up with his parents and two younger sisters, Irma (Smith) and Olga (Kelly), in Benavides, Laredo, Los Ojuelos, and other small towns in south Texas, moving as his father got various

jobs as a mechanic or worked in the then burgeoning oil field boom. For a while Martínez' family relied on relatives for support while Agapito lived at the Woodman of the World Tuberculosis Hospital in San Antonio.

When Agapito's brother, Espiridión Martínez, noticed that the young Lupe had begun hanging out with local hooligans, he helped the family move to San Antonio, where Martínez, still two years “behind” in age, started high school with his two sisters at Fox Tech. It was 1943.

In addition to doing well in math and science classes at Fox Tech, Lupe soon became the drum major of the band. The football coach spotted him one day and tried to recruit him to the team because of his six-foot height.

“After getting knocked out after two practice plays, the coach let me go back to band,” said Martínez in an interview with his family.

Military CareerMartínez talked about his military

career in an interview in November of

2011 as part of the Veteran's History Project with the Library of Congress.

After one semester of high school at Fox Tech, when Martínez turned 18, with a year and a half left to go in high school, his number came up in the draft lottery. He took the draft notice to the school.

“The dean of boys said, ‘I can get you a deferment,'” recalls Martínez, dressed in full Army blues for the interview with the volunteer court reporter. “I said, ‘No,…I just want to get it over with.' So I went into the service without finishing high school, which was a big mistake.”

Enlisting as a private, he was first assigned as a bugler when the assign- ing officer saw his experience in band. “The bugler also is in charge of the radio in the unit and carrying messages for the company commander,” explained Martínez. “But when I got my unit assignment, they already had a bugler, so that was the end of my bugle career.”

Attached to the 7th Army as part of the 20th Armored Division, he shipped out of New Bedford, Massachusetts and over to the European theatre. There, he was part of a group of units, the 45th and 42nd Divisions, that liberated Dachau Concentration Camp. “My job was taking the airfield in nearby Munich,” said Martínez.

September 29, 2012

Here is the story I wrote; not the one in the Express-News. (The moral of the story: we must write our own histories.)

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Back in the States after the end of WWII, Martínez became an acting supply sergeant, but was denied a promotion three times because he had not finished high school. So at 20 years old, with an honorable discharge, he returned to Fox Tech, hoping to enroll in trade classes for mechanics or auto repair. A counselor and math teacher, however, urged him to consider college, so he did.

With the GI Bill, Martínez was able to attend St. Mary's University in San Antonio. He, along with 50 other WW II veterans, were able to afford an education previously out of reach for most of them. Martínez excelled in Physics and Math. Meanwhile, he also enrolled in ROTC.

In 1952, Martínez received a commission as a First Lieutenant, and by June he was recalled to active duty to serve in the Korean War. Two classes short, he did not finish his bachelor's degree.

In 1954, after his return from Korea, he married his long-time sweetheart, Aída G. Martínez, daughter of Roberto E. Martínez, a printer with the San Antonio Express-News, and Ana González Martínez. Mr. Martínez met Ms. Martínez years earlier at a dance social. “She picked me because I was tall enough,” said Martínez.

Still a Lieutenant in the Army, Martínez and his new wife began a series of postings that would have them crisscrossing the Atlantic. Their first daughter, Laurel Anne, was born in Germany; the second, Marissa, was born in Oklahoma; and the third, Priscilla, was born in San Antonio. They had a second posting to Germany, then re-turned to the states while Martínez was sent to the conflict in the Dominican Republic.

In both the Korean War, where he had been attached to a Columbian unit as part of the United Nations Forces, and in the Dominican Republic, he was able to excel because he was bilingual with English and Spanish.

The family moved to North Carolina with an expectation he would retire from there. However, the Army asked him to serve one final tour of duty in Vietnam, which he did.

Despite being out on the front lines gathering daily field information, Martínez returned home safely. “Four wars, and I didn't get hit once,” said Martínez. “I'm pretty lucky.” He was also highly decorated, receiving the Bronze Star three times, twice with distinction and once with valor.

After retiring out of Fort Sam Houston in 1970 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Martínez went back to school again. “I had spent much of my military career teaching. I thought I would try that,” said Martínez.

Career in EducationBefore leaving the military, Martínez

had managed to complete his Bachelor's degree at Campbell College in North Carolina. After retiring, he was ac-cepted to Trinity University in their education department, again making use of his GI Bill benefit.

"My goal was to be the first bilingual counselor in the Northeast School District," said Martínez. One of his professors was the superintendent of that district, Ivan Fitzwater. The two would often engage in spirited discus-sions in class.

"He [Fitzwater] wanted me to apply as a principal," recalled Martínez. "But I told him I wanted to have classroom experience." Plus his Master's degree was in counseling and principals re-quired a degree in administration. After two years at Clear Springs Elementary, Martínez became Assistant Principal and then acting Principal. The Superin-tendent pushed him again, so Martínez went back to school once more, this time to UTSA, where he received a Mid-Management Certificate. He was pro-moted to principal of West Avenue Elementary, the first Hispanic to hold that position in NEISD.

At West Avenue, he applied his military experience to the way he interacted with his entire staff, showing as much respect for the jobs performed by the janitorial and cafeteria staff as he

did for the teaching, counseling, and administrative staff. He was "strict, but fair" with his staff, an approach that also included students and parents.

His personal experience with entering the workforce without his high school diploma and the difference he saw to his own career trajectory as he gained more educational credentials, encouraged him to encourage others. That encouragement started with his daughters, and eventually extended to grandchildren, nephews, and nieces—in both the U.S. and México.

All told, Martínez has helped nine relatives from three generations pursue college, thus far achieving, beyond his own, a total of six bachelor degrees, two masters, and matriculating at such prestigious universities as the Massa-chusetts Institute of Technology and the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, considered the "MIT of México."

After 12 years at West Avenue, and 17 years in education, he decided to retire again. The artillery shelling from

Continued on page 8

Poster courtesy of Martínez family.

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his Army days had begun to impact his hearing. "I would speak louder, hoping the parents would speak louder to me," said Martínez. "But instead they started reporting that I was yelling at them. I decided to get out before I was fired."

AuthorBy this time, Martínez' children had

all moved out, and he and Aída settled into retirement, becoming more active in a number of nonprofits, many of which had already been a longtime presence in their lives. Martínez served as trea-surer or other officer or key member for 23 different nonprofit organizations,

all of which reflected the interests in his life: the Wolf Trail Kids Camp (helping underserved youth), Los Bexareños (a south Texas Hispanic genealogy organ-ization), and the WWII and Korean War 57th Field Artillery Battalion reunion group, among others.

With more time available, Martínez and his wife became more involved with genealogy. His interest in genealogy began with a single sheet of paper, which the family passed around, showing a single lineage back to a land grant in Texas from the King of Spain. This single sheet soon grew into an in-depth library.

Martínez learned about academic approaches to research and was soon giving talks to local and regional genealogy groups and at conferences. Once he had collected more information on his Martínez families, he started giving presentations on them as well. Eventually he began to publish his research, completing fourteen family

history collections on the various lines in his family. He also published books documenting reunions of various families including the Laurels and Guerras (his mother's line) and previous residents of Los Ojuelos, Texas.

Many considered Martínez an ex-pert on Los Ojuelos. The family photos he has represents one of the best col-lections of early residents of Los Ojuelos and documentation of unique South Texas architecture of early Spanish settlers, according to Dr. Stan Green of Texas A&M University (TAMIU) in Laredo. Martínez' book is also refer-enced as the standard of information for Los Ojuelos in the most recent Texas Land Grant Office publication of Spanish Land Grants.

This summer, Martínez completed his most recent book, a retrospective of Los Ojuelos, spurred by the dedication of a Texas State Historical marker placed in January 2012. It will be released in

early Fall 2012. With the help of his family, he was able to get preprinted title pages for the book so he could sign all the copies prior to them getting print-ed and bound.

Martínez' life is a repetition of success: from being held back in school and dropping out of high school to completing three college degrees and standing in front of the classroom as the teacher; from enlisting as a private in WWII, to enlisting in ROTC and rising through the officer ranks through four wars to retire as a Lieutenant Colonel; from having a passing interest in the origins of his family to authoring and compiling fourteen history and genea-logy books. Even with three highly successful careers, Martínez remained humble.

"I've had a good life.I hope I've made a difference."

—Marissa Martínez

His interest in genealogy began

with a single sheet of paper

…This single sheet soon grew into an in-depth library.

Phot

o cou

rtes

y of

Mar

tínez

fam

ily.

LBGHS eMail Newsletter 9 Volume 1 - Issue 6

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

1 " Dahlia GUAJARDO-CANTÚ

b.! Privatep.! Bennett Ranch, Carrizo Springs, " Dimmit, Texasm.! Privatep." Privated.p.

Spouse(s)! Tomás PALACIOS-FLORES

3 " Angelita CANTÚ-GONZÁLEZ

b.! 02 Aug 1909p.! Hacienda del Mezquital, Monterrey, " Nuevo León, Méxicod.! 13 Dec 2001p.! Simi Valley, Ventura, California

6 " Martín CANTÚ-DE LA GARZA

b.! 29 Jan 1868p.! San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, " Méxicom.! Abt 1894p.! Monterrey, Nuevo León, Méxicod.! 13 Dec 1938p.! Monterrey, Nuevo León, México

14 " J. Hesiquio GONZÁLEZ-DE LA GARZA

b.! 17 Nov 1838p.! Hacienda del Mezquital, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Méxicom.! Civil Ceremonyp.!d.!p.!

2 " Ynes GUAJARDO-SÁNCHEZ

b.! 29 Mar 1904p.! Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Méxicom.! 10 Mar 1928p.! Pearsall, Frio Texasd.! 11 Sep 1950p.! San Antonio, Bexar, Texas

5 " María Luisa SÁNCHEZ-ALEJANDRO

b.! 04 Sep 1887p.! Hacienda de Los Nogales, Sabinas " Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Méxicod.! 10 Apr 1956p.! Cotulla, La Salle, Texas

8 " J. Ynes de Jesús GUAJARDO-DE LA GARZA

b.! 20 Jan 1837p.! Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Méxicom.! 04 Feb 1860p.! Parroquia de San José, Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Méxicod.!p.!

12 " J. Mauricio CANTÚ-DE LA GARZA

b.! 21 Sep 1841p.! Estancia de los Garza, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Méxicom.! 25 May 1864p.! Parroquia de San Nicolás de Tolentino, San Nicolás de los " Garza, Nuevo León, Méxicod.! 27 Jan 1868p.! San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, México

9 " María de los Dolores JIMENES-FLORES

b.! 22 Jun 1842p.! Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Méxicod.!p.!

7 " Delfina GONZÁLEZ-VILLARREAL

b.! 24 Dec 1873p.! Hacienda del Mezquital, Monterrey, " Nuevo León, Méxicod.! 01 Jan 1958p.! Carrizo Springs, Dimmit, Texas

4 ! Alberto GUAJARDO-JIMENES

b.! 23 Dec 1880p.! Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Méxicom.! Not marriedp.!d.! Abt 1957p.! Monterrey, Nuevo León, México

10 " Marcial SÁNCHEZ-VILLARREAL

b.! 30 Apr 1862p.! Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Méxicom.!p.! Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Méxicod.! 24 Oct 1927p.! Cotulla, La Salle, Texas

11 " María Apolonia ALEJANDRO-GUAJARDO

b.! 14 Apr 1860p.! Villaldama, Nuevo León, Méxicod.! Bef 29 Mar 1904p.! Nuevo León, México

13 " María Agapita DE LA GARZA-DE LA GARZA

b.! 20 Sep 1843p.! Hacienda del Mezquital, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Méxicod.!p.!

15 " María Antonia VILLARREAL-ZAMBRANO

b.! 07 Apr 1849p.! Monterrey, Nuevo León, Méxicod.! 26 Oct 1942p.! Monterrey, Nuevo León, México

Chart No. 1

Prepared by:! Dahlia GUAJARDO-CANTÚ de Palacios09 Oct 2012! 2795 Goldfield Place! ! ! ! Simi Valley, California 93063

(805) [email protected]

Pedigree Chart forDahlia GUAJARDO-CANTÚ de Palacios Continued on Chart No. 2

Continued on Chart No. 3

Continued on Chart No. 4

Dahlia GUAJARDO-CANTÚ de Palacios has been a member of Los Bexareños Genealogical and Historical Society for the last ten years. Although she was born at the Bennett Ranch between Carrizo Springs and Eagle Pass, Texas, she is now a resident of Simi Valley, California. She is a volunteer at the Family History Center in Simi Valley and has more than 100 micro films at her disposal—primarily from México, and some from Spain. She is a valuable asset to Los Bexareños. You can view more of her Palacios-Flores pedigree chart at the LOS BEXAREÑOS WEBSITE.

If you recognize any of these family names, you may want to contact Dahlia and see if you are related. You may be able to help fill in some of the blanks in this pedigree chart (you do not have to be related). As you do your own research, you may come across some of these names. Share them with Dahlia. This is what the community of genealogy is all about—sharing information as we find it. ✥

Continued on Chart No. 5

Continued on Chart No. 6

Continued on Chart No. 7

Continued on Chart No. 8

Continued on Chart No. 9

LBGHS eMail Newsletter 10 Volume 1 - Issue 6

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

Migrating West

Why Texas? What was the attraction that pulled men like Nolan, Pike, Bowie, and Austin to the land? The answer to this question was land. With the exploration of the western lands by Lewis and Clark in the early part of the 19th century, the United States doubled in size with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The newly explored land offered the opportunity for a new start for many U.S. Citizens. Land fever gripped the country. Men from the United States saw the oppor-tunity to make money off this vast open land. The young country had been confined to an area between the Atlantic Ocean on the east and bordered on the west by the Mississippi River. Canada was to the north, and Spain held the lands to the south. However, the great prize in this purchase was control of the Mississippi River and the city of New Orleans. At the time, no one was sure if Spain would give up the regions of Louisiana

to the newly formed nation to the east. Spain was an occupied nation at the time of the purchase. Not many at this time knew, “whether Spain would respect the purchase or declare it a violation of her treaty rights.”1

Many non-Tejanos saw the chance to own land and sell it to the next person moving into the area, or to establish a new business—maybe a business supplying settlers. There were other reasons in the early 1800s for men and women to migrate westwardly into new lands. One reason was economic; people left the United States to escape financial debts due to bad crops, ruined businesses, or loss of property.

In 1811, a very strange phenomena oc-curred along the Missouri territory. An earthquake occurred of such a large magnitude that the Mississippi River tem-porarily changed its course northward. So the quest for new land and the promise of plantations, slaves, and wealth drew men not only to Louisiana, but Texas as well. In 1813,

all the characters and materials came together in Texas, as a deflated Spanish Royalist Army marched from the Mexican interior to meet the eager, ambitious American adventurers in the live oaks of Medina, Texas. ✥

1 Remini, Robert V. Andrew Jackson and the course of American Empire, 1761-1821. (Harper & Row, 1977), p.126.

—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 part four of a series of articles from a presentation, “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.

Part 4

Battle of Medina ReenactmentThe reenactment of the Battle of Medina will be held at the Southside High School football stadium on Saturday, November 10, 2012.

The school is located at 1460 Martínez Losoya Road (at Highway 281 South). Volunteers are asked to be on the football field at 10:30 a.m. for rehearsal. Participants are asked to wear 1813 attire. Examples of costumes are available on my Facebook page or you may call Star Line Costumes at (210) 435-3535.

Mr. Bill Millet, a PBS documentarian who is currently filming “Texas Before the Alamo,” will be there to film the reenactment. I have been with Mr. Millet at Guerrero, Coahuila, México to film portions of the documentary. “Texas Before the Alamo” will be released on April 6, 2013.

We also have permission to film on the Toudouze Ranch, which is only a mile from the football stadium. After the reenactment at the high school, we will film at the ranch where it will appear more realistic. This is an opportunity of a lifetime. The Battle of Medina will get the recognition it deserves, and it will be seen by a national audience.

—Dan Arellano, PresidentBattle of Medina [email protected]

(512) 826-7569

—————⚑⚑⚑⚑⚑⚑⚑—————

LBGHS eMail Newsletter 11 Volume 1 - Issue 6

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

It is good to grieve when someone close to us passes on. We “miss” them, and it hurts. However, if we “think” of them and the precious moments we shared together, more often than not it makes us smile.

We first met Lupe and Aída in 2005, when we took a bus trip to Saltillo, Coahuila, México with Los Bexareños. We had just joined this genealogy group, and we were a little apprehensive not knowing what we were getting into. Lupe instinctively noticed and took us under his wing, and he said, “Everything is going to be all right. You two are going to be a good addition to Los Bexareños.” He observed that Luis was taking pictures, and Lupe gave him a little bit of advise, “Take photographs of doors. Later, you will understand.”

Lupe and Aída loved to dance. Their longtime friends, Richard and Anna Morales, would visit from Houston, Texas and stay at the Martínez household. Apparently, this was an annual event where they would attend a gala and dance the night away. We were doing family research on Luis’ paternal side, and we found out that Richard Morales and Luis’ father, Louis Morales, were first cousins! Lupe and Aída and Richard and his sister, Blanca, knew each other since high school. Well, this opened up doors to a whole new branch of the Morales family tree! Immediately, Lupe and Aída started helping us with our Morales research which took us back to Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. Richard Morales passed away a few months before Lupe. We like to think they are teaching the angels a few dance steps.

Paraphrasing our First Lady, When the door of opportunity opens and you go through it, don’t slam it shut behind you. Reach back and help someone by giving them the same chances that helped you succeed. This is the character of Mr. Lupe Martínez.

We miss you Lupe, and it hurts. But when we think of you and photograph yet another door, we smile. We see all the doors you opened and all the people you helped by giving them their opportunity to succeed. We can only hope to keep opening as many doors and reaching back to help someone until—like you, Richard, and all our ancestors—we open that final door. ✥

—Luis and Sylvia Morales

Dear Aída and family,I thank God for every moment I spent with Lupe. He was an amazing man, full of heart and soul, impos-sibly brilliant, exceedingly kind and very humble. See you in heaven, Uncle Lupe!Peace,

~ Bella Haines

Our deepest condolences to you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.From a Los Bexareños member,

~ Rose Alvarado & familyCA

Dear Mrs. Martínez,I am a member of Los Bexareños. I did not personal-ly know you or Mr. Martínez, but heard nothing but wonderful things about you both. Please accept my upmost condolences on the loss of your husband and know that you and your family are and will continue to remain in my prayers.

~ Sylvia Sánchez MosierSan Antonio, TX

Dear Aída,I am so sorry—you are in my thoughts and prayers. Victor and I always admired you two so much—your dedication to Los Bexareños, and the fine genealo-gical work you have done. God bless you and keep you.

~ Alex BaezAustin, TX

My deepest condolences to you, dear Aida, and to your daughters. I am in France now, but will write to you as soon as I return. Know that I'm thinking of all of you with love and sympathy.

~ Irma Cantú JonesSan Diego, CA

Mrs. Martínez,I had the privilege of interacting with your husband on several occasions while a member and officer of "Los Bexareños." His personal demeanor was

nothing less than exemplary. On several occasions he went out of his way to thank me personally for volunteering freely to serve as an officer of the organization. My deepest condolences to you and your family on your loss.

~ C. RoblesSan Antonio, TX

Dearest Aída and Family,Please accept our condolences in behalf of the Villa San Agustín de Laredo Genealogical Society and ourselves, Freddy and Elisa Gutiérrez. We became friends because of our families, genealogy, and our love of history. He was a brilliant man with a heart of gold. He cared about the true history of our ancestors. We will miss him but will always keep him in our thoughts and prayers. For Aída, we send our Love and our spirit to be with you by your side since we cannot attend the services. May Eternal Light Shine Upon Him. We send our Love,

~ Freddy and Elisa GutiérrezVSALGS

Laredo, TX

In Memory of ...Genealogists never die; they simply join their ancestors to create stronger roots.

In Memory of

Guadalupe A. MartínezDecember 28, 1925 - September 20, 2012

LBGHS eMail Newsletter 12 Volume 1 - Issue 6

33rd Annual Texas HispanicGenealogical and Historical Conference

! THE RÍO GRANDE VALLEY HISPANIC GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY hosted the 33rd Annual Texas Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Conference from October 11, 2012 — October 14, 2012, at the Hilton Garden Inn at South Padre Island, Texas. Wow! It was a great conference! RGVHGS president, Ofelia Olsson, her administration, and all the volunteers need to be congratulated for a well organized and wonderful conference at a beautiful location.

" On Thursday, the bus tour took us to the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and to the Music and History Museums of San Benito and then to History of México and Mankind Mural at Centennial Park. We had a delicious lunch at Los Norteños Restaurant. After a quick rest, we then had a romantic sunset dinner cruise. When we returned to the hotel, we were greeted by Mariachis and a margarita welcome reception.

" On Friday and Saturday, we had exceptional speakers. The Friday evening Banquet was sold out. The keynote speaker was Mr. Bill Millet, PBS director and producer of Texas Before The Alamo. Mr. Millet caught the attention of everyone in the banquet hall as he described the PBS docu-mentary which is scheduled to air in April 2013. The documentary tells the story of Texas and the Álamo as seen through the eyes of Spanish Captain Diego Ramón long before the Battle of the Álamo in 1835 and the second independence of Texas in 1836.

" Late in the evenings we unwound with relaxing poolside entertainment: on Friday with the music of Carlos Cañas; and on Saturday with the music of the FLAMENCO QUARTET FROM SAN BENITO HIGH SCHOOL.

" Below are a few photos from the conference. You can see more pictures at the LOS BEXAREÑOS FACEBOOK PAGE. ✥

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

Photos by: Luis Morales

LBGHS eMail Newsletter 13 Volume 1 - Issue 6

November 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 2012

November 03! Los Bexareños membership meeting - San Antonio, TX! Native American Genealogy Research - San Antonio, TX

November 04! Remember to set your clocks back one hour!

November 10! Battle of Medina Reenactment - San Antonio, TX

November 17! Historic Morning Tour of Laredo - Laredo, TX

November 22! Happy Thanksgiving to Los Bexareños Members and Friends and their families!

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 3LBGHS Meeting9:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24LBGHS

Resource Center10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

25 26 27 28 29 30

DaylightSavings Time(… fall backward)

Happy

Thanksgiving

F

D A Gs Native AmericanGenealogy Research

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

VSALGSNovember Tour9:15 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

LBGHSResource Center

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

Battle of MedinaReenactment

10:30 a.m.

LBGHSResource Center

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

Su Voz

Veteran’sDay

Día de losMuertos

LBGHS eMail Newsletter 14 Volume 1 - Issue 6

Message from the Editor

From Around The StateAustin :!! ! News from Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin Corpus Christi :! ! News from Spanish American Genealogical Association (SAGA) Dallas : ! ! ! News from HOGAR de Dallas Harlingen :! ! News from Río Grande Valley Hispanic Genealogical Society Houston : ! ! News from Hispanic Genealogy Society of Houston Laredo : ! ! ! News from Villa de San Agustín - Laredo Genealogy Society San Elizario :! ! News from San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society

This section is dedicated to our sister Hispanic Genealogy Societies throughout the State. Just click on the blue link and it will take you to their website or Facebook. ✥

Our hearts, prayers, and thoughts go out to the families and friends of members of the Los Bexareños who recently passed away. In this issue we paid tribute to Guadalupe “Lupe” Martínez; in the next issue we will pay tribute to José and Mary Tovares. They will be missed. ¡Que Descansen en Paz! ✥

——— ❧❧❧❧❧ ———We want to personally thank President Ed Mata for encouraging us to publish a

monthly eMail newsletter. It is through his leadership and guidance that we were able to accomplish this new LBGHS endeavor.

“Thank You” to all of you who are sending us emails. Your wonderful and generous comments mean so much to us.

“Thank You” to all of you who sent us articles. Without your contributions there wouldn’t be much of a newsletter. “Telling Our Stories” is a big hit. Our stories are important, and we hope you will continue to send us the stories of your ancestors.

“Thank You” to all of you who are willing to share your research with us. This will help others who are doing the same research — they could be your cousins!

“Thank You” to all of you who have critiqued us. Your suggestions and ideas are invaluable to making this newsletter more appealing to our readers.

“Thank You” to our “first readers” who volunteer so much of their time to methodically check the grammar, spelling, punctuation, and minor errors. Their efforts help make this a more professional eMail newsletter. ✥

—Sylvia Morales

Happy Thanksgiving!

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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Needed to read this Newsletter in PDF

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 print- ed family story you can share with your descendants. ✥

! You can send your comments and suggested articles to the editor (no later than the 15th of the month)

Sylvia Morales3543 Byron St

San Antonio, TX 78247-3193

(210) 494-7932 or (210) 291-7702

[email protected](preferred method of communication)