Atotonilco el Alto, Jalisco

["canprin" <canprin@...>]

Dear Group--

I have early records and later records of all sorts for Atotonilco el 
Alto.  My husband's family was there for many generations.  I have a 
good index of over 11,000 names and various other files as 
well.  I go once a week to research and help others in the local 
Family History Center.  Usually I am the only one there because it is 
such a small place.  If you have names you would like me to look up, 
send me as much information as possible.  I will do my best.  I like 
to help people and if I find something, I will research it to its 
conclusion.

When I first started, I looked at some file cards in the FHC and saw 
that one said Atotonilco el Filto.  My husband had told me that there 
was more than one Atotonilco and that I must only search for 
Atotonilcoe el Alto.  After awhile, I found that the Altotonilco el 
Filto was my Atotonilco el Alto but the person who had written the 
file card couldn't read the original Spanish.  I do know that 
Atotonilco el Bajo is not mine nor even close to where I am 
researching.  

If I were to see records and all they had on them was 
Atotonilco, I would research them.  It might be what I need.  Most of 
my husband's family were born in little ranchos and not in 
the municipio which was Atotonilco el Alto.  The records are in the 
municipio but the ranchos have names like Milpillas, Santa Elena, San 
Joaquin, Margaritas, etc. and that is what I pay special attention 
to.  Remember for me, the most important factor in researching is 
location, location, location.  

My families stayed in certain ranchos and mostly didn't move much.  
But then again sometimes they did.  After you have researched for a 
time, you get a feel for the land and you can tell if the person in 
question is yours or not...even when they start changing their names 
and using completely different SURNAMES!

The best reason to have a group to help you, is that you can't 
usually do all the work all by yourself...at least I can't.  Also 
because our ancestors did move and sometimes get lost to view, when 
you are looking in what should surely be the right spot and can't 
find anything, someone else will find them or a relative in a 
completely different place and soon you will be able to start 
researching for a whole new part of your tree.

So here I am, it is Tuesday and my day for the library is Thursday.  
Send me your names and I will check here at home and also at the 
FHC.  

                          Sincerely,
                   Patricia Diane Godinez