Trip to Jalisco & Zacatecas

Arturo Ramos wrote:

<Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2005 04:01:44 -0000 From: "Arturo Ramos" arturo.ramos2@...

<Subject: Trip to Jalisco, Zacatecas

<I will be spending about three weeks this December and January in Jalisco and Zacatecas and am hoping to make it to the parrishes in Colotlan and ,

Tlaltenango, perhaps Atolinga as well as the archives in Guadalajara...

<Question... has anyone ever asked to see the actual books held at the parrishes? I am thinking of asking to photograph some of them, but don't know how well that would go over. Any tips would be appreciated. I am also going to try to do an interview with Esteban Valdes Salazar who has published some very good genealogy and history books on Totatiche. He is the local "cronista" and has obviously spent lots of time pouring over old archival documents, including the transcription of the 1591 census of Tlaxcaltec migrants to Colotlan and the entire 1770 Totatiche census (over 3000 names). So if there are any questions anyone would like to ask, please let me know.>...................................................

Hi Arturo! I just now had time to try to catch up on my e-mail (Mickey Garcia and I were in Monclova, MX for a few days) and just read the above message you sent a few weeks ago. You mention that you are going to try to interview Esteban Valdes Salazar while you are in Mexico during December and January. I am researching the Valdes line but so far all I know is that they were in Brownsville, TX in the early 1900s and before that they were in Matamoros, Tamps., MX. in the mid 1800s. I do not know where they were before they went to Tamaulipas. If you do talk to Mr. Valdes, would you please ask him if any of his Valdes' went north to Tamaulipas, and, if so, when and where? I really appreciate it!

When I have gone to parishes in Mexico they usually do not let us see the actual books.......,USUALLY.....but sometimes you might luck out and see the book IF you are lucky! You just never know! If you can establish a good rapport with the cronista perhaps he can open a few doors for you......Then again, sometimes the secretary or receptionist will bring the book to you to see at her desk. I have seen this done too. When I was in Monterrey last year I used my digital camera to take photos of an index in one of the books they had containing baptismal records. I did not use the flash and the results were great. Most places do not allow you to use the flash on the digital camera. We have found that if you take a few "goodies" such as ball point pens, tablets, paper, folders, etc. that they can use......this will also open a few doors for you. Generally the archives are not as well equiped with supplies as we are here in the US. I have been to great archivos that do not even have a computer or printer! They welcome any supplies we take! .........No, this is not considered a "mordida" or bribe.... :-) .........it is just a way to show our appreciation for what they help us with. Of course we always offer to pay for any copies, etc. and this is usually a very reasonable amount.

Good luck on your venture.......take lots of pictures........we will be waiting to hear all about your trip!

Buena suerte,

Josie Trevino Trevino in San Antonio, TX