Perhaps, the best I may recommend is taking an interpreter, maybe a
relative or a friend who speaks spanish, with you. Something that I
want to add about the phone calls, well, I don't know if this applies
to all ranchos in Jalisco, but I believe that in some small pueblos
people may be suspicious about giving information to a stranger on
the phone. Joseph, can you tell us if you have had people reluctant
or even hostile while asking for their ancestors' info? The idea of
calling people is acceptable, but I would rather go to the pueblo and
talk to the posible primos in person. Well that is my opinion based
on my own experience. I grew up in Zacoalco and noticed that
Jaliscienses (or jalisquillos as we are sometimes called), are at
first a little bit suspicious of foreigners but as we get to know
them, we are friendly to everyone. Some americans and italians living
in the area visit my parents' restaurant every once in a while and
even though my dad does not speak any english or italian, he always
tries to be the best host he can be.
Steve
--- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, craigtwatson@a... wrote:
> What can be done about those that don't speak the language? I am
such a
> person. It will be difficult to research the family by making
calls etc. Even
> if I visited the parish where my greatgrandfather attended, I
wouldn't be
> able to ask to see burial records, grave records, christenings'
etc.
>
> Irene Garrett Watson
|