Good morning
I'm hoping you can help me understand the history of the traditions
of baptisms in Jalisco during the 1700's.
During that period they are still listing nationalities for people
and I've noticed that many Indios and Mulato's are baptized by
Espanoles who frequently have Don and Dona in front of their names..
A majority of the Indios and Mulato's do not live in the major towns
but seem to be in Barrios or Haciendas, Estancias or Ranchos. Many
of the Espanoles have double surnames. I'm under the impression that
many Indios and Mulato's took the surname of the Espanol that owned
the land the workers lived on. I don't see how the Espanoles would
have known all these workers who's babies they baptized.. did they
do mass baptisms or was it the 'responsibility' of the patron or
owners to be padrinos and madrinas? Or was it considered an honor
for the babies to have Espanol padrinos? My area's of research for
these records are Atoyac, Zapotlan El Grande, Zapotiltic and
Tamazula de Gordiano Jalisco.
On a side note I'm finding many Espanol families coming into these
areas during this time period are originally from Michoacan and they
regroup once in Jalisco!
thank you for any info you can share.
Linda in Everett Wa.
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