Some time back this book was posted at the We Are Cousins group “Herencia Mestena Un Reencuentro con la historia del rancho San Rafael de las Tortillas Guerrero, Tamaulipas”. I did not think much about it since I had not come across any genealogical information about my family in regards to this ranch/town.
Months latter while talking to my uncle Adolfo Garza he told me that after he graduated as a teacher in Ciudad Victoria his first job was at El Rancho de las Tortilla. He stated that it was back in the 1970’s and that he was there teaching for about four years. He also mentioned that he loved the community and that at the time there where over 60 families. This conversation reminded me of the book and thus I found it at my local library. It contained a list of teachers but I did not find my uncle listed there. It seems that he was left out and have no idea why.
If you have any ties to this ranch I highly recommend this book to you. It is full of history and also genealogical information. The family tree starts with Jacinto de la Pena (1694 – 1734) and Ana Maria Guajardo Gutierrrez de Castro (1698 – 1769).
Image of partial cover of book “Herencia Mestena Un Reencuentro con la historia del rancho San Rafael de las Tortillas Guerrero, Tamaulipas”:
The book includes the Following contents:
Introduccion
Capitulo Primero
- La Cuenca del Rio Salado
Capitulo Segundo
- Los Primeros Habitantes
Capitulo Tercero
- Las Fundaciones
1. Primeros lntentos
2. Los Reales de Minas
3. La Colonizacion en Tamaulipas
4. Estancias Ganaderas
5. Las Misiones o Doctrinas
6. Los Presidios
7. Las Ventas o Estancias
Capitulo Cuarto
- La Fundacion de la Villa de Revilla
Capitulo Quinto
- La Mision y la Iglesia
Capitulo Sexto
- Al Ranchito de mis Suenos
Capitulo Septima
- El Origen de los Terrenos
Capitulo Octavo
- Una Pagina Regional en la Historia de la Independencia
Capitulo Noveno
- Aquellos Tiempos!
- La Fiesta Principal
- Los Maestros de la Escuela del Rancho
- Las Bodas
- La Elaboracion de Colchas
- Los Caminos y las Veredas
- Las Procesiones
- Las Enfermedades
- El Luto
- Mi Tio Rafaelito
- Notas Curiosas
Capitulo Decimo
- Los Arboles Genealogicos
- Bibliografia
The only unfortunate thing is that this book is very rare and if not available for sale. The only way that I was able to read it was by borrowing it from my local university.
Where to get a copy:
- UTPA – University of Texas Pan American (View Availability)
- WorldCat.org – Find book in a library near you. Check Now.
Hope that this book helps you out on your genealogical research.
hello,
My mother Irene Reyna Salinas just passed away on Oct 24, 2019 and I remember she had the book but now I can not find the book in her things. My grandmother was Maria de Jesus delaPena de Salinas born in Hebbronville Texas in 1901. How can I get a book? I am just now beginning my family tree and have cousins who explained the lineage to me as phenomenal.. Thank you.
PS I am actually in the book: Angeli Reyna married to Luis Hernandez, shows one child born in 1989.
My sincerest sympathies for your loss. At the moment I do not know where you may obtain a copy of the book. Next time I see the author I will ask if he has more copies.
Oh my word, so happy I found this information! My husband’s grandma is from the Ranch (that’s what the family refers to it as.) She’s a Benavides Rendón, with other names common to the area woven throughout the tree.
There is also another book that my father in law has that was given to him by his father. He purchased it when visiting many years ago. It also has history of San Rafael and El Rancho de las Tortillas. The title is “San Rafael de las Tortillas: Una flor sobre el río Salado” by Jesús Osiris Morales and Celso Garza Guajardo. It is very hard to find but can be checked out of several libraries in Texas, one being the Laredo Public Library. The others I believe are in bigger cities, D.C. and oddly enough, Michigan. It may be a good addition to the book you’ve recommended.
I had never heard of that book, I will try and find a copy. Thanks for your comment.
I have recently found the birth certificate of an ancestor born at Rancho de las Tortillas. How can I learn more about the Arzola family who lived there? Are there parish census records to see how long they lived there? Thanks!
Can’t remember but I think it belonged to the Jurisdiction of Mier. So look for records there if not then look in Revilla/Guerrero.