Mexico Genealogy – Access Genealogy

Early Immigrant Inspection Along the US/Mexican Border

Sample List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the U.S. Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival

Before the late 19th century, U.S. immigration laws primarily focused on European and Asian arrivals via seaports, with limited attention to land borders. The Immigration Act of 1891 allowed for some inspections along the U.S.-Mexican Border but focused chiefly on maritime entries. By 1906, systematic inspections began at southern ports with an emphasis on enforcing Chinese exclusion laws. However, many Mexican immigrants entered without formal records, complicating statistics and highlighting a growing divide between legitimate and illegitimate entries, necessitating increased inspection efforts.

Mexican Border Arrival Records Glossary

Mexican Border Crossing in El paso Texas, 1917

The glossary outlines key terms related to the documentation of border crossings to and from Mexico. It includes definitions of Arrival Manifests, which record the legal entry of individuals, and various types of border identification cards introduced in the early 20th century. Additionally, it distinguishes between immigrant, nonimmigrant, and visa classifications based on U.S. immigration laws established in the 1920s, including quota and non-quota statuses. This framework aids researchers in understanding the complexities of historical border records.

North America Indian Names of Places in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana

The post examines the significance and origins of North American Indian place names in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana, particularly those derived from the Choctaw and Chickasaw languages. It highlights how these names reflect the rich cultural and linguistic heritage of the Native American tribes, while noting that many translations have become corrupted over time. The text provides numerous examples of place names alongside their original meanings, illustrating the deep historical connections embedded in the geography of the region.

Choctaw Traditions

The Papago tribe prophesied the return of their Messiah, Moctezuma, who would rescue them from suffering, a belief echoed in their open-door custom. The Choctaws shared unique traditions surrounding eclipses, believing them caused by a mischievous black squirrel. During eclipses, they would create loud disturbances to scare it away. Their historical mound, Nunih Waiyah, is venerated as a significant ancestral symbol, reflecting their migration story, while the Choctaws consistently asserted their origins as stemming from a distant land to the west.

Important Men of the Choctaw Indians

The Choctaw Nation has produced numerous significant figures throughout its history, notably Tush-ka Lu-sa, who valiantly defended his people against Spanish forces. While early documentation is scarce, many leaders have emerged from the 18th century onward, whose contributions to their community deserve recognition. This account aims to honor both the living and deceased Choctaw and Chickasaw men, emphasizing their dedication to improving their people’s welfare and the importance of preserving their legacies as examples for future generations.

Memoirs of the LeFlore Family

The Old Farm House: The Pioneer Home of a Choctaw Chief, Leflore, and of the Oak Hill School

The Cravat and LeFlore families are significant figures among the Choctaws. John Cravat, a Frenchman, integrated into the community through marriage, fathering notable descendants. Major Louis LeFlore and his brother Michael, also of French descent, played crucial roles in the Choctaw Nation, with Louis becoming a respected chief. Their lineage boasts influential figures, including Basil LeFlore, renowned for his moral integrity and public service. The families contributed to the cultural and historical landscape of the Choctaws, persisting as prominent citizens within the nation.

Choctaw Nation and the Greer County Dispute

The dispute over Greer County involves the Attorney General of the United States challenging Texas’s claims based on the 1819 Adams-Onís Treaty, which established boundaries between the U.S. and Spain. Despite the treaty, Texas has asserted jurisdiction over the territory in violation of U.S. treaty rights. The case seeks judicial clarification of whether the disputed land falls under U.S. or Texas authority, emphasizing historical claims stemming from significant early treaties and ongoing tensions regarding territorial rights and ownership.

Mound Builders

The post discusses the connection between ancient mounds in North America and the indigenous tribes, refuting the notion that these structures were built by a distinct race known as the Mound Builders. Evidence presented includes similarities in skull structure among various tribes and the fortified nature of their towns. Early European explorers observed these communities engaged in agriculture and crafting, challenging the idea of indigenous nomadism. The author argues that the mounds are the work of Native Americans, the true ancestors of today’s tribes, and emphasizes the importance of understanding their legacy.

Indian Mounds throughout North America

The region surrounding Lake Michigan was historically inhabited by skilled mound builders, including the Wyandots and Six Nations, who buried their deceased with treasures beneath earthen mounds. Excavations across North America, from Tennessee to Georgia, have uncovered European artifacts, suggesting cultural exchanges with early explorers. Similarities in mound structures and burial practices link the mound builders to contemporary Native American tribes. Mounds served varied purposes, including memorials and fortifications, reflecting the complex social practices of these ancient communities throughout the continent.

The Discovery Of This Continent: It’s Results To The Natives

In 1470, Christopher Columbus married Dona Felipa, daughter of a renowned navigator, and settled in Porto Santo, where they shared dreams of discovering lands to the West. Their ambitions fueled Columbus’s determination, leading to his 1492 voyage that resulted in the European discovery of the Americas. However, this event marked the beginning of devastation for native peoples, introducing warfare, disease, and colonization that would decimate their populations and cultures, ultimately transforming their rich, diverse societies into shadows of their former selves.

General History of the Western Indian Tribes 1851-1870 – Indian Wars

From 1851, vast territories east of the Rockies were designated as Indian Territory, where numerous tribes roamed. The discovery of gold in California sparked emigration, leading to treaties that confined tribes like the Cheyennes and Arapahoes to specific areas while promising annual payments. Tensions escalated, culminating in the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864, followed by ongoing conflicts. By 1868, efforts to negotiate peace resulted in treaties relocating tribes to reservations, as Indian populations dwindled and government policies shifted to assert control and promote their civilization.

Narrative of the Captivity of John Ortiz – Indian Captivities

Early Indian Wars in Florida

Prior to English settlement in North America, the Spanish and French made multiple attempts to colonize Florida, beginning with Juan Ponce de Leon’s explorations in 1512. These expeditions often resulted in confrontations with Native Americans and failure, exemplified by the disastrous missions of Hernando de Soto and others. Despite some initial friendly relations, the Spanish ultimately faced fierce resistance, leading to their eventual retreat. The arrival of French settlers introduced further conflict, culminating in the brutal expulsion of the French by Spanish forces and the tragic events surrounding their attempts to establish a foothold in Florida.

Ouray, Chief of the Ute

Chief Ouray, born in 1833, led the Ute Tribe with a strong commitment to maintaining peace with white settlers. Despite occasional conflicts, he prioritized diplomacy and control within his tribe. Notably, he intervened during hostile actions against settlers, exemplifying his leadership and desire for coexistence. Ouray’s personal life was marked by deep ties to his heritage and a dedication to Christian values. He played a crucial role in surrendering those responsible for violence against settlers and was well-regarded by both his people and the early Colorado community until his death in 1881.

Biographical Sketch of Asa Thomas Weeks

Asa Thomas Weeks, born on March 1, 1859, in La Honda, attended local schools before venturing into mining in Idaho in 1881, where he built a notable residence. His journey continued in Alaska, where he also served as a United States Commissioner for three years. After a five-year stint in the lumber industry in Pescadero, he returned to mining in Mexico. Weeks eventually married Elma Chandler and transitioned to successful farming and stock raising in Pescadero.

Biography of Major Bert Johnson

Major Bert Johnson of Montara has played a pivotal role in the development of San Mateo County over the past three years as president of the San Mateo County Development Association and chairman of the advisory road commission. He has devoted himself to civic duties, temporarily sidelining personal interests to advance county projects. His leadership has gained recognition, and he has overseen significant infrastructure funding. Born in Iowa in 1874, Johnson has resided in San Mateo County for eight years and is actively involved in various business ventures.

Antiquities of Mexico

The antiquities of Mexico reflect the advanced civilization of its ancient populations, evidenced by numerous ruins and relics from powerful societies encountered by Spanish conquerors. Despite the destruction of many artifacts and edifices, significant structures, such as the pyramids of Teotihuacan and Cholula, remain. Exceptional architectural feats, like Xochicalco and Uxmal, showcase sophisticated construction and artistic mastery, with intricate carvings and monumental designs. The remnants speak to a vibrant culture rich in arts, sciences, and resilient societal systems that persisted long before European contact.

The Native American Holocaust

Following the Spanish arrival in 1519, Mexico’s indigenous population faced devastating declines due to European diseases, particularly smallpox, which ravaged Tenochtitlan. Cocoliztli, a lethal hemorrhagic fever affecting highland populations, exacerbated this crisis, killing 85% of those in the Mexican highlands during the 1545 epidemic, with a second outbreak in the 1570s claiming half the remaining survivors. While evidence suggests a depopulation in the Southern Highlands, the exact cause remains uncertain, as diseases impacted these areas differently than others in Mexico. The cumulative effect left a drastically diminished indigenous gene pool.

Mexican Native Americans

By around 900 AD, three prominent cultural centers—the Toltec capital of Tula, a trade city in Georgia, and a canal-based settlement in Florida—had emerged, yet all declined by 1150 AD. The Itza Maya, ruling from Chichen Itza during their Golden Era, may have been of non-Maya descent, evidenced by their distinct language. Concurrently, the Kusa tribe in the Southeastern U.S. grew powerful, echoing the Mexica’s expansion in central Mexico. Both societies exhibited advanced agriculture, reinforcing their dominance until the arrival of Europeans disrupted their trajectories.

Tabasco and Chiapas

The Chontal Mayas of Tabasco emerged from coastal marshes, evolving into significant trade leaders in Mesoamerica. Their landscape resembled southeastern Georgia, marked by humid terrain and tidal marshes. Initially illiterate, the Marsh People thrived through agriculture and fishing, constructing mounds similar to those in southeastern U.S. cultures. As trade flourished, particularly with the rise of Teotihuacan, they developed advanced navigational skills and trading jargon. Following a devastating volcanic eruption in 800 AD, the Chiapas Highlands saw a decline in population, impacting agricultural networks vital to the Maya civilization.