Before we had easy access to records on the Internet, I spent many hours in the basement library of the Mormon temple on Santa Monica Blvd. in Wset Los Angeles. As I researched my ancestors, I often sat near JP Schmal as he did research on the Ruiz de Esparza family. I often saw him there working many hours on this family. I know JP was focused on the Ruiz de Esparza family in Mexico but I am sure he would love to take part in a discussion of their ancestors in Spain. I am sure that I can stop by and get JP's contact info at the basement library,

Later, once I started doing more research on this family, I shared much of my research with Bill Figueroa. Bill was my Aguascalientes expert that helped me on some of my ancestors from there. It feels very Strange that he hasn't commented on my latest posting on my Villalpando, Aguilar-Solorzano, or Ruiz de Esparza lines.

It feels very strange to have a discussion of the Ruiz de Esparza family without input by at least one of them. If anyone has their contact information, please let them know that we have a lot to discuss about this family. i have been unsuccessfully attempting to contact Bill Figueroa for many months now. I have tried a couple of email addresses but have had no luck. Does anyone have a street address for Bill Figueroa, or a phone number?

Thanks,
Rick

Dear George,

Like you, I have seen many ancestries of Lope Ruiz de Esparza leading back to Spain. I personally have not seen all the documents that are said to exist proving this relationship. However, I have in my notes that there are documents showing the family ancestry that were submitted to the emperor and that he had approved the claims of hidalguia.

As you know, I have seen some documents showing some ancestry. Our Lope Ruiz de Estrada in Aguascalientes is said to be the progenitor of the Esparzas in Nueva Galicia. Although Lope is said to have a brother also come over to Nueva Galicia, all lines that people have been able to go back to their period of time lead to Lope and not the brother. It seems that the brother did not leave any descendants and did not come over at the same time. The brothers came from one of three Esparza families from Navarra. All the Esparzas from Navarra are said to descend from one of these three families.

In reality, it is only two Esparza families as two of the families had similar origins but branched off early with the two branches distinguishing them selves with slightly different names, while the third Esparza line had no blood connection and was a completely different family. As you know, we descend from the Esparza line that came to be known as the Ruiz de Esparza. The third Esparza line also split up into two lines, but one of these lines dropped the Esparza part of the name.

I have a section of my book that is about the Ruiz de Esparza family history. I am in the process of reviewing many of the facts in my book, and adding sources, so I too am looking for documents that prove the lineage that people posted. I hope many people answer your post and offer the location for documents on this family. This search for documents proving the lineage that people have posted has not stopped me from researching the family in Spain. Hopefully I will have that section of my book ready in the no too distant future. When I do finish this section, I would like to send it to you before I send it to the publisher for printing. I would appreciate any criticism you may have of my section on the Ruiz de Esparzas.

Thanks,
Rick A. Ricci