Hello - My name is Brian Alejandro Sandoval, and I've always been interested in learning more about my family's history, but only recently got serious after having my DNA analyzed through 23andMe.com and learning about the various geographical influences on my DNA.

I would love to hear from you if you have done research for the Jalpa, Zacatecas area, and especially if the last names
Sandoval, Ortega, Minjares, Gonzalez, Muñoz, Quezada
Aguayo, Salazar
Chavez, Aldana, Huerta, Valenzuela
Lopez, Perez

have been a part of your research!

In the time I've begun researching my family's history, I've made most progress on detailing my dad's side of of the family. Though, both my mom and dad are from the same area: Jalpa, Zacatecas, which will hopefully make my research easier.

I begin my research in the small rancho - La Pitahaya (sometimes spelled Pitaya) near Jalpa, Zacatecas, Mexico where both my parents grew up.

My paternal grandfather, Juan Sandoval Ortega, died in La Pitahaya in 2004, he was born in the nearby Rancho el Huayavo to Graciano Sandoval and Maria Guadalupe Ortega. In turn, Graciano is the son of Procopio Sandoval and Emelenciana Minjares. Maria Guadalupe Ortega was the son of Macario Ortega and Cayetana Gonzalez. I gathered that information from Juan's birth notice in the Jalpa register for 1920.

I did a quick search of my great great grandparents, and find a baptismal record and then birth notice of Macario Ortega and Cayetana Gonzalez baptizing a child in nearby Apozol, Zacatecas: Jesus Ortega, born Sept 12, 1894, and baptized Sept 16. These documents said his paternal grandparents were Prudencio Ortega and Secundina Muñoz. Cayetana's parents were Juan Gonzalez and Ramona Quezada.

My paternal grandmother Maria de la Luz Aguayo (1926-2001) was born to David Aguayo Quezada (1899-1983) and Maria Salazar Valenzuela (deceased). I found David Aguayo's death certificate, which listed his parents as Santos Aguayo and Ramona Quezada.

My maternal line is much less researched - my grandparents, Fernando Chavez Aldana and Maria Lopez Perez, also died in La Pitahaya, Jalpa, Zacatecas. My mom's oral history is better for Fernando's lineage - he was the son of Margarito Chavez Salazar (~1901-1992) and Maria Aldana Huerta (1905-1979). Margarito was the son of Fernando Chavez and Clara Salazar.

Maria Lopez Perez was born in el Zapote, near Jalpa, Zacatecas, and was the daughter of Casimiro Lopez and Santos Perez.

My research has been somewhat hampered by the lack of records in Jalpa Zacatecas. My dad recalls there was a fire at the Jalpa archives, which explains the lack of documentation. Though in the same story, he explains how his uncle was unable to get his birth certificate in Jalpa because of the fire, but was able to obtain some documentation in the capital, Zacatecas.

I look forward to working with you and contributing to this group, and was glad to find a like-minded community online.

Thanks!