Here is my maternal lineage that I discussed in my post “No Tengo Verguenza.” I’ve posted an asterik * by my great grandfather, the one who his grandchildren believed had been born in Spain. As you can see, he and all of his ancestors were born in Chihuahua.

I had hoped to solve a family riddle. The Rodriguez’s all share a distinct look, and personality. They are all very attractive, and warm, personable people. They seem to be born charismatic!

Now that I know grandpa was in all likelihood mestizo, the puzzle is even more complicated. How is it possible that the men in the family always married Indian, or mesitzo wives, yet the children are always born white? There must have been some powerful genes coming from somewhere that have survived against the odds. I will probably never find the answer I seek.

I’ve listed the same descent two ways. Firstly, from the Rodriguez’ point of view. I am a Rodriguez on my maternal side from a genealogical point of view. But genetically, I am just as much a Montoya. So both heritages are presented from past to present, from top down, in a direct line.

FIRST MATERNAL LINEAGE:

Ygnacio Rodriguez, who was born about 1780, married Maria del Rayo Caballero, who was born around 1782, and died on January 30, 1842 in Huejotitan, Chihuahua.

Their son, Ygnacio Rodrigues, who was born in 1803 and died on June 17, 1838 in Huejotitan, Chihuahua, married Soledad Villalobos, who was born in 1807.

Their son, Rafael Rodrigues, who was born in the 1830s, married Mariana Montoya, who was also born in the mid, to late 1830s.

*Their son, Jose Estevan Vidal Rodrigues Montoya, who was born on March 17, 1867 in Hidalgo del Parral, Chihuahua, married Maria Leonor Anizeta Contreras, who was born on April 11, 1872 in Santa Barbara, Chihuahua.

Their son, Nicolas Rodrigues Contreras, who was born around 1890, married Maria de las Nieves Porras, who was born on May 21, 1894.

Their daughter, Alicia Rodrigues Porras, who was born on July 10, 1918, is my mamacita querida, married my dad, Ernest Alderete Ramirez, who was born on February 28, 1923.

SECOND MATERNAL LINEAGE:

Salvador Montoya, who was born in Huejotitan, Chihuahua in the 1760s, and died before 1813, married Maria del Carmen Gutierrez, who died on December 14, 1836 in Huejotitan.

Their son, Ricardo Montoya, who was born in the 1790s in Huejotitan, married Maria Aniceta Juliana Olguin, who was born on April 16, 1799 in Huejotitan, Chihuahua.

Their daughter, Mariana Montoya, who was born in the 1830s in Huejotitan, married Rafael Rodrigues, who was also born at the same time and place.

*Their son, Jose Estevan Vidal Rodrigues Montoya, who was born on March 17, 1867, married Maria Anizeta Leonor Contreras, who was born on April 11, 1872.