My Aguinaga family crossed at El Paso, Texas on 12 July 1918. My
grandmother Ysabel Rodriquez, my uncle Juan Aguinaga , age five, and
Great-grandfather, Juan Guerra Aguinaga, his wife Maria Cruz Ortiz Bonilla
also accompanied them. My grandfather Leonardo Aguinaga had been crossing
the border and working ( since 1910) met them there. At this time he
worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad between Deming, Nm, Duncan and
Clifton Az maintaining the rails. After 3 years of working on the rails
they settled in Calexico, California (1920). Leonardo an Ysabel later had
six other children, one being my own father Salvador Aguinaga. My father and
mother had 9 Kids. I am the oldest. My research of my family has taken me
to Jalisco. Most church records come from Senor San Jose Church records.
Today in Matanzas, Jalisco and several towns in Lagos de Moreno I believe
have lots of Aguinagas. In my research of Matanzas I have found really two
types of Aguinagas. Several years ago I started DNA testing some family
members and found out that there are two different DNAs, one is Native
Indian (which I am) and the other which is European. My best guess is that
my Indian ancestor assumed the name of Aguinaga when and if they worked on
the ranch or farm of the Aguinaga. My research will continue on the Aguinaga
Families and their branches and any Indian history in the area. I plan to
visit Matanzas, Jalisco and the area in November 2009. Tom Solorio
Aguinaga