Hello Nuestros Ranchos,

I have been researching my family history for approximately 11 years. Some of the information I have is from listening to my grandfather, Feliciano Reyes, tell me stories of his life. I loved listening to him and I miss him very much; He passed away in 1989. When my daughter was born in 1997, I realized that I had a duty to pass on to her our history before it becomes lost or forgotten. At the time of my daughter's birth I was living in the Southwestern United States while the majority of my family, the first generation, lived in the Midwest. I now live in the Southeastern U.S. so researching has proven to be a challenge. I went back to the Midwest in 1999 and again a few years ago, and each time I research the library and museum for our family history. In 1999, we started out at the museum in Centerville, Iowa where my great grandparents first settled. The museum took me to the library where I reviewed microfiche and naturalization books. The museum led me to townspeople who were still living and remembered my grandfather and my great aunts and uncles. From that trip, I learned so much. I have it bumps in the road and have gotten discouraged, but something or someone always inspires me to continue.

This is what I know so far:
My great grandfather, Victoriano Reyes (born around 1885 in Zacatecs, Mexcio), and his wife, Mariana Vargas Reyes (born April 17, 1887 in Zacatecas, Mexico), their children: Feliciano Reyes (born 8, June 1908 in Santa Monica de las Viudas in Zacatecas, Mexico), Santos Reyes (born 1, November 1911 in Rancho de las Viudas in Zacatecas, Mexico), Petra Reyes ( born 11, April 1915 in Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico) all left Zacatecas, Mexico in September of 1916 for the United States. My Grandfather Feliciano's naturalization papers stated that they crossed over the footbridge at Laredo, Texas. Somehow, they ended up in Centerville, Iowa.

They lived in a box car in a community with other new immigrants from England, Italy, Czech, etc. Three more children were conceived in Iowa: Juanita, Sanita, and Joseph. My great grandfather, Victoriano, and my grandfather, Feliciano, worked in the coal mines. Santos was a boxer and went to WWII where he died in Luxemburg, Germany. Joseph followed Santos footsteps with boxing and also fought in WWII. He is now deceased. Feliciano worked for the CCC run by the War Dept, which I found was created to help families like my ancestors; He died in 1989. Petra married Paul Castillo and had a family; She is now deceased. Sanita became a dental hygienest, married and did not have children. She later took care of my great grandmother, Mariana, until she died. Mariana went to live with Petra and then a nursing home. Juanita became a nun, Sister Marilyn Reyes, she still lives in Davenport, Iowa in the convent. Victor is also still alive, his wife is deceased.

My great grandfather, Victoriano, died tragically in 1923 leaving my great grandmother and six children behind and was two months pregant with their 7th child, Victor. With my great grandfather Victoriano's death, at the age of fourteen, my grandfather became head of the family.

I am trying to find the birth dates and marriage dates of the parents and grandparents of my great grandparents. Currently, I only have names.

I did not know my grandmothers parents as they had both passed away before I was born. However, I came across a gem! I found a record of my maternal great grandparents marriage record from San Juan de los Lagos. It states that my great grandfather, Juan Atilano was born in "the margin of La Laja" in Jalisco, Mexico. It states he was married in San Juan de Los Lagos. I have attached the certificate. As you can see, I have many names, but no dates.

I am trying to find dates and more about their lives in Mexico.