GenReyesAtilano Introduction
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.
