Barbara Steele:  

A cousin has published the history of our family titled " A Mexican American Family of California: In the Service of Three Flags", authored by John E Schmal and Jennifer Vo. That would be the Ortega/Beltran family. It tells of the Pobladores and of the Governor de Neve Expedition of 1781.. It is well done with Table of Contents, Indexes. and a thorough bibliography .of sources. Reaching Alta California they stopped near a river and built a Presidio and dwellings after seeing to their stock and gardens in September 1781. That little village is now named Los Angeles! As time went by they moved up the area reaching what is now known as Santa Barbara in 1782 . Again, building a Presidio and dwellings, animal enclosures and gardens to feed the soldiers, and their wives and children. Some of these Pioneers are buried in the Mission Santa Barbara cemetery. One of the peoples who was a member of this expedition was Luis Quintero, he was the expedition Tailor. Should you be interested in these events of my antecedents a look at "Somos Primos" web site should have much of the history there and articles by John and Jennifer.. There is a Pobladores' plaque on the south side of Pueblo Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles." that you can view should you be in the area. Olvera Street is named after the family started by Juan Matias Olivas. Luis Quintero was one of the expeditioners, with his family; Pedro Gabriel Valenzuela, Juan Matias Olivas, and Jose Rosalino Fernandez and Anastacio Maria Feliz (some with family) were members known as " Soldados de Cuera".(all my antecedents) who went north with other members of the expedition. . Along with other "Soldados", civilians and their families they founded Santa Barbara in 1782. My Mother's Lozoya family may account for the statue in Texas honoring Jose Torribio Lozoya who died defending the Alamo and family who participated in the battle at San Jacinto. I do not ever remember these persons being honored for their history and I was ignorant of family history until I started Genealogical research in the early 1990's. Meeting Jennifer and John was the beginning of learning that history and I sent them all the research I had to help with their second edition. Jennifer's 5th great Grandfather Valentine was my Paternal Grandmother's brother. My 8 generations are from Luis Quintero to Regina Esquivel (b. 1851 St Barbara d 1891) spouse Gregorio Ortega parents of my Grandmother Maria Gertrudis Ortega, spouse Cornelio Cypriano Beltran. With the Alamo added in and the years that followed adding to Familia honored history.. From what I have learned, my family is eligible to join the organizations such as the Son's of the American Revolution, The veteran group of the Civil War, The Spanish American War, the Texas Revolution of Independence and all such Wars the United States have participated in since, as there have been United States Military member participants from 1781 to present.. The King of Spain had sent monies from the salaries of the Expedition to the American Revolutionaries starting the beginning of Familia eligibilities. As we Marines like to say, OOOORRRRRAAAAHHHHH! Well done! I thought I had added more but somehow it was not saved to this profile. I spoke of "Charlie" my husband of 27 years 1967-1994 when he passed. We traveled to different cities (USA & Europe) when a request for the GE Turbine Engine was wanted by someone or some country. He was the "contracts man" they had to speak to.. Traveling to differebt Dog Shows together, most of the time our favorite shows were in Canada where we also "finished" Champions. Our breeds were Lhasa Apsos, Pharao...Expand for more