b-8/14/1864, Alamos, Sonora, Mexico
d-9/19/1962, Los Angeles CA
b-12/24/1884, Alamos, Sonora, Mexico
d-10/27/1962, Los Angeles, CA
Antonio was born 1864 and Jesusa in 1884. They were married in 1902 and raised a family of nine children. As you see, there was 20 years difference in their ages and they each lived a very long and healthy life. They died within one month of each other which is, as I see it now, not surprising. After 60 years of marriage, one could not live without the other and whoever went first we knew the other would immediately follow.
Both Antonio and Jesusa were born in Alamos, Sonora, Mexico. My husband and I visited Alamos a few years ago and found it a most interesting and happy city. Alamos is a National Monument of Mexico. We met many wonderful people and even visited each home where Antonio and Jesusa were born. The city is very old and the people are poor however at one time it was booming. Many of my relatives were in mining and made tons of money. The beautiful Catholic Church, LaPurisima Concepcion, was built in 1687 and it was here my abuelos were married and where the children were baptized. I was able to get some records of the family from the Church not not as many as I had wanted.
As a child of only 4, I was introduced to music and as I grew a little older and when we visited our grandparents, my grandfather insisted I play for him the moment we walked in the door. I played the music of his choice. Antonio loved classical music and adored the opera.
During an uprising in Mexico about the year 1910, the family had to leave Alamos. They relocated in Los Angeles, California where 3 more sons were born to make a total of 9 children: 2 girls and 7 boys. Later, Antonio worked at a shipyard in San Pedro building ships.
In 1919 young Ygnacio was born and he was the first tradegy of the family. Some of the family hadd gone back to Mexico for a visit and Ygnacio fell prey to the water. He died at the age of about 11 of typhoid fever. This was in the year 1929.
Another tradegy occurred not long after Ygnacio and that was of Maria de la Luz Oviedo. Luz married Samuel Gamez in 1927 and they had two lovely daughters, Alva and Ana Marie. One day Luz found her husband with another woman which was just too much for her to live with and in 1933, she died of a broken heart. Of course, this was a family story. I'm sure her death was something different. After Luz died, Antonio and Jesusa brought the girls to Los Angeles then adopted and raised them to maturity.
Maria de la Luz Oviedo
There was a strong tie in the family. Love, happiness and obedience. Don Antonio was very strict, demanded perfection and we were all expected to proudly maintain our heritage. We spoke only when spoken to and there was never a word of English allowed in his home.
Our grandmother, Dona Jesusa D. Almada, was also very proud of her heritage and no matter how or what we would complain to her about the few scoldings we'd get from Don Antonio, she would merely smile and say to do as we were told. Never giving in or allowing us to deviate from what we were told to do. As a note, Jesusa Almada's family originated in Portugal. We went there a few years ago to do some research. Though I found little information, I was able to speak to several members of the family. I do continue to search for my ggg grandparents
We celebrated every family birthday, anniversary and holidays together. If we were not with the Oviedo family we would be with the Manriquez family. We would have a pinate filled with a little candy and a few pennies. There would be a big meal followed by a cake and a little ice cream. We'd play pin the tale on the donkey or climb a tree. We made our own fun and just enjoyed the companionship of our family. If there was a sickness, everyone would pray for their wellness. We always went to Church together and Christmas was the best day of all. Mind you, the family was very poor so gifts were limited, if any. Some of the youngsters on the block would get a bike or train but none of us ever gave a second thought of their fortune. We were always satisfied with a good meal or a small handmade doll or whatever meager gift given to us. That was the life as we knew it and it was always accepted.
at the Beach.
Jose Marcelo Oviedo, b-1909, d-1993
and Francisca Celia Manriquez, b-1913, d-1996
This was their 50th Wedding Anniversary celebrated in 1951.
Rene, b-1920, Jose Bernardo, b-1905; Jose Antonio, b-1904 and Jose Marcelo, b-1909. All born in Alamos.
