Jewish History

My gg-grandfather Ismael Martin del Campo and his siblings were born in
Lagos de Moreno. I found a website that was in Spanish about Lagos, but the
English translation made it read pretty funny. From what I could make out,
it was telling about the Jewish history of Lagos de Moreno. I am very
interested in this as it pertains to my ancestral research and my desire to
know of my ethnic origins.

>From what I have gathered from this translation, when the Jews were being
driven out of Spain during Queen Isabella's reign, they were given
the choice to go to New Spain. So, 50 or 60 families of Sephardic Jews came
to New Spain and established Lagos de Moreno as their colony. Apparently,
the word "Sephardic" is the Hebrew word for "Spain." So Sephardic Jews are
Spanish Jews.

Anyways, at this point in my research, it seems I am getting beyond what my
mother's family knew and am beginning to head into new territory. So, my
efforts are hit and miss. But, it doesn't discourage me, but instead makes
it seem more like an exploration.

Does anyone know of a website or book I could look for that would have more
on this history? In doing my research, the history of the areas interests
me as much as the family search does.

Corrine Ardoin
Santa Maria, California