Provenance of Indigenous Peoples in Select Cities of N

Emilie,

>From what I can recall studying African History in Latin America, it is
widely believed that most of the Africans brought into Central and South
America were initially from Yoruba, which was then a nation east of what is now
known as Benin, however it is difficult to tell, as tribal people were
often separated, as the slave holders didn't want them to be able to
communicate with each other in their native tongue. I seem to recall an isolated
community in Guerrero was discovered where linguists were able to trace their
language to Yoruba. Because of these practices, it is difficult for many
African Americans to trace their ancestry to a specific tribe in Africa. I
do know however that in the latter years, because of a loop hole in Spanish
law that outlawed slavery in 1829, most slaves who arrived into Latin
countries no longer came from the west coast, they came from Angola.

I am one of the few people that has indeed found proof that I have
Tlaxcaltecan roots. I found birth certificates indicating that the name Bermea
(known then as Bermeo) and Flores were brought into Nadadores, Coahuila to
pacify existing nomadic tribes, later moving to a small settlement where they
were among the first settlers. This was BIG...as I know such records are
virtually impossible to find. I have read that Tlaxcalans were initially
brought into Zacatecas to keep the continued insurgents of the natives
(Caxcan) down. However, I have also read that other indigenous people were
brought in various parts of Zacatecas to help with mining, including those from
Michoacan, and other slaves including "chinos" who were from the
Philippines. (Eric...you might find this interesting with your discovery of your DNA
Test and discovery)
_http://www.history.ucsb.edu/courses/tempdownload.php?attach_id=2900_
(http://www.history.ucsb.edu/courses/tempdownload.php?attach_id=2900) .

For me, history has been relayed by those in power. So it is natural that
the records uncovered would have been written and kept by the Spanish. I am
not surprised, but am fascinated to know about my Spanish ancestors,
however It is much more interesting to discover roots of those whose
voices/history were oppressed. What I would give to listen to the perspectives of
women from long ago.

Also, as relates to inter-marriages (there are quite a few of them in my
family, and not so long ago), I had been told that it was mostly to ensure
that one knew the families as "good people". It seems that they believed
that if the mom was a "floosy", so will the be the female offspring....or if
the dad was a "drunk", so will be the male offspring. At least that is what
I was told...(wink).

Esperanza
Chicagoland area

Esperanza
Chicagoland area