Luminaria: New Mexico Genealogy and History

This topic was one of my first ideas when dreaming up this podcast - the Spanish language specific to Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado. What makes it unique? More importantly, why don't I and so many of my generation speak it? We delve into these questions and more with author-librarian Charlene Garcia Simms and April Bojorquez, Interim Director of The Aztlán Research Center in Pueblo. This is the video referenced with Neddy Vigil. Mis Crismes 1956: Christmas in La Puente, New Mexico by Gloria Mora was recommended, but I had a hard time finding a source for it online. Get a copy of A Dictionary of New Mexico and Southern Colorado Spanish here. Read more about this topic in this article from 2023. Know of a New Mexican Spanish class online or in-person? Email us at luminariapod@gmail.com.

Virginia Sanchez returns to talk about migration into Southern Colorado, life for our ancestors in that area, and rare documentation of enslaved people in Hispano communities there. Places mentioned: Huerfano, Cucharas, San Luis Valley You can order the book Nacion Genizara here. For a complete list of Virginia's work, visit her LinkedIn profile. Virginia shared lyrics to a comanchero song - "If you go to Navajoland, take your burial shroud with you. Because dying over these is certain and cannot be negotiated." Virginia found the lyrics in a journal written by Lucas Martinez, who was born in Cucharas, and lived in Chavez, Huerfano County, Colorado. According to Dr. Enrique Lamadrid, this verse is still sung by the Comanches de la Serna. This document and his journal are located in the Hart Library of the History Colorado Center in Denver. On Pages 179-180 and 188-192 of Virginia's chapter (Chapter 8) in Nacion Genizara, you'll find additional captivity songs, laments, and lullabies. You can find a recording of La Cautiva Marcelina, sung by Virginia Bernal, available on Vimeo here. Correction: The cautiva song, La Cautiva Marcelina was not a children's rhyme.

Trinidad needed its own episode! Millie Duren from the Trinidad History Museum walks us through so much rich history, from the original tribes in the area to Felipe Baca to the POW camp during WWII. Names mentioned: Casimiro Barela, Felipe Baca, Rafael Chacon, Sister Blandina Places mentioned: Trinidad, Segundo, Valdez, Trinchera Make sure to visit the Trinidad History Museum; tours of the Baca House are at 11 and 1, so plan your visit around then. Do not miss the gift shop! They have books and other items you can't find anywhere else. Incredibly, ⁠the Aultman photo collection is available to search online! ⁠I do recommend looking at each record after your initial search, because there are some creative spellings on names Excellent article on the POW camp outside of Trinidad. I can't stop thinking about Colie's Bakery.

George shares the extraordinary life of his ancestor, Charles Autobees, and his role in key moments of Northern NM and Southern CO history. Names mentioned: Autobees/Ortivis/Otterby, Avila, Olguin, Alires, Romero Places mentioned: Avondale, Pueblo, Salt Creek, Taos, Fort Garland Find The Life and Times of Charles Autobees book at local bookstores. There are several profiles on Charles with photos, here is one. You can reach us at luminariapod@gmail.com.

Dr. Robert Con Davis-Undiano tells us all about the practice of casta paintings in 18th century New Spain, the product of a complex history with race and ethnicity that would evidently outlast colonialism by centuries. You can find plenty of images of casta paintings online. You can find a copy of Mestizos Come Home here.

Annette Gutierrez-Turk shares about the tradition of colcha embroidery - how it came to New Mexico, how our ancestors would have done it and why, and how you can learn this beautiful art form. Sign up for monthly classes on colcha embroidery on the National Hispanic Cultural Center website under Events The Brown Sheep Company mentioned as a source for yarn for those who cannot source it locally Check out the books and materials available from the Sandia Mountains chapter of the EGA Resources from a recent exhibit colcha embroidery in Southern Colorado Colcha demonstration from the Huajatolla Heritage Foundation

Bernardino Cisneros shares some of his memories growing up with his grandparents in Questa, as well as some great Norteno Spanish. SURNAMES MENTIONED: Rael, LaForette (La Foret, LaFore), Cisneros PLACES MENTIONED: Questa, Tres Piedras, Dixon, Penasco, Vietnam War Memorial Check out Frank's Eats & Sweets in Questa! If you haven't ridden the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad yet, add it to this year's list. You can reach me at luminariapod@gmail.com.