On February 17, 1909, Rafael Trujillo, Hijinia Reyes and their family immigrated to the United States of America at the Port of El Paso.  It was a typical day for El Paso with clear skies, calm winds and temperatures in the upper 60’s. Rafael had $10 in his pocket after the crossing fee had been paid. The record describes Rafael as being 5’6.5” with a scar on his left little finger.  The entire family was in good health. Additionally, Rafael could read and write while Hijinia could not. The record also states that Alvaro, Rosa and Ricarda could read and write.  Rafael and Alvaro are listed as blacksmiths. Alvaro was 5’5” and had a mole on his right cheek. Vicente had a scar on his right cheek. Alvaro was born in Gomez Palacio, Rosa in Lerdo, Enriqueta in Temosachic and the other children in Chihuahua. Also of interest is that Rafael is listed a year older than he really was and Hijinia is listed as four years younger than her real age.

After they immigrated to the USA, Rafael and his family lived in El Paso.  Rafael actually had his blacksmith shop in Juarez and would cross over the border daily to make swords. In June of 1910 the US Census shows that they were living in Mesilla, NM.  Mesilla is commonly known today as “Old Mesilla”. They also lived in Elephant Butte, NM.  While there, Rafael did metal work associated with the building of the Elephant Butte Dam. By 1916 they were living in Garfield, NM.

Rafael Trujillo was born at the Hacienda de la Tinaja, Aguascalientes on October 24, 1857 and was baptized November 1, 1857.  Hijinia Reyes was born January 11, 1870 in Sapote, Jalisco and was baptized two days later. It is likely that they lived and met in Aguascalientes, Ags, Mexico.  We do know that together they lived in Mexico in the towns of Gomez Palacio, Lerdo, Chihuahua, Temosachic, and Juarez. In the USA they lived in El Paso, TX and in New Mexico in the towns of Mesilla, Elephant Butte and Garfield. They are known to have had 10 children.  Rafael died in Garfield, NM on October 21, 1916 of kidney disease.  He died just three days prior to his 59th birthday. After Rafael’s death, Hijinia is known to have lived in Santa Rita, NM, Garfield and finally at a nursing home in Las Cruces, NM.  Hijinia died in Las Cruces on August 27, 1963 at the age of 93.

 

 

 

Ricarda Trujillo was the 4^th child of Rafael Trujillo and Hijinia Reyes.  She was born on February 5, 1898 in the town of Santa Rosalia just northwest of the city of Chihuahua, Mexico.  She immigrated to the United States with her family on February 17, 1909 at the port of El Paso, Texas.  She married Manuel Barajas on October 19, 1914 in Palomas Springs, New Mexico. Manuel Barajas was born on October 28, 1892 in Zacatecas, Mexico.  He worked as a boiler maker for the Railroad. They lived in Santa Rita, NM. They had 10 children. These children are David, Jose Salvador, Eduardo, Enrique, David T, Luis, Ester, Maria, Eliza and Manuel Luis.  Ricarda died on February 17, 1942 in Las Vegas, NM at the age of 44. Manuel died on December 1, 1949 in El Paso, TX at the age of 57.  

El Sagrario was built in 1575 with an additional chapel added in 1605.  The construction of today’s Cathedral Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion began in 1704 and was finished in 1738.  The North tower was added in 1764 and the South Tower was added in 1946.  This Cathedral is located in front of the Plaza de la Patria in the center of the city. El Sagrario still exists as a chapel alongside the Cathedral. Many of our family’s baptism and marriage records are located in this Cathedral.

Located in the central highlands of Mexico in the state of Aguascalientes, the city of Aguascalientes is noted for its orchards, vineyards and the many haciendas that surround it.  The area is known for breeding fierce bullfighting bulls, attractive pottery, embroidery and textiles. The city was founded in 1575.  It served as an outpost providing a resting spot for travelers and a safe haven from the hostile Indian tribes.  In 1857, the state of Aguascalientes was formed and the city of Aguascalientes became the capital of that newly established state.  Aguascalientes is also known as the “Ciudad Perforada” or the “city filled with holes”.  This is due to the many passageways and catacombs found underneath the city.  These passageways were created by pre-hispanic Indians of unknown origin.  Noted festivals include the “Fiesta National de San Marcos” every April, the “Fiesta de las Calaveras” every October, “Feria del Señor del Encino” every November and the “Fiesta de la Virgen de Guadalupe” every December. This city was well known to Rafael Trujillo and Hijinia Reyes as it was the largest city in the area where they lived.  It may even be that they actually lived in this city.

The Hacienda de la Tinaja is located about 15 miles west of the city of Aguascalientes in the municipality of El Llano on the edge of the wilderness named La Tinaja.  It was one of the many minor haciendas that surrounded the city of Aguascalientes and were important to the area’s economy during the 1800’s. Today, only vestiges of this hacienda remain.  Many of our relatives lived here including Rafael Trujillo, his parents Melitón Trujillo and Maria Buenaventura Duron and grandparents on his father’s side. In 1856 the Hacienda was sold to private hands marking the beginning of its end. This was all part of the nationalization of Mexico and specifically the privatization of land to be bought and sold at will. Prior to that, it was a property, like others, than could only be inherited. See photos of the remnants of the Hacienda de la Tinaja on the right of this article.

The National Fair of San Marcos was started in 1828 to promote the agriculture and cattle industries from the various provinces of New Spain.  Today the fair is the largest exposition in Mexico.  Some of the highlights include Bullfights, cockfights, cultural events, international music artists, serenades, fireworks and more. Every year a guest state and nation are invited to be a part of the exposition. The fair is held in the beautiful garden district of San Marcos in the city of Aguascalientes, Ags, Mexico. The National Fair of San Marcos is world renown as one of the oldest, largest, festive and modern fairs of Mexico. This year, the fair will be held April 19 – May 18, 2008 and celebrates its 180 anniversary. You can visit www.feriadesanmarcos.com for more information on the fair.

In January of 1862, the English, Spanish and French armies arrived in Mexico to collect unpaid debts.  While the English and Spanish made deals and quickly left, the French came to stay and brought in Maxamilian to be Emperor of Mexico.  On May 5, 1862, the Mexican army scored a victory against the French at the battle of Puebla. This victory inspired Mexicans to fight the French.  Cinco de Mayo celebrates this battle that led to the eventual victory against the French army and the removal of Maxamilian as Emperor.

Moctezuma II

  Tecuichpo de Moctezuma – Hernán Cortez

    Leonor de Cortez de Moctezuma

      Leonor Valderrama Cortez de Moctezuma

        Petronila de Moctezuma

          Ana Francisca Gabay

            Martin Ruiz de Esparza

              Martin Ruiz de Esparza II

                Juana Antonia de Esparza

                  Juan Antonio Herrera

                    María Felipa Herrera

                      María Teodocia Morales

                        María de la Trinidad Sánchez Martínez

                          María Buenaventura Duron

                            Rafael Trujillo

 

El Señor del Encino Catholic Church is found in one of the oldest and most traditional districts of Aguascalientes.  El Señor del Encino was originally built as a small chapel.  Construction began on the chapel on January 12, 1773 and work was completed March 1796.  The chapel was originally to be dedicated to the Archangel San Miguel.  However, since the appearance of the “Señor del Encino” or the “Christ of the Oak” occurred before the church was completed, the chapel was then dedicated to the “Se��or del Encino”.  Later the chapel was expanded to its current size.  This expansion of the church was completed on June 19, 1854.  It is interesting to note that the address of this church is on a road called Trujillo. Many of our family’s baptism and marriage records are located in this Church.

There are two different stories regarding El Señor del Encino.  The first tells the story of a resident that was cutting down an oak tree and found the image of Christ inside.  The second is more interesting and tells the story of two brothers that fell in love with a woman.  They just didn’t know that they had fallen in love with the same woman.  One dark and stormy night the two brothers found themselves in the woods.  It was there that they realized that they were in love with the same woman.  They began to fight.  As they drew daggers to kill each other, a lightning bolt struck down an oak tree between them.  One brother noticed that the image of Christ had appeared inside the still smoldering tree.  They dropped to their knees humbled by this miracle and asked forgiveness from the Señor del Encino.

Rafael Trujillo and Hijinia Reyes followed the Eastern edge of the Sierra Madre Mountains as they traveled north though Mexico to the United States.  The name “Sierra Madre” translates to “The Mother Range”.   The Sierra Madre defines several mountain ranges. Specifically, the mountain range that Rafael and Hijinia traveled is known as the Sierra Madre Occidental.  This mountain range is known for its beautiful pine forests and large biodiversity.

Significant events occurred during the lives of Rafael Trujillo and Hijinia Reyes. The following are those events. In 1857, the Mexican state of Aguascalientes was established. It should be noted that Rafael Trujillo was also born in 1857. In 1861, the US Civil War begins and Confederates invade New Mexico from Texas. In 1862, the battles of Velarde and Glorieta Pass end confederate occupation of New Mexico.  Additionally, in 1862 on the 5th of May (Cinco de Mayo), Mexicans defeated French forces in the Battle of Puebla. In 1863, the Territory of Arizona was created from New Mexico. In 1864, Maximilion was named Emperor of Mexico. In 1867, Maximilion was executed and the Republic of Mexico was reestablished. In 1879, Thomas Edison invented the light bulb.  In 1886, Geronimo surrenders and effectively ends the Indian Wars.  In 1898, the Spanish-American War occurred.  In 1908, Henry Ford begins to produce the Model T automobile. In 1910, the first shots rang out the start of the Mexican Revolution. In 1912, New Mexico becomes the 47th state of the USA.  In 1914, World War I began.  In 1916, Pancho Villa raided Columbus, New Mexico.   In 1920, the Mexican Revolution ends claiming over a million people dead.  In 1939, World War II began. In 1945, the USA detonates the first Atomic Bomb at Trinity Site, New Mexico.  In 1950, the Korean War began.  In 1953, Mexico granted women the right to vote. In 1960, the Vietnam War began. 

From horse drawn carriages to automobiles, dynamite to Atomic bombs, candles to light bulbs, wars and more wars, Rafael and Hijinia lived in a time of great change.

Rafael Trujillo and Hijinia Reyes had 10 children.  Alvaro married Lina Gallegos.  Rosa married Jose Briceño.  Belen married Miguel Montoya.  Ricarda married Manuel Barajas.  Vicente was unmarried when he disappeared.  Eloisa married Antonio Otero.  Benita died as an infant.  Rafael married Telesfora Medina.  Henrriquetta died at age 19.  Felicitas married Cruz Alderete.