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Subject: The International Genealogical Index for Mexico
Date: 17 Aug 2004 07:09:55 -0600

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http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/GaC.2ACE/958

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The following notes are rules of thumb for International Genealogical Index (IGI) searches in Mexico. (© 2004 by John P. Schmal).

The IGI is a dynamic database that can be of tremendous help in locating Mexican ancestors between 1700 and 1880. It has a filter, so that you can limit your search to particular states.

1. Don't be confused by spelling. The IGI groups together similar sounding surnames through soundexing. Spelling is the least reliable indicator in Mexican genealogy. Most people could not spell their own names, so the priests spelled the names the way they chose to.

A surname that is spelled one way in 1800 may be spelled differently in 1850. Robalcaba may be spelled several ways: Rubalcaba, Rubalcava, Robalacaba, Robalcava. Valenzuela may be spelled Balenzuela.

2. Always consider how close your locality is to the nearest state boundary. People moved around. They may be in Sinaloa in one generation and in nearby Sonora in the next generation.

3. Always consider using Jose and Maria in front of given names, when searching for baptism and marriage records, especially if you are unable to locate your ancestors under their assumed given names. Thus, if you are looking for Matias Calvillo, born in 1850, also try searching for Jose (Matias) Calvillo.

4. When putting in a date, make it about five to ten years before the assumed date of baptism or marriage.

5. Always remember that people are not always born where you thought they were. They might be born twenty miles away in another town. Don't rule out anyone just because they aren't listed in the exact town where you expected to find them. Sometimes we are constrained by the knowledge we have because it leads us to reject new information (that may be correct).

It is important to get a map of the area to understand the whole region you are studying. You can purchase Mexican state maps on Amazon.com.

DOING I.G.I. SEARCHES

A.
If you are searching for an ancestor named Timoteo Fernandez, born April 15, 1886 in Alamos, Sonora, son of Jose Maria Fernandez and Maria Celestina Hernandez, you should try the following searches (in this order):

1. Individual Search for Timoteo Fernandez, born 1880 +, filter the search with Sinaloa and Sonora.
2. Individual Search for Jose Timoteo Fernandez, born 1880 +, filter search with Sinaloa and Sonora.
3. Parent search for Jose Maria Fernandez and Maria Celestina Hernandez, filter the search with Sinaloa and Sonora.


B.
If you are searching for an ancestor named Fermina Morales, born circa 1830 in Villa Hidalgo, Jalisco , daughter of Francisco Morales and Luisa Lujan, you should try the following searches. (Note: Villa Hidalgo is on the border between Jalisco and Aguascalientes).

1. Individual Search for Fermina Morales, born 1820 +, filter the search with Jalisco and Aguascalientes.
2. Individual Search for Maria Fermina Morales, born 1820 +, filter the search with Jalisco and Aguascalientes.
3. Parent search for Francisco Morales and Luisa Lujan, use the same filters as No. 1 and 2.
4. Parent search for Jose Francisco Morales and Maria Luisa Lujan, using the same filters as above.


C.
If you are searching for an ancestor named Pablo Luevano, born circa 1815 in Tepetongo, Zacatecas, son of Marcelino Luevano and Petra Salas, you should try the following searches. (Note: Tepetongo, Zacatecas is just a few miles from the border with Jalisco.)

1. Individual Search for Pablo Luevano, born 1810 +, filter the search with Jalisco and Zacatecas.
2. Individual Search for Jose Pablo Luevano, born 1810 +, filter the search with Jalisco and Zacatecas.
3. Parent search for Marcelino Luevano and Petra Salas, using same filters as above.
4. Parent search for Jose Marcelino Luevano and Maria Petra Salas, using same filters as above.

D.
If you are searching for Franceska Martinez, born circa 1770 in Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco, daughter of Gregorio Martinez and Lucia Torres, try the following searches (in order).

1. Individual Search for Franceska Martinez, born circa 1764 +, filter the search with Jalisco.
2. Individual Search for Maria Franceska Martinez, born 1764 +, filter the search with Jalisco.
3. Parent search for Gregorio Martinez and Lucia Torres, filter the search with Jalisco.
4. Parent search for Jose Gregorio Martinez and Maria Lucia Torres, filter the search with Jalisco.

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