Spanish Heritage Genealogy Research - Arizona Records Created During Spanish Rule
The first European settlers that called Arizona "home" included family surnames like Martinez, Otero and Soto. Their legacy is reflected in southwestern food, culture, architecture and language. Growing interest in Spanish heritage research appears to increase with the growing U.S. hispanic population. This article provides a brief historical summary of Spanish rule in Arizona, then concludes by sharing a few of the best free resources for anyone interested Spanish family history and genealogy research. Brief Historical Summary In 1539, Spanish explorer and Franciscan priest Marcos de Niza became the first European to set foot in Arizona as he searched for the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola - Cities of Gold. Soon after, Jesuit priests erected missions throughout Arizona in an effort to convert Native American Indians to Christianity. By 1679, Father Eusebuio Francisco Kino and his companions had established five missions among the Yaqui, Opata and Papago tribes. Mission recor...