Acknowledged by a Poet•Writer•Sommelier

It’s always awesome to hear that someone interesting has been able to connect to me. Today I was told that “a creative writer” who “pursues her passion for the vinous” mentioned me on her web site.

Tonight I took a peek and discovered a lovely site being managed by a woman named Erin Brooks. Her web site is called “brooksonwine” and you should make time for a visit there.

I would like to meet Ms. Brooks, because we seem to have some things in common. She lives in New Mexico and works in Santa Fe. She went to CSF, and she is a writer who dabbles in creative writing and poetry.

I am honored to have a food piece I wrote in 2008 picked up by Ms. Brooks. Even more so now that I know she works for “Geronimo, New Mexico’s only four-star, four-diamond  restaurant” as a resident expert of the spirits. She has been a “bartender, bar manager and sommelier” who dreams of being a Master of Wine one day.

I love this woman. She is an educated writer~ she is creative~ and she is giving me credit for some good food! Ms. Brooks said “here’s my favorite recipe for posole, which I found in an article titled “Tamales” by Felicia Lujan in Edible Santa Fe’s Winter 2008 issue.”

Thanks for the props Ms. Brooks. Maybe we will meet soon over a glass of your goods and a bowl of mine!

My Special Delivery from New Zealand

One of the first wonderful writers I was exposed to when I started my web site was Maryanne Pale (Poetic Inspirations). She is a captivating woman from New Zealand. This woman is intrinsically and physically beautiful. She is a gifted writer who loves education. Maryanne is “of Tongan ethnicity with Samoan ancestral roots.” She “was born and raised in New Zealand,” and she is “in the process of completing post-graduate studies, full-time, at The University of Auckland, New Zealand.” Ms. Pale is part of a group of Pasifika and New Zealand Poets who fly by the name S.A.P.C., which stands for South Auckland Poets Collective. This poet collective is comprised of young Maori and Pasifika Poets from New Zealand.

Maryanne Pale and her Niece Bubba

Sometime back Maryanne said that she wanted to mail me some books about New Zealand. I was so excited by her offer because I am completely intrigued by the Maori. My package arrived on a day I needed a ray of sunshine, and I was so pleased with the special delivery. Maryanne even included a sweet bar of chocolate in her gift. When I emailed her to confirm that the package had arrived, I discovered that it is winter in New Zealand. She also learned that the United States (and particularly New Mexico) was experiencing weather in the 100º range- and I am very luck that the chocolate did not melt on the books Maryanne !

When I told her I wanted to repay her she simply said for me to “pay it forward.” I have contemplated starting a “pay it forward” initiative. At some point I would like to invite other writers and artists to engage in educational sharing through the mail. With the increase in technology as a means of sharing and communication, it would be such a breath of fresh air. It could be an opportunity to learn things about far away places that we may never get the chance to visit. I have already learned so much!

Thanks again Maryanne for the thoughtful gifts.
You are a very special woman with a bright future!

Felicia Gets a Special Delivery from Maryanne Pale

Research Rocks: Combing the 1940 Census

*****1940 United States Census*****
Census Bureau Typing Pool
—–How Uniform??? All Virgos???—–
(NARA Image)

The census rolls for the 1940 United States Census of
New Mexico are now available in Southwest Collections!
Bless the National Archives and Records Administration
for all of their digitization efforts, but sometimes we still
need to feel (microfilm and books) right? I had a
heck of a time attempting to locate my family electronically
(and I am a CDIM). Unfortunately, the online database and
project still need some work, but until then- use the film!
I can’t wait to  check them out!! These rolls are hot off
processing, and cost thousands of dollars. Today marks
the first day the rolls are available in Southwest Collections.
There are 18 rolls for New Mexico. Yeaaaaah!

Happy researching rockers!!!!!

*****1940 United States Census*****
Enumeration District Map for San Miguel County
(NARA Image)

Thoughtfulness: Rare and Appreciated

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“Kindness is the language which the
deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

~~~Mark Twain

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“Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.”

~~~Aesop
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It is always nice to be pleasantly surprised by a thoughtful person. This morning I walked the daily long walk up a series of hallways to get to my office. My morning journey was made with full hands and a full mind. As I contemplated the many things I had to do, I almost missed the big white envelope taped to my door. Hum? What was it? I looked curiously at my name conveying a penmanship that I was not sure I could identify. Before my bags and my golden Coach purse hit the floor, I was ripping into the envelope. I slid the card out to discover a sweet redhead in a pink tutu striking a fancy pose. After I read the card, I felt really good. The little redhead in a pink tutu made total sense. I must say that there was a symbolic Alaskan forearm tattoo missing, but I still knew the card was from Emma. Emma is the newest addition to the archives, and has been working very hard to soak up everything around her. Today she made my day. She also reminded me that I should take the time to thank my boss. Sometimes we don’t realize that small thoughts can mean so much. In just that one moment, the world around me disappeared, and hours of work vanished into thoughtfulness. The card made my day…

When I was first promoted, I also received a great card and a beautiful candle from my friend Gail. I should have scanned her card as well. Her gift included two of my signs—feathers (bird medicine) and fire (the flame of a candle). Sibel was also very thoughtful by opting to get me a dark chocolate candy bar, as that is the most healthy form of chocolate! I am very thankful for all of the thoughtfulness, and I really appreciate it!

A card from Emma to Felicia- 5.2.2012

Countdown to the Release of the First Digitized US Census!

I am so excited to take a look at the new (but old) 1940 United States Census! Five days left… Yeah!!! There will be so much to learn about the country, New Mexico and my family. These are some interesting things about the 1940 census. Check them out.
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Family Tree Friday: Interesting facts about the 1940 Census

Here is another entry from guest blogger Diane Petro, Archives Technician in the Archives I Research Support Branch (RD-DC), Research Services, Archival Operations – Washington, DC.  Diane helps staff the research rooms at the National Archives Building and has also been working on reference activities relating to the upcoming 1940 Census release. Time is moving swiftly and April 2, 2012, will be here before we know it.  Reading statistics and instructions to enumerators have taken up a lot of my time; time well spent, because there is a lot of interesting information about the 1940 census that doesn’t necessarily pertain to genealogy.  Here are a few items that seemed of general interest.

1.  In August 1939, the bureau conducted a special census in St. Joseph and Marshall Counties, Indiana using questions proposed for 1940 census.  The result of this test modified some questions and finalized the schedule design.  (These schedules did not survive.)

2.  Officials agreed to add new questions on migration, income, fertility, education, social security, usual occupation, and unemployment.

3.  The income questions in columns 32 and 33 caused controversy. Republican Senator Charles Tobey of New Hampshire mounted a campaign to force the administration to delete the questions. It was unsuccessful, but a compromise allowed individuals who did not want to give the information to the enumerator to send in a confidential card listing their income.   A “C” (for confidential report) will appear in the upper right hand margin opposite the name on the census record.  In the end, only 2% of the population did not answer the question.

4.  Between 1930 and 1940 the U.S. population dropped to a historical low of 7.3 percent, however, the population in Washington DC increased by 36%.

5.  Internal migration redistributed 9 Congressional House seats. Six seats went to the western states of California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Oregon.  Three went to the southern states of Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois each lost a seat. So did Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Indiana.<

6.  In April 1940, unemployment stood at 15 percent of the labor force and totaled 8 million.

7.  The Census worked with the Bureau of Vital Statistics to check accurate birth registration in each state.  This test was the first conducted simultaneously for every state in the country. Census enumerators gathered information on infant cards such as, exact date of birth, exact place of birth, maiden name of mother, and hospital of birth.  Unfortunately these cards have been disposed of.

8.  The U.S. Census Bureau conducted a publicity drive using radio programs, newspaper advertisements, mass mailings, and teacher involvement to encourage cooperation and participation in the census.The Three Stooges made a short film in 1940 titled “No Census No Feeling”.

9.  The 1940 census fell on the 150th anniversary of census taking in America.

10.  Enumerator salaries ranged between .5 cents and .8 cents a person, depending on the geographic area and the schedule they were enumerating.  Agricultural enumerators were paid more because of the greater distance they had to travel between farm households.

Living in Fragments or Connecting the Dots?

Dots and Lines

E.M. Forster (1879-1970) was a writer who mastered realism and symbolism as a modernist. The English novelist once said that we should “live in fragments no longer,” and that we should “only connect…” If it was that simple we would live in a perfect world right? Connecting our personal dots (genealogically, physically, spiritually, intimately, mentally) can be harder for some than for others. Maybe for some the line which connects two points is not clear? Are glasses needed? Or maybe the line can’t be, or does not wish to be acknowledged? Are reasons needed? But even worse, there are times when the vital lines which are critical in order for us to nurture meaningful connections are physically severed. The problem is- one can sever a line physically, but it is impossible to completely sever a line mentally. The line will still be there waiting- pulling on the very soul it has been severed from. Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) was a German philosopher with interests in expressionism, philosophy and psychology. Nietzsche once said “invisible threads are the strongest ties.”

As many of you know, my family DNA is now part of the New Mexico DNA Project. Two days ago, I was notified that two new women joined the project. These two women share my direct maternal line (mtDNA). The day I received notification I promptly emailed both women. One response was typical. The other was atypical, and actually saddened me. Most people I connect with through the project are expert, and neurotic genealogists. They have a relatively concrete idea of their familial origins. Anyhow- it was sad to get the following response from my new found relative. It made me feel like I kind of take my family history for granted. Some of my family lines may still be unclear, but they are there- no one has attempted to sever them. After sending out my email to these two new women, I was sent one atypical response. Some information has been left out because of privacy issues.
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“Hi Felicia, I’m afraid I can’t help you much, but you might be able to help me a lot if you’re willing to share your data with me. I am an adoptee with no information about my birth family – if we share the same mtDNA then we share the same direct maternal line. I am currently in the process of petitioning the courts in *** (where I was adopted – I was an international adoption from an American birth mother to foreign parents – how often does that happen?!) to release to me the name of my birth mother. If they comply I will give you that information as well – however, if they deny my request then your archives may give me a shot at triangulating some candidates for birth family.

Sincerely yours, *** “ ________________

I felt sad after I read her message, as she must desperately feel the need to connect. She was adopted in a literal paradise, yet she is still searching. Why you ask? She searches for the lines, the dots and how they do or do not connect. It is all so hard on the mind! For this woman, she is connecting some dots, but her maternal line is there waiting- pulling on the very soul the line has been severed from. Living in fragments is difficult. We are only completely fulfilled when we can intricately connect to one another. If it is necessary, clean your glasses- then put them on. Acknowledge and nurture the dots and lines. They are called vital lines for a reason- without them, a part of us will die.

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Only through our connectedness to others can we really know and enhance the self. And only through working on the self can we begin to enhance our connectedness to others.
- Harriet Goldhor Lerner
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Y-DNA (Paternal) Test Results…

The results of my exploration into the Y-DNA (paternal) of my family are complete (thanks to genetic scientists and my little brother). The results are highly complex and will take a while for me to completely mull through, however, in a nutshell, here is what I have to share so far.

We have been connected to the Aragón surname. Within New Mexico, we have been connected to Ignacio de Aragón.  There were 13 matches within the New Mexico DNA Project, and many of them were Aragóns. I have successfully contacted one of the “exact matches.” There was one match in Texas. The 25 marker Y-DNA, and 37 marker Y-DNA both yield a result of Spain as the country of origin. This is in exact match, as well as one and two step mutations. The 12 marker Y-DNA test declares the country of origin (in exact matches) as Spain, with a likely connection to France, and Wales (within one step mutations). The one step mutations also have a slightly less chance of a connection to Scotland, Ireland, France and Germany.

The administrator of the New Mexico DNA Project has said that our ancient forefather was likely a Celt-Iberian. These Celtic people were living in the Iberian Peninsula in what is now north central Spain. As of today, the mtDNA (maternal) test is still pending. I anxiously await the results.

Haplogroup R- Human Migration Map

Haplogroup R1b1a2

More information on Celt-Iberians
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtiberians

More information on Ignacio de Aragón
http://www.newmexicohistory.org/filedetails_docs.php?fileID=22080
http://nmsantos.com/Resources/Feature-Articles/Artisan-Families/Artisan-Families.html

More information on the New Mexico DNA Project
http://www.familytreedna.com/public/NewMexicoDNA/default.aspx

Puro Lujan- The Lujan DNA Project…

If you want to get technical, my surname would be Lujan y Garcia de Lujan, as I was actually born a Lujan!  I was excited to discover a Lujan genealogy project online. It is really small, but still…  So far the people who have submitted for genetic genealogy testing with the Lujan surname have been connected to Haplogroups E, J and Q. I am anxious to learn more about the Lujans.

Gilbert Lujan (My Daddy)- ca 1954

Haplogroup E may have arisen in East Africa. Some authors as Chandrasekar et al. (2007), continue to accept the earlier position of Hammer et al. (1997) that Haplogroup E may have originated in Asia.

Haplogroup J is found in greatest concentration in Southwestern Arabian Peninsula. Outside of this region, Haplogroup J has a presence in North Africa. It also has a moderate presence in Southern Europe (especially in central and southern Italy, Malta, Greece, and Albania), Central Asia, and South Asia, particularly in the form of its subclade J2 (J-M172). Haplogroup J is also found in the Horn of Africa, particularly in the form of its subclade J1 (J-M267). Subclades J2a and J2a1b1 are found mostly in Greece, Anatolia, and southern Italy. In Northern India, 28.7% of the Shia Muslim population belongs to Haplogroup J. Haplogroup J* includes all of J except for J1 and J2. J* is rarely found outside of the island of Socotra, where it is quite frequent at 71.4%. Haplogroup J* also has been found with lower frequency in Oman, Ashkenazi Jews, Pakistan,  Saudi Arabia, Greece, the Czech Republic, and several Turkic peoples.

Haplogroup Q is one of the two branches of Haplogroup P (M45). Haplogroup Q is believed to have arisen in Central Asia approximately 15,000 to 20,000 years ago. It has had multiple origins proposed. Much of the conflict may be attributed to limited sample sizes and early definitions that used a combination of M242, P36.2, and MEH2 as defining mutations.  This Haplogroup has many diverse Haplotypes despite its low frequency among most populations outside of the Americas. There also are over a dozen subclades that have been sampled and identified in modern populations.

http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/lujan/

Creative Match: The Phenomenon of Synchronicity

In 2009, one of my favorite web spots to frequent started a web series dedicated to creative couples. At work and play, many of the featured couples possessed a striking synchronization with one another. The web site, TSA was “created to attract and share strange and exceptional art from around the world.” From 2008-2010, there were several twosomes featured. Authors, graphic artists, musicians, photographers, and other entrepreneurs were among those the site explored. There has not been a post for 2011.

If any couple deserves recognition this year as an outstanding couple, it would be Ray John de Aragón and his wife Rosa Maria Calles. Together, this couple illustrated and wrote a series of books for children. They have surely created enough art to start their own museum. What about aggregating enough research to start their own archive, while conquering complex issues through various forms of artistic expression. I was very impressed by this duo. It was an honor to meet them, as they were next to the fill the empty seats on my table at the 9th Annual National Latino Writers Conference. Aragón and Calles delivered a presentation titled Writing for Faith and Healing at the conference.

Ray John de Aragón is originally from Las Vegas, New Mexico. As an award winning writer and artist, with deep roots in New Mexico, he exhibits immortal love for our people. He is considered an expert on Padre Martinez, Bishop Lamy, Los Penitentes, and the legendary La Llorna. Aragón will be sending me an autographed book soon, which I am so anxious to receive. With a seemingly endless list of notable achievements, Aragón remains a modest and gracious man. I am also planning to read his book of ghost stories, yet another of my areas of interest.

Rosa Maria Calles is a dashing woman, and is originally from Tome, New Mexico. Calles is a skilled writer and artist, as well as a director and producer. As part of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers, Calles is behind the famed stage production Cuento de La Llorna/Tale of the Wailing Woman. In addition, some of her art work is included in a collection with the Museum of International Folk Art. In speaking with Calles, I was also pleased to learn that she was a major part of our religious community for over 20 years. This has included work with Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Las Vegas, New Mexico, and the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

After reading more about the major accomplishments of this couple, I was further inspired to achieve. It is evident that together they flourish in ways which set them apart from the rest.

For more on TSA, and Creative Couples visit: http://thestrangeattractor.net/?cat=462 

Everything is Written in the Stars…

Everything is written in the stars…

I have always believed that everything happens for a reason. In the words of a Civil War Era journalist and editor Carl Schurz, “Our ideals resemble the stars, which illuminate the night. No one will ever be able to touch them. But the men who, like the sailors on the ocean, take them for guides, will undoubtedly reach their goal.” William Shakespeare once said “It is in the stars. The stars above us, govern our conditions.” Was he just full of drama, or was he right? Fate with her many faces can be intriguing. She will lead the willing to their impending destination, and then string along all the others. One of my favorite writers once said that “When it is darkest, men see the stars.” It is an actual fact. It is almost hopeless to catch something glistening in the light.

As I walked into a room of writers, I could sense creative engagement. I caught linguistic exchanges which made me nervous. People were speaking fast, each in an attempt to possess the quickest articulator. Times like these make me long for fluency in my mother tongue. Imaginative souls were wall to wall as far as my eyes could see, yet I singled out an empty table. I did not want to sit alone, but didn’t want to feel strange if someone rambled off a sentence to me in Spanish that I could not make heads or tails of. Maybe immersion would have been the better route, still I felt a need to be comfortable. Since everything is written in the stars, those whom I was intended to meet took the spaces around me. One by one, members of my team trickled in.

The first person to take up residence was Rose Hartnett of EnerHealing. Originally from Texas, and now living in Albuquerque, Hartnett is a Reiki Practitioner, Herbalist, Clinical Hypno Therapist, and Acudetox Specialist. Though these are her modern titles, she classically calls herself a Curandera. Rose has studied in Cuernavaca, Mexico at La Tranca Institute with master healers. I figured that she was surely here for the “Writing for Faith and Healing” workshop. As we started to converse, we immediately discovered we were intended to meet. I said jestingly “maybe I was holding this table for you?” It was to bad that I had not know her when I put together a conference panel in 2006.  Explaining that the panel was called Our Women: Bewitched by Tradition, I mentioned that there were some women from Albuquerque on the panel. As it turned out Rose and her associate (whom I was still waiting to meet) were very good friends with one of the women I selected to present on the 2006 panel. Marcella Lopez (a Curandera and Sobadora) had delivered an extraordinary presentation titled Curanderismo, Herbs and Indigenous Shamanism Ways. It was amazing to think that out of all these people in the room, Rose sat by me, as I have long studied the art of healing. We laughed and she continued to fill my mind with the captivating story of her journey.

Copal

Second in my path, was Tonita Gonzales of Traditional Healing. This healer is now living in the North Valley of Albuquerque, but was originally from a rural New Mexico community. Tonita has also studied in Mexico. Working continuously with her mentor, the world renowned Rita Navarrete Perez, the two women are Curanderas. They practice many types of healing, but Tonita said she most enjoyed the art of Temazcal. A Temazal is a type of sweat lodge. The origin of this type of lodge is traced back to the indigenous people of MesoAmerica. It was not until later that I would learn that the word Temazcal comes from the Nahuatl word temazcalli. Tonita said she loved to heal people using a “Casa de Sudor” or “House of Heat.” Later that day, out of several options, I opted to attend the Francisco X. Alarcón presentation. Interestingly, I was unaware that his presentation would also center on the Nahuatl. As Tonita spoke, all voices around us disappeared, and I focused on the spiral earrings she was wearing.

Burning Copal in a Sahumerio

The symbolic spirals radiated energy. She spoke of the Mujeres de Fuego (Women of Fire), and her use of a sahumerio (a special chalice given to worthy Curanderas) for purification. The sahumerio is used for the ceremonial burning of copal (a tree resin). Tonita insisted that a Temazcalera can heal most illnesses and pain with a medicinal sweat. As she declared the power of her art, she started to show me actual blueprints of the lodge she intends to build. It will be the first in the North Valley, and she is excited to get to work. We close, but do not end our conversation with a quote from her mentor. Tonita said, “when I met Rita she told me something interesting.”  She continued, “if you are suffering, that is your choice. I am not going to wave a wand and heal you, but I will teach you how to heal yourself.”

It is true that everything is written. People come into our lives for a reason. Just as Carl Schurz believed, our thoughts correspond with the stars. If they are bright enough, they will lead us where we need to be.

For more on the 2006 panel regarding Curanderas and Healers visit the following link:

Our Women: Bewitched by Tradition- http://www.southwestbooks.org/schedule_for_10.20.06.pdf

Brisol… Sanserman (My French Connection)

François-Marie Patorni has put together a beautiful site. On his site Patorni says… “I am a French American living in Santa Fe, researching elements for a book, “New Mexico: The French since the 1500s,” on the history of the French and French-Canadians in New Mexico. It will follow the pioneering journeys, struggles and triumphs of French immigrants, some famous as well as many other individuals and families, a few of whose descendents still maintain vibrant links with their relatives in France.” He has a section devoted to French surnames in New Mexico.

WHO WAS FRENCH IN OR ABOUT NEW MEXICO

1500 TO THE PRESENT

Draft as of March 14, 2011

http://newmexicofrenchhistory.com/families/all-names/