I became interested in genealogy many years ago.  I interviewed my grandmothers, great-aunts, and just about anyone else who could tell me about Cuba and my family’s experience there.  I emigrated from Cuba at the age of 4 so I was curious about anything Cuban: history, geography, folk stories, jokes…anything!

I loved hearing stories about times past and my ancestors, some of who were more colorful than others. I’ve also found out that although “family stories” don’t qualify as proof for genealogical finds; these stories are based on some historical or genealogical fact.  This fact may have been exaggerated or changed with time and the telling of the story, but its original point is still valid and worth checking out!  This is exactly what happened in my family.

 

My paternal great-granduncle, who lived and died in Cuba, was always brushed off as being a little “off”, or as we say in Spanish: un loco. It seems he had always insisted that we were Americanos and the family had come from the United States.  To my great surprise and amazement, he was absolutely right! One of my cousins, who is also very interested in genealogy, started to research this and hit the jackpot!  It seems that this loco’s maternal grandfather had indeed been born in San Agustin de la Florida, which is now present-day St. Augustine, Florida.  Upon further research we found multiple generations, all from St. Augustine!

 

In my fervor to look for a link to Spain, as in the majority of Cuban families, I totally ignored the less probable possibility that the family had not immigrated directly to Cuba from Spain.  Our family’s link back to Spain doesn’t occur in one line until circa 1724 and in the other it doesn’t occur until prior to 1665! 

 

We were very fortunate in that the St. Augustine Historical Society has a wonderful research library with some very dedicated and enthusiastic personnel.  We found generations of families that were born, married, had families and died in San Agustin.  They owned ships that traveled between San Agustin, Cuba, and present-day North Carolina.  They owned homes that still stand in St. Augustine and were the “roots” of that city. Even after many trips (or maybe pilgrimages?) to St. Augustine I’m continually fascinated by that ancient city and its connection to my family and Cubans.  I find it totally mind-blowing that I’m walking the same streets my 6^th great and 7^th great-grandparents once walked upon and that I can actually visit and see two houses built by and lived in by my 5^th great-grandfather in the oldest city in the United States!  All this in my “back yard!”

 

My experience has taught me two valuable lessons: oral history and lore, in the form of family stories, is a viable and valuable tool in genealogical research; and look at all migratory routes, even the ones less traveled!  You never know where you’ll find an ancestor!

 

 

"Today, the Tovar House is part of the Oldest House Museum Complex in St.
Augustine, Florida.  This house was in the author's 6th great-grandmother's
family."

 

 

 

"Researching the documents at the St. Augustine Historical Society Research
Library."

 

 

 

"The DeMesa-Sanchez House on St. George Street in St. Augustine, Florida.
This is the house built by the author's 5th great-grandfather."