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.
SOURCE: John Schmal
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