The Ortega Journey to the New World

By Roy Ortega 

After many months of inquiry, I was able to pinpoint the exact location in Spain where members of my Ortega ancestors lived before departing for Mexico (New Spain) sometime in the early 1700s. The reasons why they left Spain and under what circumstances remains the subject of my ongoing genealogical search. I have also identified the names of many of my ancestors who lived during this time period.

Robledo, Albacete, Spain

Robledo, Albacete, Spain

The place determined to be our ancestral home village is named Robledo, Albacete, Spain, located in the south-central mountains of the country. Church records in the village reveal that Fernando de Ortega was born there in 1700. He was married to Maria Lopez Romera, born in 1705. Records show the couple was married at the Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion Church on October 2, 1724. One of their sons was Antonio de Ortega who was born in 1729. He married Lucia Villegas who was born in 1735.

Journey to the New World

Robledo, Albacete, Spain

At some point during this period, Antonio left Spain and settled in what is now Villa del Refugio, Zacatecas, Mexico. When they arrived, Mexico was under Spanish colonial rule.

Froilan Ortega

Literally tens of thousands of Spanish men and women made their trek from Europe to the new world to participate in various roles under the vast and burgeoning Spanish Empire. It was not until 1821 that Mexico gained its independence from Spain.

Ortega Family in New Spain

The first Ortega to be born in New Spain (Mexico) was Candelario Ortega, according to church records. His birth year is listed in Catholic records as 1797. Candelario lived until 1860.

Higinio Ortega

Candelario Ortega 
Birth Record About
1797

This information was gathered, verified and matched through records accessed from various resources. I am grateful for the fine research conducted by one of our distant relatives in California, Leticia Ortega. She is a descendant of Higinio Ortega, brother of Froilan Ortega.

Froilan is my grandfather who brought his family to the U.S. from Zacatecas, Mexico in 1925 and settled in Iowa.

Of course, there is still much to explore, and we will certainly pass it along. I hope this information is both interesting and educational.

Roy Ortega may be reached at rortega54@elp.rr.com

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