NOTE from DearMYRTLE: The following was received from our friends at Ancestry.com. Please address all inquiries to support@ancestry.com.
Ancestry.com Releases the 1930 Mexico National Census to Open
Gateway for Hispanic Family History Research.
Gateway for Hispanic Family History Research.
Access is Free to Public for Most Comprehensive Mexican Census Published Online
PROVO, UTAH – (September 16, 2011) – Ancestry.com, the world’s largest online family history
resource, today announced a significant addition to its growing
collection of online Mexican and Hispanic historical records. With
nearly 13 million records, the newly available 1930 Mexico National
Census (El Quinto Censo General de Población y Vivienda 1930, México) is
the most comprehensive historical Mexican census available online.
It is estimated that this census counted approximately 90 percent of
the population, therefore for nearly 30 million Americans who can trace
their families to Mexico, it provides a valuable gateway to begin
researching Mexican family history, especially if family, vital or
religious records are lost.
Mexico’s
first formally recognized federal or national census was taken in 1895.
Starting in 1900, censuses were taken every 10 years, making the 1930
Mexico Census the fifth official government census, or formally the
Fifth General Census of Housing and Population. This particular census
is significant in Mexican history as federal officials sought to make it
a vehicle for national unity. A successful campaign urging citizens to
take part as a civic duty resulted in an extremely high participation
rate - the primary reason why the 1930 Mexican Census is considered the
best Mexican census conducted in the 20th century.
Edward James Olmos, Academy Award nominated actor and noted philanthropist, is working with Ancestry.com to trace his family’s Mexican history using information found in the 1930 Mexico National Census.
“Like
so many Latinos, I’m proud of my heritage and want to preserve that
legacy for future generations,” said Olmos. “With resources like the
1930 Mexico National Census, families can now trace their ancestors to
Mexico and gain a greater understanding of where they came from.”
The 1930 Mexico National Census provides a wide spectrum of details
about individuals and families and can offer valuable insight into their
lives. In addition to demographic data such as name, age, gender,
birthplace, address and marital status, the census form also recorded
nationality, religion, occupation, real estate holdings, literacy and
any physical or mental defects. The millions of records in the
collection reveal some interesting statistics about life in Mexico in
1930:
- The most common given female name was Maria and the most common given male name Juan.
- The three most common surnames were Hernandez, Garcia and Martinez.
- Nearly 18% of the population were recorded as Soltero [single], 11% were Casado por lo Civil y la Iglesia [civil and church marriage], 10% were Casado por la Iglesia [church marriage] and 8% were Union Libre [free union—living together without marriage].
- The four most populous Mexican states were Puebla, Veracruz, Jalisco and Oaxaca.
· Famous
Mexicans found in the collection include Maria Félix (1914–2002), who
was among the best-known Mexican actresses and Carmello Torres Fregoso
(Bernardo del Carmen Fregoso Cázares; 1927-2003), a renowned bullfighter
who later became a successful businessman.
“As the United States is home to the second largest Mexican community
in the world, Mexican-Americans comprise 10 percent of the total U.S.
population therefore it is fitting that the world’s largest online
family history resource now has an expansive collection to serve this
important demographic,” said Josh Hanna, Ancestry.com Executive Vice President.
While the 1930 Mexico Census is the newest and largest collection of Mexican records on Ancestry.com, there are a number of other collections that may be helpful when conducting Mexican family history research, including Border Crossings: From Mexico to U.S., 1895-1957; Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas, Mexico, Selected Parish Records, 1751-1880; and the Spanish-American Family History Guide.
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