I met a Lady named Linda Ramos. She descends through the Ruiz line from Franciso (Don Poncho) Ruiz. The Alcalde at the time of the Alamo. Mr. Navarro and his Uncle Francisco Ruiz (father of "Don Poncho") were at Washington-on-the-Brazos working on and then signing the Texas Declaration of Independence. Santa Ana knew these families from a young age. In fact when he was a young man he had visited the home of the Navarro's and was infatuated with a young Navarro woman. Unfortunately he was not allowed to court her which was a big disappointment to him. When Santa Ana became an adult and a very successful military man he came back to San Antonio as General of the Mexican Army which brings him back to San Antonio in a very different capacity. He was leading this great army against the Alamo defenders who were on Mexican land. The history books tell us why he ordered the Alcalde "Don Poncho" to burn the bodies of the Alamo Defenders. It is said that this was a move to disgrace the names of Navarro and Ruiz for being on the American's side.
Linda and I now do many things together. I once said to her, "I wondered why I had met you and why we hit it off so well." I told her that it came to me that it was because we descend from these
two famous Texas families.
Other cousins I have met over the years have been Al Gerdes and his mother Angelina Gerdes, Adolph Herrera, Amelia Patino, Norberto Martinez, Richard Garcia, Tom Dowling, Gloria Goodman, Hank Pumyea, Jeannie Navarro, Barbara Dove, Jim Ligon, Lucia Navarro, Richard Cook, Everett Levell, Norma Hiblig, Louise Chilfone, John Ross, Lisa Blakely, Jessie Alvarado and numerous other Navarro and Ruiz family members.
My cousin Jessie Alvarado has moved back to Texas from Michigan and is currently building his home on Navarro land near Jordanton, Texas. He plans on revitalizing some old ruins on the land that he said was probably the Navarro house (or ranch) . He has some history on that area and plans to build a museum to share with people just what was going on in Texas on that land in those early 1800's. Because I have met so many Navarro and Ruiz cousins I have been able to experience a lot of things.
It is interesting to learn about all the distant relatives you have met throughout all your years of research. It is wonderful you have found people to share your passion of your family history!
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