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I am just starting to compile a few facts. I will add more as I learn more.
We are a family from southern Arizona. I know more about my mother’s side of the family than my fathers. I know nothing about my father’s side actually; this is what I hope to remedy.
My greatgrandmother Rosa Miranda came to the Arizona Territory when she was 8 years old from Mexico, about 1885. She lived most of her life on a ranch (small piece of land) just north of Nogales along the highway. My Grandmother moved to Tucson about 1947-8. She moved with her two children Raphael and Teresita. Both attended C.E. Rose elementary after first attending the convent school in Tucson. Went on to attend Pueblo High School.
My mother Teresita Berrellez was married for a brief period to my father ‘Ruben’ Urena. Then she went on the marry her supervisor at Hughes Aircraft, Wesley Stewart. They were divorced in 1984. I was born in 1964, followed quickly by my sister in 1965. I moved to Los Angeles in 1999. My sister still lives in Tucson and so does my mother.
My mother cares for my four nephews, sons of my sister Michelle.
The last centuries’ history of my family can be best described as a battle against ignorance, poverty, racism and drug addiction. Somewhere along the line our entire identity as a family and members of any particular class or race was totally annihilated by internal colonialism. We are Mestiso, with brown skin and hair, yet milder in complexion than many Mexicanos. I know and understand a great amount of our history begins and ends with our Native American heritage, which was still apart of our family possibly as recently as the mid 1800’s.
Names used my members of my family, closest relations.
My mother’s aunts married names; Anita Owens, Helita Burrola, Pancho Miranda, Maggie (can’t remember last name) all live/or lived in Tucson.
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