On This Day - December 28

Honoring the day my great-grandmother began her journey.

Personal Case Files: Today In My Family History – Inocencia Nieva Nieves

December 28, 1904. 118 years ago today, on a Wednesday at 8:00 PM, my great-grandmother Inocencia (or Ynocencia) Nieva Nieves was born. Her birth took place in Calle Sta. Isabel, Barrio Carcel, within the vibrant town of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, specifically at the home of her maternal grandmother, Juana Aponte Vélez. Inocencia was the daughter of Guadalupe Nieves Aponte and Pedro Nieva Mangual.

Her story, like many, is a fascinating blend of diverse heritage.

A Tapestry of Indigenous and Spanish Roots

Inocencia's mother and grandmother were descendants of the Indigenous Taíno people, native to Puerto Rico, or Borinquen as the island was originally named. The Taíno were, in fact, the first inhabitants to encounter Christopher Columbus when he arrived on the island's shorelines on November 19, 1493.

Her father, Pedro Nieva Mangual, came from prominent Spanish roots. His family had recently immigrated to Puerto Rico from Málaga, Spain, in the early 19th century, around the 1830s. Pedro himself was a second-generation Puerto Rican, with the Nieva family playing a significant role in the establishment of the government in Mayagüez, serving as mayors and governors alongside other wealthy and well-known Spanish settlers.

Birth Record of Inocencia Nieva, 1905. Her mother, Guadalupe Nieves, registered the birth on January 30th. Record shown in its original Spanish. (Source: Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org)

Intriguing Details & Hidden Histories

As often happens in genealogical research, my great-grandmother Inocencia's records held a couple of interesting details:

1. A Name with Meaning: It's fascinating that her birth date, December 28, is also known as Holy Innocents Day. I strongly suspect this significant date was the reason behind her beautiful name, Inocencia, which translates to "Innocence" in Spanish. (You can learn more about this day here: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/holy-innocents-day-december-28/)

2. A Paternal Mystery: Notably, her father was not named in any of her records except for her death certificate. This detail highlights the common challenges and mysteries genealogists often encounter when tracing specific lines.

   
   

Inocencia's story is a powerful reminder of how personal family histories intertwine with broader historical narratives, from indigenous heritage and Spanish colonial influence, to specific cultural traditions and the everyday mysteries within records.

Each ancestor's life adds a unique thread to the rich tapestry of our past.

What hidden stories might be waiting in your family tree?

Contact Marcy today at Budget Genealogy to begin uncovering the incredible narratives of your own ancestors! Visit my Services Page to learn more!