Colonial Nueva Vizcaya Missions Relevant to Chacon-Villanueva Genealogy

The colonial province of Nueva Vizcaya was first explored by Nuno Beltrn de Guzman in 1531 and was comprised principally of modern Mexican states of Durngo and Chihuahua. In addition, small parts of present day Sonora, Coahuila and Sinaloa were included in the Nueva Vizcaya province at verious times. Southern Chihuahua's exploration began in earnest in the mid-sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries coninciding with the discovery of silver in the Santa Barbara area in 1567 and Parral area in 1631. Nueva Vizcaya was the home to numerous indigenous groups, which historians beleive had trading relations with other indigenous groups located in other areas. These indigenous groups included the Concho, the Toboso, the Jumanos, the Suma, the Pescado, the Mansos, the Coahuiltecan, the Tarahumara, the Tepehuanes, the Varohio and the Apaches. The majority ranged widely having both nomadic and semi-nomadic traditions. Because of the numerous indigenous inhabitants of Nueva Vizcaya it is likely that anyone with Chihuahuan ancestry has both European and indigenous ancestors. Several of the many missions of Nueva Vizcaya have proved to be important in the Chacon-Villanueva family history, and it is anticipated that as the discovery process continues more may be added to the list. At this time the following missions are important to the investigation of the C-V family history.

Pueblo and Mission Santa Rosalia de Camargo

Founded in about 1734 by Franciscian missionaries and the nearby presidio by General Joseph Berrotaran in 1736. General Berrotaran was the Capitian of the Presidio at San Francisco de Conchos. The Santa Rosalia mission site was in the center of a Tarahumara village.

Mission San Pablo

Founded in 1709 by Franciscian missionaries. Became a presidio in 1773 under the direction of Colonel Hugo O'Conor. Benito Juarez remaned the presidio and mission in honor of General Pedro Meoqui in 1886.

Mission Santa Cruz de Tapacolmes

Founded in 1714 by Franciscian missionaries.

Mission and Presidio San Francisco de Conchos

Founded in 1604 by Franciscian missionary Alonso de la Oliva in a Conchos village. The mission was destroyed during an uprising in 1645 and the two Franciscian missionaries, Tomas de Zigaran and Francisco Labado were killed.

In 1685 the presidio "Real Presidio de San Francisco de Conchos" was founded by General Juan Fernandes de Retana and in 1700 the mission San Francisco de Conchos was re-established.

Mission Santa Anna de Camargo

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