Tina Micheal Ruse's Page

Hi Tina

That's a good question. Honestly, there are more resources available now than ever before and yet -- like you -- I see very little activity. There are a number of possible reasons I suspect. One is that many of the old enclaves of Californio families are very tight-knit and would prefer to recycle "the old stories" than have the facts. Some, too, simply don't know the rich heritage associated with their families. Once they lose touch with the "oldies" the history fades and they don't know how to get it back. Curiously, too, there's the imagined "stigma" (silly, we know, but...). Even in California, there's still a perceived "We're not Mexicans!" social flare. I live in Orange County which, as you probably know, is replete with Spanish/Mexican era history and heritage...and yet there are no public monuments, statues, or even much reference to the "old days". A few people -- who are aware -- are astonished when we relate our long history and family connections, but many more simply shrug. Another factor may be *gasp* connected to the stigma thing..."shame". Shame that once was is no longer. The ranchos were sold for debts or lost by legal manipulation. The "glory" is tarnished by "black sheep", etc etc. Also I think many people simply don't realize that most of the major "gringo families" of prominence in the area (in California for that matter) married into the then prominent Spanish/Mexican era families. And, boy!, don't even mention the family feuds among the Californio families! whew! There are any number of factors contributing to the situation. Fortunately there are venues incl for example Somos Primos (http://www.somosprimos.com/) and some of the local historical societies (the best so far that I have found is the Saddleback Area Historical Society). I guess it's up to us lone rangers to make a difference, eh? LOL

Hi Tina

Nice to see you, too. We're probably cousins to one degree or another, as it looks like we share some Californio surnames. Que gusta!