Hello all on the mailing list, old members and new. Where were the records kept prior to Father Ussel and St. Mary's? I am trying to locate information on Maria Leonor(a) Trujillo & Rufino Wilkins or Juana Apolonia Garcia & Francisco Silva. It is nice to see some activity on the list. Karen, have you had any outdoor adventures? Lions, tigers, bears, Sasquatch? Thanks in advance from Dave & Diane Go Cardinals! (baseball in St. Louis)

Hi Dave, Do you remember the old western movies where the Padre is slowly traveling across country on a donkey or mule? That was based on fact. Prior to many of the churches being established the Priests were considered circuit riders that traveled to different localities to perform their jobs. So unfortunately we don't always know where any given record will be prior to St. Mary's being established in late 1869. We do know that Rufino was in the area prior to 1861 because he is listed in the 1861 Territorial census. On April 14, 1862 he was sworn in as a Justice of the Peace in Huerfano County, and also in 1862 he applied for a license for a grocery in his home. From the 1880 census we can determine that he was born about 1840 and Leonore about 1843. So it's conceivable that they were married as early as 1860. He died before 1910 and Leonor died after 1910 census enumeration. I have 13 children listed for Rufino and Leonor but actual birth dates on only two of the daughters. I assume that you are descended from Pacifica Wilkins and Simon Silva. Is that correct? Beings Rufino is listed in the Territorial Election in District 8 or 9 in Precinct 7, which is listed as "on the Arkansas" river, I am wondering if we might find the marriage record at Pueblo. If not there, then perhaps Trinidad or Mora County, NM. They are not listed in the Conejos records that I have. Wish I could be of more help to you but unfortunately this marriage record has been elusive for me also. No I haven't had any "encounters" lately with anything but snakes and gophers. Only two rattlers this year so far, but I expect that to increase in the next weeks as we are getting fibre optic cable laid in this area and I'm afraid the workers might disturb any nests in the area. I haven't done any cemetery readings this year because I don't have anyone to go with me so that has cut way back on the "encounters". Pretty boring LOL! Sure wish you all would start a campaign to talk the Johnston's into coming from California again, we'd get alot more cemeteries online. Hmmm, wonder if I could kidnap them. (hehe) But in the meantime, if any of you are in the area and would like to spend a day helping read and document a cemetery, Please let me know, I would appreciate it so very much! It is never wise to go into a remote cemetery alone so I'm pretty much stuck at home with my wishes. Fall is on the way, hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather! Karen ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave Silva" <fourofus@htc.net> To: <COHUERFA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2005 2:01 PM Subject: [COHUERFA] Marriages and Baptisms prior Hello all on the mailing list, old members and new. Where were the records kept prior to Father Ussel and St. Mary's? I am trying to locate information on Maria Leonor(a) Trujillo & Rufino Wilkins or Juana Apolonia Garcia & Francisco Silva. It is nice to see some activity on the list. Karen, have you had any outdoor adventures? Lions, tigers, bears, Sasquatch? Thanks in advance from Dave & Diane Go Cardinals! (baseball in St. Louis)