The Baptisms of Famous Mexicans
Famous men and women of Mexico have gained the attention of both the nation and the world. But all of Mexico’s famous historical characters started out the same: as the infant children of two parents. The following are extracts from the baptism records of several famous Mexican individuals. The following baptisms have been reproduced and translated, but some Spanish words have been misspelled in the documents. The English translations are approximate translations, not literal translations, and include the spelling out of some abbreviated terms. Several words that were not clearly understood were left out.
Pancho Villa (1878-1923)
Francisco “Pancho” Villa (1878 – 1923) was a Mexican revolutionary general and one of the most prominent figures of the Mexican Revolution. Born as Jose Doroteo Arango in Durango, Villa commanded the División del Norte (Division of the North), in the rebel Constitutionalist Army and was the chief military-landowner (caudillo) of the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua. In 1923, Pancho Villa was assassinated in Parral, Chihuahua. His 1878 baptism in the Catholic Church at San Juan del Rio, Durango, is shown below:
Document Location:
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The Baptism of José Doroteo Arango (1878: Spanish)
En la Parroquia de San Juan del Rio a los siete dias del mes de Julio de mil ochocientos setenta y ocho, yo el Presbítero José Andres Palomo, cura encargado de esta villa, bautisé solemnemente un niño que nacio en el Rio Grande al dia cinco del pasado: le puse por nombre JOSE DOROTEO, hijo legitimo de Agustin Arango y Micaela Arambula. Sus Abuelos paternos: Antonio [surname smudged out, ends with “ez”] y Feliciana Velas. Los maternos: Trinidad Arambula y Maria de Jesus (servido) digo Alvarez… fueron padrinos Esquivel Acevido y Alvina Arambula, a quienes advertí su parentesco espiritual y obligaciones de su cargo. Y para que conste lo firmé.
The Baptism of José Doroteo Arango (1878: English Translation)
In the Parish of San Juan del Rio (Durango) on July 7, 1878, I, Father José Andres Palomo, priest in charge of this villa, baptized solemnly a baby boy who was born in Rio Grande on the Fifth Day of the preceding month (June): I gave him the name JOSE DOROTEO, legitimate son of Agustin Arango and Micaela Arambula. His paternal grandparents: Antonio —-ez and Feliciana Velas. The maternal grandparents: Trinidad Arambula and Maria de Jesus (servant) said-to-be Alvarez. The godparents were Esquivel Acevido and Alvina Arambula, whom I advised of the spiritual parentage and obligations of their chargé. And in witness thereof, I signed it.
President Benito Juárez (1806-1872)
Benito Pablo Juárez García (1806 – 1872) was a Mexican lawyer and politician, who served as the 26th president of Mexico from 1858 until his death in 1872. He guided Mexico through the War of the Reform (1858-1860) and the French Invasion and Occupation (1861-1867), challenging the French invader and reunifying his country afterwards. His baptism from the Parish Church of Santo Tomás, Ixtlán, Oaxaca, as extracted in Spanish and translated into English, follows:
The Baptism of Benito Juárez in Oaxaca in 1806
En la Iglesia Parroquial de Santo Tomás Ixtlán, a veintidós de marzo del año de mil ochocientos seis; yo, Mariano Cortabarría, asistido por el Vicario don Antonio Puche, bauticé solemnemente a Benito Pablo, hijo de Marcelino Juárez y de Brígida García, indios del poblado de San Pablo Guelatao, perteneciente a esta cabecera de partido; sus abuelos paternos son Pedro Juárez y Justa López; los maternos, Pablo García y María García; fue madrina Apolonia García, india y casada con Francisco García, y le advertí su obligación y parentesco espiritual, y para que conste firmamos la presente acta…
Source: Pere Foix, Juárez (Mexico, D.F.: Editorial Trillas, 1949), p. 23.
The Baptism of Benito Juárez in 1806 (English Translation)
In the Parish Church of Santo Tomas Ixtlán, on the 22nd of March of the year of 1806, I, Father Mariano Cortabarria, assisted by Vicar Antonio Puche, baptized solemnly Benito Pablo, son of Marcelino Juárez and Brigida Garcia, Indians of the village of San Pablo Guelatao, belonging to this main district; his paternal grandparents are Pedro Juarez and Justa Lopez; the maternal grandparents: Pablo Garcia and Maria Garcia; the godmother was Apolonia Garcia, Indian and wife of Francisco Garcia, and whom I advised of her obligation and spiritual parentage, and in witness thereof we signed the present act…
Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794-1876)
General Antonio María Severino López de Santa Anna (1794 – 1876) was a Mexican politician and general. Santa Anna was an enigmatic and controversial figure who served 12 non-consecutive presidential terms over a period of 22 years (1833-1855). In the periods when he was not serving as president, he relentlessly pursued his military career, but in 1836 he lost Tejas (Texas), and in 1848 he lost a war to the United States. Santa Anna was born in Xalapa in Veracruz in 1794 as noted in his baptism, which has been reproduced below:
Document Location:
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The Baptism of Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794: Spanish)
En esta Parroquia de Xalapa, en veinte de dos de febrero de mil setecientos noventa y quatro años, Doñ Blas Nicolas Cortez, con mi licencia, batizó solemnemente a ANTONIO DE PADUA MARIA SEVERINO, de un dia nacida, hijo lexitimo del Licenciado Doñ Antonio Lopez Santa Anna, y a Doña Manuela Perez Lebron fué su Madrina Doña Margarita Antonia Cortez, a quien le advertí su obligacion y parentesco espiritual. Abuelos Paternos: Doñ Antonio Lopez Santa Anna, y Doña Rosa Perez de Acal y maternos Doñ Antonio Perez Lebron, y Doña Ysavel Cortes. Y para que conste lo firmá.
The Baptism of Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794: English Translation)
In this Parish of Xalapa, on February 22nd, 1794, Doñ Blas Nicolas Cortez, with my license, baptized solemnly ANTONIO DE PADUA MARIA SEVERINO, one day of age, the legitimate son of Doñ Antonio Lopez Santa Anna and Doña Manuela Perez Lebron, and his godmother was Doña Margarita Antonia Cortez, whom I warned of her obligation and spiritual parentage. Paternal grandparents: Doñ Antonio Lopez Santa Anna and Doña Rosa Perez de Acal and the maternal grandparents were Doñ Antonio Perez Lebron, and Doña Ysavel Cortes. And for the record I sign it.
President Porfirio Díaz (1830-1915)
José de la Cruz Porfirio Díaz Mori (1830 – 1915) was a Mexican general and politician who served seven terms as President of Mexico, a total of 31 years, from 1877 to 1880 and 1884 to 1911. The entire period 1876–1911 is often referred to as the Porfiriato. He was overthrown in 1911 shortly after the Mexican Revolution had begun. His baptism from the city of Oaxaca (in the state of Oaxaca) in 1830 has been reproduced below and translated into English.
Document Location:
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The Baptism of Jose De La Cruz Porfirio Diaz Mori (1830: Spanish)
En la Capilla de Oaxaca, á quince de Septiembre de mil ochocientos treina, Yo, el teniente, bautizé solemnente a JOSE DE LA CRUZ PORFIRIO, hijo legitimo de José de la Cruz Dias y Petrona Mori. Abuelos Paternos: Manuel José Dias y Maria Catarina Orosco; Maternos, Mariano Mori and Tecla Cortes. Fue Padrino el Señor Cura de Nochistlan Licenciado Doñ José Agustin Dominguez, á quien recordi…
The Baptism of Jose De La Cruz Porfirio Diaz Mori (1830: English Translation)
In the Chapel of Oaxaca, on September 15th, 1830, I, the deputy [priest], solemnly baptized JOSE DE LA CRUZ PORFIRIO, legitimate son of José de la Cruz Dias and Petrona Mori. Paternal Grandparents: Manuel José Dias and Maria Catarina Orosco; Maternal grandparents: Mariano Mori and Tecla Cortes. The godfather was the priest of Nochistlán [Oaxaca], Doñ José Agustin Dominguez, whom I recorded…
President Francisco Madero (1873-1913)
Francisco Ignacio Madero González (1873 – 1913) was a Mexican revolutionary, writer and statesman who served as the 33rd president of Mexico from 1911 until shortly before his assassination in 1913. A landowner from a well-to-do Coahuila family, he was an advocate for social justice and democracy. Madero challenged long-time President Porfirio Díaz for the presidency in 1910 and, in the process, was instrumental in sparking the Mexican Revolution. However, he was brutally murdered by opponents after a coup in 1913.
The Baptism of Francisco Madero in 1874
Francisco Ygnacio Madero’s baptism on January 1, 1874 in the Santa Maria Church in Parras, Coahuila indicated he had been born the previous October [1873]. The baptism was erroneously dated January 1, 1873, but at the top of the page in the Baptism Book, 1874 was written. The baptism has been reproduced below:
The Baptism of Francisco Madero (1873: Spanish)
En la Yglesia Parroquial de la Ciudad de Santa Maria de Parras, a primero de Enero, año del Señor mil ochocientos setenta y tres, el Reverendo Padre Fray Jacinto Silva teniente de Cura, con mi licensia, bautisé solmnemente, puso el Santo Oleo y Sagrado Crisma á un niño nacido en el Rosario á treinto de Octubre, la llama FRANCISCIO YGNACIO, hijo legitimo de Doñ Francisco Madero y de Doña Merced Gonzalez: fueron sus abuelos paternos: Doñ Evaristo Madero y Doña Rafaela Hernandez; los maternos, Doñ Francisco Gonzalez y Doña Maria del Pilar Treviño y sus padrinos, Doñ Evaristo Madero y Doña Manuela Farias, les notificó su obligación y firmó…
The Baptism of Francisco Madero (1873: English translation)
In the Parish Church of the City of Santa Maria of Parras, on January 1st, 1873, the Reverend Father Fray Jacinto Silva, deputy priest, with my license, solemnly baptized, poured Holy Oil and Sacred Chrism on a boy born in Rosario on the 30th of October, and called FRANCISCO YGNACIO, legitimate son of Doñ Francisco Madero and Doña Merced Gonzalez; his paternal grandparents are Doñ Evaristo Madero and Doña Rafaela Hernandez; the maternal grandparents were Doñ Francisco Gonzalez and Doña Maria del Pilar Treviño, and his godparents, Doñ Evaristo Madero and Doña Manuela Farias, were notified of their obligation and signed…
President Lázaro Cárdenas (1895-1970)
Lázaro Cárdenas del Río (1895 – 1970) was a general in the Constitutionalist Army during the Mexican Revolution and a statesman who later served as President of Mexico from 1934 to 1940. He is best known for nationalization of the oil industry in 1938 and the creation of Pemex, the government oil company. He also established agrarian reforms by expropriating large landed estates and distributing land to small holders in collective holdings (ejidos).
The Baptism of Lázaro Cárdenas in 1895
The baptism of Lázaro Cárdenas del Río took place on May 28, 1895, according to the church records of San Francisco de Asís Church in Jiquilpán, Michoacán, and has been reproduced below:
The Baptism of Lázaro Cárdenas (1891: Spanish)
En Jiquilpan á vientiocho de Mayo de mil ochocientos noventa y cinco, yo el Presbitítero Luis E. Garcia, cura, exorcise, puse óleo, sagrado crisma y bautizé solemnemente á un infante que nació hace ocho dias en esta Ciudad púsele por nombre JOSE LAZARO, hijo legitimo de Damaso Cardenas y de Felicitas del Rio…
The Baptism of Lázaro Cárdenas (1891: English Translation)
In Jiquilpan, on May 28, 1895, I, Father Luis E. Garcia, priest, exorcised, put oil, sacred chrism and solemnly baptized an infant who was born eight days ago in this City, [and] called JOSE LAZARO, legitimate son of Damaso Cardenas and Felicitas del Rio …
Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo (1907-1954)
Frida Kahlo was a Mexican painter known for her many portraits, self-portraits, and works inspired by the artifacts of Mexico. She employed a folk-art style to explore questions of identity, postcolonialism, gender, class, and race in Mexican society. Frida Kahlo was baptized on August 18, 1907 in San Juan Bautista Church in Coyoacán, Distrito Federal. Her baptism has been reproduced below:
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The Baptism of Frida Kahlo (1907: Spanish)
En la Parroquia de Coyoacán, a diez y ocho de Agosto de mil ochocientos siete: Yo, el inparaonito cura el la misma bautice solemnemente á una niña, que naciód el dia un de Julio del mismo año y le puse los nombre de MAGDALENA CARMEN FRIDA: Es hija legitima de Guillermo Kahlo y Matilde Calderón, vecinos de la Colonia del Carmen; fuerón sus padrinos Marcial Vargas Quintana y Ana Calderón, a los que advert lo que — el Ritual Romano. Para que conste lo firmo.
The Baptism of Frida Kahlo (1907: English Translation)
In the Parish of Coyoacán, on August 18, 1807: I, the unparalleled priest, solemnly baptized a girl, who was born on July 1 of the same year and I named her MAGDALENA CARMEN FRIDA: She is the legitimate daughter of Guillermo Kahlo and Matilde Calderón, residents of Colonia del Carmen; Her godparents were Marcial Vargas Quintana and Ana Calderón, who warned what — the Roman Ritual. For the record, I sign it.
Anthony Quinn (1915-2001)
The American actor Manuel Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca was well-known for his portrayal of earthy, passionate characters in numerous critically acclaimed films both in Hollywood and abroad. He had significant roles in The Guns of Navarone, Lawrence of Arabia and was nominated for an Oscar for his role in Zorba the Greek. His Quinn surname originated in Cork County, Ireland. His 1915 baptism took place in the Church of Chihuahua City in the State of Chihuahua.
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The Baptism of Anthony Quinn (1915: Spanish)
En once de Julio de mil novecientos quince, El, Sr. Pbr. Cecilio F. Martinez, Vicario de esta Parroquia del Sagrario de Chihuahua bautizó solemnente a MANUEL ANTONIO nació aqui el veintiuno de Abril ult. [ultimo], hijo legmo. [legitimo] de Francisco Queen y Manuela Pallares. Abuelos Paternos: Francisco Queen y Sabrina Espinosa. Abuelos Maternos: Maria Pallares. Padrinos: Sr. [Señor] Demetrio Espinosa y Sra. [Señora] Tomasa M. Vda. [viuda] de Alarcón, a quienes advirtió la obligación y parentesco spiritual que han conjaido. Y para Constancia firmé.
The Baptism of Anthony Quinn (1915: English Translation)
On July 11, 1915, Father Cecilio F. Martinez, Vicar of this Chihuahua Tabernacle Parish, solemnly baptized MANUEL ANTONIO, who was born here on the last April 21, legitimate son of Francisco Queen and Manuela Pallares. Paternal Grandparents: Francisco Queen and Sabrina Espinosa. Maternal grandparents: Maria Pallares. Godparents: Mr. Demetrio Espinosa and Mrs. Tomasa M. Widow of Alarcón, to whom he warned of the obligation and spiritual kinship they have entered into. And for Constancia I signed.
Emperor Agustín de Iturbide (1783-1824)
Agustín de Iturbide was a general in the Mexican army, then a politician, becoming Emperor during the First Mexican Empire. During Mexico’s War of Independence, he built a successful political and military coalition that took control in Mexico City on 27 September 1821, decisively gaining independence for Mexico. After securing the secession of Mexico from Spain, Iturbide was proclaimed president in 1821. But a year later, he became Emperor, reigning from 19 May 1822 to 19 March 1823. In May 1823 he went into exile in Europe. When he returned to Mexico in July 1824, he was arrested and executed. He designed the Mexican flag.
Augustin Cosme Damian Yturbide was baptized on 1 October 1783 in the Sagrario Metropolitano, Valladolid [now known as Morelia] Michoacán.
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The Baptism of Agustín Iturbide (1783: Spanish)
In esta Ciudad de Valladolid [now Morelia, Michoacán], en primero de Octubre de mil setecientos ochenta y tres, S.D.D. Joseph de Aregui Canonigo se esta Santas— Catholico con mi licensia exorcisó solemnemente y puse oleo — y puso chrism aun infante Español que nació el dia veinte y siete y el — para Septembre alqual puso por nombre: AUGUSTIN COSME DAMIAN, hijo legitimo de Doñ Jose Joaquin de Iturbide y de Doña Maria Josefa de Arámburu. Abuelos Paternos: Doñ José de Iturbide y Doña Maria Josefa de Aregui. [Abuelos] Maternos: Doñ Sebastian Arámburu y Doña Maria Nicolasa Carrillo….
The Baptism of Agustín Iturbide (1783: English Translation)
In this City of Valladolid [now Morelia, Michoacán], on October 1, 1783, Father Joseph de Aregui… with my license – solemnly exorcised and I put oil… and put chrism on a Spanish infant who was born on the twenty-seventh day of September whom I named: AUGUSTIN COSME DAMIAN , legitimate son of Mr. Jose Joaquin de Iturbide and Mrs. Maria Josefa de Arámburu. Paternal Grandparents: Mr. José de Iturbide and Mrs. Maria Josefa de Aregui. [Grandparents] Maternal: Mr. Sebastian Arámburu and Mrs. Maria Nicolasa Carrillo….