Armijo Origins: Nicolas the Great

"Only a life lived for others is worth living."
-Albert Einstein

My father, Joe Nelson Armijo, never knew his grandfather. He only knew his father, Jose Antonio Armijo. I remember my father sharing the story of his fathers' death.

In March 1955, my father was 19 years old and had to manage all of the funeral arrangements. He flew from the Bay Area to Santa Fe, New Mexico under his mothers' instructions. His brother was too young (age 15). He was the only one in attendance at the funeral.
"I felt sad," my dad said.
Knowing this has always made me sad as I cannot imagine a sole person greiving at a loved one's funeral.

My father always said that his father was forty-seven years old (in 1935) when he was born. He wasn't sure if he ever had any children with another woman in his twenties or thirties or early forties. That remains a mystery. My grandfather is pictured here (Jose Antonio Armijo) in a photo taken around 1940.

When I was living in Los Angeles in the early 1990's I took it upon myself to visit the Mormon Temple to spend some time doing family history research. I knew my grandfather had a brother named Jesus and that they lived in the Mora County region of New Mexico around 1900. I found 1900 census records showing my grandfather, Jose Antonio Armijo. It showed his siblings (Maria, Teofilo, Concepcion, Jesus and Navorsita). More importantly, it showed the names of my Great grandparents: NICOLAS & MARIA JUANITA ARMIJO.

For my blog today I choose to refer to my Great Grandfather as 'Nicolas the Great'. I wish I could have shared this knowledge with my own father, but my father had passed away in August 1987. 'Nicolas the Great' was born around 1842 in the State of New Mexico.

According to the USA June 1, 1900 National Archive Census Records, Nicolas and Maria Juanita Armijo lived in the village of ABUELO in Mora County, New Mexico, USA. They owned a farm in the village. It specifically stated on the record that Nicolas owned the farm and adjacent land "free and clear": District 73, Precint 19, Township of Abuelo Cebolla. The surname ARMIJO originates as far as Laredo, Spain (the Basque region of Western Europe). It is found in Santander and in old Castilla and later in Andalucia, Spain. It is a Castilian name first found in the village of Laredo (in Santander).

My Great grandfather, 'Nicolas the Great' can easily trace his Spanish roots from the well known DURAN de ARMIJO Family per this historical information found under the ARMIJO Project for FamilyTreeDNA.com:

Francisco de Armijo (born ca. 1565 in Sevilla, Andalusia, Spain); married Guiomar de Orozco ca. 1585 in Sevilla, Andalusia, Spain. A listing of passengers coming from Spain to the West Indies between 1586-1599 stated that Francisco de Armijo came into New Spain in 1590 as a merchant for three years, that he was from Sevilla, Andalusia, Spain, was married, and was the son of Anton de Armijo and Maria de Madrid. A further search confirmed that he came again to New Spain (now known as Zacatecas, Mexico) from Sevilla in 1597. On this second trip, he brought his wife, Guiomar de Orozco, and their four children: Maria, Benita, Antonio, and Ursula de Armijo.

Antonio de Armijo married Francisca de Medina on the 27 of July 1614 in Puebla de Zaragoza, Puebla, Mexico. The marriage record stated that Antonio was the son of Francisco de Armijo and Guiomar de Orozco.

Antonio de Armijo (born on the 7 of September 1633 in Puebla de Zaragoza, Puebla, Mexico); married Damiana Violante ca. 1649 in Zacatecas, Mexico. Antonio was also found as a witness in two marriage investigations: one on the 23 of March 1686 and another on the 29 of March 1686 in Zacatecas, Mexico, wherein he stated his age.

Joseph de Armijo (born ca. 1650 in Zacatecas, Mexico); married Catalina Duran ca. 1674 in Zacatecas, Mexico. Another marriage (1st?) was found for Joseph de Armijo and Antonia de Hernandez on the 11 of September 1667 in Mexico City, Mexico, stating he was from Zacatecas, Mexico and the mestizo son of Antonio de Armijo and Damiana Violante. Joseph de Armijo's second wife Catalina Duran arrived in New Mexico in May of 1695 as a widow with the Zacatecas colonists and her four sons: Antonio, Marcos, Joseph, and Vicente, all whom used the double surname of "Duran de Armijo." This is the Armijo line, which is the progenitor of all Armijos who have roots in New Mexico.

Twenty-five years ago today:

January 22, 1984

Chris Cordellos called me around 10am. I was still in bed but managed to answer the phone. We talked about what we would do regarding the Super Bowl today. I told him I would let him know after I made a few calls.

I called Paloma.
"I doubt that I can come over for the Super Bowl, today, but could you...uhhh...call me later to see if we can watch 'The Road Warrior'?" she asked.
"Sure, I'll do that," I said as I hung up and called Chris back to inform him that he could come over to watch the game with me.

Chris and I watched the Super Bowl as we seemed to mostly chat throughout the four quarters.
"Yeah, I may be moving up north to Arcata for a month," Chris declared.
"You really think so?" I asked.
"Yep, I pretty much know I will definitely be in Riverside in June. You should come!" he suggested.
"Well, I would like to check out Huntington Beach," I said.
He left my house by 5:30pm and we actually gave one another a brief kiss and embraced a bit. That was the extent of our intimacy. I am leary about 'our potential relationship'. Then again, if it feels good...do it, right?

Paloma ended up coming over an hour later to watch 'The Road Warrior' with me. We love 'Mad Max' in that futuristic 'what if' movie.
http://search.live.com/video/results.aspx?q=road%20warrior&first=21&docid=551853425190&FORM=VIVP21
It was funny during the movie because Nancy deSilva called. She is the girl I met while bicyling that attends San Leandro High School. I spoke to Nancy briefly and it turns out she knows my cousin, Patrick Markus, who attends her school. I simply explained that I would call her back later.
She said, "Okay."
Paloma and I went to my parents' house after 'The Road Warrior' film. After my Dad shared some 'history & geography' about SPAIN with Paloma we left for a walk in and around the Harbor Bay Isle Club & the Harbor Bay Landing Shopping Center. The Ice-Cream Dock was appetizing and filling. We returned to my pad only to walk over to the courtyard to play a little volleyball. It was fun. We laughed, realizing we weren't professional volleyball players.

We went upstairs to my bed to relax and rest for a while after showing off our sportsmanship. We pretended to be watching the "007 James Bond DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER" movie as we caressed, kissed and cuddled until we both fell fast asleep.

I would have to say it was a long day. When we awoke I read her some excerpts from my journal, specifically 'Paloma' entries between the day we met (Halloween 1983) and now. She was thrilled to listen to my written words (I think). I had a feeling she was fascinated about how I mentioned her so much. Paloma does mean something to me. It's just a matter of telling how much she will mean. Where will it lead? Where she will be--for that matter--. And where will I be a year from today? So many unanswered questions.

My brother, John, and Sherri came over to watch Super Bowl highlights. They were the ones who interrupted our restful moments on my Queen-sized brass bed. Paloma was available for some quick introductions (to John & Sherri). She left soon afterwards. I decided to go to sleep for the night.