Transport of criminals to Alta California

By sarge98 , 14 August, 2019

Hola a todos. My ancestor, Jose Augustin Narvaez was sent to Alta California (to the Branciforte colony) in 1797, apparently "as a juvenile delinquent picked up on the streets of Guadalajara". One source states: "Agustin NARVAEZ. 'Spanish' 'labrador' Born: Guadalajara, Aguas Calientes, Mexico Came: to Monterey, CA as prisoner. Given Choice of jail in Mexico or home in California...". Would there have been a court or other such record of this event or was this type of action too common to make note of? If the event was noted, where would it likely have been recorded? Thanks for any information on this topic.

Comment

Hello and thanks for the clue. My ancestor arrived in Alta California in 1797, joined the Spanish Army and went on to become the alcalde of San Jose CA in 1821 and later (1844)obtained a Mexican land grant in the same area. He did all of this under his birth name.

Mike Dickey

Comment

Hi, Manny.

Thanks for the clue. However, my source implied that the judicial authorities would have been in Guadalajara, not Aguascalientes. I tried a search, but could not select Guadalajara as an option. In your experience, has Aguascalientes ever been considered to be a part of Guadalajara (possibly as a "suburb")?

Mike Dickey