Castaneda Family Reunion Family History

August 7, 2010 (April 27, 2011)

This is the history of the Castaneda Family. We are direct descendants of Gregorio Castaneda. Gregorio was a son of Margarito Castaneda was an only son of Esteban

Castaneda who came to the new world with Hernan Cortez and landed in Veracruz, Mexico.  Many who accompanied were assigned to the northern sections of what is now

Mexico, Texas and other territories which included California. Esteban was granted land south of the Rio Bravo, now the Rio Grande River, This land was given the Ranch of Colombia, which developed in to a little town, was originally granted to Esteban by the Queen of Spain as was the custom and power accorded to the old Kingdoms to grant the land occupied by the officers now in the New World, now New Spain, at that time.

When Margarito inherited the land of Colombia, he and other land owners decided to join to found the town of Nuevo Laredo as Laredo, Texas became the only city in the

state of Texas on the Rio Grande Border now established in Texas. So, Don Margarito became one of the founders of the newly formed City, and also became the first Mayor, or Presidente Municipal.

Don Margarito and his wife had three children, who were, Gregorio, Gonzala, and Antonia. They resided in Nuevo Laredo all their lives. Don Margarito died in the early part of the 20th century.  Gregorio, as the only male carried on the name of

Castaneda. Gregorio married Teofila Garcia and had several children together; they were Genaro, Gregorio Jr., Alberto, Alfonso, Francisco, Enrique, Margarito, and

Maria.

During the Revolution in Mexico, Gregorio brought his young family to Laredo, Texas and they all became U.S. citizens.  The move was sudden during the evening due to the revolution.  We were told one of Margarito’s predecessors was murdered along with the whole family, including the children.  Decision was made to move to Texas so they arrived in a covered wagon carrying only possessions they could carry with them.  When they left Mexico, they left their family inheritances so not to raise suspicion among the revolutionaries.

As they grew up all of Gregorio's sons and only daughter remained and settled in Laredo, Texas.  Living descendents from Gregorio's children are from Genaro -Maria de la Luz, who resides in Del Rio, Texas. Gregorio Jr. -Gregorio 111. And Alberto -all are deceased.  From Alfonso -Altagracia, oldest living descendent who resides in Laredo, Texas, Maria (Mary) who resides in Laredo, Texas, and Lucia Cruz, who resides in the Houston area, and Alfonso Jr. who also resides in the Houston area.  From Francisco -Guillermo, second oldest living descendant, resides in Laredo, Texas; Teofila, resides in San Diego, California, Angelina, resides in Del Rio, Texas, Francisco Jr., resides in Kingsville, Texas, and Gilbert, who resides in League City, Texas. From Enrique –Pete, recently deceased, lived in Laredo, Enrique Jr., Ramon, Lupe Santos, Estela Lopez, all reside in Laredo, Texas. From Margarito -Belia, resides in San Antonio, Texas and Bertha Castro, reside in Laredo, Texas.

The next generation of Castaneda's' will be listed individually by each family member.

Our Grandmother is Altagracia Castaneda. 

Her first son was Luis Olvera from her marriage to Nieves Olvera.  Luis married Carmen Valdivia and had four children, Luis Olvera, Jr (Louie), Maria Teresa Olvera, Amalia Olvera Lendman, and Patricia Michelle Olvera Dart.  Louie was married to Debra Sanchez which ended in divorce, he never remarried.  They had a daughter named Tiffany Nicole Olvera Lee.  She married Keith Lee and they had a daughter Jazmin Mechel Lee, who died at 5 days old.  Later they had another daughter, Issyara Lee.  Luis Olvera, III is not married but has two sons, Luis Olvera IV and Phillipe Rodriguez Olvera.  Amalia (Molly) married Louis Antonine Lendman and later divorced.  They have two children, Elizabeth Diane Lendman Holcolmb who married Zachary Michael Holcomb; and John Dodson Teeter Lendman.  Maria is unmarried but a very supportive aunt who helps raise all the Grandchildren.  Michelle married Todd Stephen Dart which also ended in divorce, and is currently unmarried.  They have two children Lance Wesley Dart and Renee Erin Dart.