Gran Canaria: in search of past generations
Families, Parish Churches and Chapels
(June 2007)

old map Gáldar Guía San Bernardo Prior to arrival in Las Palmas, our friends Pablo and Carmensa had located several parish records for Gladys's great-grandparents.

Miguel Díaz Pérez was baptized in the parish of Gáldar, in 18650. Since the parish register provided the birthplaces of both parents and all four grandparents, we knew in advance that Miguel's family roots were from the island of Gran Canaria, parish of Gáldar.

Miguel and Bárbara were married in the parish of San Bernardo (now part of the inner city of Las Palmas); and although Bárbara's parents were from the island of Fuerteventura, she had been baptized in the same church.

Old registers for San Bernardo are held in Las Palmas (Archivo Diocesano), which is open to the general public. We obtained permission from the vicariate to examine the Gáldar records. Towards the end of our research, one additional parish was identified (Guía, close to Gáldar). Fortunately, we were able to visit that archive also.

To "visit" each church or chapel, please <click> on its placename shown in the map.
Map adapted from "The Canary Islands as a Winter Resort", John Whitford, London 1890

facade :: Gáldar ::

This was the ancient capital of the island, prior to the Spanish conquest: the local royal family lived here. In an imposing location, Gáldar is now a bustling, growing city. The surname Quesada is well-known hereabouts: there is a street named after Captain Quesada, and a statue to commemorate him. After much searching and researching, we established that the famous Captain is our relative: uncle on one line, great-nephew on two others!

Families: DÍAZ-PÉREZ, DÍAZ-RODRÍGUEZ, PÉREZ- GONZÁLEZ, DÍAZ-(RUIZ DE) QUESADA, RODRÍGUEZ-BATISTA, PÉREZ-RODRÍGUEZ, GONZÁLEZ-SANTA ANA, QUESADA-RODRÍGUEZ, RODRÍGUEZ-SOCO-DE VEGA/SAAVEDRA, RODRÍGUEZ-SOCO-RODRÍGUEZ, BATISTA-DE REYNA, PÉREZ-MAURICIO, RODRÍGUEZ-DE LOS RIOS, GONZÁLEZ-PERDOMO, BATISTA-QUINTANA, DE REYNA-QUINTANA/SAAVEDRA, PÉREZ-MEDINA, MAURICIO-RUIZ, RODRÍGUEZ-PÉREZ, DIEGO/DE LOS RIOS-CASTRILLO, PERDOMO-GODOY, MEDEROS RUIZ, RODRÍGUEZ-MEDEROS, MEDEROS-(RUIZ DE) QUESADA, (RUIZ DE) QUESADA-BILBAO, QUESADA-RUIZ/DE HERRERA, RUIZ-SUÁREZ, MEDINA-FIGUEROA, QUESADA-QUINTANA, RUIZ/DE HERRERA-DE QUINTANA,RODRÍGUEZ-VERDE, (RUIZ DE)QUESADA-SUAREZ

facade :: Guía ::

An interesting town, close to Gáldar, founded by Genoese merchants (among others). Several of our ancestors lived here, although sometimes they married in Gáldar. The earliest reference to a Quesada that we have seen appears in the First Book of Marriages: Diego Quesada applied for a marriage licence in 1579. Although he declared himself to be a foreigner, he did not say from where! So, we still don't know the roots of this family prior to their arrival in the Canary Islands.

Families: DÍAZ-DE CERPA, DÍAZ-MORENO, DÍAZ-DELGADO/ARMAS, BOLAÑOS-MORENO, DE CERPA/SANTIAGO-DIAZ/HERNANDEZ, (RUIZ DE) QUESADA-RUIZ/MEDEROS, SANTIAGO-GONZÁLEZ

facade :: San Bernardo ::

Located at the edge of the old walled city of Las Palmas, this church served the new districts that formed as the city grew. It plays an important role in the history of the Díaz-Quesada family, because this was where they married, and where they baptized their children born in the Canaries. The Díaz family came to settle in this city from Gáldar; the Quesada family, from Fuerteventura. Miguel and Bárbara must have met here. The Díaz-Berriel family (Francisco and Esperanza, who married in Uruguay) were also here for some time.

Families: DÍAZ-QUEZADA, QUESADA-SOLER, QUESADA-CARMONA, QUESADA-SANTANA, DÍAZ-PÉREZ, DÍAZ-BERRIEL

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