To the end of the earth: the story of New Mexico’s crypto-Jews – a book review

By PHK

Why would anyone in his or her right mind choose to emigrate from the Iberian Peninsula to the New World in the 16th or 17th century – first to Veracruz and Mexico City and then up to northern New Mexico and perhaps into southern Colorado - that inhospitable northern tip of Spain’s Empire in the New World - not all that long thereafter?

Stanley M. Hordes asked this question soon after he became New Mexico State Historian in 1981 after several descendants of New Mexico’s earliest Hispanic settlers had dropped by to report “unusual customs” practiced by people they knew. Having recently completed dissertation research on the crypto-Jewish community of New Spain (1620-1640) on a Fulbright grant, Hordes was intrigued. He was also uniquely qualified to search for the answer as he drew upon his own research as well as that of historians and others who had preceded and also collaborated with him.

His answer to this question forms the basis of his recent book To the End of the Earth: A History of the Crypto-Jews of New Mexico (New York: Columbia University Press, 2005).

What Hordes unveiled as a result of his and others painstaking research in New Mexico, Spain, Portugal, France and Mexico City through Inquisition records, interviews of descendants of original Hispanic settlers in New Mexico, visits to villages along the Spanish-Portuguese border and even access to DNA tests was that some of the earliest Hispanic settlers in New Mexico had been New Christians or crypto-Jews who had fled to this “end of the earth” rather than face subjugation, incarceration, torture, ridicule, humiliation and occasionally death at the vicissitudes of the Roman Catholic Church’s grand inquisitors.

1492 a pivotal year

What happened in Spain after the conquest of Granada by Ferdinand and Isabella January 2, 1492 had immense consequences for at least some of the people who undertook the arduous sea voyage to the New World in the Reconquista’s aftermath. It’s ironic in retrospect that the agreement between the Catholic monarchs and Christopher Columbus that launched the first voyage to the Americas was signed in April 1492 in Santa Fe, a small village on the fertile plains outside of Granada - below the Alhambra that magically beautiful hilltop Muslim palace/fortress that represented the last stand of the Muslims in Iberia. (Read on – and you’ll understand why the irony.)

A substantial number, but not all, of the earliest crypto-Jewish Hispanic colonizers in Mexico were considered Portuguese by the Spanish crown. By 1640 Portugal had become the crown’s enemy. Some of the Spanish Jews who ventured on from Mexico proper to northern New Mexico had once lived on the untamed, under-populated Spanish side of the border between Spain and Portugal before fleeing the Spanish Inquisition to Portugal. The records show that other early colonizers came from Madrid and others from the Canary Islands which had also been a safe-haven for crypto-Jews. Several also left from Cordoba, Sevilla, Granada and Malaga in Spain’s southern most province of Andalusia, where Islam had made its last stand and where many of the ships that sailed to the new world began their journey.
Some of New Mexico’s first crypto-Jewish settlers had first fled Spain to escape the Inquisition by moving into eastern Portugal where Judaic religious practices were tolerated – that is, until the Inquisition there began in 1535 and made life for them intolerable once again.

The Inquisition comes to Mexico City

In Mexico City, the Inquisition’s rage which sent the first crypto-Jews northwards was tied to international politics: the Portuguese revolt against Spanish rule. The crypt-Jewish colonists who the Spanish counted as Portuguese were thus deemed untrustworthy. To escape the paroxysms of wrath emanating from the Inquisition authorities in their Mexico City office which had opened for business in 1571, some crypto-Jews signed on to join the first group of Hispanic settlers that traveled north in 1598. The party was led by Juan de Oñate, who himself may have been unaware of his own family heritage but Hordes’ research shows that he too was partially descended from Spanish Jews.

A second wave of New Mexican crypto-Jews came later – after New Mexico’s Pueblo Revolt in 1680.

Hordes is not kind to any of New Mexico’s first Spanish colonists in his description of their harsh treatment of the Native Americans. The intensity of the resulting Pueblo Revolt forced these first Hispanic settlers south to the Texas border with Mexico. But a new wave of crypto-Jews whose situation had become desperate after yet another Inquisitorial round in Iberia, made the arduous trip across the Atlantic where they and other new emigrants from Spain joined the original Hispanic settlers from New Mexico. Together this new settler party journeyed to New Mexico. They resettled Santa Fe and pressed beyond. This time they stayed for good.

Santa Fe: the City Different

The city of Santa Fe, New Mexico and certain settlements in its vicinity and along the Rio Grande River - became home to some of these dispossessed Sephardic crypto-Jews. Hordes’ study suggests that for generations their extended families – whose reasonably well educated members tended to concentrate in certain professions or practiced certain trades - married mostly within their own group. Not all went into business, the professions or government: others established some of New Mexico’s first farms along the Rio Grande river valley. Closed to outsiders, they intimately intermixed from birth to death thus making their history easier to trace.

To the End of the Earth lists the names of nine extended families Hordes studied in depth to prove his contention of the existence of New Mexico’s crypto-Jewish roots. He suggests however, there are others. He takes one of these families from the present back to the 12th century to prove his argument. Others family histories only extend into 14th and 15th century southern Europe. When proof of lineage is circumstantial, he so states.

He also writes that many of the crypto-Jews had changed their names to common Christian Spanish ones to blend in for protection so Hordes cautions, a family name in and of itself does not necessarily mean that an individual has crypto-Jewish, or even New Christian, roots.

Yet some of the names and families Hordes highlights are found on street maps of and sign posts in Santa Fe and even Albuquerque today. They suggest that some of the progeny of the earliest settlers continue to wield substantial influence on the governance and material well-being of northern New Mexico.

Certain of these families, Hordes learned, informed their children of their Sephardic heritage; others continued to practice specific Jewish customs but without explanation. And finally, a few others who did neither turned up with genetic markers for Pemphigus Vulgaris (PV) a rare autoimmune disease found at much higher rates among Sephardim, Ashkenazim – and New Mexico’s old Hispanic descendants than the New Mexican population at large. As one might also expect, Hordes also discovered elements of syncretism in which over the centuries Christian and Jewish religious symbols, practices and beliefs intermixed.

Documentation suggests that throughout much of New Mexico’s history no one really cared whether its crypto-Jewish families were nominally Roman Catholic but practiced Jewish rituals behind locked doors. Where they did run into problems was during a very early power struggle between a secular governor – who the New Mexican crypto-Jews supported and even advised – and the Franciscans, who controlled New Mexico’s religious authority. It was during these kinds of struggle that the accusations of “judaizante” practices were used against them. It wasn’t until long after the Inquisition’s office was shuttered, however, that old Jewish traditions including the use of Old Testament first names for children began to reappear.

Live and let live

What intrigues me most about the cultural impact of the crypto-Jews on the character of this particular “end of the earth” was their willingness to live and let live – toleration for the other combined with a right to, at one time a necessity for, extreme personal privacy. This remains part of the Santa Fe landscape today. It is probably one reason why Northern New Mexico society still wears a cloak of so many colors displaying amazing tolerance, but still retaining a fierce determination for privacy and
familial loyalty behind thick adobe walls.

As with any book that intrigues, this one also however raises a host of unanswered questions that beg for answers. Just a couple in conclusion: if many of the early Hispanic settlers of New Spain were New Christians, eg. Muslims and Jews who had been forced to convert to Christianity after 1492 what happened to the Muslims?

Hordes tells us that the Inquisition in Mexico City was charged with persecuting secret adherents of both Islam and Judaism. Did only the crypto-Jews make the voyage north? Or could others among these early settlers been Muslims at heart also fleeing the wrath of the Christian God’s self-appointed, intolerant representatives?

And the Philippines?

A Filipino historian told me last year that the Franciscan missionaries had also sailed from Mexico to the Philippines to Christianize the “heathens” there in the name of the Spanish crown at about the same time they ventured into New Mexico. He said that the Franciscans were the order that carried Christianity’s cross to the “ends of the earth” where other orders would not go.

Weren’t these remote islands off the coast of southern China, like New Mexico governed out of Mexico City, another “end of the earth?” Hordes would not disagree. If so, did early Hispanic settlers to the Philippines also include willing New Christian believers or perhaps also crypto-Jews and crypto-Muslims seeking to be left alone to lead their own lives?

Photo identification and credits: 1. Cordoba, Spain, Alcazar - wall to the inquisition tower by PHKushlis, 6/2005; 2. Granada, Spain, View of the Alhambra from the Albaicin by PHKushlis 6/2005; 3. Cordoba, Spain, Plaza de Juderia by JEHogin; 4. Santa Fe, New Mexico - street sign in historic section by PHKushlis 6/2006; 5. Santa Fe, New Mexico - view of adobe walls that protect a house from view in city's historic section by PHKushlis 6/2006.

Comments

[Diane Velasco (nee Joson-Espejo)]

I am thrilled to read this article and will definitely get myself a copy of Hordes' book! I am Filipina by blood (although a 2nd generation New Yorker) who has, from childhood, had a deep admiration for Jewish people and love for Israel, plus a profound inner sadness and identification of the pain of the Holocaust that I never fully understood. These, I believe, come from seeds planted by my maternal grandfather who was of Spanish-Filipino stock, and was an unofficial Old Testament scholar. The more I learn about Jewish customs, practices, the more I have wondered about Filipino practices that are the same or similar. So, for a few years now, I have come to a deep "suspicion" that my family (and other proudly Spanish Filipino families) is descended from Sephardim who escaped the Iberian Peninsula during the Inquisition. Since I do not have the funds, time nor credentials to accomplish a personal search, articles such as these help fuel this thesis of mine. If anyone reading this can point me to more... PLEASE DO!

[PHK]

Diane: I haven't seen any research myself on a possible Filipino crypto-Jewish connection which is why I raised the question at the end of the review.

As you say, If someone had the time, credentials and financial backing it could be done. I think the research that Hordes and a few others have already done in New Mexico, Mexico and southwest Texas could help provide a foundation sociologically/culturally and medically to extend the exploration to the Philippines. I think it would be fascinating.

[Lucinda]

Hi! I was very excited to read your article and the comment that Diane made. I was born and raised in the Philippines. I am currently working in the U.S. and have been here for almost two years now. Which brings me to why I am commenting.

I am now working for a wonderful Jewish family owned business. And they wondered why my last name is David, a Jewish last name in their circles. My family is devoutly Catholic. But my grandfather and father never practiced our religion. Furthermore, in the last three years of my grandfather's life, he kept telling us that he in fact was Jewish. and he would study the Old Testament on a daily basis. And like Diane, I have always felt a profound sadness for the plight of the Jews during the Holocaust which is something I have never articulated before. My boss suspects that my family are descendants of the Converso who was expelled from Spain during the Spanish inquisition. Anyway, this is a fascinating story that I would love to explore. But I would like to contact Diane Velasco to ask about her experiences.

[CKR]

Lucinda, click on Diane's name. You should get an e-mail form with her address.

[Gnarlodious]

Excellent review, thank you. A penetrating glimpse into the origin of New Mexico's Jews who fled Catholic persecution.

[Michael A. Casten]

I believe this story holds true because when I was trying to search the history or origins of my family's name I have found out that my both my greatgrandparents born in the early 1900's are using names popular to be Jewish in its origin --- CASTEN (from KASTEN meaning box; a popular last name for German-Jews) & DURAN (from latin Durant meaning strong) also a popular last names for French-Jews.

[Victor Ranosa]

If anyone has more about the Durans of which I am a third generation descendant, I would appreciate reading it. My forebears came from Algiers but originally Jews expelled from Spain, before ending up in the Philippines.

[daniel gallegos]

i am a native new mexican, i was born in santa fe, my dad was born in espanola, my mothers family southern colorado, and what i understand it has been this way for hundreds of years, all of us are spanish, but i know that i am also jewish, little signs left for the generations were given to us, our family,for instance my great grandfathers name was moses. And not only that but it is what has been placed in our hearts from the God of Israel, a longing to return and to practice jewish customs or should i say return to him.I was also reading that we new mexican sepharadim, are the decendents of moses.genetically proven. if any one can direct me to any more sites concerning this i would like that. thank you

[Patricia Kushlis]

Daniel: I recently reviewed Jon Entine's book Abraham's Children (New York: Grand Central Publishing, 2007). He includes information about New Mexico's crypto-Jews. Some trace their genetic heritage to the priestly class of Cohanim because of a marker on the Y chromosome. Father William Sanchez of St. Edwin's in south Albuquerque is one. You might want to contact Sanchez - or Dr. Hordes who is associated with UNM's Latin American and Iberian Institute - for more information. Also you might google for the organization of crypto-Jews of the US or the Southwest that, I think, is based in Albuquerque and see what you can find out from them.

Gloria Golden interviewed a man named Antonio Francisco Gallegos for her book Remnants of Crypto-Jews Among New Mexicans. He told her he thought his family had Jewish ancestry but that they were practicing Catholics. The book does not say where he lives.

You will also find two Gallegos mentioned briefly in Hordes book (check the index), one was one of the first settlers and the other was a woman who lived in Las Vegas, NM in the 19th century and whose maternal grandmother had told her the family had Jewish roots.

Several, if not all of these books are available at the National Hispanic Cultural Center store in Albuquerque in the Jewish section. I'll bet they're also available through public libraries in New Mexico.

I hope this helps. It's a fascinating story.

[Alice McCoy]

I don't know what URJ means. I hope this doesn't keep me from reaching you. Are there any lists of inquisition deaths (YOU KNOW HOW TO OBTAIN) for the name and family of Lujan--settled in northern NM--??? I would Like to make contact for a Lujan who doesn't have a clue...Thank You Very Much for your research and ioformation. Alice McCoy----at rhmc@mindspring.com

[Patricia Kushlis]

Alice: According to Hordes' book (p. 10 footnote 3) the records of the Mexican Inquisition are well preserved in the Archivo General de la Nacion, Mexico City and in other repositories. I, however, have not seen a list - but then haven't looked for one. I'm not sure (but may have it wrong) that many, if any, New Mexicans died as a result of the inquisition. A number, however, were imprisoned and tried in Mexico City.

The inquisition records, according to Hordes, in Portugal are problematic and in Spain, he indicates, many were destroyed in the 19th century.

Re NWJ: it most likely means New World Jewry - perhaps refers to a book by Seymour B. Liebman, New World Jewry, 1493-1825: Requiem for the Forgotten (New York: KTAV Publishing House, Inc., 1982.

Perhaps your friend should contact Dr. Hordes directly. He is associated with the Latin American and Iberian Studies Institute at the University of New Mexico.

[Mar Villadiego Rosquites]

Patricia,

Great article and review!
Just came across this article, and had to ask:

Which Filipino historian told you about the Marranos of the Philippines? im just curious to see if i know who it is...

Ive been aware of these things for quite some time now, and am glad that more information on the Marrano worldwide diaspora is now coming to light (particularly about the Philippines) The Philippines it seems is a hotbed of secret histories for marranos, nestorians, assyrian-christian, and other declared heretics by the Catholics...

Also, is there any news updates of Mr Hordes book on the Phillipines crypto-jews? This is something ive been waiting for quite a while, since im too lazy to do the research and write a book of my own.

Regards and Respect,
Mar Villadiego Rosquites

“Man is a microcosm, or a little world, because he is an extract from all the stars and planets of the whole firmament, from the earth and the elements; and so he is their quintessence” - Paracelsus

[patricia kushlis]

Mar: I wish a Filipino historian - or a Filipino-American historian - or someone else who is a historian, sociologist or anthropologist would do a systematic study of Marranos in the Philippines. I simply raised the question as a result of putting a few things together so maybe I'm wrong - but I don't think so: 1) a talk by an Ateneo historian who described both the Philippines and New Mexico as "the ends of the earth" for the Franciscan friars - that when they landed in Mexico they either went by boat to the Philippines or by land to New Mexico; 2) talks with a Filipino-American friend who told me what she knew about Filipino families with Sephardic roots; 3) Hordes work which suggested that some of the people who came to the New World were "New Christians;" and 4) old family names that are the same in both New Mexico and the Philippines - although the spellings may be different. The names have crypto-Jewish roots in New Mexico, at least. I too would love to see a systematic study done in the Philippines.

I'm pretty sure Dr. Hordes has been doing research in Cuba, but I've not heard that he has yet tackled the Philippines. Wish he would. I also wonder about crypto-Islamic roots at least here in New Mexico and the US Southwest. Interesting you mention heretical Christian ones in the Philippines. Makes sense, too.