Mexicans in the U.S. Civil War
A Mexican Family Story
During the American Civil War, thousands of Mexicans and Mexican Americans fought on both sides, driven by ideology, survival, and regional loyalties. In Texas and California, many Tejanos and Californios joined the Union, opposing slavery and seeking to defend their communities from Confederate expansion. Others, particularly in Texas and along the border, sided with the Confederacy, seeing economic and cultural ties as reasons to fight. Figures like Colonel Santos Benavides, who led Confederate forces in Texas, and Mexican volunteers in Union regiments exemplified this divide. Their...
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Mexican Divorce
A Mexican Family Story
In the mid-20th century, Juarez became the ultimate escape hatch for Americans seeking a quick divorce. You’d cross the border, where the rules were looser, the lawyers more than willing, and the paperwork shockingly easy. No waiting period, no drawn-out court battles—just a couple of signatures, a stack of cash, and boom, you’re free. The city's cheap motels, smoky bars, and bustling street corners became the backdrop for this legal loophole. It was the perfect storm of desperation, opportunity, and good old-fashioned American ingenuity. Juarez wasn’t just a city—it was a factory...
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1930's Mexican Repatriation
A Mexican Family Story
During the 1930s, the U.S. government forcibly deported or pressured over a million Mexicans and Mexican Americans to leave the country in response to the Great Depression. Framed as “repatriation,” this mass expulsion disproportionately targeted American citizens, reinforcing racial discrimination and shaping Mexican-American identity for generations.
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Rebeca Mendez Jimenez - Part 1
A Mexican Family Story
Released in 1997, “En El Muelle de San Blás” became one of the biggest international hits for iconic Mexican Rock band, Maná. Their album, Sueños Liquidos, went Platinum once in the United States, 3 times in Mexico, and twice in Argentina. It is one of the most recognizable songs in their catalog to this very day, and in its wake, it has left behind a legend, or in reality, a mystery. In this Episode, we begin the exploration into the real story of Rebeca Mendez Jimenez: “The Madwoman from the Wharf of San Blás”.
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Roman Castro
A Mexican Family Story
Today’s guest is well-known Fisherman, Podcaster, Photographer, and YouTube content creator Roman Castro. Roman and I have been close friends for over 20 years and we had a long conversation about growing up as first-generation Americans, discovering our passions and learning how to share them online, staying productive during the pandemic, and of course, we take a look into his ancestry and Mexican roots.
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Ted Williams: Mexican-American
A Mexican Family Story
In this episode, we explore the Mexican side of baseball legend Ted Williams' family and uncover some mysteries about his ancestry.
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European Connections
A Mexican Family Story
In this 10 minute episode, we briefly explore how European settlers shaped the history and genetics of Mexico's population since their arrival in the 1500's.
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Richie "The Boogeyman" Martinez
A Mexican Family Story
My very first podcast guest is Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, Richie “Boogeyman” Martinez. He is an active Jiu Jitsu competitor, breakdancer, and the head coach of 10th Planet San Diego. We learn about his life and dive deep into his unique ancestry.
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Introduction
A Mexican Family Story
This is a quick introduction and description of the podcast for new listeners.
info_outlineDuring the American Civil War, thousands of Mexicans and Mexican Americans fought on both sides, driven by ideology, survival, and regional loyalties. In Texas and California, many Tejanos and Californios joined the Union, opposing slavery and seeking to defend their communities from Confederate expansion. Others, particularly in Texas and along the border, sided with the Confederacy, seeing economic and cultural ties as reasons to fight. Figures like Colonel Santos Benavides, who led Confederate forces in Texas, and Mexican volunteers in Union regiments exemplified this divide. Their contributions, often overlooked, played a crucial role in shaping the war’s southwestern frontier.