Rare, extensive genealogical records
now archived at Laredo Public Library

By Sandra Iruegas

The lifelong endeavor of native Nuevo Laredo historian Rodolfo Gonzalez de la Garza, that of an amazing genealogical record, was recently welcomed into the archives of the Laredo Public Library. It is a collection of genealogical records of the people of Laredo, Nuevo Laredo, and surrounding areas.
This rare collection consists of approximately 260,000 hand-written 3x5-note cards, which document births, baptisms, matrimony, and deaths of over 7,000 families. The collection names over 300,000 people who represent over a million entries, with each card containing up to six entries.
"Rodolfo Gonzalez de la Garza obtained his information over a period of 50 years by compiling archives. He spent 10 years of his life in Mexico City dedicated only to this work," said Joe Moreno, Special Collections Librarian at the Laredo Public Library.
Gonzalez de la Garza began his search for historical archives at a young age to acquire information about his ancestors who settled in Villadalma. Rodolfo Gonzalez de la Garza, 82, resides in Nuevo Laredo where he is retired.
The Laredo Public Library has plans to format this collection into a digital, searchable database, but it is anticipated that the work will take quite some time. The collected data will be available on the worldwide web for library patrons and genealogist for many years to come.
"I am very satisfied that my work will be housed in the Laredo Public Library archives. For many years, almost my whole life, I have been working to document that Laredoans are direct descendents of Spanish Royalty and this collection proves that. All you have to do is come with your grandparents or great-grandparents name and you will find genealogical information on your family," said Gonzalez de la Garza.
This collection represents a pioneering effort in Hispanic genealogy unequaled in the field to date. Present and future generations of researchers will benefit from the preservation of this file of the Laredo Public Library.