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Spanish Land Grants Oral Histories

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Interview with Eulalio Balli Mendez

Eulalio Balli Mendez and Alan Padilla

Eulalio Balli Mendez talks about the genealogy of the Balli family.
Interview with Nicolas Balli and Yolanda Martinez

Nicolas Balli and Yolanda Martinez

Yolanda Martinez talks about treaties/land grants.
Porcion 72 - Jose Maria Balli

Pedro Rodriguez

Brief promotional video created for Pedro Rodriguez's report on the Porcion 72 - Jose Maria Balli.
Interview with San Isidro ranchers

San Isidro ranchers discuss education.
Interview with Cayetano Barrera

Cayetano Barrera and Margaret Dorsey

In this clip, from a one hour and 30 minutes interview which took place at the Border Studies Archive facilities on 15 May 2013, he speaks about the history of the border cities and shares a story about the run-ins his family members had with the native people during the 1800s.
Robert Gonzales presentation on land grants and mineral rights

Robert Gonzales

Robert Gonzales talks about Texas and the Galan Spanish Land Grant. This recording took place at the McAllen Public Library during a land grant meeting sponsored by the Balli Family Organization. During this meeting, several land grant descendants gathered to discuss land grant and mineral rights.
San Isidro Tour

Velinda Reyes and Margaret Dorsey

Tour of an abandoned ranch and well in San Isidro, Texas.
Interview with Encarnacion and Hortencia Rodriguez

Encarnacion Rodriguez, Hortencia Rodriguez, and Velinda Reyes

Encarnacion and Hortencia Rodriguez talk about life in San Isidro.
Interview with Reynaldo Anzaldua [Texas Rangers]

Reynaldo Anzaldua, Velinda Reyes, and Margaret Dorsey

In this interview, Reynaldo Anzaldua talks about the Texas Rangers in the Rio Grande Valley.
Interview with Ruben Cantu Sr.

Ruben Cantu Sr., Luis Reyes Jr., and Ashley Leal

The interview was recorded while Ruben Cantu Sr. took us on a walk around the property. During the walk, we asked questions about past and present irrigation techniques, farming, waste (how they disposed of it), along with many other topics in regards to his and his family’s life on the land.
Interview with Lino Garcia

Lino Garcia and Christopher Scott

In this short segment, Dr. Lino Garcia talks about the border and the border wall.
Interview with Dennis Holbrook

Dennis Holbrook and Margaret Dorsey

Dennis Holbrook talks about land grants of South Texas. The interview took place at South Texas Organics (6700 N. Doffing Rd. in Mission, TX), which is located on land originally granted by the king of Spain to Jose Francisco de la Garza.
Interview with Virginia Mata

Virginia Mata, Sandra Salinas, Lupe Flores, and Rogelio Mata Jr

Virginia Mata (1924-2019) is interviewed by Sandra Salinas, Lupe Flores and Rogelio Mata Jr. about farmworker experiences, early memories and family history.
Interview with Carrol "Kelly" Norquest, Jr. [Bracero excerpt]

Carrol Norquest Jr. and Daniel Nicholson
Oral History Transcript - Dr. Juan Aguilera

Juan Aguilera and Raul Mikey Aguilera
Oral History Transcript - Isabel Amaro Rodriguez

Isabel Amaro Rodriguez and Sophia Isabel Salinas
Interview with Joe Cantu, Jr. and Sylvia Cantu Garcia

Joe Cantu Jr., Sylvia Cantu Garcia, Sandra Carrizales, and
Oral History Transcript - Ricardo Jaime Cantú

Ricardo Jaime Cantú and Abril Argentina Cantú
Oral History Transcript - Elvira de la Garza

Elvira de la Garza and Phillip M. Alonzo
Porcion 72, Llano Grande & Oral History Transcript - Rosa Espinosa

Rosa Espinosa, Romina Cardenas, and

Llano Grande, Hidalgo County, Adams Tract Subdivision.
Oral History Transcript - Guillermo Gonzalez - Part 01

Guillermo Gonzalez, Cristina M. Gonzalez, and
Oral History Transcript - Guillermo Gonzalez - Part 02

Guillermo Gonzalez, Cristina M. Gonzalez, and
Oral History Transcript - Dr. Lucas Hinojosa

Lucas Hinojosa, Baldemar Chavez, , Vanessa Santillan, and Katherine Tapia
Oral History Transcript - Francis Joseph Kotzur

Francis Joseph Kotzur and Samantha Wilson
Oral History Transcript - Pamela Lerma Granado

Pamela Lerma and Gabrianne Granado