Mercedes de Cota was my 2nd great grandmother.
Per family descendant information, Mercedes was baptized on March 11, 1844 as Maria Refugio de los Mercedes Valenzuela. Witness to the baptism was Juana Ruiz. Juana Ruiz was a witness at Saturnino and Maria Candelaria Valenzuela y Ruiz's [Mercedes's mother] wedding three months later.
Per 1860 census of Santa Barbara County, San Buenaventura Township, Mercedes Solari, age 19 born California Wife. [in the household of Augustin Solari and child, Gracia Solari]
Per 1880 U.S. Federal census Mercedes Solari is living in San Buena Ventura, Ventura, CA, born abt 1843 California Wife, spouse name Agostino, both parents born CA
Per 1900 U.S. Federal census Mercedes Solari is living in Ventura, Ventura, California, born abt 1843 California Head Widowed, both parents born CA
Per 1910 U.S. Federal census Mercedes C. Solari is living in VENTURA TWP, Ventura, CA, born 1843 California Head Widowed [language spoken Spanish], both parents born CA [in the household is her daughter Eliza Solari, 28 years old, divorced and she has had one child)
Obiturary from Ventura Free Press Newspaper, 02-10-1923: SCORES ATTEND FUNERAL PIONEER Residents of City and County Honor Memory of Mrs. Solari: Scores of residents of Ventura and vicinity filled the Old Mission in capacity this moring in paying their last tribute to the memory the late Mrs. M. C. Solari, pioneer woman of the city who was loved by all who knew her and of her benefactions. Solemn regular mass was celebrated with the Rev. Fr Guadalupe of Los Angeles as celebrant, Rev. Fr Reardon of Oxnard deacon and Rev. Fr Grogan, sub deacon. The music was by the Mission choir.
Pioneers of this city were honorary pall bearers as follows: E. P. Foster, T. J. Donovan, Giovanni Ferro, Jules Ferraud and George Power. The active pall bearers were: J. Y. Rodriguez, M. Erburu, John Lagomarsino Sr., Nick Pierano, Adolfo Camarillo and Charles Donlon. The casket was buried in a wealth of beautiful tributes. Internment was in the Solari mausoleum at Ivy Lawn Cemetery. Reardon the undertaker had charge of the arrangements.
The following information provided by Pat Johnson, a descedant and researcher of the Cota family:
DEATH CERTIFICATE:
Mercedes C. Solari, widow of Augustin Solari
Death: 8 Feb 1923, Ventura, Ventura County, CA
Birth: 10 March 1844, CA
Father: Jose Cota, born CA
Mother: Candalaria Ruiz, born CA
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE:
Place: Mission San Buenaventura, Libro 1 de Casamientos, entry #1268
Date: 18 Oct 1858
Groom: Agustin Solari, hijo de Juan Solari y Catarina
Bride: Mercedes Cota, natural de Santa Barbara, hija de Jose Maria Cota y Candalaria Valenzuela
BAPTISMAL RECORD:
Place: Mission Santa Barbara, Libro de Baustismos, entry #1601
Child: Maria Refugio de los Mercedes Valenzuela
Baptismal Date: 14 March 1844
Birth Date: 10 March 1844
Parents: Legitimate daughter of Jose Maria Valenzuela & Maria Candalaria Feliz
THEORY:
Mercedes always claimed her father was Jose Cota/Jose Maria Cota, in every offical document, either church or civil. After she was married she always gave
her name as Mercedes C. Solari. When I first wrote to the Santa Barbara Mission archives I was helped by a lady who was descended from the Cota family. She knew it well but had never heard of our Mercedes Cota. She spent several months trying to solve the mystery of who Mercedes's parents were but could not find the answer. We thought the information in the baptismal record was probably incorrect. When I visited the archives myself the archivist told me that Jose Maria Cota was reported to have had several illegitimate children. I believe that our Mercedes was one of them. At the time of her wedding why would she say that her father's name was Jose Maria Cota if it was not? And he was still alive at that time.
In the documents above, the given name of her mother is always stated as Candalaria. The surname is given as Feliz once, Valenzuela once, and Ruiz once. I believe that Candalaria was the daughter of Jose Antonio Valenzuela and Maria Macelina Feliz, and was baptized 3 Feb 1828 at Mission San Gabriel. Her mother died in Los Angeles in 1840 after which she must have come north to the Santa Barbara area with her father. I have yet to find a record of her father's death, nor have I found his name in any of the census records. Soon after Mercedes' birth, Candalaria Valenzuela married Saturnino Ruiz. They had five children, the last one being born about 1850. Candalaria probably died sometime between 1852 and 1854 as Saturnino Ruiz married again in September 1854. My grandfather's notes state that Mercedes was orphaned at a young age. Candalaria's death between 1852 and 1854 would fit this senario. So here we have the three surnames given above: Feliz, Valenzuela and Ruiz. This is my theory but I need further evidence.
Per family descendant information, Mercedes was baptized on March 11, 1844 as Maria Refugio de los Mercedes Valenzuela. Witness to the baptism was Juana Ruiz. Juana Ruiz was a witness at Saturnino and Maria Candelaria Valenzuela y Ruiz's [Mercedes's mother] wedding three months later.
Per 1860 census of Santa Barbara County, San Buenaventura Township, Mercedes Solari, age 19 born California Wife. [in the household of Augustin Solari and child, Gracia Solari]
Per 1880 U.S. Federal census Mercedes Solari is living in San Buena Ventura, Ventura, CA, born abt 1843 California Wife, spouse name Agostino, both parents born CA
Per 1900 U.S. Federal census Mercedes Solari is living in Ventura, Ventura, California, born abt 1843 California Head Widowed, both parents born CA
Per 1910 U.S. Federal census Mercedes C. Solari is living in VENTURA TWP, Ventura, CA, born 1843 California Head Widowed [language spoken Spanish], both parents born CA [in the household is her daughter Eliza Solari, 28 years old, divorced and she has had one child)
Obiturary from Ventura Free Press Newspaper, 02-10-1923: SCORES ATTEND FUNERAL PIONEER Residents of City and County Honor Memory of Mrs. Solari: Scores of residents of Ventura and vicinity filled the Old Mission in capacity this moring in paying their last tribute to the memory the late Mrs. M. C. Solari, pioneer woman of the city who was loved by all who knew her and of her benefactions. Solemn regular mass was celebrated with the Rev. Fr Guadalupe of Los Angeles as celebrant, Rev. Fr Reardon of Oxnard deacon and Rev. Fr Grogan, sub deacon. The music was by the Mission choir.
Pioneers of this city were honorary pall bearers as follows: E. P. Foster, T. J. Donovan, Giovanni Ferro, Jules Ferraud and George Power. The active pall bearers were: J. Y. Rodriguez, M. Erburu, John Lagomarsino Sr., Nick Pierano, Adolfo Camarillo and Charles Donlon. The casket was buried in a wealth of beautiful tributes. Internment was in the Solari mausoleum at Ivy Lawn Cemetery. Reardon the undertaker had charge of the arrangements.
The following information provided by Pat Johnson, a descedant and researcher of the Cota family:
DEATH CERTIFICATE:
Mercedes C. Solari, widow of Augustin Solari
Death: 8 Feb 1923, Ventura, Ventura County, CA
Birth: 10 March 1844, CA
Father: Jose Cota, born CA
Mother: Candalaria Ruiz, born CA
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE:
Place: Mission San Buenaventura, Libro 1 de Casamientos, entry #1268
Date: 18 Oct 1858
Groom: Agustin Solari, hijo de Juan Solari y Catarina
Bride: Mercedes Cota, natural de Santa Barbara, hija de Jose Maria Cota y Candalaria Valenzuela
BAPTISMAL RECORD:
Place: Mission Santa Barbara, Libro de Baustismos, entry #1601
Child: Maria Refugio de los Mercedes Valenzuela
Baptismal Date: 14 March 1844
Birth Date: 10 March 1844
Parents: Legitimate daughter of Jose Maria Valenzuela & Maria Candalaria Feliz
THEORY:
Mercedes always claimed her father was Jose Cota/Jose Maria Cota, in every offical document, either church or civil. After she was married she always gave
her name as Mercedes C. Solari. When I first wrote to the Santa Barbara Mission archives I was helped by a lady who was descended from the Cota family. She knew it well but had never heard of our Mercedes Cota. She spent several months trying to solve the mystery of who Mercedes's parents were but could not find the answer. We thought the information in the baptismal record was probably incorrect. When I visited the archives myself the archivist told me that Jose Maria Cota was reported to have had several illegitimate children. I believe that our Mercedes was one of them. At the time of her wedding why would she say that her father's name was Jose Maria Cota if it was not? And he was still alive at that time.
In the documents above, the given name of her mother is always stated as Candalaria. The surname is given as Feliz once, Valenzuela once, and Ruiz once. I believe that Candalaria was the daughter of Jose Antonio Valenzuela and Maria Macelina Feliz, and was baptized 3 Feb 1828 at Mission San Gabriel. Her mother died in Los Angeles in 1840 after which she must have come north to the Santa Barbara area with her father. I have yet to find a record of her father's death, nor have I found his name in any of the census records. Soon after Mercedes' birth, Candalaria Valenzuela married Saturnino Ruiz. They had five children, the last one being born about 1850. Candalaria probably died sometime between 1852 and 1854 as Saturnino Ruiz married again in September 1854. My grandfather's notes state that Mercedes was orphaned at a young age. Candalaria's death between 1852 and 1854 would fit this senario. So here we have the three surnames given above: Feliz, Valenzuela and Ruiz. This is my theory but I need further evidence.
Mercedes de Cota was my 2nd great grandmother.
Per family descendant information, Mercedes was baptized on March 11, 1844 as Maria Refugio de los Mercedes Valenzuela. Witness to the baptism was Juana Ruiz. Juana Ruiz was a witness at Saturnino and Maria Candelaria Valenzuela y Ruiz's [Mercedes's mother] wedding three months later.
Per 1860 census of Santa Barbara County, San Buenaventura Township, Mercedes Solari, age 19 born California Wife. [in the household of Augustin Solari and child, Gracia Solari]
Per 1880 U.S. Federal census Mercedes Solari is living in San Buena Ventura, Ventura, CA, born abt 1843 California Wife, spouse name Agostino, both parents born CA
Per 1900 U.S. Federal census Mercedes Solari is living in Ventura, Ventura, California, born abt 1843 California Head Widowed, both parents born CA
Per 1910 U.S. Federal census Mercedes C. Solari is living in VENTURA TWP, Ventura, CA, born 1843 California Head Widowed [language spoken Spanish], both parents born CA [in the household is her daughter Eliza Solari, 28 years old, divorced and she has had one child)
Obiturary from Ventura Free Press Newspaper, 02-10-1923: SCORES ATTEND FUNERAL PIONEER Residents of City and County Honor Memory of Mrs. Solari: Scores of residents of Ventura and vicinity filled the Old Mission in capacity this moring in paying their last tribute to the memory the late Mrs. M. C. Solari, pioneer woman of the city who was loved by all who knew her and of her benefactions. Solemn regular mass was celebrated with the Rev. Fr Guadalupe of Los Angeles as celebrant, Rev. Fr Reardon of Oxnard deacon and Rev. Fr Grogan, sub deacon. The music was by the Mission choir.
Pioneers of this city were honorary pall bearers as follows: E. P. Foster, T. J. Donovan, Giovanni Ferro, Jules Ferraud and George Power. The active pall bearers were: J. Y. Rodriguez, M. Erburu, John Lagomarsino Sr., Nick Pierano, Adolfo Camarillo and Charles Donlon. The casket was buried in a wealth of beautiful tributes. Internment was in the Solari mausoleum at Ivy Lawn Cemetery. Reardon the undertaker had charge of the arrangements.
The following information provided by Pat Johnson, a descedant and researcher of the Cota family:
DEATH CERTIFICATE:
Mercedes C. Solari, widow of Augustin Solari
Death: 8 Feb 1923, Ventura, Ventura County, CA
Birth: 10 March 1844, CA
Father: Jose Cota, born CA
Mother: Candalaria Ruiz, born CA
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE:
Place: Mission San Buenaventura, Libro 1 de Casamientos, entry #1268
Date: 18 Oct 1858
Groom: Agustin Solari, hijo de Juan Solari y Catarina
Bride: Mercedes Cota, natural de Santa Barbara, hija de Jose Maria Cota y Candalaria Valenzuela
BAPTISMAL RECORD:
Place: Mission Santa Barbara, Libro de Baustismos, entry #1601
Child: Maria Refugio de los Mercedes Valenzuela
Baptismal Date: 14 March 1844
Birth Date: 10 March 1844
Parents: Legitimate daughter of Jose Maria Valenzuela & Maria Candalaria Feliz
THEORY:
Mercedes always claimed her father was Jose Cota/Jose Maria Cota, in every offical document, either church or civil. After she was married she always gave
her name as Mercedes C. Solari. When I first wrote to the Santa Barbara Mission archives I was helped by a lady who was descended from the Cota family. She knew it well but had never heard of our Mercedes Cota. She spent several months trying to solve the mystery of who Mercedes's parents were but could not find the answer. We thought the information in the baptismal record was probably incorrect. When I visited the archives myself the archivist told me that Jose Maria Cota was reported to have had several illegitimate children. I believe that our Mercedes was one of them. At the time of her wedding why would she say that her father's name was Jose Maria Cota if it was not? And he was still alive at that time.
In the documents above, the given name of her mother is always stated as Candalaria. The surname is given as Feliz once, Valenzuela once, and Ruiz once. I believe that Candalaria was the daughter of Jose Antonio Valenzuela and Maria Macelina Feliz, and was baptized 3 Feb 1828 at Mission San Gabriel. Her mother died in Los Angeles in 1840 after which she must have come north to the Santa Barbara area with her father. I have yet to find a record of her father's death, nor have I found his name in any of the census records. Soon after Mercedes' birth, Candalaria Valenzuela married Saturnino Ruiz. They had five children, the last one being born about 1850. Candalaria probably died sometime between 1852 and 1854 as Saturnino Ruiz married again in September 1854. My grandfather's notes state that Mercedes was orphaned at a young age. Candalaria's death between 1852 and 1854 would fit this senario. So here we have the three surnames given above: Feliz, Valenzuela and Ruiz. This is my theory but I need further evidence.
Per family descendant information, Mercedes was baptized on March 11, 1844 as Maria Refugio de los Mercedes Valenzuela. Witness to the baptism was Juana Ruiz. Juana Ruiz was a witness at Saturnino and Maria Candelaria Valenzuela y Ruiz's [Mercedes's mother] wedding three months later.
Per 1860 census of Santa Barbara County, San Buenaventura Township, Mercedes Solari, age 19 born California Wife. [in the household of Augustin Solari and child, Gracia Solari]
Per 1880 U.S. Federal census Mercedes Solari is living in San Buena Ventura, Ventura, CA, born abt 1843 California Wife, spouse name Agostino, both parents born CA
Per 1900 U.S. Federal census Mercedes Solari is living in Ventura, Ventura, California, born abt 1843 California Head Widowed, both parents born CA
Per 1910 U.S. Federal census Mercedes C. Solari is living in VENTURA TWP, Ventura, CA, born 1843 California Head Widowed [language spoken Spanish], both parents born CA [in the household is her daughter Eliza Solari, 28 years old, divorced and she has had one child)
Obiturary from Ventura Free Press Newspaper, 02-10-1923: SCORES ATTEND FUNERAL PIONEER Residents of City and County Honor Memory of Mrs. Solari: Scores of residents of Ventura and vicinity filled the Old Mission in capacity this moring in paying their last tribute to the memory the late Mrs. M. C. Solari, pioneer woman of the city who was loved by all who knew her and of her benefactions. Solemn regular mass was celebrated with the Rev. Fr Guadalupe of Los Angeles as celebrant, Rev. Fr Reardon of Oxnard deacon and Rev. Fr Grogan, sub deacon. The music was by the Mission choir.
Pioneers of this city were honorary pall bearers as follows: E. P. Foster, T. J. Donovan, Giovanni Ferro, Jules Ferraud and George Power. The active pall bearers were: J. Y. Rodriguez, M. Erburu, John Lagomarsino Sr., Nick Pierano, Adolfo Camarillo and Charles Donlon. The casket was buried in a wealth of beautiful tributes. Internment was in the Solari mausoleum at Ivy Lawn Cemetery. Reardon the undertaker had charge of the arrangements.
The following information provided by Pat Johnson, a descedant and researcher of the Cota family:
DEATH CERTIFICATE:
Mercedes C. Solari, widow of Augustin Solari
Death: 8 Feb 1923, Ventura, Ventura County, CA
Birth: 10 March 1844, CA
Father: Jose Cota, born CA
Mother: Candalaria Ruiz, born CA
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE:
Place: Mission San Buenaventura, Libro 1 de Casamientos, entry #1268
Date: 18 Oct 1858
Groom: Agustin Solari, hijo de Juan Solari y Catarina
Bride: Mercedes Cota, natural de Santa Barbara, hija de Jose Maria Cota y Candalaria Valenzuela
BAPTISMAL RECORD:
Place: Mission Santa Barbara, Libro de Baustismos, entry #1601
Child: Maria Refugio de los Mercedes Valenzuela
Baptismal Date: 14 March 1844
Birth Date: 10 March 1844
Parents: Legitimate daughter of Jose Maria Valenzuela & Maria Candalaria Feliz
THEORY:
Mercedes always claimed her father was Jose Cota/Jose Maria Cota, in every offical document, either church or civil. After she was married she always gave
her name as Mercedes C. Solari. When I first wrote to the Santa Barbara Mission archives I was helped by a lady who was descended from the Cota family. She knew it well but had never heard of our Mercedes Cota. She spent several months trying to solve the mystery of who Mercedes's parents were but could not find the answer. We thought the information in the baptismal record was probably incorrect. When I visited the archives myself the archivist told me that Jose Maria Cota was reported to have had several illegitimate children. I believe that our Mercedes was one of them. At the time of her wedding why would she say that her father's name was Jose Maria Cota if it was not? And he was still alive at that time.
In the documents above, the given name of her mother is always stated as Candalaria. The surname is given as Feliz once, Valenzuela once, and Ruiz once. I believe that Candalaria was the daughter of Jose Antonio Valenzuela and Maria Macelina Feliz, and was baptized 3 Feb 1828 at Mission San Gabriel. Her mother died in Los Angeles in 1840 after which she must have come north to the Santa Barbara area with her father. I have yet to find a record of her father's death, nor have I found his name in any of the census records. Soon after Mercedes' birth, Candalaria Valenzuela married Saturnino Ruiz. They had five children, the last one being born about 1850. Candalaria probably died sometime between 1852 and 1854 as Saturnino Ruiz married again in September 1854. My grandfather's notes state that Mercedes was orphaned at a young age. Candalaria's death between 1852 and 1854 would fit this senario. So here we have the three surnames given above: Feliz, Valenzuela and Ruiz. This is my theory but I need further evidence.
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