Message from Erlinda Castanon-Long longsjourney@...

Jonathan, my "cemetary" experience in El Durazno was that someone in
each town has a key to the local cemetary, I did not find any that
were open, they were locked. At the older cemetary in Los Haros,
district of Jerez we were lucky that someone was working there and
agreed to let us in, we had to leave when they did. Cemetaries were
not taken care of but the marble monuments were huge and paid for by
relatives from the states who sent money I was told. When we were in
Guadalajara the same was true for the really old cemetaries, someone
had to admit us.
I had no luck finding records in Jerez Zacatecas, El Limon and
Tamazula Jalisco. Clerks were overworked and without copy machines or
time to give us. I had better luck with the records at the FHC.
The trip was still very much worth the time and money, wonderful
people just researching records is not a priorty for them. I asked to
check a marriage ledger from 1920 and was told the public is not
allowed to touch the books.
Good luck in your search, I'm sure the locals will fill you in when
you get there as how to go about getting co-operation each place you
go.
Linda in Everett

Message from Alicia Carrillo alliecar@...

Jonathan,   I have only gone to two places in Mexico, to Nochistlan Zac and Tlachichila Zac but did not have any luck in getting access to the actual records. Having said that it was at the beginning of my geneaological journey and in Tlachichila I think and hope that if I come prepared with documentation showing that I am doing verifiable research, I believe I might be allowed access. My cousins still live there and are well connected in the church. Hope as they say is everlasting so I will not lose hope.   I would advise you to be well prepared to present your credentials as a researcher and possibly be willing to pay a small fee or make a small donation to the church, nothing lost in trying. Many times church offices are closed because they have limited financial resources and cannot hire a full time secretary or receptionist. You might find the name of your town on-line, check for a contact name and number and
see if you can call ahead to schedule an appointment.   What towns will you ge going to? Sometimes it is easier in the smaller towns than in the larger ones. Good Luch Jonathan...........Alicia
mexicanfhr <walkerjona@...> wrote:

Hello all,

Have any of you ever done research in the actual Parish in Mexico?

I am asking, because in about 3 weeks, I will be going to Mexico. And
if possible I will try find some information at the parish and
cemetary level.

So could anyone give me some pointers, on what to expect? Or the best
way to approach the subject?

Thanks,
Jonathan