The progenitors of the Valdés family of New Mexico were José Ruiz de Valdés, native of Oviedo, Spain, and María Hernández de Medina, a native of Mexico City (ONMF:301 ). Research conducted for the book, The Spanish Recolonization of New Mexico, co-authored by José Antonio Esquibel and John B. Colligan, uncovered the names of María’s parents—Alonso Hernández and Josefa de Cabrera.
Alonso Hernández and Josefa de Cabrera married on 6 November 1667, as recorded in the book of marriages of Santa Catarina Mártir church, Mexico City. Alonso was identified as a son of Lucas Hernández and Francisca de Medina, thus the use of the extended surname of Hernández de Medina by their granddaughter María. Josefa de Cabrera was identified as a daughter of Tomás de Cabrera and Gertrudis Sánchez.
Tomás de Cabrera and Gertrudis Sánchez were married and veiled on 20 September, 1646, Santa Vera Cruz Church, Mexico City. Curiously, the Juez Provisor Vicario of the Archdiocese of Mexico, don Pedro de Barr. [abbreviation illegible] granted license to the priests of the parish of Santa Vera Cruz to post the banns of matrimony as required by the Council of Trent and this license was approved by the Archbishop of Mexico, don Juan de Mendoza. The circumstances for the need of such a license are not stated in the record of the marriage.
In the marriage record Tomás de Cabrera was identified as a vecino (taxpaying citizen) of Mexico City and a son of Manuel Gutiérrez and Inés de Cabrera. Gertrudis Sánchez was identified as a vecina of Mexico City, a native of the “Pueblo de Querétaro,” and a daughter of Francisco Lucas and Mareta Sánchez. No witnesses or sponsors are recorded and the record is signed by the Juez Provisor.
Researcher: Moonyean Hill
Source: Matrimonios, Iglesia de Santa Vera Cruz, Mexico City 1568-1666, LDS microfilm #0035848.