It's not about linage, it's about the people themselves. Both sides of my family, the common thread is they were among the first as each area of this country was opened up. They just kept moving west.
I've found it disingenuous when common Mexicans claim they are indigenous to the southwest just because Mexico had a claim of title from 1821 to 1846 from Spain. They didn't live here, they didn't control the territory, Indians did and they hated Mexicans that ventured in.
A relative came into NM to trade with the Utes in the 1820s, was a guide for Kit Carson and Fremont when they came through and in their books. He guided my GGgrandfather, his cousin, to the newly opened California wine country in the 1840s to grow grapes.
I'm indigenous to the southwest, more than a mexican, not as much as an indian.
I have about every nationality mixed but I'm born to the west through blood and sweat.
Kent
