Ignacio Guerra Cañamar

Ignacio Guerra Cañamar was born in Mexico City on 6 November 1633. His father, Antonio (II) Guerra Cañamar (1603) was the first Guerra to emigrate to New Spain (Mexico today) from Llanes, Asturias, Spain. He and his wife Luisa Fernandez de Rio Frio (1606) were married in Mexico City, New Spain and had several children.

Ignacio Guerra Cañamar's Ancestors

Ignacio's family origins can be traced back to Llanes, Asturias, Spain in the 1550's with the surname Guerra Cañamal. Ignacio later changed his surname from Guerra Cañamal to Guerra Cañamar.

Guerra Cañamal Family Tree

* Main lineage, marked by dark blue.

Ignacio Guerra Cañamar Biography

The excerpt below is from "Merced de Tierras. AMM, Civ. Vol. 20, Exp. 27, f. 20", a short autobiographical account of Ignacio Guerra Cañamar. The original source is in Spanish. I have translated and edited the original account for ease of readability.

(Valle del Pilón, September 3, 1683)

Captain Ignacio Guerra, resident of the city of Our Lady of Monterrey (Monte Rey)…; I state, that it has been 24 years since I entered said kingdom and established my residence. I married twice with daughters of Conquistadors and settlers of the area.

From such time I have devoted myself in the service of His Majesty. I went out on campaign with cavalry companies to resist the invasions of rebellious Indians against the Royal Crown. Thus as a simple soldier, at my own expense, with my own arms and horses and as Assistant Sergeant Major of this kingdom along with the reformation, I advanced to Infantry Captain. I was the Captain of the fort established by His Majesty in the town of Cerralvo, belonging to our government.

On various occasions I was the Attorney General of the city. Then in the year 1668, by Royal Decree from His Majesty, the two presidios of this kingdom were demolished through the assistance and request that I put through in Mexico City. Then at the highest level of government, on behalf of this kingdom, (I assisted) the Governor Don Nicolas de Azcarraga who intended to introduce Royal Sales taxes and other Royal laws.

I have also held the position of Mayor in different years. By order of His Majesty, in the commission of Judge, I gave to the missionary priests that are today in the missions of this kingdom (realm).

I have done those services referred to above in this kingdom. When I advanced in the position of Sergeant, I did at the ports of Barlovento in the company of Don Pedro de Alba, my captain. And, being the will of His Majesty, according to his Royal Decrees, that are prized by his vassals and in particular the settlers of his New Kingdom, and I being one of them.

And with regard to the above, I care for and find myself responsible for twelve children, in order to support them so that they may later serve His Majesty.

Ignacio Guerra Cañamar

Last Will and Testament

Ignacio Guerra Cañamar left a will and testament document which was entered into the “Protocolos de Monterrey” on November 20, 1701. In summary it states who his parents were, the marriages he had along with details of his children and any financial and property information. Attached below will be a copy of the testament.

Ignacio Guerra Cañamar Family Tree

Resources

References

• "México, Distrito Federal, registros parroquiales y diocesanos, 1514-1970," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-KTSF-GG?cc=1615259&wc=3P8G-VZ9%3A122580201%2C140375901 : 20 May 2014), Asunción Sagrario Metropolitano (Centro) > Información matrimonial de españoles 1624-1652 > image 10 of 794; parroquias Católicas, Distrito Federal (Catholic Church parishes, Distrito Federal).
• "México, Distrito Federal, registros parroquiales y diocesanos, 1514-1970," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939Z-5BVH-R?cc=1615259&wc=MC3V-329%3A122580201%2C141316201 : 20 May 2014), Asunción Sagrario Metropolitano (Centro) > Matrimonios de españoles 1575-1589, 1629-1634, 1629-1634, 1621-1626, 1629-1630, 1629-1646 > image 482 of 1051; parroquias Católicas, Distrito Federal (Catholic Church parishes, Distrito Federal).
• "México, Distrito Federal, registros parroquiales y diocesanos, 1514-1970," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939Z-R8G5-S?cc=1615259&wc=3P6R-GPD%3A122580201%2C125818001 : 20 July 2015), Asunción Sagrario Metropolitano (Centro) > Bautismos de españoles 1627-1639 > image 572 of 1121; parroquias Católicas, Distrito Federal (Catholic Church parishes, Distrito Federal).
• "México, Nuevo León, registros parroquiales, 1667-1981," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9Q97-YS2S-9VS?cc=1473204&wc=3PML-92S%3A45389701%2C45389702%2C46366701 : 21 May 2014), Monterrey > Catedral > Defunciones 1668-1752 > image 72 of 368; Parroquias de la Iglesia Católica, Nuevo León (Catholic Church parishes, Nuevo León).
• "México, Nuevo León, registros parroquiales, 1667-1981," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9Q97-YS24-RC?cc=1473204&wc=3PML-VZS%3A45389701%2C45389702%2C46695301 : 21 May 2014), Monterrey > Catedral > Matrimonios 1667-1800 > image 18 of 732; Parroquias de la Iglesia Católica, Nuevo León (Catholic Church parishes, Nuevo León).
• Escobar y Sáenz, Joel René. Capt. Ignacio Guerra Cañamar & His Descendants. Copy Zone Center, 2009.