My name is Ryan Windley I am the creator and editor of Las Colonias.
I married the former Diana Whetten who is the daughter of Clifford L. and Rosalyn Hatch Whetten.
A couple months after Diana and I were married we visited the Colonies for a Whetten family reunion. While I had heard of the Mormon Colonies in Mexcio, I didn’t know much about the Colonies.. During my first visit I became spellbound by the histories of the original colonists and the incredible lives they lead.
Mormon pioneers’ lives in general are very interesting. Their incredible experiences of pioneering and the privations they suffered seem almost superhuman to us today. Now imagine those same hardships compounded with Indian attacks, grizzly bears, and revolutions endured by the pioneers of the Mormon Colonies in Mexico.
After every trip to the Colonies’ I can’t wait to return again to start a new adventure.
Thank you for putting this news letter together. Ernest Jewell
We knew a Cliff Whetten who lived in Elfrida, AZ for many, many years. I know he was from the colonies, and his wife’s name was Claudia are they any relation?
I think that was uncle Clifton Whetten. My father-in-law was Clifford Whetten. Clifford and his wife Rosalyn were born and raised in the Colonies. Clifford is Glen and Ada Mae Judd Whetten’s son and Rosalyn is Dr. Leroy and Marza Lunt Hatch’s daughter.
Clifton Whetten is my father. His first wife was Lila Judd who is a younger sister to Ada Judd Whetten. My dad is aso a cousin of Glen Whetten. Dr Hatch looked me over when I was thrown off a horse as a kid visiting the colonias. Small world.
Super Cool you did this! My Daughter had to find history about home so she found this for school! Love it and come back soon- Kara Whetten (Berts Wife)
Thanks Kara! Giving the generations to come an understanding of the Colonies, their history, and people is the reason I’m doing this.
Hello, I have been reading Las Colonias for about two years now. I am an author/educator who lives in New Mexico. I would very much like to know what happened to the “Apache Kid” saddle, and other artifacts that were brought in when the two Mormon men killed him. I think this was late 1890’s, maybe after the Thompson murders. I was told that the Academia in Colonia Juarez had them on display. One of the old timers told his daughter about seeing them about 1930.
Is there any way to find out what happened to these now very valuable items that are of historic importance. Even if they did not belong to the Apache Kid, they would be of great interest.
Thank you, Lynda A. Sanchez, Box 67, Lincoln, NM 88338 1 575 653-4821
That’s great that the Apache Kid’s saddle survived. 1930 was a long time ago. Hopefully someone will know something about it. Maybe the Academy has something in their files about it?
No, they don’t and I even wrote to their administrator asking about the saddle. No one responded.
granted, 1930 was a while ago.
las
Hi,
My name is Mark Salter and I do research for documentary about The Sierra Madre Apaches.
This site is great! Have been looking into the mormon colonies and their contact with Apaches.
I was in Mexico this past august invited by descendants and aim to go again. Next stop will be New Mexico though, so if You see this post Lynda A. Sanchez,- please contact me 😉
Once again.- thnak’s for this amazing site.
Sincerely Mark Salter.
Thanks Mark. Lynda left her contact info below if you would like to contact her.
Thank’s for pointing that out. Must have overlooked it earlier.
Really enjoyed reading the versions here concerning the Apache encounters.
When ever the different versions are compared, new details seem to stand out.
I’m so glad I found this site! Thank you for putting this together. What a great idea! My father was born/raised in the Colonias (Nuevo Casas Grandes). He and his family moved to Sonora when he was a ‘tween’. After my parents married, they lived in Sonora, which is where I was born and raised. My father would take us kids to the Colonies to visit our cousins and family there. I didn’t realize at the time what a treasure those trips would become for me. I wish we had gone more now. I have a few autobiographies/biographies of my Colonies’ ancestors. If you’d like me to share, let me know.
Yes, please send me their histories.
Greetings again from New Mexico. I asked about the Apache Kid’s saddle previously and no one has responded so I assume it is lost to history. Since that email to Las Colonias, I have completed a chapter for my book about the Sierra Madre Apaches on the demise of the Apache Kid. It is now at about 14 K words so lots of information but still no clue as to what happened to the artifacts and possessions taken by the elders and given to the authorities. Amazing what that band had including how well armed they were and well dressed. I am prone to believe that it really was the Apache Kid. At that time over 18 separate individuals had claimed they killed him or prevented him from raiding and being the outlaw that he had become. All fascinating history and really, not that long ago. I would ask any of your readers who have specific details about Apache experiences that their families encountered, please let me know. I was most fortunate to have visited Colonia Juarez and on up into the Gavilan country. Even today it is a fascinating and amazing region. Photos would also be helpful. I have been working on this book about 35 years now and I have almost 200 K words written! (Lynda Sanchez, box 67, Lincoln, NM 88338 PH> 1-575 653-4821) And, Las Colonias is a great site.
My wife is related to a Herbert Burton Fay who was married to Elizabeth May Barrow. We believe they had a daughter Inez Lucille Fay, born in 1901 in Colonia Diaz. Are there any records of people visiting Colonia Diaz (they had children in the U.S. before and after 1901, so I say visiting)? Are there any records of births in the colonies? inez was married in El Paso, Texas, in 1918. Thanks very much.
I’m a descendant of Inez Lucille Fay and what USF love to chat with you!
Michael, if you should end up back here, send me an email at jausten70@yahoo.com
Inez Fay is my g grandmother.
I’m glad I discovered your site and look forward to future stories. My parents, Orson Gilbert Hawkins and Rita Bautista were born in Colonia Dublan, moved to Texas about the time I was born – 1950 but I have many memories of visits back, especially of my aunt, Tia Maria Bautista Williams. The Hawkins ancestry from the conversion of Thomas Sunderland Hawkins is well established, as are the biographies and histories of many of the “Anglo” or white Latter-day Saints in the Colonies. But not much seems to be available about the Mexican saints, other than Margarito Bautista, the infamous brother of my grandfather, Isidro Bautista. I would love anything other subscribers may be willing to share.
Hi Ryan- I just found your website and am looking forward to future issues. My Dad and his brother and sisters were born in Colonia Juarez. I was finally able to visit the area in 2005 with my cousin, and planned on returning in a year or so, but life sometimes doesn’t work that way. Hope to make it back down there in 2019 as it was an amazing experience to see where many of my ancestors had lived. My family includes the McClellans and Hatches. I tried to make a contribution, but the site wouldn’t accept it. It kept asking for “a valid amount.” Need a little help here. Best regards, Doug Wilson