New Mexico’s Stormy History

Author, and retired U.S. Navy Master Chief, Elmer Maestas will hold book signing event

Genealogy & History lecture/Book Signing – Maestas book “New Mexico’s Stormy History: True Stories of Early Spanish Colonial
Settlers”

Date/Location: Saturday, 22 April, 4:30pm, Espanola Bond House

Author Elmer Masts is having a book signing event dedicated to, and in conjunction with, the Espanola-Los Alamos Habitat for Humanity organization’s fund-raising efforts.

The power-point presentation of his book – is – “New Mexico’s Stormy History: True Stories of Early Spanish Colonial settlers and the Mestas/Maestas families.”

Proceeds from the book’s sale will be presented to the local Espanola-Los Alamos H.F.H.

Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to assist low-income northern New Mexican’s with their housing needs – A Dream come True for many.

This event is made possible thru – Mr. John Werenko, Executive Director, Northern New Mexico Regional Art Center -and – Mrs. Yvonne Maestas-Atencio, Executive Director, Espanola Valley-Los Alamos Habitat for Humanity.

About

Conquistador General Don Diego de Vargas led hundreds of Spanish pioneers to resettle New Mexico after the 1680 Indian Revolt. This little-known colonial period brought peace and prosperity to settlers and Native Americans in what later became northern New Mexico and parts of surrounding states. Spanish Royalty awarded many faithful soldiers and settlers with grants of land to establish farms, ranches, and ultimately to populate villas that became cities such as Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos.

U.S. Navy Master Chief of 30 years, Elmer Eugene Maestas set sail on a serious study of his family’s roots after his late brother’s trip through Spain years earlier had failed to turn up even one Maestas. Learning his Maestas surname was originally spelled Mestas, Elmer found his ancestors had come from Spain with General de Vargas — and that he was a 10th generation Spanish descendant whose forefathers had been awarded not one, but two land grants! He and his family knew nothing about them and, not much more about New Mexico’s “stormy” history.