Academia de Genealogía y Heráldica Mota-Padilla


The Academia de Genealogía y Heráldica Mota-Padilla was a cultural institution based in Guadalajara, Jalisco, the second largest city in Mexico. According with an article published in the Genealogical Journal, this institution was the first genealogical association in Latin America.

History

It was established on 12 January 1920 by Salvador Mota-Velasco y Abad ; it was erected in memory of the first Historian of the former Kingdom of Nueva Galicia in the Viceroyalty of New Spain, , author of Historia de la Conquista del Reino de la Nueva Galicia ; among its members, the very same Salvador Mota-Velasco y Abad was a direct descendant of the after mentioned author.
This institution was privately funded and led by enthusiasts of the Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences whose main purpose was to promote the creation of a study about the history of the municipality of Unión de Tula, Jalisco, with a genealogical and heraldic research of the four founding families of that place, which were the Topete, the Villaseñor, the Lazcano and the Arriola families. With the passing of time, the Academia's objectives went beyond the original idea, promoting any kind of Genealogical and Heraldic studies, then, more enthusiasts became members of this institution. They gathered monthly and produced some interesting works, like those published by journalist Alberto Santoscoy or by historian José R. Benítez; unfortunately, some of those papers are still unpublished.

Founding members

The founding members were five: Salvador Mota-Velasco y Abad, José Ignacio Dávila Garibi, Jorge Verea y Vallarta, Enrique Eduardo López Maldonado, and Alberto Santoscoy.

Academia's structure in 1920

Board of Directors
Founders Academicians in 1920
After most of its original members died, the institution became less active; then, Jorge Verea y Vallarta's nephew, Ricardo Lancaster-Jones y Verea, reorganized it between 1950–53, it was formally re-established with an act dated on 8 May 1953. After Lancaster-Jones y Verea's death in 1983, the institution became extinct.

Presidents

Academia's structure after 1950

Board of Directors:
Honorary Academicians:
Counsultant Academicians:
Patrons:
Companies:
Individuals:
The Academia de Genealogía y Heráldica Mota-Padilla published three volumes of Anuario and a Lista de Miembros y Estatutos.

Archdiocese of Guadalajara's genealogical records

This institution contributed with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and with the Academia Mexicana de Genealogía y Heráldica, during the microfilming process of the complete and well preserved Archdiocese of Guadalajara's records. Nowadays, a copy of these microfilms are located in the Archivo General de la Nación in Mexico City, and are available for public consultation under the guidelines and regulations of the same institution.

Main references