In the fall 2013 I began trying to better understand the Medina Y-DNA by attempting to determine which lineages descend from Captain Diego de Medina. An interest in this surname was personal as my great grandmother was a Adelina Medina from Chacon, Mora, but I was primarily sparked by an article published by Marilyn Herrera Britton in the Hispanic Genealogical Research Center Journal – Jan 2013: Vol.21:1, Who is the Progenitor of the Medina Family?
I began by cataloging and contacting Medinas that had tested and have encouraged many additional to test. The data set is quite large but could always use more male with Y-DNA tests to participate.
A synopsis of Marilyn’s article and other sources tell us:
That it appears that Capitan Diego de Medina[1] is the progenitor for the Medina name in New Mexico. The article and other sources indicate that Capitan Diego de Medina was married to María Zapata Telles Jirón and they had the following children.
- Diego Medina, born in New Mexico; died Bef. 1750 in New Mexico.
- Lugarda Medina, born in New Mexico.
- Maria Antonia Catarina Medina, born in New Mexico; died Bef. 1779.
- Rosa Medina, born in New Mexico.
- Jose Ysidro Medina, born Abt. 1692 in Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Ramon Medina, born 1694 in New Mexico. He married (1) Juana Rodriguez2; died Bef. 1718 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He married (2) Valentina Montes de Oca Oct 09, 1718 in Santa Fe, New Mexico; born 1696.
- Juana Josefa Medina, born 1695 in New Mexico; died Bef. 1749 in New Mexico.
- Juana Medina, born 1700 in New Mexico.
From the list above we see that there are three males with potential of passing the Medina surname and Y-DNA of Captain Diego de Medina. The question to be answered is, which of the three boys are legitimate, all, some or none. The article states that in the 1693 census his wife before their marriage had four orphans in her house. The names of the orphans are listed as Maria, Josefa, Ramon and Isidro Jose. The article suggests that these children must have been taken under the wings of Diego and given his surname.
This Medina study, like many of my other genetic genealogy studies is progressing at a slow rate. Thus far, the direct descendants testing for the Jose Ysidro Medina have results matching the Duran y Chavez and Garcia de Noriega clas. This may be suggesting that Jose Ysidro may have been an one of the orphans listed in the 1693 census. Results for Diego Jr. are Native American and lastly we have not been able to find any living male descendants of Ramon to test. Diego Jr. is not named on the orphan list and clearly born after Captain Diego and his wife Maria are married, so is he the true legitimate son of Captain Diego suggesting that the Captain was of paternal Indian descent? These are the questions that I am trying to answer and the purpose of this information is not to suggest any definitive answers but rather to solicit more Medinas to test so that we have a sound data set to try and make conclusions. If anyone has corrections or additional information please share.
[1] Diego Medinawas born Abt. 1674 in Durango, Mexico, and died Bef. 1717 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He married Maria Zapata Telles Jiron February 07, 1694 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, daughter of Jose Jiron and Catalina Romero. She was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
New Mexico Genetic Genealogy 
My great-grandfather was an Alejandro Medina, from Mora. He served in WW1, and died as a result of wounds sustained there. He was father to my grandmother, on my father’s side. He had no sons, so I doubt this information is useful to you, but I thought I’d share in case you had any blank spaces to fill regarding Medina’s from Mora,
Did your grandfather have any brothers? My great grandfather is Adolfo Medina from Mora county. His daughter, my grandmother was born in Wagon Mound.
I apologize for the delay in answering. The replies to this thread ended up in my spam folder and I was negligent in checking it for a long time. Yes, my great-grandfather Alejandro Medina (1891-1920), did have brothers. Oldest was Eleuterio (b. 1884), then sister Virginia(1888-1966), then Nazario (b. 1889). These are the siblings I’ve found on Ancestry, as the children of Jose de Gracia Medina (b.1858) and Nicolasa Archiveque (b.1866). My grandmother was middle named for Nicolasa, so I know it’s the right thread, but I am a little confused because my grandmother also told me that her father Alejandro also had a sister named Adelaida or Adelita, and I can find no record of her on the census.
My name is Lawrence Z Medina, from SLC, UT. My DNA results has shown I’m a decent of Jose Ysidro Medina, who the blood line of Captain Diego Medina, whom is the son of Melchor De Medina, the son of Tomas Medina, from Spain.
Hello Lawrence !! My name is Frank Medina Jr son of {4213 Jose Francisco Medina} and decent of {384} Jose Ysidro Medina blood line. My father is from el Valle de San Luis, Colorado near the New Mexico border. My Grandfather is {4307Jose Seledon Medina} born 1881 in either El Rito or San Francisco Colorado El Valle de San Luis and his father is {4235 Juan Bautista Medina} who born 9 Feb 1830 in Arroyo Seco, New Mexico. His Father is Francisco Antonio Medina who was son of {4097 Felipe Medina }. His father is {4091 Juan Salvador Medina } and his father is {384 Jose Ysidro Medina } son of {1 Capitan Jose Diego Medina }. I am trying to gather more information about the Medina bloodline and where Capitan Diego Medina came from and his father’s bloodline begins. You mention Melchor de Medina and his father Tomas Medina. Can you help me this information?
Thank You !
Sincerely
Frank Medina Jr.
pacosunas@att.net
Hello Lawrence,
My name is Val Sena and Lawrence Medina was my uncle. He was the brother of Guillermo Medina from Fort Garland, Colorado. Originally the family lived near Trinidad, CO. and near Taos, New Mexico. Guillermo’s son (Eugenio Medina) moved to SLC,UT in the 1950,s. If you are related to Uncle Gene, please e-mail me at valsena@msn.com. Did the results of you DNA show that we have Jewish DNA?
This is for Leah Acosta. My name is Joseph Medina. I happened on this website and your comments by chance. I believe we are related. Here is why. You indicated your great grandfather was Alejandro Medina. According to the 1860 Census, my paternal great grand father’s name is Martin Medina (born 1829), married my great grandmother whose last name was Munis and they lived just east of Mora, New Mexico. According to the 1870 Census, their children were Meguila and Jose de Gracia Medina, Teodoro, Donacian, and Maria. Based on the 1900 Census, Jose was married to Nicolasa. At that time, they had 4 children. Their names were Eluetario, (age 16) Virginia (age 12), Nazario (age 10) and Alejandro (age 8). Sometime between the 1900 Census and the 1920 Census, Nicolasa past. Then Jose de Gracia (grandfather) married my maternal grandmother whose name is Jesusita Hurtado, who already had a family. Those individuals are listed as: Together they had 3 children whose names are: Jose Medina (Uncle) Adelia (Aunt) and my father Martin Hurtado Medina. The oral history is that my grandfather past when my dad was about 2 years of age. The 1920 Census indicates Jesusita Hurtado Medina lists these individuals as her family. (Note: Jesusita’s (both from the prior marriage and from the Medina side) Rotefamita (sp) (daughter), Ramon (son), Adelia (daughter), Jose (son), Martin (son), Aurora (daughter), Ambrosio (son), Manuelita (granddaughter), Erlinda (granddaughter) and Nazario (stepson). Maybe this information will assist you in your future search. My email is joseph.medina@q.com. Blessings.
Territory before 1847 estado de unido de Mexico possibly find in achives Mexico City and Spain!! Read battle of Mora 200 New Mexican militia from Mora and pueblos in the Moro valley fought against U.S. army dragoons they won first battle ! U.S. army retreated into Las Vegas wheras returned for second battle with a howitzer ! Winning this battle they burn down Mora after militia freed nto the mountains! A rampage followed burning and looting every farm and Rancho in the Moro Valley! Which took place close to winter!! The people suffered but raza returned and rebuilt! Lano ,chacon Guadalapita, El Camen, Mora many little pueblos in the Moro valley
I am a direct decendant of Capitan Diego de Medina. My paternal grandmother, Predicanda Maria Medina – Ortega was a 7 times granddaughter of Diego. Anyone with more information. Please contact me
My paternal grandmother was Predicanda Maria Medina Ortega. Her husband was my grandfather Manuel Ortega and his father was Tranquilino Ortega from Monte Aplanado, New Mexico near Mora. All three have passed and now resting in Rawlins, Wyoming where my dad Raimundo “Ray” Ortega also rests.
Captain Diego de Medina is also my 7th great grandfather. You can email me at Chance2381 @aol.com. I also took the DNA test on ancestory.
I am also a descendent of Diego de Medina. My grandmother was Regina Medina one of 13 children born Celediono Medina and Miquelita Ortega . I would love to see what you have on your Medina side and would love to share.
Noelle Martinez
I did the bulk of my research in 1993, before computers. I picked it up again and just starting to put it all together again. My grandfather was the Jose Demetrio Medina, the sister of Regina. When I had left off I had Celedonio’s Medina’s father as Agustine and his father as Ramon. Maybe we can compare notes. I have only one living Medina uncle left (who is still in NM) and I plan to have him get a YDNA test done this week. He is not if the best of health, so I am in hurry to get it done. The family is from Las Trampas, Levy Nolan, Wagon Mound areas. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you Charlene
What did the Dan test
Hello Pete,
Did you mean to write DNA test?
I just got an email from Miguel Tórrez last month (April) about the results of my uncle’s YDNA test (Jose Demetrio Medina Jr.). Please contact me at cpad2@live.com and I will share that info with you. Thank you.
Email me at Chance2381@aol.com
I believe that I am a descendent of Diego de Medina. My grandmother was Maria Eulogia Medina, born in Taos in 1880. She was the daughter of Buenaventura Medina and Francisca Cortez. Buenaventura Medina was the son of Tiburcio Medina and Juana Archuleta. Tiburcio was the son of Cristobal Medina and Juana Cordoba.
My grandfather was Jose Eluterio Medina, known as Eleuto Medina. He married Andrea Sierra and lived and taught in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. he was a well known local musician, playing the violin in weddings, parades and was featured in the Museum in San Luis, CO.
Hi Veronica. My name is Lita Valdez and I am trying to get information in on Andrea Sierra. She is supposedly a sister to my grandmother Tiodorita Valdez Trujillo. The only names I have come up with is your grandparents. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
I do not have any information on Tiodorita Valdez Trujillo.My grandmother Andrea Sierra was the daughter of Jose Gabriel Sierra and Maria Teofilo Valdez,
I do not have any information on Tiodorita Valdez Trujillo.My grandmother Andrea Sierra was the daughter of Jose Gabriel Sierra and Maria Teofilo Sanchez
So sorry, Andrea Sierra was the daughter of Jose Gabriel Sierra and mAria Trinidad Valdez from Walsenberg, CO.
My grandfather was married to Medina from Questa NM. Every so often we have a Medina reunion at Arroyo Seco, NM
My grandfather took the name Archuleta from an aunt that raised him. Originally Gonzales from Trinidad Colorado. I believe it was not unusual for relatives with no children to take in a child from relatives with a large family. At least it seemed to be the case in Taos County
Hi Michael- my grandmother was Emelina Archuleta from Taos, NM born Oct. 1914. She married my grandpa Manuel Garcia and they moved to Wamsutter, WY and then settled in Reliance, WY around 1944 or 1945 because of jobs with the railroad. My mom, grandma and all of the kids actually road on the train to Wyoming with the Medina family. The Medina family live in Green River, WY. Both families have many relatives in Arroyo Seco, Taos, Talpa, NM. My mom’s twin sister was adopted by a relative that couldn’t have children and she stayed in NM. Her name was Mary Madrid and she married Frank Madrid and they lived in Arroyo Seco.
I am descentant of Juan Pascual Medina and Josefa Trujillo. Some people have him listed as the son of Rafael Medina. Rafael does have a son named Juan Pascual married to Juana Theresa Espinosa. They are not the same person. Has anyone did the YDNA of Juan Pascual married Josefa Trujillo? I am descentant from two of Juan Pascual Medina and Josefa Trujillo’s daughters. MtDNA for them is B Native American.
Denise, my response is 7 years after yours but I hope not too late to make contact with you. I too am descendant of Juan Pasqual Medina and Josefa Trujillo. My mother was a Medina. Her name was Mary Josephine. Her father was Felipe Lucero Medina, son of Cipriano Vigil Medina, son of Jose Pantaleon Medina, son of Jose Manuel Trinidad Medina, son of Jose Manuel Medina, son of of Pasqual Medina. I’d to hear if you found anything out concerning Pasqual’s family. I’m interested to find out who his parents are. As for DNA testing, I can’t help since my father was not a Medina but I’m going to talk to a Medina cousin about doing the Y-DNA test. As for you test results, does you MtDNA of B Native American mean that Pasqual’s wife, Maria Josefa Trujillo was Native American? I appreciate your help in advance. Thank you – Dan
Would someone be able to help me re Maria Paula Medina who married Bartolome Trujillo. I am trying to track down her parents. Several sites show her parents as Salvador Medina and Maria Manuela de la Cruz Martin and her birth month as april 1758. I question this as Salvador and Maria Manuela had a son, Usebio in March 1758. It isn’t likely Maria Paula would be born a month later. In all my research I have not been able to identify and confirm Maria Paula’s parents. Thank you in advance to anyone who can, and will, help on this issue.
C. J. Harris
Send a query to info@nmgs.org
My great grandfather was named Jose Maria Medina born 1911 in El Valle NM San Miguel county. His wife was Adelina Medina. I found this very interesting and helpful!!!
To any and all of you since we are related I would love to connect with you more on facebook. You can find me by my email Chance2381@aol.com or my name on there is Maria Smith C. I’m wearing a Nike t-shirt in the pic if that helps. My grandmother was a Medina. Direct decedant of Diego de Medina 🙂. Hope to see you on facebook.
My grandmother was Maria Predicanda Medina from Santa Clara, aka Wagon Mound
¡Saludos! I, too, am a direct descendant of Capitan Diego de Medina and Maria Zapata Tellez Jiron. I have not taken a DNA test quite yet, but it is in my plans. I’ve listed my pedigree below. I’m interested in hearing any feedback, missing information etc. I do have stuff to share too! Specifically if any readers have documentation on Crypto Jewish/Sephardic Jewish heritage – I’d be particularly interested in this. My research is indicating the strong possibility of Sephardic origins to the Maria Zapata Tellez-Jiron of the Tellez-Jiron/Romero/Robledo families that accompanied Oñate in the first colonization of present day New Mexico in 1598. I am Steven Medina (stevenmedina@comcast.net). Thank you!
Steven Edward Medina
b. May 24, 1966, Pueblo, CO
d. N/A, currently residing in Denver, CO,
Jose Luis Medina,
b. June 9, 1931, Levy NM
d. N/A currently residing in Pueblo, CO
Jose Feliciano Medina
b. June 9, 1906, Levy, NM
d. December XX, 1984, Pueblo, CO
Jose Demetrio Medina
b. December 18, 1884, Trampas, NM
d.
Seledon Medina
b. March 15, 1850, Trampas, NM
d.
Jose Augustin Medina
b. January 17, 1815, Capilla, Rio Arriba, NM
d.
Jose Ramon Medina
b. July 5, 1784, San Juan, Rio Arriba, NM
d.
Carlos Medina
b. 1748 (babtism August 5, 1748), San Juan De Los Cabalerros, NM
d.
Diego Medina II
b. 1698, Santa Cruz de la Canada, Provincia de Nuebo Mexico, Virreinto de Nueva Espana
d. February 13, 1770, NM
Capitan Diego de Medina
b. approx. 1674, Durango, Virreinto de Nueva Espana
d. 1713, NM
Melchor de Medina
b. approx. 1640
d.
My mother was Belinda Bertha Medina, born in San Luis Colorado, her sisters and brothers live or lived in
Pueblo, Denver and other places throughout Colorado and New Mexico, some of her family still have grant land
in Tierra Amarilla NM where I happened to be born, I have not spent a lot of time researching our line. it is nice to
know that so many of hers and her dads descendants and families are going strong. hello family.
SALUDOS, a Los Medina’s. My name is Frank Medina Jr and believed to be related to Diego Medina.
My Father is Frank Medina (Jose Francisco) born August 13 1915 in San Francisco, (El Valle de San Luis) Colorado.
His father was JOSE SELEDON MEDINA, married ADELIA ESPINOSA 26 Nov 1906 in San Luis; She was the daughter of JOSE YSIDRO ESPIONSA and MARIA APOLONIA MARTINEZ.
JOSE SELEDON MEDINA ; born 17 April 1881 in San Luis, Colorado and Christiened 7 May 1881 in Costilla New Mexico. He is the son of JUAN BAUTISTA MEDINA AND RAMONCITA ARCHULETA.
**JUAN BAUTISTA MEDINA : IS THE SON OF FRANCISCO MEDINA.
FRANCISCO MEDINA: IS THE SON OF FELIPE MEDINA
FELIPE MEDINA: IS THE SON OF JUAN SALVADOR MEDINA
JUAN SALVADOR : IS THE SON OF JOSE YSIDRO MEDINA
JOSE YSIDRO MEDINA : IS THE SON OF CAPITAN DIEGO MEDINA.
I am listing my father’s brothers and sisters.
My Father, Frank Medina (Jose Francisco)
FELIX MEDINA: BORN JAN 1907
SAMUEL MEDINA: BRN JUL 1909
JACOBO MEDINA: BRN SEP 1911
MIGUEL MEDINA: BRN ABOUT 1913
JOSE FRANCISCO (FRANK): BRN 13 AUG 1915
MARIA EUSIA (MARY) MEDINA: BFRN 8 NOV 1918
JOSE MEDINA: BRN ABOUT 1918
CELEDON MEDINA: BRN ABOUT 1924
**JUAN BAUTISTA MEDINA was married twice according to my research.
Juan Bautista Medina first married MARIA TERESA SANCHEZ 11NOV 1850 AT TAOS NEW MEXICO. They had 8 children: 3 males and 5 females.
known children named :
Jose Vitor Medina
Prescilliana Medina
Maria Peregrina Medina
Maria Pabla Medina
Paulita Medina
Jose Gabriel Medina
Jose Urban Medina
Maria Victoria Medina
Juan Bautista Medina remarried RAMONCITA ARCHULETA . They had 11 children: 6 males and 5 females.
known children named:
Maria Fernanda Medina
Isabela Medina
Gregoria Medina
Jose Medina
Genoveva Medina
Jose Daniel Medina
Jose Seledon Medina (My Grandfather)
Josefa Medina
Maria Apolonia Medina
Jose Moises Medina
Santiago Medina
I hope to hear from long lost primos and primas.
I can be reached at pacosunas@att.net
My husband andrew Medina, sons, and father in law are all direct Medina descendants via DNA samples reviewed through ancestry.com. You can email us medina19@q.com
I would like to contibute because I am true medina descendent on my paternal side with multiple living male relatives, how would I go about getting a DNA test.
Hi cousins,
I am looking for any information regarding my maternal Great grandmother Virginia Medina (1859 – 1931) probably around the Mora, NM area.
Her father was Jose Pablo Medina (b. 1831) her mother was Gertrudy Hurtado (b1830). I am on Family Tree. My information ends at Jose Pablo. Virginia married Silverio Mondragon and had 6 children.
Thank you,
Victor Trujillo
vtfb68@sbcglobal.net
Anyone have connections to Andres Medina, born 1851 he married Jesusita Martinez. His son was Luis Medina Born 1890, he married Petra Ortada (Hurado). His son was Frank Eufracio Medina born 1914?
My grandfather is Juan Esteban Medina from Fort Garland, CO. His father was Jose Octaviano Medina married to Maria Virgenia Espinosa, Octaviano’s father was Jose Medina and mother was Maria Juana Gaviya (Navajo it’s believed) I am compiling Medina documents from New Mexico church records and entering in a database. I’m unsucessful finding baptism or marraige records for Jose and Maria Juana Gaviya and Octaviano. Any help is appreciated. I’ll also give out doc sites of Medinas i do have if anyone asks me.
Have you by chance ran across Andres Medina born appox 1855. 1880 census has him in Mora, NM.
Hi John, My name is Frank Medina Jr. I found a Jose Medina who is brother to my Grandfather Seledon Medina son on Juan Buatista Medina. My research shows Jose (DOB: Dec 1876 El Rito Co and Christianed Dec 8 1876 in Costilla New Mexico) is an older brother to Celedon. I have not done research on my Grandfathers Brothers and Sisters families yet. Hope this helps a little for you. I have a question for you. Are you related to a Alfredo Medina from Ft. Garland who moved to California (Los Angeles area) My dad told me they were 1st cousins.
I’m related to Luther Medina, Eugene Medina, Ruth Medina and Olivia Medina from Fort Garland Costilla County Colorado
Hello, my name is William Moyer. I’ve taken the DNA test at Ancestry. My father is Felimone Medina, son of Onofre Medina, Son of Jose Salvador Marcia Medina, son of Jose Antonio Medina (b1768-1807) son of Maria Manuela Bargas, all according to DNA. For whatever reason Maria’s husband Pasqual De Los Reyes Medina isn’t listed as my 5th ggf. I’d also like clarification if it’s out there.
My grandfather is Filemone Medina
Three of my grandparents are descendants of Jose Ysidro Medina. I did a dna test thru 123. Please contact me if there is a possibility of sharing info. Thank you.
My name is Mark Anthony Medina. I was born in Tooele Utah in 1956. My Biological father is from Taos NM. His name was either Juan or Jose Basilio Medina. He and my mother were married at the time of my birth, but divorced shortly thereafter. I am interested in finding info on my lineage. I would greatly appreciate any help with this information.
I am sorry, I do not have information for that line. Have you tried Family Search? It’s free.
Mark,
I live in SLC. My Family is From Taos. Trujillos and Cordovas from Taos and Penasco and Chimayo and Medinas and Tenorios from Hondo, and before that Medinas moved up north from Chimayo. I’m also descendant from the Trujillos of Chimayo (my great great grandfather Manuel Trujillo moved to Taos and built what later became the Mable Dodge Luhan house) I do a lot of Taos based genealogy. Ping me some time.
My great grandmother is Adelina Medina. She married my great grandfather Alfredo Torrez.
Hello,
I read your article and am happy to tell you that my research has led me to believe that I am a direcy ancestor of Jose Ysidro. I have verified that I am a direct descendant of Severiano Blas Medina (5th generation). I would be more than willing to help you in your search. Please contact me at your earliest convenience.
Best regards,
Rob medina
Robert Medina, thank you kindly for your communication regarding my message. I would greatly welcome and appreciate any advice and assistance you can provide. Thank you
On Sun, Sep 12, 2021 at 1:54 AM New Mexico Genetic Genealogy wrote:
> Roberto Medina commented: “Hello, I read your article and am happy to tell > you that my research has led me to believe that I am a direcy ancestor of > Jose Ysidro. I have verified that I am a direct descendant of Severiano > Blas Medina (5th generation). I would be more than willing” >
Hello! I was raised by my grandparents off of Rio Del La Casa in Cleveland, New
Mexico. My grandfather and grandmother were Alfredo and Adelina Torrez. Alfredo
was raised in Talpa near Taos where the Torrez name is strong and is said to have come
from Spanish explorers exploring the southwest. My grandmother, Adelina Medina, was
raised on a potato farm on the edge of Chacon, New Mexico where the potato farm
was good sized. The Medina name was strong as Canyon De Los Medinas is still marked
by signs.