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Hispanic Documents, 1470-1857

 Collection
Identifier: MC-1954-93

Scope and Contents

These Hispanic papers; many collected by G. R. G. Conway, an Englishman who lived in Mexico for many years, include early Latin American documents dating back to the earliest days of conquest of Mexico (1519-21). Some of these papers include land grants, church matters, charges and convictions of heresy, lawsuits of many kinds, early jour­ neys into New Mexico, stories of Indian uprisings, petitions for release from prison, tax matters, family lineage, guardian­ ship papers, marriage notices, etc. There are also the records of Inquisition trials for heresy, for charges of Judaism and obeying the Law of Moses, investigations concerning Purity of Faith, relations with the Devil, cursing God, insulting the saints, and questioning the authority of the church. Many of these records are three or four hundred pages in length. Other trial records, not so lengthy, are for fornication, blasphemy, misconduct in office, bigamy, astrology, theft, debt, personal lawsuits over property and inheritance, and a few aimed at securing a title of nobility by proving family descent. A few petitions seeking appointment as commissioner of the Inquisition are included. Diaries of soldiers and friars concerning journeys by land and sea along the coasts of Monterey and California. Many of these papers relate to Hernando Cortes and his son, Martin.

Dates

  • Creation: 1470 - 1857

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Access is by appointment only.

Extent

275 items

Language of Materials

Spanish; Castilian

Other Finding Aids

This material has been published, with some transcriptions in Strout, Clevy Lloyd. A Catalog of Hispanic Documents in the Thomas Gilcrease Institute. Tulsa: The Thomas Gilcrease Institute of History and Art, 1962; and Strout, Clevy, Lloyd. Some Important Spanish Documents Concerning XVI Century Colonial New Spain. Tulsa: C.L. Strout, 1984.

Physical Description

Most of the material is in good condition, but can be used only by those who have a thorough knowledge of the Spanish language; some of it is extremely hard to decipher even by those especially learned in the language. There are very few transcriptions and virtually no translations. This collection has been microfilmed.

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Helmerich Center for American Research at Gilcrease Museum Repository

Contact:
1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Rd.
Tulsa Ok 74127
918-631-6441