Basque names are ubiquitous in the history of North America.
BUT from 1784 until about 1834 in an amazing congruence of names and dates they were particularly prevalent in the Spanish rule of Alta California.
Ursua, Borica, Arrillaga, Sola, and Echeandia were governors for almost the entire last years of Spanish rule and in the very early years of Mexican rule.
Lasuen was the Father President of the California Missions.
Goicoechea and Loyola had positions of command in the Spanish military in California.
These are just the most important names. The ranks of both the Spanish Army and the Franciscan Missionaries were full of Basque names. It was truly an era "when the Basques ruled California."
And so . . . I have written (am writing, 200 pages so far) a book by that title.
When the Basques Ruled California- 1784-1834.
BUT from 1784 until about 1834 in an amazing congruence of names and dates they were particularly prevalent in the Spanish rule of Alta California.
Ursua, Borica, Arrillaga, Sola, and Echeandia were governors for almost the entire last years of Spanish rule and in the very early years of Mexican rule.
Lasuen was the Father President of the California Missions.
Goicoechea and Loyola had positions of command in the Spanish military in California.
These are just the most important names. The ranks of both the Spanish Army and the Franciscan Missionaries were full of Basque names. It was truly an era "when the Basques ruled California."
And so . . . I have written (am writing, 200 pages so far) a book by that title.
When the Basques Ruled California- 1784-1834.
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