Nefi Arenas Salazar, AG®

Nefi Arenas graduated from Brigham Young University – Idaho where he studied business management and also took many genealogy classes. He inherited a passion for genealogy from his grandmother, who for many years served as volunteer in a Family History Center. After years of research, Nefi has become a true expert in the genealogy of several towns in Central Mexico. He lives with his wife in Mexico City. He is bilingual (English/Spanish).

He is the founder and owner of Parentum Genealogy Services, a research agency that specializes in locating Sephardic Jewish ancestors in colonial Mexico and writing reports for Spanish and Portuguese citizenship applications. They also offer general genealogical research services.

Nefi's Upcoming Live Webinars (2)

Fri, January 16 2026: 19:00 UTC
Using Marriage Dispensations to Find Ancestors in Mexico
Fri, January 16 2026: 19:00 UTC
Marriage dispensations provide a privileged window into social and family life in viceroyal Mexico. Dispensations, or special permissions to marry granted by Catholic bishops, reveal the obstacles that had to be resolved before ecclesiastical authorities in order to contract marriage. This webinar examines dispensations for consanguinity and for ultramarinos (foreign-born individuals). In areas with high levels of endogamy, marriage dispensations become essential resources to reconstruct family relationships, even extending beyond other church records.
Marriage dispensations provide a privileged window into social and family life in viceroyal Mexico. Dispensations, or special permissions to marry granted by Catholic bishops, reveal the obstacles that had to be resolved before ecclesiastical authorities in order to contract marriage. This webinar examines dispensations for consanguinity and for ultramarinos (foreign-born individuals). In areas with high levels of endogamy, marriage dispensations become essential resources to reconstruct family relationships, even extending beyond other church records.
Fri, January 16 2026: 19:00 UTC
Fri, May 15 2026: 18:00 UTC
From swords to settlers: Researching conquistador ancestors in 16th century New Spain (Mexico)
Fri, May 15 2026: 18:00 UTC
Many families in Mexico and beyond descend from the first Spanish conquerors and settlers of New Spain. This webinar will guide you through key sources and strategies to identify conquistador ancestors in the 1500s. Learn how to navigate both Spanish and colonial archives, and to connect names across centuries from books, contemporary chronicles, petitions to the Spanish government, and more.
Many families in Mexico and beyond descend from the first Spanish conquerors and settlers of New Spain. This webinar will guide you through key sources and strategies to identify conquistador ancestors in the 1500s. Learn how to navigate both Spanish and colonial archives, and to connect names across centuries from books, contemporary chronicles, petitions to the Spanish government, and more.
Fri, May 15 2026: 18:00 UTC

Nefi's Webinars (4)