Finding your Sephardic Jewish ancestors in Mexico

Key points and insights

This webinar presents an advanced and compelling look into a specialized branch of genealogical research. Led by Nefi Arenas Salazar, a seasoned genealogist with expertise in colonial Mexican ancestry and founder of Parentum Genealogy Services, this presentation is an essential resource for those seeking to explore their potential Sephardic Jewish heritage. With historical depth and practical guidance, the webinar demystifies a complex research area rooted in centuries of religious persecution, forced conversions, and survival through assimilation.

Key Takeaways from the Webinar:

• Sephardic Research Requires Advanced Genealogical Skills: Successfully tracing Sephardic ancestry in Mexico demands fluency in Spanish and experience with early colonial records from the 16th to 18th centuries. Many records are embedded in Inquisition documents, which require a nuanced understanding of the historical and religious context, and can involve reading archaic handwriting and interpreting complex bureaucratic processes.
• Inquisition Records Are Genealogical Goldmines: Despite the dark origins, Inquisition documents such as procesos, testificaciones, and limpiezas de sangre (proofs of blood purity) provide detailed family trees and insights into the lives of Conversos (Jewish converts to Christianity). These records often contain multi-generational data and references to social status, geographic origin, and even Jewish practices maintained in secret.
• Not All Evidence is Direct—Context Matters: While many genealogical connections can be verified through official documents, others rely on contextual clues, such as intermarriage with known Converso families, unique surnames, or geographical clusters of Jewish-origin settlers. Additionally, tools like DNA testing and ethnographic family traditions can offer supplementary, though not definitive, evidence of Jewish ancestry.

For genealogists ready to go beyond the basics, this webinar offers a powerful introduction to Sephardic research in Mexico, showcasing the depth of historical documentation available for those with the skills to access and interpret it.

To fully appreciate the scope of resources and examples presented, viewing the full webinar is highly recommended. Nefi Arenas Salazar’s meticulous case studies and references to digitized archives, including those from the Mexican National Archives and FamilySearch, provide actionable paths for researchers.

Don’t miss the accompanying syllabus, which contains links to Inquisition databases, archival collections, and key texts that further expand on the methodology and historical background. Whether pursuing dual citizenship or deepening ancestral knowledge, these resources are indispensable for anyone exploring Sephardic heritage in Mexico.