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Begoña Miñaur/EuskalKultura.com. For Amagoia Guezuraga, her passion for genealogy came from home.  “My amuma had ten siblings and in a small town like Zamudio we are all related somehow: cousins, uncles, godparents…,” she says.

Amagoia holds a Masters in Noble Law and her post-graduate work was on the families of every one of the coats of arms that decorate the village church.  Her research included interviewing family and neighbors, and little by little, she followed the traces of each family in this exciting process in which she was engaged.

This research, however, lacked information on those who had gone abroad and over the last few years, Amagoia has dedicated herself to following their tracks.  The results are published in the local magazine “Orain.”  There she tells about where some of her neighbors went and where they ended up: Eusebio Uriarte Lazpita (Mexico), Maria Josefa Aurrecoechea Fano (Powell, WY), Leoncio Zarate Echeverria (Salt Lake City, UT), Ramon Goicoechea Zugazaga (Buenos Aires), Francisco Echevarria Echeandia (Blackfoot, Idaho)...The list is long but anyone wishing to consult it can do so online here.

Genealogy, bridge between countries

Amagoia says that her countrypeople as well as descendants of these folks from Zamudio who emigrated have contacted her and very much appreciate the work that she has done.  “Genealogy is a bridge between places, because it creates new relationships between those from here and there,” she says.

“It is very interesting for me to see how they have maintained their Basque identity.  Pelayo Aldana, for example, went to Boise around 1906 and on his tombstone in Idaho it says, “Pelayo Aldana Basque.”  The grandchildren of these people probably don’t even know four worlds in Basque, but at least they know where they are from,” she says.

Antzinako Association

Amagoia is a member of the Basque genealogy association Antzinako, that invites anyone interested to join.  “Anyone who is researching their family roots should start asking at home: grandparents’ surnames, and any documents that may be around the house, birth certificates…Wills and Last Testaments are also very useful,” she adds.

After taking this step then you can consult registries.  This can also be a good time to join Antzinako.  The annual membership is 10 Euros, and provides access to archives and research by other members, who are also ready to help newcomers with their experience and knowledge.  Anyone wishing to join can contact the Association via email here.

Amagoia stresses the work done voluntarily by members and, for example, they are uploading registries from towns in Navarre little by little (those of the Basque Autonomous Community and be found on Dokuklik, the ones of Iparralde are in the process).

-For more information visit Antzinako