Genizaros: Indian Captivity in Spanish, Mexican and Early Territorial New Mexico
In-Person
Former New Mexico State Historian, writer, and researcher Robert J. Torrez reviews the Spanish policy of the rescate, officially sanctioned trade opportunities that enabled and encouraged the purchase, or ransom, of Indian captives and their incorporation into Hispanic society. Subsequent generations of these Indian captives became known as genizaros, Hispanicized Christian Indians that established their own communities and served as stalwart defenders of an embattled New Mexico frontier. Torrez will discuss what the documents tell us about the lives and treatment of the genizaro, as well as how they were treated after the U.S. occupation of New Mexico in 1846.
Juan Andres Quintana household with four Ute and Navajo "servants" 1870 Tierra Amarilla Census
Related LibGuide: Genealogy Center by the Public Library
- Date:
- Saturday, April 18, 2026
- Time:
- 10:30am - 12:00pm
- Time Zone:
- Mountain Time - US & Canada (change)
- Location:
- Genealogy Center
- Location:
- Main Library (Downtown)
- Categories:
- Adults Genealogy History Local History
