The íayHeráAcademia de Genealogía y Heráldica Mota-Padilla (Academy of Genealogy and Heraldry Mota-Padilla) was a cultural institution based in Guadalajara, Jalisco, the second largest city in Mexico. According with an article published in the Genealogical Journal (1971), this institution was the first genealogical association in Latin America.
History
It was established on 12 January 1920 by Salvador Mota-Velasco y Abad (1855–1923); it was erected in memory of the first Historian of the former Kingdom of Nueva Galicia (New Galicia) in the Viceroyalty of New Spain, Matías Angel de la Mota Padilla (1688–1766), author of Historia de la Conquista del Reino de la Nueva Galicia (1741); among its members, the very same Salvador Mota-Velasco y Abad was a direct descendant of the after mentioned author. This institution was privately funded and led by enthusiasts of the Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences whose main purpose was to promote the creation of a study about the history of the municipality of Unión de Tula, Jalisco, with a genealogical and heraldic research of the four founding families of that place, which were the Topete, the Villaseñor, the Lazcano and the Arriola families (the name of the place was originated through their initials: T V L A). With the passing of time, the Academia's objectives went beyond the original idea, promoting any kind of Genealogical and Heraldic studies, then, more enthusiasts became members of this institution. They gathered monthly and produced some interesting works, like those published by journalist Alberto Santoscoy or by historian José R. Benítez; unfortunately, some of those papers are still unpublished.
Founding members
The founding members were five: Salvador Mota-Velasco y Abad (1855–1923), José Ignacio Dávila Garibi (1888–1981), Jorge Verea y Vallarta (1877–1958), Enrique Eduardo López Maldonado († 1938), and Alberto Santoscoy (1857–1906).
Academia's structure in 1920
Board of Directors
José Francisco Orozco y Jiménez, Honorary President
Salvador Mota-Velasco y Abad, President
Enrique Eduardo López Maldonado, Vice President
José Ignacio Dávila Garibi, General Secretary
Jorge Verea y Vallarta, 2nd Secretary & Treasurer
Founders Academicians in 1920
(alphabetical order) José Ascenio Zavala José R. Benítez Cesáreo L. González Francisco Medina de la Torre Leopoldo I. Orendain Luis Robles Martínez Alberto Santoscoy José Villa Gordoa José Villaseñor Plancarte
Reorganization
After most of its original members died, the institution became less active; then, Jorge Verea y Vallarta's nephew, Ricardo Lancaster-Jones y Verea, reorganized it between 1950 and 1953, it was formally re-established with an act dated on 8 May 1953. After Lancaster-Jones y Verea's death in 1983, the institution became extinct.
Presidents
Academia's structure after 1950
Board of Directors:
José Ignacio Dávila Garibi, Honorary President
Luis León de la Barra y García-Abello, Honorary Vice President
Ricardo Lancaster-Jones y Verea, President
Jesús Garibi Velasco, Vice President & General Secretary
Leopoldo I. Orendain, Treasurer
Carlos Stahl, Vice Treasurer
Honorary Academicians:
Cardinal Jose Garibi y Rivera, Primate of Mexico and Archbishop of Guadalajara
Cardinal József Mindszenty, Primate of Hungary and Archbishop of Budapest
Cardinal Manuel Arteaga y Betancourt, Primate of Cuba and Archbishop of Havana
Archduke Eugen of Austria
Archduke Joseph of Austria
Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart, 17th Duke of Alba and Berwick, Grandee of Spain
Counsultant Academicians:
Alfonso Reyes, Literature
Juan B. Iguíniz, Bibliography
Ignacio Bernal, History
José R. Benítez, History
Lucas de Palacio, Heraldry
Priest Alfredo Ochoa, Religious Heraldry
Col. Rafael F. Muñoz, Military Heraldry
Vicente de Cadenas y Vicent, Spanish Genealogy & Heraldry
Faustino Menéndez Pidal de Navascués, Spanish History
Juan de Adarraga, Etymology & Linguistics
Gabriel García-Rojas y Pérez de Salazar, Law & Legal Affairs
Antonio Pérez-Verdía y Fernández, Law & Legal Affairs
Manuel Sandoval Vallarta, Government & International Affairs
Daniel Escalante, Protocol
Patrons: