History of the Castros
Written by Minerva (Castro) Salazar

Origin of the Castro Surname

Castro is the name of one of the oldest and most distinguished families in Spain. The original bearer of the name Castro, which is a local surname, once lived, held land, or was born in one of the places named Castrothe, which is the name of many places in Spain. The place-name Castro is derived from the Latin word 'castrum', which means 'fortress'. During the Reconquista, there were numerous fortresses in the Iberian Peninsula that were used as a refuge for the Christian troops who fought against the Muslim Moors. The fortresses also protected the civilian population and the new settlers in the area. From the diverse regions of Spain come distinguished family names which have carried the proud heritage of Hispanic culture worldwide. The name Castro was traced to its source in Castile, an important kingdom of medieval Spain.

Although in comparison with other European surnames most Spanish names have changed very little, the variations Castro, Castrillo, Castrel do share the same heritage.

Around 3000 B.C. Iberians migrating from north Africa settled in the peninsula that is now home to Spain and Portugal. The Celts came southwest from Europe in the 14th century B.C. and settled in the north and west, in what are now the lands of Galicia and Portugal. In the 12th to 7th centuries B.C., Phoenician and Greek traders visited the peninsula, followed later by the Carthaginians.

In the 6th and 5th centuries B.C. Carthaginian traders supplanted the Greeks and pushed the Iberians farther inland. The 2nd Punic War, which began in 219 B.C., destroyed Carthage and gave Rome control of the peninsula. By this time the Celtic and Iberian cultures had intermingled in the central tableland to form a Celtiberian people. The Celtic, Iberian and Celtiberian tribes whom the Romans encountered in the 3rd century B.C. were not homogeneous groups. The Lusitanians, Galicians, Asturians, Cantabrains, Basques, and the Pyrenean tribes had different languages and religions. It took the Romans over 200 years to pacify the all of the peninsula's fiercely independent tribes.

Rome encouraged its conquered lands to adopt its language and customs, and many Roman colonists settled in the Iberian peninsula. Over time the peoples of Rome and Hispania merged to form a Hispano-Roman culture. A long and close association with Rome laid the foundations upon with peninsular civilization was developed.

Following the decline of the Roman Empire in the 5th century A.D., the Visigoths came to control the peninsula, followed by the Muslims in 711. Aside from a small area in the north, Muslim victory was complete by 718. Over the centuries, however, the Christian population expanded to the south. By the 13th century the Christians had re-conquered all but Granada, which was finally taken in 1492 by Ferdinand and Isabella.

The Castro family originated in Castile, where they are thought to be descended from the earliest kings. Some of the oldest records of the name date from the early thirteenth century: Alvaro de Castro (died 1239) was a soldier of the Reconquest who fought under King Ferdinand III. The name also appears in a Papal Bull dating from 1242: the family is listed third below that of the King, an indication of its prominence. From Castile the family branched to other regions of the Christian north, including Leon, Galicia and Aragon. As the Reconquest progressed southwards, so did the family, and the family members took part in the re-conquering of the most important city of Cordoba in 1236. The Repartimiento de Cordoba of the 1240's allotted lands and titles to those who had fought for the crown, and thus the family became established there, as well as in other major centres of the southern peninsula. Prominent among members of the family were fourteenth century nobleman Fernando de Castro, brother-in-law of King Peter I; fifteenth century nobleman Fadrique Castro, Count of Trasamara; sixteenth century Spanish theologian Alfonso de Castro; Spanish Golden Age playwright Guillen de Castro; eighteenth century Mexican philosopher and mathematician Agustin Castro; eighteenth century Spanish sculptor Felipe de Castro; nineteenth century Peruvian patriot Jose Felix Castro, who fought with Boliva in the war of independence; nineteenth century Spanish politician and diplomat Alejandro de Castro; nineteenth century Spanish poet Rosalia de Castro.

The Surrender of Granada freed Ferdinand and Isabella to begin the work of expansion. 1492 is a milestone in world history, when Columbus voyaged to the west, beginning an era of exploration which brought Spain power and prestige. Columbus' discover was closely followed by further exploration and by the conquest and colonization of new territories.

The captains of the conquest of New Spain, Cores, Pizarro, Valdivia, and Balbo, led the conquistadors to wealth and adventure. Some of the first settlers were members of the Castro family. Vaca de Castro, a judge, was sent from Spain to Peru in 1541 by Charles V to advise Pizarro concerning the government of his province. Among the many migrants to the New World bearing this surname were Juan Castro, who sailed to Guatemala in 1536; Martin de Castro to America in 1513; Melchor de Castro to Florida.Sebastiano de Castro to Peru in 1535; and Pero Castro to America in 1513. More recently Latin American families have migrated to the United States and Canada. These developments have been the result of political or economic instability in the countries from which they originated.

Some of the most prominent family members include Spanish linguist and historian Americo Castro; Argentinian historian Ramon de Castro Esteves; Mexican writer and diplomat Antonio Castro Leal; Venezuelan politician Cipriano Castro; Cuban head of stateFidel Castro; Chilean poet and novelist Oscar Castro; American athlete Margaret Castro Gomez, 1988 Olympic bronze medalist for judo; Amando Alejandro Castro, Pilippine economist; Raul Castro, American Lawyer, politician and diplomatist; Real Admiral Ramon Castro Jijon, Ecuadoran naval officer and politician; Bill Castro, American government official; George Castro, American scientist; Jaime Castro, American graphic designer and television specialist.

Recent History

DOROTEO CASTRO Doroteo Castro was born in February 1879 in Brownsville, TX. Guadalupe Olivarez was born in Hidalgo, TX on December 12, 1881. They married on October 15, 1902 and moved to Rio Grande City where Doroteo found work as a musician. It is believed that the violin was his favorite instrument, but he also played other instruments. He not only taught many people of all ages how to play string and brass instruments, but also gave piano lessons. Guadalupe assisted him with these lessons. It is said that Doroteo was highly respected and was known to love and teach the more classical pieces as well as the variety music that was popular at that time. Doroteo also played with a local band known as the Garza Band. Nicasio, his oldest son, was a member of that band. Not only did they play in the Garza band, but Doroteo had his own band and would contract to play at weddings, celebrations, and at Fort Ringold. In addition, Doroteo had a local taxi service and would take people to the Rio Grande River to the ferry. Apparently, Doroteo had his wife, Guadalupe, very spoiled. As a result, when he died at the age of 45, it was very difficult for her. She had eight children at that time. She moved to McAllen where Nicasio was very supportive of the family.
	GUADALUPE OLIVAREZ CASTRO Guadalupe was a very attractive lady who was highly respected. She lived next to her son, Florencio. When he and his family would go out on outings, out of respect, she would be offered the front seat and Florencio’s wife, Aurora, and their children would sit in the back seat. Guadalupe was very well loved by her children. She took an avid interest in the well-being of all her children and then with her grandchildren. Nicasio, Jr. relates that one summer as a young man he was working in a bowling alley in McAllen and was staying with her. On his nights off, he would go out with his friends. However, he always hesitated about staying out late because she would always wait up for him no matter how late it was. When he arrived at home, they would proceed to go to the kitchen, where they would have something to drink and just chat about where he had been, what he had done, and other matters of interest. Guadalupe was known by different names; Mama Lupe, Lupita, Amarandi (for mama grande). But mostly she was known as Dona Lupe. She also liked to sign all her correspondence as Mrs. G. O. Castro. In 1927, she sent a letter to Florencio in Houston where, after she gave her regards in Spanish, she signed the letter as Mrs. G. O. Castro. That letter is still with the family. Amarandi participated in a special ritual every day. She would take her bath in the late afternoon, and then she would dress up. Next, she would put on her make-up and then proceed to go to sit on a swing on her front porch to watch the world go by. In addition, Amarandi loved to walk to church. Perhaps it was not only to see what was along the way, but, also, to be seen. So, weather permitting, she would walk the fifteen blocks to Sacred Heart Church, after inviting one of her family members to go with her. She did this even into her eighties.
NICASIO CASTRO Nicasio was the oldest of Doroteo and Guadalupe’s children. He was born on October 11, 1903. He moved to McAllen and worked for the Missouri Pacific Company. He met Amparo Garza and they married. It turned out that she was the perfect mate for him. They had the same ideals for living and for raising a family. They were both religious, responsible, and cared for people. Nicasio and Amparo had four children of their own. In addition, Doroteo, Jr., Nicasio’s youngest brother, came to live with them. Besides that, they adopted another daughter. Then they also adopted (in their thought and caring) the Garza children who lived next door. Nicasio seemed to be a very disciplined man and did not believe in excesses. One of his nephews, Noe, tells about how Uncle Nick would ask his sister, Aurora, if the then young Noe could join him as he went to do some shopping in Reynosa, Mexico. They would then proceed to go to Reynosa where the first stop was the very popular Opera Bar. Next he would order and drink one shot of tequila and bite into a lemon. After that he would order and drink one beer and bite into another lemon. Then he would say, “Ahora si, mijo, vamonos. (All right, son, let’s go.) At that time they would proceed to the market to do their shopping.
	AMPARO GARZA CASTRO Minerva Salazar relates her favorite memories of Tia Amparo. When she was a child she loved it when Amparo would come to visit. She remembers that her mother, Aurora, and Amparo would chat late into the night. Then at a later time she and her family would go to visit, she and Amparo would stay up late to talk. Amparo had the gift of conversation and had many memories to relate. One of Minerva’s favorites was about the time Uncle Nick, after asking for Amparo’s hand in marriage, volunteered to take her to Brownsville so she could buy her wedding trousseau. Her mother agreed that she could go. When Nick came to pick Amparo up, her mother quickly slid into the middle of the front seat and Amparo rode on the window side. It just had to be done the proper way. Amparo was also a wonderful cook. Hilda remembers how she looked forward to her visits because she would always bring some delicious baked goods she had made. Her upside-down-cake was really special!
AURORA CASTRO SANCHEZ AND OCTAVIO SANCHEZ Aurora Castro was born August 22, 1905. She was the second child of Doroteo and Guadalupe. Although she didn’t think so, Aurora was a real beauty. She always tried to avoid having her picture taken. Even as an older person, people were always commenting on what a pretty lady she was. When the Castro family moved to McAllen, Aurora already had a beau. Octavio Sanchez, who was born July 2, 1904, was from a small community close to Rio Grande City. He followed suite and also moved to McAllen, where he continued to court Aurora and they married. Aurora took great pride in her children and always encouraged them to acquire as much education as they could. One of her favorite pastimes was her sewing. It gave her great pleasure. Her son, Noe, remembers how she sewed an Uncle Sam costume for him and how she decorated a bicycle for him so that he could participate in a Fourth of July parade. He actually got third prize for that effort. She also enjoyed cooking and could make the best salmon patties and the most delicious bunuelos in the shape of bows. Octavio (Tavo) was a quiet hardworking man. After they married, he worked at the Ford Motor Company. Later he set up his own auto repair shop. Needless to say, his boys grew up knowing a lot about cars and machinery. One of the musts for Tavo was that he would not let one day go by without reading the local newspsper, the Monitor. He enjoyed keeping up with the daily events in the community and the world.

	FLORENCIO CASTRO Florencio was born November 2, 1907 and was third in the line of siblings. Some people knew him as Fred, as Pancho, or as Don Pancho, but mostly he was called Frank. His wife, Aurora, called him Castro. In the close knit family, he was known as Penny or Pene ---Tio Pene. He was given that nickname because as a child he would travel from Rio Grande City with his father or other family members to buy groceries at an almacen, a grocery warehouse in McAllen. Inadvertently, he would ask the grocer (who happened to be his godfather) for a penny. The grocer started calling him Penny and that nickname stuck. As an older person he was referred to as el senor del puro (the man with the cigar) because he was always brandishing a cigar Florencio loved cars. At one time he had a very snappy looking emerald-green and yellow-gold sedan. At other times he had a yellow Plymouth convertible and a brand new black Plymouth. Florencio taught his sons how to shoot a rifle and how to fish. He also made sure that they were enrolled in a community pre-school of sorts where they were taught by the very highly educated, el professor Saenz. The task of directing or raising their daughters was left up to Aurora, his wife. However, some of the rules Florencio set were: (1) The girls should never whistle in public and (2) they were to always to sit properly with both feet on the ground. The crossing of legs was not allowed.
AURORA NAVARRO CASTRO Aurora Navarro Castro was born on December 23, 1906. She had the task of teaching her daughters skills that she felt were really important for them to know when they started school, such as the alphabet, numbers, and colors. She was a humble person who was deeply devoted to her family: to her husband, her children, and her grandchildren. Having been raised in Houston where they had access to parks, museums, and the like, she was content to live in the small community of McAllen. Nevertheless, she encouraged her children to travel and see the world. She was really an advocate of learning. Aurora had a very kind, quiet demeanor. She had a lot of patience with her children when they were running or yelling when they weren’t supposed to be. She was such a good person that when she passed away, her children were told by several people that she was going straight to heaven. When Aurora wasn’t tending to her children, she enjoyed gardening. She took great pleasure in having fresh cut flowers from her plants on the dining room for the family to enjoy.
	ELIAS CASTRO AND FELICIA MUNIZ CASTRO Elias or Uncle Alex as he was called by his nieces and nephews, was born on September 8, 1915. Being a man with a calm demeanor, he was always a very nice person and never seemed to loose his cool. Elias never liked to leave the house unless he was properly dressed. He loved to wear shirts that had stiffly starched collars. For the longest time, he and two other young adult friends had a ritual in which they would partake. On weekends, he would get dressed up in his nicely pressed shirt, slacks, and tie. And, after putting on the latest style of dark sunglasses, he was ready to go. He would stroll down the block in his easy, calm way and pick up one of his friends. Next they would walk another two blocks where another friend would join them. Then they would all walk to Main Street to see and be seen. During World War II, Alex went to the Philippines where he served in the medical corp in the army. He participated in various battles of the war. After his return, he lived with his mother for many years. But he did get married as an older person and he and Felicia had three children and three step-children.
ARNOLDO CASTRO AND CLOMA MAE RIGGENS CASTRO Arnoldo was born on February 27, 1921. As a young boy, he got his name, Perico (the parrot) because he loved to talk. Throughout his adult life, he enjoyed conversing. The longer the talks were, the better. Arnoldo started working as a young boy delivering telegrams. After graduating from high school, he joined the Navy where he served as an aviation radioman. Later he attended Schreiner Institute in Kerrville, where he graduated 3^rd highest in his class. At the University of Texas in Austin he received a degree in Business Administration. He went on to become an Internal Revenue Agent and worked in the Service Centers in both San Antonio and Austin offices. Over the years, he received numerous letters and awards of appreciation citing his sustained outstanding performance in his department. In spite of all the honors he received, he was an honest, straight-forward professional. He was a good role model to all. His advice to everyone was to always try their best and to never stop learning. While he was in the Navy and was stationed in Oklahoma, he met Cloma Mae Riggens at a skating rink. They fell in love and married. They were both very devoted to each other and to their five children. They always enjoyed visiting with the rest of the Castro family. Their faces would light up whenever family members would go to see them. Arnold and Cloma both had hearts of gold, always giving of themselves and of what they had. They were always ready to serve food to all visitors. Cloma could whip up delicious huevos a la mexicana (no chile) in no time. Vacation was always very important to them. Arnold would love to go to the beach and fish. But he wouldn’t like for the sun to touch his skin. He would wear a hat, long sleeves, and carry an umbrella.

	SOFIA CASTRO FALCON AND FARAON FALCON Sofia was born September 19, 1924 and is a twin to Doroteo, Jr. They are the youngest children in the family. After attending schools in McAllen, Sofia met Faraon Falcon, and they married. It has been a wonderful match because they celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary in 1997. Sophia continued working until she retired at the age of 81 simply because she enjoyed her work. Dancing to Tejano music is one of the special things they like to do and they go on trips just to attend Tejano music concerts. They also enjoy taking week-long trips to Las Vegas. Although they live in Kansas City, Sofia and Faraon come to the Valley to visit with family and to vacation at Padre Island at least once a year. Since they are an extremely close-knit family, when their children and grandchildren can, they also join them. Sofia and Faraon have proven to be industrious, hardworking, and generous. They are dedicated to their children and believed in giving them the best possible education at that time. As a result, their four children attended and graduated from Catholic schools. Sofia and Faraon continue to be supportive and caring of them and their grandchildren.