Victor Ramón Castro (1817 - 1900)

Born 6 Mar 1817 in presidio de San Francisco de Asís, Alta California (California, United States)

Ancestors

Husband of Julia E (Beardsley) Castro — married 1860 in California, United States

Descendants

Died 5 May 1900 at age 83 in Contra Costa, California, Estados Unidos de América

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Victor Castro has Mexican ancestry.

Biography

Victor Castro is Notable.

Victor Castro was a Californio ranchero, politician, and businessman.

San Francisco de Asis, 7 marzo 1817: Bautizado en la iglesia de esta misión de San Francisco de Asis, nació el dia antecedente, hijo de Francisco Castro, cabo miliciano de artillería, y de Gabriela Berreyesa, originaria de la misión de Santa Clara^[1]

Victor's life in California started in Spanish colonial period, spanned the Mexican years and ended after California joined the United States. He was a land owner, businessman, and a Contra Costa County Supervisor. ^[2]

In 1852 he was a 32 year old rancher, living in Contra Costa County with seven children between the ages of six months and 14 years. ^[3] His wife had died earlier in the year.

In 1860 Victor was in Contra Costa county with Julia (33, b. New York), who he is said to have married that year.^[4] There are 5 Castro children, probably from Victor's first two wives. They are Patricio (16), Louis (13), Savella (12), and Ovitia (6). A Lenia Lucton would be Julia's from her prior marriage. All six children were born in California. Spellings here approximate what can be read on the census form, including possible errors.^[5]

The 1880 census shows him in Contra Costa county with his third wife Julia and their four children. He indicates that his parents were from Spain.^[6]

Victor died in May 1900. His headstone shows 5 May. FindAGrave has 19 May at the top of the page, but quotes a 7 May article saying he was buried that morning.^[4]

Research Notes

There are two versions of Castro's birth date. The San Francisco mission record says he was baptized 7 Mar 1817 and born the day before. FindAGrave uses this date, but quotes an article says he was born in 1820. His census record from 1850 gives an estimated birth date of 1818, but the 1860 and 1870 census records yield 1820. Wikipedia has 2 Feb 1820, but none of the sources (some links are broken) mentions a specific date.

In summary, the only contemporaneous record is his mission baptismal record, giving 6 Mar 1817 as his date of birth.

Sources

1. ↑ The Huntington Library, Early California Population Project Database, 2006, http://missions.huntington.org/BaptismalData.aspx?ID=100151
2. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Víctor Castro (landowner)," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=V%C3%ADctor_Castro_(landowner)&oldid=1084548670 (accessed June 4, 2023).
3. ↑ "California State Census, 1852", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V4N8-7G6 : Fri Oct 06 16:32:49 UTC 2023), Entry for Vict* Castro, 1852.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
   Find A Grave: Memorial #166288741 (accessed 4 June 2023)
   Memorial page for Victor Ramon Castro (6 Mar 1817-19 May 1900), citing Sunset View Cemetery, El Cerrito, Contra Costa County, California, USA (plot: Adult M Section, Row 28, Grave 17); Maintained by JCPFinder (contributor 48955035).
5. ↑ 1860 Census: "United States Census, 1860"
   citing Page: 43; Affiliate Publication Number: M653; Affiliate Film Number: 57; FHL microfilm: 803057; Record number: 20280;
   FamilySearch Record: MDKD-MT8 (accessed 4 June 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GYBP-5LK Image number 00531
   Victor Castro (42) in Township 1, Contra Costa, California, United States. Born in Cal..
6. ↑ 1880 Census: "United States Census, 1880"
   citing enumeration district , sheet , NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm .
   FamilySearch Record: M6G5-YJC (accessed 4 June 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GYBZ-KZF Image number 00444
   Victor Castro (60), married, Farmer, head of household in Judicial Township 1, Contra Costa, California, United States. Born in California, United States.

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