Leonor Francisca de Mendoza

  Noted events in her life were:

• Residence: Vera Cruz, Nueva España. ²⁵⁰

• Family Background. ²⁵⁰
Verification of the lineage of Elena de la Cruz can be found from 8 Aug 1625 when Tomé Domínguez and Elena de la Cruz, citizens of México City and were giving power of attorney to Francisco France in regard to traveling to the city of Vera Cruz in New Spain for the purpose of obtaining proof of Elena's heritage. While testimony was given between 30 Aug - 10 Sep 1625 in Vera Cruz, six witnesses declared that Elena de la Cruz was the daughter of Bentio Paris and Leonor Francisco. Both of Elena's parents were deceased at this time and were former residents of Vera Cruz. Elena's maternal grandparents were Francisco de Mendoza and Leonor de Grisaldos, citizens of Puerto de Santa María, Spain, and her paternal grandparents were Juan Gonzáles and Isabel Gallega, former residents of Vera Cruz

The Mendoza surname that Elena Ramírez de Mendoza (also referred to as Elena de la Cruz) contributed to the Domínguez de Mendoza family name came from her maternal grandfather. This is a perfect example of how early New Méxican family surnames often didn't follow in straight lines from father to son.

From Beyond Origins, Vol 4
Researcher: France V. Scholes, Ph.D.
Sources: Biblioteca Nacional de Madrid, MS 19258 (photos 106-12); typescript of this record by France V. Scholes as found in: France Scholes Papers, MSS 360, Box 11, folder 1.


"The information on the proof of lineage of Elena de la Cruz was discovered by Professor France V. Scholes many years ago. The document had been preserved in the archives of the Biblioteca Nacional de Madrid in Spain. Scholes made an English typescript of the pertinent information in the document which is now part of the collection of the France Scholes Papers housed at the Southwest Reading Room at the University of New Mexico's Zimmerman Library."

~The Honorable Don José Antonio Esquibel

Leonor married Benito de París González, son of Juan González and Isabel Gallegos, in Vera Cruz, Nueva España. (Benito de París González was born in 1580 and died before 10 Sep 1625.)