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Dolores Diaz Cruz: Oldest Resident on Guam 1925

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Written by: Bernard Punzalan

Published: 12 February 2014

In the October 1925 Guam Recorder, Mrs. Dolores Diaz Cruz from Umatac was claimed to be the oldest living inhabitant of Guam. Although, there were no birth records available to support this claim, she was believed to have been 102 years old and therefore possibly born in the year 1823. Some facts reported in the Guam Recorder article about Tan Lole':

• She was born in Agana, but lived most of her life in Umatac
• Her father was Antonio Diaz, "an old resident of the Island."
• She got married at the age of 25.
• She had six children. At the time, one of her sons was living in Rota, one daughter living in Manila, and one son living in Agana.
• She recalled from her childhood that the village of Umatac was the most important city on Guam and port frequented by Spanish ships. Umatac also served as a summer residence for Spanish Governors.

From this article and checking my available records, I have not been quite successful in linking Tan Lole's family with the past and present. Given her age, my first potential earliest record of finding any information on her may be in the Spanish 1897 Census.

However, there were only two people listed with the name Dolores Diaz (given the time period, I must search on her maiden name). One was born about 1835 and married to Dionicio Charfauros and residing in Agat. So, I am wondering if Tan Lole' may have been married more than once.

The other Dolores Diaz recorded in the 1897 Census was born about 1842 and married to Don Justo [Sanchez] de Leon Guerrero and residing in Agana. But I have ruled her out since Don Justo was listed as a widower in the 1920 Census.

Perhaps the hottest clue I have also comes from the 1920 Census, where I think I found Tan Lole listed as Dolores D. Cruz, age 95, a widow, whose relationship is listed "Grandmother," to Juan T[aitano] Charfauros (head of household) and his family in Umatac.

Juan was married to Carlota/Carlina Guzman Cruz. The reason why I have Juan's wife listed with two names is because her name is recorded as Carlota in the 1897 Census while in her 1972 funeral announcement she is listed as Carlina Cruz Charfauros.

With Carlina's funeral announcement and other records I am able to determine that she is the daughter of Antonio Leon Guerrero Cruz and Josefa Cruz Guzman, whose families are linked to the Manggåfan Gutgoho (historically the spelling of this clan name varies).

 

So because Carlina's maiden name is Cruz, this also left me wondering if Tan Lole' is actually the grandmother of Carlina rather than her husband Juan Taitano Charfauros as recorded in the 1920 Census.

Anybody or family member out there willing to set the record straight and provide more information on the family of Dolores Diaz Cruz? I, for one, would certainly appreciate it.

Just another day in the life of a Chamorro genealogist...

Lukao Fuha yan i Pina'ok Tumaiguini

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Written by: Bernard Punzalan

Published: 05 February 2014

Lukao Fuha

Some of you already may have known about this or even participated in the celebration of this historic revived ancient tradition of celebrating the Taotao Håya (Chamorro) new year. To me it was very enlightening and I just can't help myself but to write and talk more about it. Telling the story over and over was the way of our ancestors conveying our heritage and history; generation after generation.

The event was Lukao Fuha or a procession to Fouha Rock in Fouha Bay. Fouha Bay was a very sacred place in Ancient times for Chamorros. "It was so sacred that the Spanish accounts even recognize its religious significance. This is important because the priests were committed to doing away with most of the religion of Ancient Chamorros and finding ways to subvert it and make it become subordinate to the new Catholic faith. But Fouha Bay in Umatac was noted for being a place where Chamorros from villages around the entire island would travel to hold a ceremony or gathering to honor Fu'una and Puntan, who according to the priests were the great beings that Chamorros honored as their creators." (Bevacqua, 2014)

"Each year our Taotao Håya celebrated the birth of life emanating from the stories of Fo'na (Fu'una) yan Pontan (Puntan). Great preparations were made for any celebrated event. And in this particular event, families from all the islands would be represented to make their way down to Guam to participate in the celebration of Fo'na yan Pontan, and the games of competition that would ensue." (Punzalan, 2014)

So on February 1, 2014 many people on Guam participated in the procession, orgranized by the groups Our Islands Are Sacred and Hinasso to celebrate the Chamorro New Year and in honor of our ancestors.

Pina'ok Tumaiguini

Also on February 1, 2014 (Pacific Standard Time), approximately 30 descendants of Taotao Håya, and some invited guests, in Washington State made a journey to meet, gather and celebrate the Lunar New Year in honor of a once dormant ancient tradition performed by our ancestors. The gathering was held at the Daybreak Star Cultural Center, Seattle, which is located on unceded Duwamish land. My family and I took part in this intimate celebrated event that we called Pina'ok Tumaiguini.

Pina'ok is to celebrate. Tumaiguini means, "to become like this," and is also the first seasonal moon (month) of the Taotao Håya New Year (consists of 13 lunar months).

The event was beautifully led and organized by Dåko'ta Alcantara-Camacho. At the event, there was a cultural display provided by Noel Borja Quitugua. The event included welcoming remarks, annointment of coconut oil on all participants, some history, a talk by Richard (Native American), and some chants. I had the blessed honor to sound the Kulo!

It was a very uplifting ceremony that I am honored to have participated in and to have shared some of my thoughts with those in attendance. I am proud of the younger generation for leading and taking on this revived ancient tradition of our ancestors.

I have provided some pictures and a couple of videos of Pina'ok Tumaiguini. It is my hope that many others abroad would join in and celebrate this revived ancient tradition of our ancestors. Fan Magof Hamyu Taotao Håya!

Gi Tinituhon

Finakpo

Sources:

• Michael Bevacqua. 2014. Lukao Fuha. Retrieved February 2, 2014 from: http://minagahet.blogspot.com/2014/02/lukao-fuha.html
• Father Peter Coomans. 2000. History of the Mission in the Mariana Islands: 1667-1673, translated and edited by Rodrigue Levesque. Northern Mariana Islands, Division of Historic Preservation: Saipan
• Celeste Perez, ' Fu'una', referenced December 2, 2013, © 2009 Guampedia™, URL: http://guampedia.com/fuuna/
• Bernard Punzalan. 2014. Gupot Lina'la. Retrieved February 2, 2014 from: https://www.facebook.com/hinasso/photos/pb.193309457499884.-2207520000.1391618389./241523389345157/?type=3&theater
• Marcelo Ridabdeneira. 1977. The Account of a Discalced Friar's Stay in the Islands of the Ladrones, translated by Marjorie G. Driver. Guam Recorder Volume 7, pg. 19-21.

Database Update 27 January 2014

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Written by: Bernard Punzalan

Published: 27 January 2014

The database has been updated and has grown from 307,563 to 309,745 names.

Vicente Acfalle Champaco: A Chamorro Aquatic Prodigy

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Written by: Bernard Punzalan

Published: 22 January 2014

Aquaman?

"Chamorro Aquatic Prodigy," was one of the articles in The Guam Recorder, April 1934 edition that featured Vicente A[cfalle] Champaco. I was like, "Håyi gui?" That would be Tun Vicente Acfalle Champaco, also known by others as "Carabao," with an amazing talent for diving up to 20 fathoms deep in the water (approximately 120 feet).

Hmmm....Was he possibly the original and first "Aquaman" super hero? Perhaps not, but as a side note the Aquaman comic book character was not created until some seven years later in 1941.

So although our very own Aquaman prodigy may have had big lungs for such a feat, he was also described as "This likable and genial lad stands 6 feet 2 inches, weighs 210 pounds, is built somewhat like a 5-ton truck, and has a bicep measurement equal to that of the average man's leg."

I have made a copy of the 1934 article available.

Military Service and World War II

Although the article lists Vicente as a fireman first class, United States Navy (Insular Force), his last official Navy rank was Native Machinist Mate  Petty Officer Third Class, United States Navy Reserves.

Unfortunately, Tun Vicente was one of 16 people fatally massacred at Tinta Cave, Guam on July 15, 1944 during World War II. (Babauta, 2009) You will find his name memorialized on the Guam Memorial Wall and the wall National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). Without a doubt he is a Chamorro hero! In fact, even after Tun Vicente's death, it was his canoe that took several "...Merizo men to their freedom." (Borja)

Genealogy Research Notes

Some genealogy research notes I want to share. These observations although specific to Tun Vicente and his family, are similar observations with other Chamorro families that you should be cognizant of when performing research within the early to mid-1900's period.

Tun Vicente's name was embossed with an additional letter "n" at the Punchbowl wall memorial (see photo above).

Within the military records listing Tun Vicente as being killed in action, his wife, Ana, was listed as Ava Espinosa Champaco.

Because of the cultural differences in surname conventions between the Spanish and U.S. Tan Ana's maiden name is recorded as Ana Espinosa Tedpahago or Ana Tedpahago Espinosa. In fact, Tan Ana's 1982 funeral announcement shows her surname variation.

And finally, I found a priceless family video of Tun Vicente and Tan Ana's descendants on YouTube that seems to be produced by one of their granddaughters, Annie Acfalle Stout

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrmyLA0-z3U

Sources:

Ancestry.com. World War II Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Casualties, 1941-1945 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.

Leo Babauta, ' War Atrocities: Tinta and Faha Cave Massacres', referenced January 16, 2014, © 2009 Guampedia™, URL: http://guampedia.com/war-atrocities-tinta-and-faha-cave-massacres/

Paul J. Borja. (date unknown). Men Escape Nightmare in Merizo. Retrieved January 15, 2014 from: http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/npswapa/extContent/Lib/liberation14.htm

Guam Pacific Daily News. 1982

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl)

Annie Acfalle Stout. 2010. Y Familia II (video). Retrieved January 15, 2014 from YouTube.