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Familian Jai
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Familian Jai (Yai)
I am a descendant of the Familian Jai. Historically our family has spelled the family clan name with the letter “J,” but it is pronounced with Chamorro letter “Y” as in Yona or yo'ku.
My Jai lineage comes from my mother Rosita Leon Guerrero Cruz Punzalan, whose father was Ignacio Manibusan Cruz. 
Her grandfather was Juan Ignacio de la Cruz, and great grandfather was Vicente de la Cruz.
I do not have much information on this portion of my ancestral roots so I decided to write about what I have collected to date. Perhaps someone who reads this article will able to add information on this part of my family.
This essay is actually dedicated to my mother Rosita. She continues to be the nucleus and backbone of my family. Sen magof yu put i fuetsan Nana-hu!
Hai’ na familia? Familian Hai’?
I have no idea what Jai means or its origins on how the clan name came about and at which generation point. However, I recently came across the “Dictionary and Grammar of the Chamorro Language of the Island of Guam,” by Edward R. Von Preissig published in 1918. Von Preissig uses the letter “j” to make the sound of the letter “h.” In specific and on page 13, he discusses the interrogative adjective of:
Jayi/Jaye [Hayi] and Jai/Jae [Hai], which denotes who? For example Preissig wrote:
- jayi sija na taotao? [Hayi siha na taotao?] (What people? Literally, who people?).
- jai na rai? [Hai’ na rai?] (What king? Literally, who king?).
Throughout history there are numerous spelling variations of Chamorro words and names. So I have not completely ruled out the possibility of one spelling forever changing the pronunciation of the Jai family clan name.
Matias Yay
I have also wondered if our clan may be related to Matias Yay.
According to history[1], Matias was one of three young Chamorros identified as fervent Christians from among the nobility of the Chamorro people. They were selected to embark on the Buena Socorro for Manila from Guam on 13 June 1671. From Manila they were sent to New Spain [Mexico]. Pedro Guiran, the brother of Matias, died during the voyage. When the other two, Ignacio Osi and Matias Yay made it to Mexico they petitioned the viceroy, Archbishop of Mexico, to send them a Governor and a Garrison. The Archbishop of Mexico, embraced the Ambassadors and graciously promised that their demand should be accorded.
Alias “Yac”
In early land record archives[2] several owners were referenced with their family clan names as their alias. In one land record, Estate No. 1638, I have come across a reference to my great-great grandfather Vicente. He is referenced as “Vicente de la Cruz alias Yac,” owning a property west of Antonia de los Santos property in the barrio of Santa Cruz, Pizarro Street, Agana. It is interesting to note the transcription error from “Yae” to “Yac.”
Tatan Jai
Furthering my quest to research my family roots, some family members have conveyed to me bits and pieces of information on my great grandfather Juan Ignacio de la Cruz, who was affectionately known as Tatan Jai. Family members recall him being a very strict man and arduous farmer. He subsequently died of his wounds after being gored by one of his bulls. I do not know much else about him but have come across some land documents. Over the years of researching Chamorro genealogy and census records I have observed a pattern for some families to maintain two residences: one was actually the main dwelling, the other was the ranch for farming.
According to some land records[3] I reviewed, Tatan Jai built a house around 1880, known as Estate 746 on Legaspi Street, Agana, which was officially recorded on June 14, 1900. To the east of this house was the residence of Vicente Mesa, on the west was Juan Duenas, and to the north was Vicente de Leon Guerrero.
Other land records I have come across on Tatan Jai, which I believe to be in the Palai, Piti area:
- Estate No. 745, six hectares of coconut land located in Oyso-Dasculo. Bordering the property to the south is a mountain, and on the west is a road which leads to Agat. To the north of the property is an estate owned by Antonio Mendiola and to the east is Vicente de la Cruz (I am not certain if this was Tatan Jai’s father or if he was another Vicente). Tatan Jai acquired this property in 1897 by mere occupation (a common practice back in the day) and was officially granted title June 14, 1900.
- Estate No. 1589, approximately 49 ares and 45 centares of land with irrigation in Mafulot, purchased from Jose Ignacio in January 1902. To the north and south of the property is a river; to the east is rice land of Leonicio Ignacio, and on the west side is the estate of Joaquin Ignacio.
- Estate No. 1590, approximately 20 ares of coconut land in Mafulot also purchased in January 1902 from Jose Ignacio. To the north of the property was a “Sabana;” the east was Leonicio Ignacio’s estate; toward the west was Joaquin Ignacio’s estate; and, to the south was an unnamed river.
I would like very much to hear from anyone who may have additional information to contribute. I also welcome any information that may need to be corrected.
Chamorro Roots, always a work in progress…
Maga’lahi Taga and His Apparition
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Quite often when people hear the historical name of Taga, many might likely associate this chief's name with the House of Taga in Tinian; a place where the biggest latte stone pillars throughout the Mariana Islands are located. GuamPedia (https://www.guampedia.com/taga/) seems to have some descriptions of the House of Taga, which includes some folklore; therefore, I will not elaborate that here.
But what do some of our history and scholarly writings say about Maga'låhi Taga? Well...like other parts of Chamorro history not everything seems clear and some information is not consistent. However, it seems that part of folklore and bits of history seem to indicate that Taga was at one time from and the village Chief of Sunharon, Rota. He then later moved and became the village Chief of Chelu, Tinian (sometimes spelled Chiro or Chelo in historical manuscripts).
Taga was recorded by the Jesuits to have had an apparition. Taga's alleged apparition consisted of a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary guiding him to save the passengers and crews of any shipwrecked Spanish galleon. Therefore it was further written that Taga was responsible for saving and assisting the survivors of the Nuestra Senora de Concepcion Spanish galleon that was shipwrecked off the coast of Saipan September 20, 1638.
Sometime after the shipwreck Taga was baptized by Marcos Fernandez, one of the shipwreck survivors, who gave Taga the family name of Corcuera. Taga's fully baptized name was Sebastian Hurtado de la Cocuera in honor of then Governor of the Philippines.
Taga, also as a result of his apparition, sent his brother with other Spaniards (from the Concepcion shipwreck) to the Philippines so that he may bring back someone to preach the gospel.
Notes:
1. De Viana (2005) addresses Taga as Chief Jose Taga.
2. House of Taga photo from Wikipedia
3. Taotao Taga photo from Heathcote 2006
References:
Lawrence Cunningham. 1992. Ancient Chamorro Society. Honolulu, Hawaii: Best Press
Francisco Garcia. 2004. The Life and Martyrdom of the Venerable Father Diego Luis de San Vitores , S.J . Translated by Margaret M. Higgins, Felicia Plaza and Juan M.H. Ledesma. Edited by James A. McDonough. MARC Monograph Series 3. Guam: University of Guam
Gary M. Heathcote. 2006. Taotao Tagga’: Glimpses of His Life History Recorded in His Skeleton. Guam: University of Guam
Catherine Lugar. (undated). The History of the Manila Galleon Trade. Pacific Sea Resources.
Carlos Madrid, ' Galleon: Concepción', referenced March 5, 2013, © 2009 Guampedia™, URL: http://guampedia.com/galleon-concepcion/
Alberto Risco, Juan Ledesma & Oscar Calvo. 1970. The Apostle of the Marianas: The Life, Labors and Martrdom of Ven. Diego Luis de San Vitores. Diocese of Agana: Agana, Guam
Augusto V. de Viana. 2005. Pampangos in the Mariana Mission 1668-1684. Micronesian Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(1).
Database Update 23 February 2013
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The database has been updated and has grown from 227,656 to 287,927 names. The 60k surge in names is a result of capturing the names from the Chamorro Land Trust application listing and 2008 register voter list published by the Guam Pacific Daily News.
Ipaga's Apparition
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Ipaga, baptized as Ignacio, was from the village of Sunharon, Tinian. He allegedly had an apparition of the Blessed Virgin on August 17, 1668. His apparition consisted of the Blessed Virgin complaining of the wickedness of Saipan, referring to the wounds that Father Luis de Morales received three days earlier. The form of which the vision appeared entailed the same image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Mexico, which he had seen an oratory in one of the father's residences. Instead of her hands being together as in the image of the Immaculate Concepcion, she held two children as if she were nursing them at her breast. Next to her were eight larger children (referring to children in heaven or being schooled under Christian doctrine), who with a leash of eight strands led a dog to the feet of the Virgin, in spite of its resistance and bark; the barking referring to Choco pitting the Chamorros against the evils of baptism. (Garcia, 2004:194 & Risco, Ledesma, & Calvo, 1970:134)
UPDATE March 11, 2013: Ignatius Ipapa - Father Peter Coomans (2000:31) cites Ignacio as Ignatius and indicates his family name was "Ipapa."
2nd Marianas History Conference: Call for Papers
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The 2nd Marianas History Conference
One Archipelago, Many Stories: Integrating our Histories
August 30-31, 2013
University of Guam Campus
Call for Papers
The University of Guam, Guam Preservation Trust, Guampedia, and the Northern Mariana Humanities Council are pleased to announce a call for papers for the 2nd Marianas History Conference. It will be held on the UOG Campus in Mangilao, Guam, from August 30-31 with a welcoming reception on August 29, 2013.
The conference will cover a full range of topics associated with the Archipelago's history, and papers may be submitted under the following general categories: ancient History; Early Colonial (17th-18th centuries); Late Colonial (19th-early 20th centuries); World War II; Recent (post-war); and Oral History and Genealogical Research.
In addition to papers, organizers are also accepting posters that address the conference theme and/or topics. Posters will be exhibited through the 2nd day of the conference. The organizers also encourage student presentations.
Paper and poster abstracts with a maximum of 150 words may be submitted here: Marianas History Conference 2013 Presentation Application. Please submit your bio in this same form.
The deadline for abstracts is 3 April 2013. Conference presenters will be allotted 20 minutes to present with an additional 10 minutes for questions and discussion.
There will be a $25 fee for early registrants. Those who register at the event will be charged $40. Students will be charged a $10 fee. You will be able to pay on-line at Guampedia.com Gift Shop shortly, so please check periodically for when it becomes available.
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