For quite some time I have been trying to trace the source of my Sablan lineage stemming from my father’s side. Specifically, my great-great-great grandfather, Francisco Sablan Quitugua who married Rita Diaz de la Cruz sometime in the early 1800’s.
Although, many of the Sablan families throughout the Mariana Islands trace their lineage through what is said to be two brothers: Juan and Manuel Zablan[1], I have not been to make any connection with those lineages. They purported arrived on Guam sometime around 1825.
However, while recently indexing names contained in Levesque’s History of Micronesia, I find a document, Document No. 1835A[2], listing of 21 “Heads of barangays,” “For the Commons,” under the city of Agaña. Two of them were: Mr. Ignacio Sablan and Mr. Alvino Sablan. Barangays were municipalities within a city/town. I have yet to come across any other data to support that they are descendants or relatives of Juan or Manuel Zablan or to establish any other family connection. But, this is certainly a new lead of possibilities.
Interestingly, within that same 1835 listing, my great-great-great Scottish grandfather John Anderson, who married Josefa de la Cruz, was listed as a head of barangay for the navy. It made me wonder if this was my Sablan connection because: Francisco Sablan Quitugua and Rita Diaz de la Cruz’s daughter, Ramona Cruz Quitugua, married Jose “CHe’” Cruz Anderson, son of John Anderson and Josefa de la Cruz. Ramona and Jose, where the manggåfan (familian) CHe' originates, are my great-great grandparents.
Bibliography
[1] __. 2019. Sablan Family Reunion. Accessed November 14, 2020 from: https://www.sablanreunion2020.com/
[2] Levesque, Rodrigue. 2003. History of Micronesia: Volume 23, Whalers and Second D’Urville Expedition, 1831-1839, p318. Levesque Publications. Quebec, Canada
