y la Familia
y la Familia website is dedicated to the descendants of Florencio Rivera Maldonado with the goal of connecting family and friends worldwide, promoting and building family tradition, and providing a platform for sharing family news and history.
Recent Headlines
Read more about these topics in the News & Events page.
- The family tree is now available for online review. Please visit http://ylafamilia.tribalpages.com.
- 2010 Family Reunion was held June 25 - 27 in St. John, IN just south of Chicago, IL. Read about it and see the photos.
Welcome To Our New Website!
Finally, it is here! Our website has been totally rebuilt from the ground up. There is still a lot more work to be done, but the site is ready for your visit.
A Word of Caution
We have tossed out the old database. There was a lot of out-of-date information in it. So, instead of struggling with rebuilding it, we chose to discard it and start over.
Consequently, we are requesting everyone to re-register. We apologize for the inconvenience. However, we think you will find the new process easier, especially if you should forget your password or need to update your information.
New Features!
Besides a new look, the website will be offering up several exciting new features, some of which have to be added over time as time permits:
NOW AVAILABLE! FAMILY TREE
We have made huge progress in getting the family tree online thanks to a website that specializes in publishing family trees. We were able to upload and publish the information maintained by Norma (Garcia) Pettit.
The website, ylafamilia.tribalpages.com, requires registration in order to view private information. Each family member can update their own family's data and upload photos of family members. Everyone is encouraged to register! Please pass this announcement along to everyone in the family.
NOW AVAILABLE! FAMILY MESSAGE BOARD
Ever wondered about a long lost relative (cousin, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew) and wanted to get in touch with them? Or, how about trading comments with a relative or simply offering suggestions for the next get together? Our plan is to install a community bulletin board where you will be able to do just that, leave messages or have a discussion. We hope to have it up soon. You'll need to register as a member and then register again at the bulletin before you can post messages.
NOW AVAILABLE! FAMILY RESOURCES
There are many family members with different skills and talents. Some are lawyers, some are craftsmen....you name it! With a family our size, there is bound to be someone who can do a job for you! But, how will you know? Unless you are close to that family member, you might not know their occupation or whether they would be willing to do a particular job for you.
Our idea is to place ads provided by interested family members on our website. If you have a skill or a business or talent and would like to advertise your availability to the family (family discount appreciated, but not required), then you've come to the right place! See inside!
Another idea: We might want to modify the intent of this area and run classifieds --- Jobs wanted, Items for Sale, etc. Send your thoughts about this.
FAMILY PHOTOS (coming soon!)
Ever read something about a family member and couldn't remember what they looked like? Then why not share a photo of you and your family (with names, please) that we can add to the website. You'll have to be a registered member to upload your own photos when this feature is ready.
PREFER SPANISH OVER ENGLISH?
We are hoping we can get some volunteers to assist with translating this website to Spanish so that we can offer pages in either English or Spanish. Then after the initial work is done, we will have a continuing need as new information is posted. If you are interested in helping us out with translations, please use our contact form and let us know your availability. Thank you!
Our Family's Beginning
Florencio Rivera Maldonado was born on August 9, 1872. He was the son of Manuel Alejo Rivera and Maria Dominga Maldonado. His paternal grandparents were Don Jose de los Santos (Rivera) and Dona Cipriana Maldonado and maternal grandparents were Felipe (Maldonado) and Maria Polonia Rivera.
There had been some question and confusion about Florencio’s parents because he was said to have been raised by an uncle after he was orphaned, and the only mention of siblings was a younger brother, Juan, who died as a child. As we now know, he had six brothers and sisters, but at least three of them died young, and perhaps Florencio was not close to Dionicia del Carmen, the only sibling that we know for a fact lived into her thirties. Nothing is known of the uncle and aunt that raised Flor after his parents died. It is believed, though, that they also took over the farm that Flor’s father left behind.
Flor is said to have learned to read and write on his own, and to have had nice handwriting. He was tall and thin, had a light complexion with blond hair and blue eyes. He always wore a mustache. He had six children with his first wife and eight with his second wife. Several of his children are still living to this day.
To learn more about Forencio’s life and his descendants, visit the family tree and history center when it is completed.