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Summer
Ends - Activities Begin
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St.
Augustine's Birthday Celebration
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Is
anyone interested in designing or buying a costume for the
Menendez Birthday Celebration? How about the younger generation?
We
have info about 16th and 17th century costumes and connections
to several costume companies. Contact us.
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Annual
membership fees are due ($15).
· Los Floridanos Flags ($30) and Solana/Sanchez Banners
($18) are still available. Los Floridians Medallions ($12).
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The
City of St. Augustine will celebrate it's 436th birthday on September
8, with .a re-enactment of the Menendez landing on the Mission
grounds.
As a group, we will be introduced and recognized for our families'
contribution to Florida's history. I hope everyone will participate.
It is important to convey to the city our interest in city activities
by having a large turnout.
The
location of the ceremony will be on the grounds of the Mission
of Nombre De Dios, San Marco Blvd, by the Shrine gift shop and
cemetery.
Everyone participating needs to be at the Shrine by 9:30, sharp.
Don't forget your forget your Medallions!
You do not have to be a member of the LOS FLORIDANOS SOCIETY to
participate. All Solana/Solano and Sanchez family members are
encouraged to join us and celebrate our families' unique history
and accomplishments.
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October
6th, 11:00 am, we will celebrate the coming of fall with
a family picnic at Fort Matanzas National Monument on
A1A, just north of the Matanzas Inlet Bridge. We will
meet at the picnic area in front of the administration
building (You won't be able to miss us).
The picnic is open to all ( members and non-members),
so come and enjoy. Bring the whole family and any friends
strong enough to survive our group.
Dick Scanlon will speak on the Fort and surrounding history.
After lunch you can enjoy a ride by boat over to the Fort
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!!! More details coming next month.
[
More Meeting info
]
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| LOS
FLORIDANOS ANCESTORS |
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| In
1565, St. Augustine was settled by Pedro Menendez de Aviles.
Menendez
hoped by establishing a settlement of Spanish subjects in
St. Augustine, he would force the French out of Ft. Caroline
in North Florida and secure Florida for the Spanish Crown.
Los Floridanos Society traces its origins back to those
early Spanish soldiers/ settlers of St. Augustine who arrived
during the "First Spanish Period'.
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First
Spanish Period 1565-1763
During St. Augustine's early years, our ancestors were part
of the original contingency of Spanish Soldiers/settlers brought
to the City. Family members included the Deputy Governor of
Apalachee and a brigantine Captain, an early cartographer
of Florida, a parish priest , an Indian interpreter, two who
served as Escribanos (adjutants) to Spanish Governors and
members of the King's Mounted Dragoons. |
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British
Period 1763-1784
During the British Period our direct descendants, Manuel Solana
and Francisco Xavier Sanchez served as property agents for
the Spanish monarchy during St. Augustine's transition to
the British Government. |
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Spanish residents left St. Augustine during this exchange
of power. These men are the links responsible for establishing
us as possibly the "Oldest European Families in the Nation".
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While
remaining in St. Augustine they accumulated extensive
holdings in North Florida and expanded their farms and
plantations. They were Florida's original cattlemen, farmers,
and citrus growers.
Admiral
Jose de Solana (1780) commanded the largest Spanish military
force ever sent to America.
Second
Spanish Period 1784-1821
Manual Solana and F.X. Sanchez again watched Florida change
governments. They helped reclaimed property for the returning
Spanish, from the exiting British Government.
The inter-marriage of the Solana and Sanchez families
with the Menorcan families began at this time and created
the vast network of close family relations that exist
in St. Augustine to this day.
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Territorial
Period 1821-1845
As a territory of the US, Florida faced the Seminole Indian
Wars. Many family descendants were members of the Florida
Rangers (Militia). Our ancestors also served as Justice
of the Peace, Marshall of East Florida, Territorial Surveyors
and even Tax Collector.
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Though
our family members' opinions were split on the issues
surrounding the push for statehood, we can claim several
signers of the "Petition For Statehood", a delegate
to the Constitutional Convention, and a representative
to the Legislative Council.
Statehood
1845
After statehood our family continued playing major roles
in Florida's history by supplying St. Augustine with several
Mayors, the first Sheriff of St. Johns County, and several
Representatives to the Secessionist Assembly before the
Civil War.
Female
ancestors served as spies for Confederate Troops which
resulted in a
Confederate Ship being named, "The Three Sisters".
This article demonstrates the many accomplishments of
our descendants. We as Los Floridanos' can reflect on
our history with pride.
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SERIES TO
BE CONTINUED!!!!!!! In future editions we will feature individual
articles about the illustrious ancestors identified above. Stay
tuned !!!!!
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Latrell
Papy Mickler has written "INDIGO". It is a wonderful
read!
LOS FLORIDANOS SOCIETY
Annual Membership Dues
It's time to renew our annual memberships.
The annual dues are $15. Lifetime memberships are available
for $150. Please send to our P.O. Box 4043, St. Augustine,
Fl. or bring to our next gathering. Thanks!
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Jeremy
Cain, son of Janet and Herbert Cain, has been recognized
as a n "Art Virtuosos" by the St. Augustine Record.
His newest accomplishment is his creation of the mural of
the Murray brothers at the Caddyshack restaurant.
Forrest
Masters, son of Jeremy and Ann Masters, just completed a
ten week study program in Japan. He was awarded a grant
by the National Science Foundation.
Stephen
Petty, grandson of Gabye and Charles Usina, has graduated
from St Joseph's Academy and will be attending St. Johns
Community College, majoring in Finance. For those of you
who haven't heard, Stephen is quite the "Finance Guru".
He must have his grandfather's genes.
Ashley
McPherson, granddaughter of Jack and Frances Barber, has
graduated from high school with honors and will start her
first year at the University of Florida. She's the recipient
of a Bright Scholars' Scholarship.
Mario
and Susan Hugas celebrated their marriage at a ceremony,
San Sebastian Church., August 18.
Congratulations!!!!!!
Send
us all your family news!!!
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 Mark
your calendar!!!!
October 6th, 11:00 am, we will celebrate the coming of fall
with a family picnic at Fort Matanzas National Monument
on A1A, just north of the Matanzas Inlet Bridge.
CHRISTMAS
PLANNING
We'd
like to plan very special activities for Christmas. Give
us your suggestions!!!!
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Calendar
of Events
Sept
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St. Augustine's Birthday & Founding Celebration,
9/08/01
Oct -Meeting/
Picnic
Nov -Meeting.
Business Meeting.
Dec
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Christmas Party
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Latrell Papy Mickler has written, INDIGO. It is
a wonderful read! This book of historical fiction
outlines the story of the Menorcans and provides
a wonderful picture of St. Augustine and the state
during this time period. You can purchase it at
Barnes and Noble in St. Augustine, the Historical
Society Book Store, and several other stores around
town.
FLORIDA FIRSTS, is due to be released in October.
If you remember, this is the book mentioning the
Solana family heritage. It was supposed to be out
last year but the release date was pushed back.
ROYAL
VISIT
We have started planning our participation in the
Menendez Birthday Festival which is celebrated in
February every year.
This
year will be extra special!! The St. Augustine Board
of Preservation and the City have invited the Crowned
Prince of Spain and he has tentatively accepted.
We would like to have a contingent of members (young
and old) in the parade representing our families.
Anyone wanting to dress in period dress should contact
us.
We
are planning on reserving at least one table at
the evening Gala, which is usually a masquerade
ball. The cost of tickets will be announced later.
All appearing in period dress can attend the lower
level banquet free.
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Memberships will run from January thru December of each
year.
[ More Info ]
Annual
membership fees are due ($15).
· Los Floridanos Flags ($30) and Solana/Sanchez Banners
($18) are still available. Los Floridians Medallions ($12).
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Check
out access to the Solana genealogy on the website. This
is not a certified version but is only a link to a genealogy
already on the Web.
Coleman
Bryant graciously donated his extensive genealogy on the
Solana family for our use. We hope to bring it online
when we bring online the Sanchez genealogy. We will
use it as a base for our own research and want to again,
thank him.
The St. Augustine Historical Society has an early genealogy
of the Sanchez family that we will be adding.
We
could also use any old pictures. We'll scan and return
them. Contact us !!!!!
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Los Floridanos Society