Collection: Dr. Clotilde P. Garcia papers | Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Special Collections and Archives Finding Aids

Dr. Clotilde P. Garcia's papers contain genealogical data for the churches and towns of colonial Northern Mexico including the province of Nuevo Santander, as well as minutes, correspondence, and other materials from the Spanish American Genealogical Association (SAGA) and other civic organizations in which she was involved. It also contains her personal correspondence and information about her scholarship activities.

Dates

Unknown

Language of Materials

The materials in this collection are in English and Spanish.

Extent

163 Boxes

Biographical / Historical

Longtime Corpus Christi physician, civic leader, genealogist and historian, Dr. Clotilde P. García (1917-2003) was a remarkable and revered person. Affectionately known as Dr. Cleo, she was widely recognized for delivering health care during an illustrious half-century career in medicine. She was likewise viewed as the first lady of Hispanic genealogy. Dr. Cleo was noted for having led in the founding of the Spanish American Genealogical Association (SAGA) in Corpus Christi. Through her writing, networking, organizational efforts, sponsorship of conferences and publications, and many other activities, she is credited with having popularized Hispanic genealogy throughout the state and nation. She was the sister of the famed civil rights advocate, Dr. Hector P. Garcia, and the mother of J.A. (Tony) Canales, one of the leading attorneys in Texas and the United States. She was the recipient of many awards, including the Royal American Order of Isabella the Catholic, given to her by King Juan Carlos of Spain in 1990.