The History of SHHAR

SHHAR (pronounced "share") is a non-profit all-volunteer organization with the specific goal of helping Hispanics (Spanish language heritage) research their family history. A need for cooperative data sharing was first recognized in 1986 by a small group in Orange County, California, Tony Campos, Raul Guerra, Mimi Lozano and Ophelia Marquez. Networking and support among researchers was through weekly one-on-one support meetings at the Bolsa Family History Center in Westminster, California. Soon, annual quarterly meetings were offered, and special regional interest groups were organized.

The group formalized in 1987 and quickly grew to national networking status. Open, free lectures and workshops gained support from prominent historians and genealogists, such as Dr. Julian Nava, former Ambassador to Mexico and Professor Israel Cavazos Garza, Cronista (historian/archivist) for the State of Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Eventually, one of the quarterly meetings became an annual conference. Membership had expanded from local participants to networking across the nation.

With growth came the necessity for a member newsletter. In 1990, Somos Primos was first distributed to members, as a quarterly newsletter. The formalization from a study group to a society, the Society of Hispanic Historical and Ancestral Research represents both a goal and expanding awareness. The historical complexity of the connections among Spanish language heritage researchers has lead members to a better understanding and appreciation of our individual heritage, and the relationships between Hispanic researchers all over the world.
Sharing is the reason for successful networking. SHHAR Journals and publications currently distributed by SHHAR are entirely authored and produced by SHHAR members as a service. (Please check SHHAR Press)

To assist our members in networking, Somos Primos was greatly expanded, study groups were encouraged and supported. However, subscribers to Somos Primos included an increasing number of out of state and out of the country readers.

In order to help those researchers an addition service was added. In 1995, with the assistance of Win Holtzman, a database was developed for networking purposes. Board member Laura Shane volunteered to manage the computerized matching service. This service facilitated researchers from all of the nation to communicate with each other. This at a time when the internet was just beginning to be used by the general public. The support resulted in a generous exchange of data, pedigrees, and family group sheets, as distant relatives have found one another.

Increasingly SHHAR members were invited by many groups to participate with displays, lectures, presentations, workshops, conferences and both helpto organize and set up events for/with other organizations. The venues included many California sites, such as San Juan Capistrano, Rancho Los Alamitos, Autry Museum in Los Angeles, Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, Museum of Latin American Arts in Long Beach, Santa Ana College, Golden West College, Cypress College, Cal State Fullerton, Los Angeles Public Library, Santa Ana City Library, Westminster and Fountain Valley Public Libraries. In addition SHHAR members organized two conferences at the University of Arizona in Phoenix.

The SHHAR booth at the Orange County Fair won two ribbons in 2000, first place in Education and Quality and has taken ribbons at each of the four years in which SHHAR participated. Seven thousand How-To begin family history flyers were distributed.

The most monumental step forward in networking strategies is now through the World Wide Web. The internet offers many, many opportunities to help Primos find one another, and Latinos were beginning to get online in 1997 when Charles Sadler, Board member, offered to set up the SHHAR Members Online service.

On a volunteer basis, members with emails were invited to send 4 surnames of interest. These were listed with a link to their email address. Open access to this file allowed every internet user, SHHAR member or non-members to avail themselves of the information, encouraging even more interaction and exchange of information.

In January 2000, the Board made another major change in how to best serve. Somos Primos went online. Dues were dropped. Inclusion on the SHHAR Members Online became entirely free. SHHAR and Somos Primos were in the 21st century, with major emphasis on networking through the World Wide Web. Somos Primos is now available for downloading and sharing freely. Somos Primos Online is available to everyone.

The SHHAR Board Invites YOU to Connect with your Primos
Laura Arechabala Shane, Bea Armenta Dever, Manuel Garcia, Steven Hernandez, Mimi Lozano Holtzman, Pat Lozano, Yolanda Ochoa Hussey, Michael S. Perez, Henry Marquez, Crispin Rendon, Les Rivera, Viola Rodriguez Sadler, John P. Schmal, Lourdes Tinajero

P. O. Box 490
Midway City, CA
92655-0490

For more information: 714-894-8161 mimilozano@aol.com 


To be included on the free networking database, send an email to MimiLozano@aol.com  
Please include at least four surnames of interest and the location of your research.