Canary Islands Descendants Association-San Antonio

01/27/2026

Come celebrate on the Plaza de las Islas Canarias with us on Saturday, February 7th at 12:30!

This event hosted by Bexar County Heritage Center will kickoff America250 Campaign 1776-2026. CIDA will be on hand in traje to celebrate the day. In celebration of the role of presidio soldiers and ranchers, especially Canary Islanders, there will be speakers and reenactments.

Hope to see you there!!!! 🇮🇨🇮🇨❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸

01/27/2026

Our beautiful Cathedral! I hope we will see you on Sunday, 1 February at 10am for the feast day of Our Lady of Candelaria Mass.

Come early in traje to carry a family banner in the procession. 🇮🇨❤️🇺🇸

01/27/2026

Canary Islanders, come join us for mass at San Fernando Cathedral this Sunday at 10:00 am! Our Lady of Candelaria feast day❤️

Volunteers needed to carry the family banners.

01/27/2026

Heres the link to purchase your Arrival Luncheon tickets❤️

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01/24/2026

Somos Canarios!

Even though it was near freezing 🥶🥶this morning, we were still able to have our business meeting on ZOOM! Thanks to everyone who showed up — our work doesn’t stop because it’s cold… but we want everyone to be safe! 🇮🇨❤️🇺🇸

A few reminders:
1 Feb: Our Lady of Candelaria Mass, 10am at San Fernando Cathedral

7 Feb: Bexar America 250 Celebration Kickoff, 12:30 at Plaza de las Islas Canarias- we’ll have a table, come in traje or CIDA shirt!!

Now: Dues are due.

Ticket sales are ongoing for the Annual Arrival Luncheon on March 8th. Check your Constant Contact email for the link to purchase tickets.

01/23/2026

ICYDK - José Padron (1734-1779)

(Thanks to Lisa Santos for making us aware of this information).

José Padron, aka Juan Joseph Padron, was the son of Joseph Padron and Maria Sanabria and husband of Antonia de Armas. He and his wife were among the first generation of Canary Islander descendants to be born in Texas. He was born in 1734 and died in 1779.

José Padron was a mason and the foreman responsible for quarrying and cutting the stone used to build Mission San Juan’s church. He died before the new church was finished and was buried in the unfinished church.

His March 1779 will provides details associated with his work for Mission San Juan. The Mission had paid him 1,300 pesos in merchandise for work performed and asked his heirs to continue his work with Mission San Juan.

Refernce:
“Of Various Magnificence”, https://npshistory.com/series/archeology/scrc/11/report.pdf
1779 Will of Jose Padron, https://bexar.tx.publicsearch.us/doc/213703972

01/22/2026

Stay tuned for our February in-person meeting when Main Plaza Conservancy will brief the Canary Islanders on upcoming renovation plans for Plaza de las Islas Canarias!

01/22/2026

Saturdays in-person CIDA meeting is cancelled. We’ll ZOOM instead!

01/22/2026

Did everyone get the word on Alicia’s presentation? We’ve cancelled our in-person meeting in leau of a ZOOM meeting only?

Please give us a nod or thumbs up here so we know you got the message.

Please stay safe and warm this weekend!!! 🇮🇨🇮🇨❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸

UPDATE!!! IN PERSON MEETING CANCELLED!

Due to bad weather conditions, the event originally scheduled for this Saturday with Alicia Del Calderon Rivera has been canceled and rescheduled to a new date. Ms. Rivera will now be joining the meeting on June 27th. General meeting will be conducted via Zoom only. We hope you are still able to attend virtually!

CIDA General Meeting Announcement
January 24, 2025 10:00 a.m.
New Location
San Antonio Genealogical and Historical Society
Auditorium
911 Melissa Dr., San Antonio, TX 78213
(Outside Loop 410 and Blanco Rd.)
Doors open at 9:30 AM

The featured speaker is Alicia Cabrera Calderon de Rivera

Topic: "The Saga of the Canary Islanders of San Antonio de Bejar & her soon to be released book, The Saga of Canary Islander Descendants in La Revolucion from San Antonio de Bexar to La Bahia."
https://www.amazon.com/Saga-Canary-Islanders-Antonio-B%C3%A9jar/dp/1917367775