Today I spent some time at the Los Angeles Recorder's Office branch in Norwalk. I was looking for the marriage records of Lupe and Mariano Pacheco & Grandma Josie and Grandpa Ernie as well as the death record of Mariano Pacheco and Domingo Arvizu.
Let me just say, finding the recorder's office was a bit scary. I felt like I was in a bad horror movie. Once I found the Birth, Death & Marriage records office half way down the creepy, quiet corridor and stepped inside, the people working there were really nice.
I found the marriage records I was looking for under the womens' name instead of the mens' (which I looked up first). However I couldn't find the death records I was looking for which is what I went there for to begin with.
The marriage record of Grandma and Grandpa's was actually really cute. I didn't realize how close their anniversary is (June 20th). I recognized Grandpa's handwriting first, then Grandma's, Grandma's is a very distinctive kind of writing. I know it was just a copy but I looked at it wondering what they were thinking as they signed their name to be married to each other 65 years ago.
Grandma's occupation listed her as a laborer, Grandpa's was listed as US Marine Corp. They were married by a Justice of the Peace which is how I understand the story to have been. No church, no wedding dress, just court house, let's get it done now kinda wedding. That's my kind wedding actually.
It also listed Grandma Josie's address as 1730 East 106th Street in LA. (around the corner from the Watts Towers which was in the middle of being built in 1945)
The marriage record of Guadalupe Arvizu and Mariano Pacheco was recorded on January 14th 1908. They were married on January 11, 1908. This proves that Lupe's 1st husband's name was Mariano and not Antonito as John Arvizu's book claims.
She was 23 and he was 22 years old when they married. Mariano is listed as being a laborer and Lupe is listed as being an orange packer. Mariano's parents seem to have been listed as Manuel Pacheco and Helat Messa. The witnesses at their wedding were Mary Arvizu and Manuel Pacheco. My next step will be to look for his parents in the census, just out of curiosity.
Unfortunately I was not able to find his death record, so I couldn't find out why he died so young and so early into their marriage (between 1910-1920 - between 24-34 years old). I was unable to find Domingo Arvizu's as well. I wonder why this is. The cemetery he was buried at didn't seem to have any info on his death either. Perhaps his death was never registered with the county? Maybe it was easier to get a way with back then. Or I just for some reason missed it, but I doubt it.
I also gave it a long shot and checked to see if Mariano was buried at the same cemetery as Domingo. He was not, so maybe Mariano died in a different city, county or even state?
It was very interesting at the recorder's office. I wonder how one gets a job there, I wouldn't mind working that job. I plan to order copies of the documents I was able to find. I suspect that was not my last time there. I think 'll give another try at Mariano and Domingo's death certificates next time, as well as try to find Francesca's death record to see why she died so young.
Also, in light of discovering Grandma and Grandpa's anniversary date and being so moved and touched to actually see their personal individual handwriting on their marriage certificate, I think I will visit their grave. This will be their first anniversary together again, in heaven. I'm not the kind of person that goes to cemeteries. I believe they are there for the living's benefit, and I feel strong enough in my faith and my relationship with God that my grandparents aren't there, but in heaven. Their departure from this world were on good terms. I miss them, but I personally don't need to go to a cemetery to miss them, come to terms with their deaths, or continue to love them...but, out of celebration of them finally being together for all eternity on their wedding anniversary, I think will go and pay my respects.
Let me just say, finding the recorder's office was a bit scary. I felt like I was in a bad horror movie. Once I found the Birth, Death & Marriage records office half way down the creepy, quiet corridor and stepped inside, the people working there were really nice.
I found the marriage records I was looking for under the womens' name instead of the mens' (which I looked up first). However I couldn't find the death records I was looking for which is what I went there for to begin with.
The marriage record of Grandma and Grandpa's was actually really cute. I didn't realize how close their anniversary is (June 20th). I recognized Grandpa's handwriting first, then Grandma's, Grandma's is a very distinctive kind of writing. I know it was just a copy but I looked at it wondering what they were thinking as they signed their name to be married to each other 65 years ago.
Grandma's occupation listed her as a laborer, Grandpa's was listed as US Marine Corp. They were married by a Justice of the Peace which is how I understand the story to have been. No church, no wedding dress, just court house, let's get it done now kinda wedding. That's my kind wedding actually.
It also listed Grandma Josie's address as 1730 East 106th Street in LA. (around the corner from the Watts Towers which was in the middle of being built in 1945)
The marriage record of Guadalupe Arvizu and Mariano Pacheco was recorded on January 14th 1908. They were married on January 11, 1908. This proves that Lupe's 1st husband's name was Mariano and not Antonito as John Arvizu's book claims.
She was 23 and he was 22 years old when they married. Mariano is listed as being a laborer and Lupe is listed as being an orange packer. Mariano's parents seem to have been listed as Manuel Pacheco and Helat Messa. The witnesses at their wedding were Mary Arvizu and Manuel Pacheco. My next step will be to look for his parents in the census, just out of curiosity.
Unfortunately I was not able to find his death record, so I couldn't find out why he died so young and so early into their marriage (between 1910-1920 - between 24-34 years old). I was unable to find Domingo Arvizu's as well. I wonder why this is. The cemetery he was buried at didn't seem to have any info on his death either. Perhaps his death was never registered with the county? Maybe it was easier to get a way with back then. Or I just for some reason missed it, but I doubt it.
I also gave it a long shot and checked to see if Mariano was buried at the same cemetery as Domingo. He was not, so maybe Mariano died in a different city, county or even state?
It was very interesting at the recorder's office. I wonder how one gets a job there, I wouldn't mind working that job. I plan to order copies of the documents I was able to find. I suspect that was not my last time there. I think 'll give another try at Mariano and Domingo's death certificates next time, as well as try to find Francesca's death record to see why she died so young.
Also, in light of discovering Grandma and Grandpa's anniversary date and being so moved and touched to actually see their personal individual handwriting on their marriage certificate, I think I will visit their grave. This will be their first anniversary together again, in heaven. I'm not the kind of person that goes to cemeteries. I believe they are there for the living's benefit, and I feel strong enough in my faith and my relationship with God that my grandparents aren't there, but in heaven. Their departure from this world were on good terms. I miss them, but I personally don't need to go to a cemetery to miss them, come to terms with their deaths, or continue to love them...but, out of celebration of them finally being together for all eternity on their wedding anniversary, I think will go and pay my respects.
The last paragraph of your post was very touching and heartfelt....it is true that this will be their first wedding anniversary spent in heaven!! What a celebration they will have..Thanks again so much for giving us this information...I look forward to your next post!
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