MELENDEZ FAMILY FROM ASTURIAS

[liljefe]

Firsty I am SOOOO happy to have found this website and I would be most grateful for any information regarding the Melendez family.

My Great Grandparents on my mothers side were Leonardo Melendez y Cruzado married to Ramona Melendez y Arroyo and Jose Melendez y Cruzado married to Mercedes Melendez y Martinez all from the Cibuco, Corazal Puerto Rico. Family folklore was that my Great Great Grandparents came to Puerto Rico from Spain. Supposedly they came down with Yellow Fever and passed away. Leaving 5 Children Leonardo, Jose and 3 others I dont know of. Leonardo was born in 1886 according to census records and there it states that his parents were born in Puerto Rico as well. He also served as a Wagoneer in the WWI. Trouble with record keeping in Puerto Rico and or translators wasn't always so accurate. I found them listed as Melendrez. Census writer had a flare for writing LOL but we are MELENDEZ.

I remember asking my Grandmother were exactly did we come from. She mentioned that the Melendez family was quite large and that there were many relatives in nearby towns but that the majority of the family was born in Corozal. Funny note, the first person on record of being buried was a MELENDEZ! I just like to know what town they would have come from and how i can research any records which would indicate when they came to PR. Currently I live in New York, my grandparents migrated in the early 50s. Thanks in advance