The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 106, July 2002 - April, 2003 Page: 363
675 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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2003 Whither Tejano History: Origins, Development, and Status
Similarly certifying the quality of Tejano history is the eager support
given to the field by a network of non-professional authors who have
come to act as reserve units in reclaiming the Tejano past.41 Amateur
sleuths offer their time freely as they pursue their own curiosity in the
Tejano adventure; many of these local buffs contributed entries to the
New Handbook of Texas, primarily on county-level topics. Genealogists,
most certainly, deserve recognition for their enthusiastic role in broad-
ening the definition of Tejano history. As members of genealogical soci-
eties, they have published newsletters disseminating their findings or
they have privately printed family histories valuable to professional histo-
rians who continue piecing together a larger picture. Also deserving
acknowledgment are members of county historical societies. Many cull
old newspapers (or surf the internet) for information relevant to
Hispanic life in their community, record reminiscences of archaic cus-
toms or folklore, take the lead in establishing county archives and even
founding museums, grant awards for significant research on local
events, and lobby for historical markers recognizing a particular site or
setting as having promoted urban/rural development. Other history-
minded folks become liaisons between archival centers and Spanish-
speaking residents of local communities who possess important informa-
tion on history worthy of preservation.
Further serving in an auxiliary capacity in writing and retaining
Tejano annals for posterity are journalists. More ethnicity-conscious
than ever before, they cover politics, social events, success stories of
every kind, and occasionally publish a piece on now defunct traditions
or the forgotten accomplishments of a local athlete, musician, or war
hero. Reporters for "barrio newspapers" in many cities "walk the beat"
in local communities, and their stories have become a treasure lode
for historians. Not to be left out as part of the corps infusing Tejano
history are a few "old timers" who as of late have penned their mem-
oirs or reminiscences.42
What has been the historiographical development of Tejano history
during the course of the past three decades? Without argument, it can
be said that Tejano history has been written with a passion equal to that
which permeates institutional Texas history; perhaps the Texas story
"l Select examples include Abel G. Rubio, Stolen Hertage: A Mexican American's Rediscovery of Has
Family's Lost Land, edited and with a foreword by Thomas H. Kreneck (Austin: Eakm Press,
1986); Joe C. Primera, "Los Hermanos Torres: Early Settlers of Pecos County," Permian Hzstorical
Annual, 20 (198o), 89-96; and Anita Torres Smith, "Praxedis Mata Torres: The First Mexican
American Teacher in the Pubhc Schools in Uvalde County," The Journal of Big Bend Studies, 3
(Jan., 1991), 157-179-
11 One example is Salvador Guerrero, Memorias: A West Texas Lafe (Lubbock. Texas Tech
University Press, 1991).363
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 106, July 2002 - April, 2003, periodical, 2003; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101223/m1/431/: accessed April 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.