Ryan Jordan

Professor Ryan Jordan will be a speaker for the 8th We Are Cousins Virtual Genealogy Conference this coming September 17-19, 2025. In this post you can read more about him and what he will be presenting.

About Ryan Jordan

Ryan Jordan is an academic historian and accredited genealogist, currently teaching at National University in La Jolla, CA. His research and teaching interests have included 18th and 19th century US history, as well as the history of California. He holds a Ph.D in History from Princeton University (2004).

Scheduled Presentations for 8th WACCON

Title: Census Records of New Spain and Mexico, 1532 to the present

Summary: Overview of the content of censuses and other directories available to the genealogist in New Spain and Mexico. The location of these records will be discussed in both archival and non archival formats, as well as how they establish generational linkages and historical context for Mexican families.

Past and Archived Presentations

NOTE: The following presentations can only be viewed for 60 days after each conference if you purchase the Gold Pass. Or all year if you purchase the Platinum Pass.

Title: Notarial Records of New Spain and Mexico: An Introduction (Presented at the 7th WAC Conference)

Summary: Notarial records are an important, though often overlooked, record source for genealogists in Mexico. This presentation will introduce the content and scope of Mexican notarial records, and explain where to find original and indexed versions of these records. Also included will be hints for how to read notarial sources. Watch Presentation

Title: Genealogical Records of the Nobility in New Spain and Mexico (Presented at the 7th WAC Conference)

Summary: Coverage of the history of the nobility in New Spain and Mexico along with discussion of the existing genealogical record sources from this social class. Topics covered will include a discussion of ejecutorias de hidalguia, limpieza de sangre, as well as indexed material treating noble families. Watch Presentation

Title:  Where to Start: Beginning Tips for Researching Mexican Families (Presented at the 6th WAC Conference)

Summary: This presentation will provide basic pointers for where to start with research methods and record sources in Mexican genealogy. Topics covered will include oral history, which documents to look for in family collections, as well as where to begin in online American and Mexican records for your family. Watch Presentation

Title:  Introduction to Mexican Military Records (Presented at the 5th WAC Conference)

Summary: Overview of the types of records available to researchers looking for Mexican ancestors in archives in Mexico, the United States, and Spain. Includes overview of the military history of New Spain and Mexico. Discussion of records of military value held in non-military archives will also be included. Watch Presentation

Title:  Tips for Beginners in Mexican Genealogy: Civil Registers and Parish Records (Presented at the 4th WAC Conference)

Summary: This presentation will provide an overview of seven major record types in Mexico Region: Civil Birth, Marriage and Death Records and Parish Baptism, Marriage,Census and Burial Records. The presentation will touch on variations of these records along with paleography tips. The targeted audience is beginning genealogists with limited familiarity in Mexico. Watch Presentation

Read About Other Speakers

View more speakers here: Virtual Conference Speakers