Crossing country and county borders: The Cortez family's movement north from northern Mexico to south and central Texas, 1851–1901
Abstract
Since 1901, journalists, songwriters, storytellers, historians and moviemakers documented the story of Gregorio Cortez's conflict with the Texas Rangers. Although each work was a tribute to the latter part of his life as a Mexican living in central Texas, they overlooked his and his parent's struggles in northern Mexico and south and central Texas in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This paper illustrates the historical period the Cortez family inhabited by exploring the social, political and economic changes of northern Mexico and south and central Texas that influenced the everyday lives of Mexican immigrants and contributed to their decision to move north from the Mexican border region. Because better economic opportunities were readily available across the international border from Mexico and then across county lines in Texas, the Cortezes continued their journey northward to ensure a better life for their families.
Subject Area
Latin American history|American history|Hispanic Americans
Recommended Citation
Alvear, Christina Lynn, "Crossing country and county borders: The Cortez family's movement north from northern Mexico to south and central Texas, 1851–1901" (2006). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAI1436516.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAI1436516