Mi Familia - Mi Comunidad
FAIN: PY-234561-16
Texas A & M University, Kingsville (Kingsville, TX 78363-8202)
Jonathan Alan Plant (Project Director: June 2015 to September 2017)
The creation of a collection of family records, photographs, and oral histories specifically related to the Hispanic community of Kingsville, Texas. The seat of rural Kleberg County, Kingsville is home to 25,000 residents, 80 percent of whom are Hispanic. Building on Texas A&M Kingsville’s successful Mi Familia – Mi Comunidad initiative, this project would help community members better understand the value of preserving family history. Hosted at the John E. Conner Museum in partnership with South Texas Archive, Texas A&M staff archivists and students would assist participants during the day-long collection event. Public programming would be held during Hispanic Heritage Month and would include a scholar-led discussion and musical performances by mariachis. Collected resources would be made available online and an exhibition would be developed for display at the Conner museum throughout spring 2017. The exhibition launch event would feature a historian who would discuss contributions by Hispanic and Latino residents in the broader context of South Texas history.
The goal of the project is to create a digital collection of the Hispanic Community’s materials. The history of this community is not currently preserved or adequately exhibited. Public programming will encourage Hispanic-American families in the Kingsville community to preserve their own stories, family histories, and items of family interest. Individuals who participate will have a better understanding of the significance of their own family heritage and take an enhanced interest in researching, documenting, and preserving it for future generations.
Media Coverage
Mi Familia-Mi Comunidad Project Concludes with Exhibit (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Julie Navejar
Publication: Media release issued to area media outlets
Date: 4/4/2017
Abstract: The article provides the dates of the exhibition and opening reception date, purposes of the project, and details regarding the number of photos contained in the exhibit and the six exhibit sections: Family, Business, Social and Leisure, Weddings, Education, and Military Service. The article also mentioned that the exhibit was made possible through a NEH Common Heritage Grant.
URL: http://www.tamuk.edu/events/2017/04/mifamiliaexhibit.html
Conner Museum, South Texas Archives Team up to Preserve Family Heritage (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Julie Navejar
Publication: Media release issued to area media outlets
Date: 9/1/2016
Abstract: Article discusses the three phases of the project: Phase 1, the Promotional Phase featuring artist and alumna Carmen Lomas Garza as guest speaker, Sept. 16; Phase 2: the Digitization Phase, Oct. 16th at which family photographs and documents are digitally scanned, heirloom objects are photographed, and oral histories are collected; and Phase 3: Mi Familia - Mi Comunidad the exhibition, date TBA. Article also states the purposes
URL: http://www.tamuk.edu/events/2016/09/mifamilia.html
Renowned Artist Visits 'Mi Comunidad' (Media Coverage)
Publication: Kingsville Record
Date: 9/21/2016
Abstract: Article highlighted visit of world-renowned artist and author Carmen Lomas Garza to her alma mater, Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Article also mentioned that this was the first phase of a three phase NEH Common Heritage Project, with the Digitization Phase to occur on Oct. 15 and an exhibit in Spring 2017.
URL: http://www.kingsvillerecord.com/news/renowned-artist-visits-mi-comunidad/article_adb2bef0-7f8d-11e6-b432-730ddc2398f5.html
Exhibit to Showcase Hispanic Heritage (Media Coverage)
Publication: Kingsville Record
Date: 9/14/2016
Abstract: Article discussed the upcoming Promotional Event for the Mi Familia - Mi Comunidad project, provided vague statements regarding the project purpose, and stated that the project was an NEH Common Heritage Grant.
URL: http://www.kingsvillerecord.com/news/exhibit-to-showcase-hispanic-heritage/article_326cff22-7a4b-11e6-a8a9-43494e6c9ecf.html
Artist Reception Kicks off Grant Project (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Mary Lee Grant
Publication: Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Date: 9/13/2016
Abstract: Article discusses the background and work of artist and author Carmen Lomas Garza. It mentions that the event is the first phase of Mi Familia - Mi Comunidad, an NEH Common Heritage Project.
URL: http://archive.caller.com/news/education/local/artist-reception-kicks-off-grant-project-3b7843cc-d93b-5cd9-e053-0100007f8210-393012171.html
Mi Familia - Mi Comunidad (Media Coverage)
Publication: 'Domingo Live' program on KIII-TV (ABC TV affiliate)
Date: 9/15/2017
Abstract: Exhibit Curator Ralph Cuevas discusses upcoming Mi Familia - Mi Comunidad exhibit with 'Domingo Live' co-host Barbi Leo. Cuevas mentions the Digitization Phase, the purposes of the project, and describes the exhibit. Cuevas also mentions that the exhibit was funded through an NEH Common Heritage Grant.
URL: http://www.kiiitv.com/entertainment/television/programming/domingo-live/mi-familia-mi-comunidad-exhibit/430100235
Mi Familia, Mi Comunidad Reception Planned (Media Coverage)
Publication: KIII-TV News (ABC TV Affiliate)
Date: 9/14/2016
Abstract: Interview between Mi Familia Exhibit Curator Ralph Cuevas with KIII-TV morning news anchor John-Thomas Kobos. Cuevas discusses the purpose of the project with particular emphasis on the upcoming Promotional event with Carmen Lomas Garza.
URL: http://www.kiiitv.com/news/local/mi-familia-mi-comunidad/318711011
Mi Familia-Mi Comunidad at Texas A&M University Kingsville (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Sean Kelly
Date: 10/14/2017
Abstract: KIII reporter Sean Kelly interviews South Texas Archives Director Lori Atkins for details on the Digitization Phase scheduled for the following day. Mentions that the project was funded through an NEH Common Heritage Grant and describes what participants can expect on Oct. 15th.
URL: http://www.kiiitv.com/news/local/familia-mi-comunidad-at-texas-am-university-kingsville/336009285
TAMUK Exhibit Features Family Photos of South Texans (Media Coverage)
Author(s): K-III staff
Publication: KIII-TV News (ABC TV Affiliate)
Date: 4/10/2017
Abstract: Brief soundbites from Exhibit Curator Ralph Cuevas discussing the exhibit.
URL: http://www.kiiitv.com/news/local/tamuk-exhibit-features-family-photos-of-south-texans/430223088
Siempre Familia: Mi Familia - Mi Comunidad (Media Coverage)
Author(s): K-III staff
Date: 10/12/2016
Abstract: Advertising for the Documentation phase (Phase 2) of the Mi Familia - Mi Comunidad project was broadcast on ABC TV affiliate KIII_TV Corpus Christi 10/ 12/ 16- 10/ 15/ 16. The promotion was featured under KII-TV's "Siempre Familia" heading.
Mi Familia, Mi Comunidad Exhibit (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Barbi Leo
Date: 4/10/2017
Abstract: Mi Familia - Mi Comunidad Exhibit Curator Ralph Cuevas discusses the exhibit with Domingo LIve! host Barbi Leo on KIII-TV, the ABC TV affiliate in Corpus Christi, Texas. Domingo Live! is a weekend program aimed at Hispanic South Texans. Cuevas discussed all three phases of the exhibit and promoted the upcoming exhibit and the exhibit reception. Cuevas also stressed the importance of Hispanic South Texans preserving their family histories.
URL: http://www.kiiitv.com/entertainment/television/programming/domingo-live/mi-familia-mi-comunidad-exhibit/430100235
Associated Products
Mi Familia - Mi Comunidad (Exhibition)Title: Mi Familia - Mi Comunidad
Curator: Ralph Cuevas
Abstract: Photos and artifacts contributed by Hispanic members of the Texas Coastal Bend Community were used to illustrate a temporary exhibition at the Conner Museum that illustrated the life experiences of twenty-one Mexican-American families in South Texas during the 20th and 21st Centuries. The exhibit was divided into six categories: Family, Social and Leisure, Business, Weddings, Education, and Military Service. The exhibit opened on April 11, 2017 and closed on May 25, 2017.
Year: 2017
Mi Familia - Mi Comunidad Promotional Event (Public Lecture or Presentation)Title: Mi Familia - Mi Comunidad Promotional Event
Abstract: Renowned Hispanic-American artist and author Carmen Lomas Garza spoke to over 300 visitors discussing her work in the context of family and heritage. A Kingsville native and Texas A&M Univesity-Kingsville alumna, Garza presented a Powerpoint presentation of her work and related anecdotes about her life in Kingsville. Family and heritage are the primary thematic elements in her art. Event organizers hoped this event would generate publicity for and interest in the Common Heritage event to be held the following month,
Author: Carmen Lomas Garza
Date: 09/16/2016
Location: Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Center, 1730 West Corral Ave, Kingsville, Texas.
Significance of Family and Heritage (Public Lecture or Presentation)Title: Significance of Family and Heritage
Abstract: Mr. Vera, Tejano historian and Curator of the Kenedy Ranch Museum in Sarita, Texas spoke of the importance of family and genealogy. Vera discussed the process of learning his own family's story, sharing anecdotes of his life and heritage.
Author: Homero Vera
Date: 04/18/2017
Location: John E. Conner Museum
Mi Familia - Mi Comunidad Collection (Radio/Audio Broadcast or Recording)Title: Mi Familia - Mi Comunidad Collection
Abstract: The collection tells the story of twenty-one Hispanic families of the Kingsville area. Eleven oral histories were gathered from participants in the Mi Familia project sponsored by an NEH Common Heritage Grant. Oral histories tell the varied experiences of families who came to South Texas in the 1800 and 1900s. Eleven oral histories are included in the collection. Jonathan Plant and Ralph Cuevas conducted oral interviews. Daniel Thacker processed and organized digital files in 2016.
Date: 10/15/2017
Primary URL:
http://archives.tamuk.edu/ead.php?xml=Comunidad%20EADPrimary URL Description: Link to the Finding Aid for the Mi Comunidad - Mi Familia Project at the South Texas Archives, Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Secondary URL:
http://archives.tamuk.edu/mods/core/browse.php?searchitem=Mi+Familia+Mi+Comunidad+CollectionSecondary URL Description: This is the inventory for the Mi Familia Mi Comundad Collection with oral histories available for listening as .mp3 files.
Access Model: Open access
Format: Digital File
Mi Familia Mi Comunidad Collection (Database/Archive/Digital Edition)Title: Mi Familia Mi Comunidad Collection
Author: Lori Atkins
Author: Matthew Tallant
Author: Daniel Thacker
Abstract: At the Common Heritage Documentation event October 15, 2016, Twenty-one Hispanic families brought their photographs to the Conner Museum to be digitized by the staff of South Texas Archives. Their stories were preserved with the photographs. An exhibit of the enlarged photographs, stories and oral histories were displayed at the Mi Familia - Mi Comunidad exhibit in April-May 2017. The digital files are available on the website of South Texas Archives.
Year: 2016
Primary URL:
http://archives.tamuk.edu/ead.php?xml=Comunidad%20EADPrimary URL Description: This is the finding aid to the Mi Familia Mi Comundiad Collection at the South Texas Archives, Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Secondary URL:
http://archives.tamuk.edu/mods/core/browse.php?searchitem=Mi+Familia+Mi+Comunidad+CollectionSecondary URL Description: This is the inventory for the Mi Familia Mi Comundad Collection with photographs accessible as .jpg files.
Access Model: Open access