Antonio García, with 11 generations of ancestors born in Antequera, has captured 300 years of family history in his book 'Entre Encinas y Nogales'. The proceeds from the sale will go to the Spanish Association Against Cancer.
Antonio García is a true Antequeran, or rather 'mochano', as they say in the city of the Dolmens. To be one, at least three previous generations must have been born in Antequera, and he more than meets that requirement: his family tree spans 11 generations and 300 years of history. Now, he has gathered all that legacy in a book titled 'Entre Encinas y Nogales', which has just been published.
A Tree That Starts in 1720
The book, whose title refers to the paternal branches (García, the oaks) and maternal branches (Sánchez, the walnuts), documents the births, marriages, descendants, and life trajectories of its members. The oldest document he has located is a marriage certificate from 1750, which has allowed him to reconstruct his history from approximately 1720.
According to the author himself, it could be one of the most complete family trees in Antequera, if not the most complete. The research focuses on three historic rural districts: Gandía, Matarratones, and Arroyo, where most of his ancestors lived until the 1960s.
For the Antequeran resident, this work is not only a journey into the past but also a way to understand what life was like in the countryside in the region. The data reflects an unusual geographical continuity, which facilitated the reconstruction of the tree.
A Year of Work and Much Family Help
The project has required more than a year of work, during which Antonio has had the help of his daughter and granddaughter. Although much of the information comes from his own memories and family testimonies, he has visited historical archives, churches, and even cemeteries to consult baptism, marriage, and death records.
He has also travelled to other municipalities to trace some relatives. The research combines oral memory with official documentation, resulting in an accurate portrait of the García-Sánchez lineage.
For the readers of Antequera, the book offers a unique opportunity to learn about local history through a specific family.
“It is a legacy for future generations,” Antonio García stated during the book presentation on Hoy por Hoy Andalucía Centro.
Solidarity Against Cancer
The book has a strong charitable character. All proceeds from its sale, as a donation, will go to the Spanish Association Against Cancer. Thus, those who purchase the book not only take home a piece of Antequeran history but also contribute to a major health cause.
The initiative has been well received in the city, where the figure of the 'mochano' is a source of pride. Being 'mochano' means having at least three previous generations born in Antequera, a requirement that Antonio more than meets and which is now captured on paper.
The book is already available and can be purchased at local sales points. For those interested in genealogy or the history of Antequera, 'Entre Encinas y Nogales' presents itself as a reference work. And in the process, they contribute to the fight against cancer. Not bad for a book that started as a personal project.
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