although my grandfather is believed to be from El Paso, TX. His name was Margarito Alva Sr. and he married Cipriana Estrada of Woodlake (Visalia). I remember that in the 60s, the Alva family was huge and has dwindled down to a very few. But what I've seen so far, there have been striking resemblances along the lines. Keep me posted if we are related.

Steve