Michael,

I am also an Alva in search of my roots. My father is 66 years old right now and he doesn't know much about his Alva heritage as his mother died when he was a month old and his own father died when he was only 4 years old. I do know that my grandfather's name was Emiliano Alva born August 8, 1888 and registered for his baptismal in Encarnacion De Dias, Jalisco. My grandfather died in Juarez on December 29, 1939. I have found out that my grandfather had many children with different women and I have located one family. Unfortunately all my father's siblings have passed away and all were from El Paso, Texas. Though they have passed.... I have met many cousins and learned quite a bit working together. If any of this sounds familiar or maybe we can just exchange some information. My grandfather had 4 children in the early 1900's by the names of Soledad, Francisco, Marcelo and Nicolas. He then had my father nearly 20 years later in 1935 whom is Emiliano Alva also. Then a few years later he had two more children with Maria. These are the last siblings born named Juan and Jose Alva. I hope we can help each other in our search.

Good Luck,

Josie Alva