It's very interesting how there are Banda's all over the place (although not many), yet we do not seem to be related. Apparently, not have been a very close family.

My father, Roel A. Banda, passed away this January and I am working on a memory book for him. While going through some of his papers we uncovered some things.

His father is Apolonio Banda (still lives in Monterrey Mexico and will be 96 in April). Apolonio was born in Villa de Llera Tamaulipas, Mexico. His mother was Maria Angela Banda from Xicotencatl, Tamaulipas. His father was Martin Alvarado. Apparently, Martin did not marry Angela so my grandfather, Apolonio, carries his mother's surname of Banda.

Maria Angela's (who would be my great-grandmother) parents were Monica Barboza and Andres Banda, probably from Xicotencatl too.

My grandfather, Apolonio, married Gerbacia Acevedo from Villa Gonzales, Tamaulipas in 1940 and they had 7 children (she died giving birth to the youngest,twin girls, in 1959). Of the 7 children, my father was the oldest. I know my grandfather Apolonio had other children out of wedlock; some of them are living in Illinois.

I also remember years ago reading a newspaper article about a king from an African nation (yes, he was black) whose surname was Banda.

My sister Miriam said she did some research on the Banda surname and discovered that it came from a region in Spain.

You may contact me if you wish.