Mexico Timelines

A timeline of key eras and dates relevant to Mexican and Mexican-American family history.

Part of: Mexican Genealogy Guide

Timelines are helpful for determining the location and provenance of records, and for understanding context surrounding your ancestors’ lives.


General Timeline

Compiled from a variety of online and print sources.

  • 1519 – 1521: Conquest of the Aztec Empire in Mexico by Cortes
  • (1521-1821) Viceroyalty of New Spain / Spanish Colonial Period
    • (1565) 1st permanent settlement founded in present day U.S., St. Augustine, Florida
    • (1598) Oñate established the first Spanish colony in New Mexico
    • 1610: Santa Fe founded in the province of New Mexico
    • 1718: San Antonio founded in the province of Texas
    • 1769: Portolá expedition with Father Serra into Alta California (Mission San Diego)
  • (1821) Mexican Independence
  • (1821-1848) Mexican-rule of former Spanish provinces in present day U.S.
    • (1836) Texas declares independence
    • (1846-1848) Mexican-American War
      • 1848: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
      • Mexico ceded 1/3 of its territory to the U.S.
  • (1880s-1900) Increased immigration due to restrictions against Chinese, Japanese, and expanding railway system
  • (1906-1908) U.S. starts recording arrivals from Mexican border ports
  • (1910-1920) Mexican Revolution prompts first big wave of Mexican immigration
  • (Late 1920s – Early 1930s) Forced repatriations to Mexico
  • (1940-1944) U.S. Alien Registration program
  • (1942-1964) Bracero Program brings 4.6 million temporary agricultural laborers
  • (1994) Increased immigration due to NAFTA-displaced farmers

Historical Waves of Immigration & Migration to the United States

Source: U.S. National Park Service

  • 1840s: Due to Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the California Gold Rush
  • 1880s – 1900: Due to immigration restrictions impacting Chinese and Japanese, and expanding regional rail systems
  • 1910 – 1920: Mexican Revolution
  • Late 1920s – Early 1930s : Forced repatriation back to Mexico
  • 1942 – 1964: Bracero Program brings 4.6 million temporary agricultural laborers
  • (1994) Increased immigration due to NAFTA-displaced farmers

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