Hello friends,

I hope everyone is doing well. I’m reaching out to the community because I’m working on a historical‑genealogical project that intersects both Los Altos de Jalisco research and American Revolutionary War lineage documentation.

Over the past year, I’ve been in active communication with both the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) and the SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) regarding my ancestor:

Don Salvador Manuel Muñoz de la Barba

(Vecino español of Jalostotitlán, Resident of Rancho La Ciénega, Comisario de la Acordada, Documented in 18th‑century parish and notarial records)

As many of you know, Spain supported the American Revolution through the Royal Donativo of 1780, ordered by King Carlos III, requiring heads of household, titled Spaniards, landowners, and Crown officials to contribute funds (typically dos pesos in rural Nueva Galicia).

Recently, the National SAR Lead Genealogist, Travis Franklin, reviewed my ancestor’s dossier. His official response clarified that we are extremely close to qualifying Don Salvador as a Patriot Ancestor. However, SAR requires one specific document:

A Donativo list, roster, or contributor record from the Alcaldía Mayor de Lagos (1779–1783)

that includes Don Salvador Muñoz de la Barba by name.

SAR emphasized that while the circumstantial evidence is strong — Salvador’s elite status, landholding, civic office, and presence in the correct jurisdiction during the Donativo period — they cannot accept circumstantial evidence alone. Their exact words:

“The SAR requires that a Patriot ancestor qualifying under the Donativo be specifically named on an existing, documented Donativo list as having paid the contribution. Circumstantial evidence, however compelling, is not sufficient.”

They further stated:

“Until an indexed Donativo list for this region is located that includes Don Salvador Manuel Muñoz de la Barba by name as a contributor, there is no confirmed qualifying service to submit.”

And finally, their guidance to me:

“I would encourage Mr. Franco to continue his archival research with the goal of locating the actual Donativo collection records for the Alcaldía Mayor de Lagos, possibly held in Mexican state archives or the Archivo General de la Nación. If that document is located, the application would be on solid footing.”

This is why I’m turning to this community.

What I’m seeking

Any Donativo list, roster, or donor record from:

• Jalostotitlán
• San Juan de los Lagos
• Lagos de Moreno
• La Ciénega and surrounding ranchos
• Any locality under Alcalde Mayor Don José Antonio de Rojas y Velasco (c. 1777–1783)

Possible sources

• AGN – Ramo: Donativos y Préstamos (33 volumes)
• State archives of Jalisco or Aguascalientes
• Municipal or parish donor lists
• Notarial references to Donativo payments
• Local transcriptions or unpublished research

If anyone here has:

• Access to Donativo materials
• Knowledge of where Lagos‑area Donativo lists were preserved
• Experience with AGN’s Donativos y Préstamos series
• Or any leads on lists from Nueva Galicia

I would be deeply grateful for your guidance.

I’m happy to share the full SAR correspondence and all supporting documents if needed.

Thank you all — this community has always been a powerhouse for Los Altos research, and I’m hopeful someone may have encountered Donativo materials from this region.

Warm regards,  

Mario Franco

Researching: Franco • Muñoz • Barba • Álvarez Tostado • Lomelín • Pérez Maldonado • Saavedra • Segoviano