The San Antonio Mission Indian Descendants (SAMID) have announced the soft launch of the historic “Find Your Roots, Claim Your Story Descendants Legacy Project,” a community-driven initiative designed to help individuals discover, document, and celebrate their ancestral connections to the Indigenous peoples of the five San Antonio Missions.
Preserving Family Histories
The launch event will take place on June 24, 2026, at The DoSeum, marking the beginning of a long-term effort to preserve family histories, strengthen community connections, and ensure Indigenous voices remain central to the story of San Antonio.
Through genealogical research, historical records, oral histories, and educational programming, participants will receive support in tracing their lineage to Mission San Antonio de Valero (The Alamo), Mission San José, Mission Concepción, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada.
The initiative also aims to help families preserve their stories and pass them on to future generations. “This initiative is about more than names on a family tree,” said leadership from the San Antonio Mission Indian Descendants. “It is about restoring connections, honoring the resilience of our ancestors, and ensuring that descendants know that their stories matter. Every record discovered, every family identified, and every story preserved strengthens the living legacy of the Indigenous peoples of the San Antonio Missions.”
Community Collaboration
The project brings together an unprecedented collaboration between community organizations, universities, and cultural institutions. Partner organizations include Our Lady of the Lake University, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, The University of Texas at San Antonio, St. Mary’s University, Trinity University, Texas State University, and The DoSeum.
Together, these institutions will support research efforts, educational opportunities, student engagement, and public programming that highlight the history and enduring presence of Mission descendants throughout South Texas and beyond.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
