Mexico Timelines

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

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

Table Of Contents

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

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