Kissing Cousins – A Reality in All Family Trees

Kissing cousins – a reality in all family trees is a discussion that many of us do not want to have. We do not realize until we start digging into our past. We have to think about the population that existed prior to our existence. Kissing cousins happens more often than we realize. This post is to discuss this in detail. There is no shame in having kissing cousins in our family trees as, without them, we would not be here. So let’s begin with kissing cousins – a reality in my tree.

Micaela Montañez is the mother of Juan Bayala Montañez and Petrona Bayala Montañez. Their father is Pedro Bayala Flores (Carmona). The Carmona last name is kept in parentheses as we do not know who exactly was Pedro’s Carmona grandfather. Pedro’s grandparents never married, as far as we are aware of. Until a record is located indicating differently, he will be referred to as such. In the end, we do see their mother, as well as her children, use the Carmona last name. His first name is not known and we can only speculate.

Kissing Cousins: Micaela & Pedro

Going back to Micaela, it turns out that Pedro and Micaela are second cousins to each other. This is due to the fact that they both have a common set of great grandparents; Juan de los Santos de Flores del Rio and Juliana Fontanez de Rivera. In a prior post written by me, I mention that Micaela and Pedro never married. However, from their relationship they had two children; Juan and Petrona. I do not know what finally broke this couple up. However, I do know that Micaela never married but lived under consensual contract or better known as a common-law wife. She had a consensual contract with Manuel Morales Aleman and had 6 more children with him.

Micaela’s daughter, Petrona Bayala Montañez, also married a cousin, Ramon Soiza Montañez as the two images below shows. Ramon is Petrona’s first cousin, once removed. Micaela’s mother and Ramon are first cousins or better known as primo hermanos. These types of relationships occurred for many reasons. Reasons at times were to keep property and wealth within a family. Other times due to the small population and a secluded region with lack of ability to travel. It is of no surprise that so many marry family members. With every new generation, the family connection disappears.

So in closing, never assume that this has never happened in your family tree. Or that it would never happen as the planet only had but so many people on it at one time. With the large amount of endogamy on the island of Puerto Rico, not surprised. Many have speculated that this also happened to keep land in the family.  However, I would like to believe it is for romantic reasons and it was because of love. After all, love can be blind. So keep in mind that Kissing cousin, a reality in all family trees applies to everyone. 😉