Hello – I am Sheila Ruiz Harrell, a practicing genealogist for well over forty years and professional for the past twelve. As a 7th generation Californio I am also a direct descendant of 25 of those who arrived in California by 1781. Documenting my own family has given me a wide range of experience in genealogical and historical records research, in addition to following the descendants of those first settlers throughout California.

I specialize in early California Hispanic research from 1769-1900 with a focus on pre-1850, which includes my own personal connections to Native American families in California.

My research and identifying the descendants of those who arrived with Gaspar de Portola, Juan Bautista de Anza, Fernando Javier Rivera y Moncada, Hijar-Padres, Workman-Rowland Party, and other early expeditions is based upon reading and interpreting images of the original California Mission registers, land grants, court documents, church records, census, and padrones.

Having been a member of Los Californianos, California Mission Studies Association, National Genealogical Society, Association of Professional Genealogists, also Los Descendientes (descendants of the founders of the Santa Barbara Presidio), and Los Pobladores 200 (descendants of the founders of Los Angeles), in addition to several local genealogical and historical societies and organizations I have been able to stay in contact with the early California history, and so many of mis Primos!

The California poppy in the beautiful picture at the top of these pages seems to describe our ancestors exactly...putting down roots in only dirt and rocks with harsh winds trying to constantly blow them away, yet they survived. Not only did they survive but they thrived and we know that because we are here...we are their descendants! And with all these ancestors you and I are most likely cousins!

Are you interested in finding your early California Hispanic ancestors?
Send me an email and let’s get started!