The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 41, July 1937 - April, 1938 Page: 365

Boolc Reviews

names are not located by page references, however, but by the
symbols used to indicate the position of an individual in the family
tree. These genealogical symbols are used for identification where
many persons have similar or identical names, but they will not
serve in a subject index. A subject index is much needed to locate
and bring together under a relatively small number of heads the
thousands of biographical and historical items that compose these
volumes. An index of portraits and illustrations also is needed,
either as part of the subject index or as a separate index. These
volumes contain no lists of illustrations. While these are serious
defects, they apply to acts of omission-not to acts of commission-
and can, therefore, be remedied without great expense.
To obtain accurate genealogical information about forty-five to
fifty thousand individuals, within a reasonable length of time-
say ten years, at a cost that was not prohibitive, certainly required
loyalty, enthusiasm, industry, patience, resourcefulness, and every
other characteristic of a successful business man and investigator.
Genealogical research necessarily is restricted to regions with good
library facilities and well-administered archives. The production
of this prodigious work in the deep South marks a long step south-
ward and westward from Virginia and South Carolina, heretofore
the chief seats of such work.
E. W. WINKLER.
The University of Texas.
Memoirs by Antonio Menchaca. Frederick C. Chabot (editor).
Yanaguana Society Publications, Vol. II. (San Antonio:
Yanaguana Society, 1937. Pp. 31.)
Menchaca's Memoirs is volume two of the noteworthy publica-
tions of the Yanaguana Society of San Antonio which is trying
in this laudatory manner to preserve the rich history of San
Antonio and South Texas.
Antonio Menchaca was a Texas patriot, born in 1800, the grand-
son of a Spanish military man who in 1762 had received a grant
of land on San Pedro Creek in San Antonio. From Antonio
Menchaca are descended many of the leading citizens of San
Antonio today. The Memoirs, written in a simple, somewhat barren
language, and not always quite clear in meaning, embrace the

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