This collection contains material documenting the De la Torre
family and their involvement in the Cristero Movement. The family traveled from central
Mexico to Nogales, Sonora bringing the Movement to northern Mexico. Items include
biographical materials; correspondence; printed materials, including pamphlets,
newsletters, newsclippings, and Public Statements; and photographs and negatives. The
bulk of the material is printed materials and photographs. This collection also contains
over 280 books that can be found in the University of Arizona Library catalog under the
title Cristero Movement Collection. The majority of the material is in Spanish. Una
version en de esta guia de colección está disponible.
Collection Number:
MS 420
Language:
Materials in Spanish and English.
Repository:
University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections
University of Arizona
PO Box 210055
Tucson, AZ 85721-0055
Phone: 520-621-6423
Fax: 520-621-9733
URL: http://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/
E-Mail: LBRY-askspcoll@email.arizona.edu
Biographical Note
The Cristero Movement (1926-1929) was a revolt by Catholics against the Mexican
government that occurred in response to anti-Catholic legislation. This legislation
began with the 1917 Constitution of Mexico but it was not until the presidency of
Plutarco Calles (1924-1928) that these laws were enforced. President Calles added his
own strict legislation severely restricting the clergy and Church in Mexico.
The Cristero Movement originated in southern Mexico and moved north. The Movement lasted
a decade and claimed over 100,000 lives. The Cristeros eventually achieved religious
freedom in practice. Anti-clerical provisions remain a part of the Constitution but are
unenforced. The De la Torre family, who had close ties to the Catholic Church and
clergy, was instrumental in bringing the Cristero Movement to northern Mexico. The
family, originally from Zacatecas and Guanajuato, moved to Aguascalientes and then in
1922 to San Luis Potosí. The family moved again to Tampico for economic reasons and
finally to Nogales, both Sonora and Arizona, to escape persecution from authorities
because of their involvement in the Church and Movement.
Ignacio De la Torre Berumen (b. 1878) and María De la Torre Uribarren (Velasco) (b.
1878) were the parents of eight children, many of whom were important figures within the
Movement, both as priests and secular members. María (b. 1900) was a central support
figure for the family and served as a point of communication and information. María's
boyfriend, Fidel Muro, who was also involved in the Movement, was captured and executed
in 1928. Ignacio (b. 1901) was a priest who became the vicar general of the Archdiocese
of Hermosillo. He was active in education and founded several religious organizations.
He was murdered in 1979 in Imuris, Sonora under mysterious circumstances.
Both Francisco (b. 1905) and Carlos (b. 1914) became respected Jesuit priests. These
three brothers were instrumental in reopening churches the government closed in Nogales.
Alfonso (b. 1908), a Cristero soldier, was killed during fighting near Agua Caliente
near the town of Suaqui de Batuc in 1935. Luis (b. 1910) was also involved in the
Cristero Movement and later married. Neither Edmundo (b.1912) nor Benjamín (b.1918) were
heavily involved in the Movement but focused instead on family and business.
The De la Torre family was acquainted with prominent figures of the Cristero Movement
such as the priest Juan Navarrete. Several members of the family belonged to the
Cristero organizations Asociación Católica de la Juventud Mexicana (ACJM) and the Liga
Nacional Defensora de la Libertad (LNDL). Both María and Ignacio sometimes used
pseudonyms in their correspondence and publications. María used the pseudonym Margarita
Sofia and Ignacio used the pseudonyms Jose, Ysidro, Ismael Gomez, and Ismael
Tizcareño.
Scope and Content Note
Papers, 1874-2003 (bulk 1910-1946). This collection contains the papers of the De la
Torre family documenting their involvement in the Cristero Movement and their move from
Central Mexico to Sonora including Nogales. The bulk of the collection consists of
printed materials and photographs. The printed materials highlight the progress of the
Movement and include religious and political pamphlets, newsletters, newsclippings, and
Public Statements. The majority of photographs relate to the De la Torre family and
friends. Some materials relate to Cristero political organizations such as Asociación
Católica de la Juventud Mexicana (ACJM) and the Liga Nacional Defensora de la Libertad
(LNDL) including a financial ledger and administrative documents. Other unique materials
include a combat log, personal accounts, and political cartoons. Also included are the
personal papers and correspondence of the de la Torre family. The majority of the
material is in Spanish. This collection also contains over 280 books that can be found
in the University of Arizona Library catalog under the title Cristero Movement
Collection.
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of
the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her
transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for the University of Arizona, its officers,
employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he
or she is an owner of copyright.
Access Terms
Personal Name(s)
Navarrete y Guerrero, Juan, 1886-1982
Family Name(s)
De la Torre family -- Archives
Corporate Name(s)
Asociación Católica de la Juventud Mexicana
Liga Nacional Defensora de la Libertad Religiosa
(Mexico)
Geographic Name(s)
Mexico, North -- Politics and government -- 20th
century
Sonora (Mexico : State)
Subject(s)
Church and state -- Mexico -- History -- 20th century
Cristero Rebellion, 1926-1929
Cristero Rebellion, 1926-1929 -- History -- Sources
Cristero Rebellion, 1926-1929 -- Religious aspects
Arrangement: Alphabetical. This series contains biographical materials relating to
the members of the De la Torre family such as yearbooks, birth, communion,
marriage and death announcements, a family tree, immigration documents, family
histories, personal accounts, and certificates. Also included are materials on
other religious leaders. Most biographical materials are in Spanish. Note: Some
materials are located in Series 6: Oversize Materials.
box
folder
1
1
Certificates, undated, 1877-1962
1
2
De la Torre, Alfonso -- Death, 1935-1945
1
3
De la Torre, Benjamín, undated, 1926-1942
1
4
De la Torre, Carlos, undated, 1914-1973
1
5
De la Torre, Carlos -- Yearbooks, 1944
1
6
De la Torre, Carlos -- Yearbooks, 1946
1
7
De la Torre, Edmundo, 1912-1965
1
8
De la Torre, Francisco, undated, 1918-1939
1
9
De la Torre, Ignacio, undated, 1909-1972
1
10
De la Torre, Ignacio -- Yearbook, 1945
1
11
De la Torre, Luis, undated, 1910-1952
1
12
De la Torre Berumen, Ignacio -- Death, 1948
1
13
De la Torre Family History -- Estampas
Cristeras , undated
1
14
De la Torre Family History -- Family Tree, undated
Arrangement: Alphabetical. This series contains correspondence mostly between De
la Torre family members but also among the Archbishop of Hermosillo Juan Navarrete
and other figures of the Cristero movement. Most correspondence is in Spanish.
Some correspondence is in English and Latin.
box
folder
1
22
De la Torre, Alfonso, undated, 1921-1928
1
23
De la Torre, Alfonso, 1932-1935
box
folder
14
1
De la Torre, Alfonso -- translations for 1934-1935
correspondence, circa 1934-1935
14
2
De la Torre, Alfonso, June 1934
14
3
De la Torre, Alfonso, July 1934
14
4
De la Torre, Alfonso, August 1934
14
5
De la Torre, Alfonso, September 1934
14
6
De la Torre, Alfonso, October 1934
14
7
De la Torre, Alfonso, November 1934
14
8
De la Torre, Alfonso, December 1934
14
9
De la Torre, Alfonso, January 1935
14
10
De la Torre, Alfonso, February 1935
14
11
De la Torre, Alfonso, March 1935
14
12
De la Torre, Alfonso, April 1935
14
13
De la Torre, Alfonso, May 1935
14
14
De la Torre, Alfonso, June 1935
box
folder
15
1
De la Torre, Alfonso, July 1935
15
2
De la Torre, Alfonso, August 1935
15
3
De la Torre, Alfonso, September 1935
15
4
De la Torre, Alfonso, October 1935
15
5
De la Torre, Alfonso -- miscellaneous envelopes, circa 1934-1935
box
folder
1
24
De la Torre, Alfonso -- Death, 1935-1948
1
25
De la Torre, Benjamín, undated, 1931-1944
1
26
De la Torre, Benjamín, 1945-1949
1
27
De la Torre, Carlos, undated, 1926-1938
1
28
De la Torre, Benjamin, 1939-1960
1
29
De la Torre, Edmundo, undated, 1917-1964
box
folder
2
1
De la Torre, Francisco, undated, 1920-1929
2
2
De la Torre, Francisco, 1930-1939
2
3
De la Torre, Francisco, 1940-1989
2
4
De la Torre, Ignacio, undated, 1919-1934
2
5
De la Torre, Ignacio, 1935-1955
2
6
De la Torre, Luis, 1921-1959
2
7
De la Torre, María, 1909-1965
2
8
De la Torre, María - Biographical Sketch of Fidel Muro, 1942-1943
2
9
De la Torre Berumen, Ignacio, 1900-1946
2
10
Duval, Louis, undated, 1930-1945
2
11
General, undated, 1917-1994
2
12
López, Eulalio, 1935-1937
2
13
Manríquez y Zarate, José de Jesús, 1931-1932
2
14
Muro Family., undated, 1927-1944
2
15
Navarrete, Juan, 1919-1946
2
16
Palomar y Vizcarra, Miguel, 1944-1965
2
17
Unión Nacional Sinarquista, 1937-1944
2
18
Uribarren De la Torre, María, undated, 1890-1945
box
folder
16
1
Correspondence -- Benjamin de la Torre and Maria Guadalupe
Felix, 1940s-1950s
16
2
Correspondence -- de la Torre, fragile, circa 1940s-1950s
Arrangement: Alphabetical. This series contains material relating to the Cristero
Movement including a memoir, financial ledger, printed money and a combat log.
Also included are other miscellaneous materials such as yearbooks, stamps and
documents relating to Germany circa World War II. Most of the materials are in
Spanish.
box
folder
2
19
Address Book, undated
2
20
Cartoons -- Alfonso De la Torre, undated, 1928-1930
2
21
Colegio Centro América -- Yearbook, 1935-1936
2
22
Combat Log, 1932
2
23
Financial Ledger, 1935-1936
2
24
German Documents, undated, 1936-1945
2
25
The Gregorian University (Rome, Italy), undated
2
26
Liga Nacional Defensora de la Libertad -- Memoir, 1937
2
27
Maps, undated
2
28
Money, undated
2
29
Pro, Miguel (Father), undated
2
30
Religious Cards, undated, 1935-1967
2
31
Seminario Nacional Mexicano - Montezuma, New Mexico -- Pontifical
Yearbook, 1944
2
32
Stamps, undated
box
folder
16
3
National Savings Board, Fernando Felix, 1965-1970
16
4
Receipts -- Telefonos de Mexico, Guadalupe Felix Balderama, 1988-1989
16
5
Receipts -- Banco Internacional, Guadalupe Felix Balderama, 1982, 1990
16
6
Receipts -- Guadalupe Felix Balderama, circa 1960-1979
16
7
Permission slip for Carmen Alicia Felix to go to Nogales with Guadalupe
Felix, 1951
Arrangement: Alphabetical. This series contains political/religious documents
mostly concerning the Cristero Movement including propaganda, pamphlets,
newsletters, fliers, and newsclippings. Also included are souvenirs and other
religious materials. Most materials are in Spanish and others are in English,
French, German, and Latin. Note: Some materials are located in Series 6: Oversize
Materials.
box
folder
3
1
Brochures, undated, 1931-1953
3
2
Flyers, undated, 1914-1970
3
3
Hymns, undated, 1924-1966
3
4
Journals -- General, 1904-1949
3
5
Journals -- Juventud Católica
, 1922-1923
3
6
Journals -- Juventud Católica
, 1923-1924
3
7
Magazines -- General, 1924-1967
3
8
Magazines -- Juan Diego , 1935-1951
3
9
Magazines -- Juventud , 1939-1957
3
10
Magazines -- Latinoamérica , 1949
3
11
Magazines -- Legión , 1967-1968
3
12
Magazines -- Legión , 1968-1969
3
13
Magazines -- Señal , 1963
3
14
Magazines -- Revista Católica
, 1929
3
15
Magazines -- Unión , 1945-1952
3
16
Miscellaneous, undated, 1904-1927
3
17
Miscellaneous, 1945-1982
3
18
Newsclippings, undated
3
19
Newsclippings, 1894-1966
3
20
Newsletters -- El Auxilio Mariano
, 1928-1929
3
21
Newsletters -- La Batea , 1928
3
22
Newsletters -- Boletín de la Comisión Central de
Instrucción Religiosa de la Acción Católica Mexicana , 1933
3
23
Newsletters -- Boletín de la Guerra
, undated, 1928
3
24
Newsletters -- Boletín de la Sociedad de Santa
Teresita , 1928-1935
3
25
Newsletters -- Boletín Oficial de
Integrismo , 1952
3
26
Newsletters -- Boletín Oficial del IV Centrario
Guadalupano , 1931
Arrangement: Alphabetical. This series contains photographs and negatives
primarily of the De la Torre family. Also included are other friends and
relatives. Some photographers and studios included in this collection are Leopoldo
Varela, Jose M. M. Aguilar, Foto Harrison and Linder Art Studio. There are also
single photographs from C.B. Waite and Govan and North. Locations of studios and
photographers include Aguascalientes, Guadalajara, Navajoa, Sonora, Nogales,
Sonora and Arizona, San Luis Potosí, and Zacatecas. Most photograph captions are
in Spanish. Note: Some materials are located in Series VI: Oversize Materials.
box
folder
5
16
Compact Disc -- Copia de Archivo Familiar De la Torre
Uribarren, undate
General
Folder contains a detailed inventory of the compact disc
5
17
Photographs -- Aguascalientes Group, undated
5
18
Photographs -- California, undated
box
folder
6
1
Photographs -- Campa Family, 1883-1907
6
2
Photographs -- Catholic Family League (Aguascalientes), undated, 1919
6
3
Photographs -- Churches, undated, 1885-1927
6
4
Photographs -- Coronación de la Virgen Santísima de Guadalupe (Los
Angeles, California), 1937
6
5
Photographs -- Cristero Soldiers, undated
6
6
Photographs -- De la Torre, Alfonso, undated
6
7
Photographs -- De la Torre, Alfonso, 1910-1936
6
8
Photographs -- De la Torre, Alfonso -- Exhumation of body, 1944
6
9
Photographs -- De la Torre, Benjamín, undated, 1926-1953
6
10
Photographs -- De la Torre, Carlos, undated, 1931-1961
6
11
Photographs -- De la Torre, Edmundo, undated, 1938-1953
6
12
Photographs -- De la Torre, Francisco, undated, 1920-1941
6
13
Photographs -- De la Torre, Ignacio, undated
6
14
Photographs -- De la Torre, Ignacio, 1920-1970
6
15
Photographs -- De la Torre, Ignacio -- Travels, undated
6
16
Photographs -- De la Torre, Luis, undated, 1921-1956
6
17
Photographs -- De la Torre, María, undated, 1901-1948
6
18
Photographs -- De la Torre Berumen, Ignacio, undated, 1896-1948
6
19
Photographs -- De la Torre Berumen, Ignacio and Uribarren De la Torre,
María, undated, 1901
6
20
Photographs -- De la Torre Berumen Family, undated, 1874-1901
6
21
Photographs -- De la Torre Family, undated
6
22
Photographs -- De la Torre Family, 1906-1936
6
23
Photographs -- De la Torre Family Photoalbum, undated
box
folder
7
1
Photographs -- Delgado Family, undated, 1923
7
2
Photographs -- Downing Family, undated, 1944-1947
7
3
Photographs -- Duval, Louis, undated, 1932-1938
7
4
Photographs -- Eucharist Crusade, 1924
7
5
Photographs -- Garibi Family, undated, 1948
7
6
Photographs -- Garibi y Velasco Family, undated, 1909-1920
7
7-11
Photographs -- General, undated
7
12
Photographs -- General, 1891-1899
7
13
Photographs -- General, 1901-1919
7
14
Photographs -- General, 1920-1929
7
15
Photographs -- General, 1930-1939
7
16
Photographs -- General, 1940-1970
7
17
Photographs -- Gabral Family, undated, 1891-1938
7
18
Photographs -- Iglesia y Virgen, undated
7
19
Photographs -- Mercado Family, undated, 1931-1941
box
folder
16
15
Photographs -- Miscellaneous, circa 1950s
box
folder
7
20
Photographs -- Muro, Fidel, undated, 1928
7
21
Photographs -- Navarrete, Juan, undated, 1937
7
22
Photographs -- Noriega, Alfonso, undated, 1927
7
23
Photographs -- Orozco y Velasco, undated, 1910-1914
box
folder
16
14
Photographs -- Remains of Alfonso de la Torre, 1944
box
folder
7
24
Photographs -- San Pedro de la Cueoa, undated, 1927
This series contains an addition of materials collected by Jose De la Torre. The
series is divided in subseries that mirror the arrangement of the original
collection. Subseries include biographical files, correspondence, subject files,
printed materials, photographs, and oversized materials. Materials are in
Spanish.
box
folder
12
1
Biographical Files: Miscellaneous, 1939-1991
12
2
Biographical Files: De la Torre, Alfonso, 1935-1945
12
3
Biographical Files: De la Torre, Carlos, 1956-1984
12
4
Biographical Files: De la Torre, Ignacio, 1953-1978
12
5
Biographical Files: De la Torre, Ignacio, 1979-1988
12
6
Biographical Files: De la Torre, Luis, 1910-1967
12
7
Biographical Files: De la Torre Luis and Carmela, 1942-1961
12
8
Correspondence: Miscellaneous, 1927-2003
12
9
Correspondence: De la Torre, Alfonso, 1925-1932
12
10
Correspondence: De la Torre, Benjamín, 1987-1989
12
11
Correspondence: De la Torre, Carlos, 1932-1953
12
12
Correspondence: De la Torre, Francisco, 1941-1942
12
13
Correspondence: De la Torre, Ignacio, 1967
12
14
Correspondence: De la Torre, Luis, 1929-1964
12
15
Correspondence: De la Torre, María, 1942-1946
12
16
Correspondence: De la Torre, Robert, 1942
12
17
Correspondence: Navarrete, Juan, 1942-1954
12
18
Correspondence: Paloma y Vizcarra, Miguel, 1944
12
19
Correspondence: Ruiz de Chávez, Ignacio, 1942-1947
box
folder
13
1
Subject Files: Miscellanous, undated
13
2
Subject Files: Cristero story, 1935
13
3
Subject Files: Conference Notes and Reflection, 1947
13
4
Subject Files: Congreso Eucarístico Nacional de México, 1924-1937
13
5
Subject Files: Diary, 1935
13
6
Subject Files: Liga Nacional Defensora de la Libertad, 1934-1937
13
7
Subject Files: Notes, 1944
13
8
Subject Files: Prose, undated, 1926-1928
13
9
Printed Materials: Miscellaneous, 1924-1947
13
10
Printed Materials: Las Chabelitas, 1970
13
11
Printed Materials: Album del Primer Congreso Diocesano de
Sonora, 1922
13
12
Printed Materials: Sermon IV Carta Pastoral, 1932-1935
13
13
Printed Materials: Newspaper "El
Debate" , 1932
13
14
Printed Materials: Religious Publications, 1924-1978
13
15
Photographs: Blue Scrapbook, 1927-1979
13
16
Photographs: De la Torre, Alfonso, undated
13
17
Photographs: De la Torre Family, undated
13
18
Photographs: De la Torre Luis and Family, undated
13
19
Photographs: De la Torre Uribarren Family – CD, 1921-1985
