California woman searches for relatives locally

By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com 

There’s a song lyric which states, “All I want for Christmas is you.” And there is at least one woman, born in San Benito, to whom this sentiment rings especially true.

Recently, a woman named Marta Petra Hinojosa, age 48, reached out to the San Benito News via Facebook, to help reconnect with some long lost relatives. Hinojosa said, “I am the fifth of the 13 children of Javier and Elena Hinojosa.”

Hinojosa explained that she lost communication with her mother’s side of the family, the Seguras of San Benito. Though she was born in San Benito, Hinojosa said she moved to California at age 1 and said she has not visited since the early 90s.

Her mother, Elena Segura Hinojosa, is 73, and according to her daughter is not in excellent health. Additionally, her mother’s sister, Dolores Segura, passed away last year. Hinojosa said she was informed of her aunt’s passing when “I was looking for my birth certificate. I contacted the church I was baptized in, where my aunt had been a member. I asked if she was still a member, and that’s when they told me.” Dolores Segura was a long-time member of St. Benedicts Catholic Church in San Benito.

Hinojosa stated, “This news has crushed my mother.” She explained that Dolores was her mother’s only sister and she reportedly had two children that Hinojosa is aware of. Their names are: Jose (Pepe) Luis Vega, who should be in his 50s with at least three children named Joe Vega Jr., Sarah Vega, and Brissa Vega; Guadalupe/Lupita Segura, who should be in her 40s, and who may have at least three children of her own.

Hinojosa said, “My mom is already in her 70s…when we left Texas, (the children) were young, and we were living on a budget. We couldn’t go all the way back to Texas to visit. We lost contact with everyone… We came back to California, and we didn’t hear anything more.”

“I would love to know how many family members we have in San Benito,” said Hinojosa. Of her siblings who reside in California, she said, “We have about 108 (total) nieces and nephews. I would like for (San Benito relatives) to know that they have a large family out here who want to hear from them, we want to keep the connection open.”

Hinojosa believes at least some of her relatives still reside within or near San Benito. She said, “I don’t know if they live in San Benito, but somebody may know (remember) them. They had lived there for years.”

Becoming emotional, Hinojosa said, “It’s sad to not know where you’re family is at.” Her immediate family, with brothers and sisters, including herself includes the following: Margaret Bonilla; Guadalupe Hinojosa Jr.; Janie Hinojosa; Santos Hinojosa; Marthap Hinojosa; Josefina Hinojosa-Vera; Graciela Hinojosa-Saenz; Maria Hinojosa; Natalia Hinojosa; Javier Hinojosa Jr.; Veronica Hinojosa-Vasquez; Jose Rodrigo Hinojosa; Sandra Hinojosa.

“I really want to hear from my family,” said Hinojosa who hopes for a reunion soon. She added that she believes such a reunion will “bring some closure for my mom. It was sad for my mom to learn her sister passed away without her knowing. I don’t want her to leave too, without seeing or hearing from them again.”

Hinojosa expressed that her father, Javier Hinojosa, recently passed away. She said, “His family lives in Mexico, and we never met them either.” Hinojosa added that her grandmother, deceased, was also from San Benito. Her name was Demesia Camarillo Segura.

Hinojosa currently resides in Wasco, California. Individuals with helpful information or who may help Hinojosa locate her family this holiday season are urged to call her at (661) 667-8417.

Read this story in the Dec. 5 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.