America 250 Series: Spanish, African and International Ancestor’s Contributions to the American Revolution

Be inspired as genealogical research uncovers forgotten patriots and expands the story of the American Revolution. This session highlights methods that bring new patriots to light and deepen our understanding of America’s founding and the global forces that shaped it. Donna M. Santistevan explores how King Carlos III’s 1780 Donativo decree brought crucial financial and military support from Spain’s colonies, revealing overlooked patriots from Nueva España—with growing documentation in California, New Mexico, Texas, Mexico, and Cuba—and the breadth of Spanish participation in the Revolution. Nikki Williams Sebastian shares record sources that reveal stories of African American patriots who fought, spied, and sacrificed for liberty. Together, these stories illuminate the global scope of the American Revolution and invite attendees to explore how their own family narratives connect to its enduring legacy.