Fernandez Family Story

  This project is based on the Fernandez family who immigrated here in 1929 from Lima, Peru.  A lthough they were a family of high status, they left due to the political climate under President Leguia. In 1919, President Augusto Leguia stages a coup and becomes president, but most consider it a dictatorship. During this time he creates a new constitution that develops the country but also increases national debt. He also amends the constitution to silence any opposition to his governing and runs for a second term unopposed due to this. By the end his second term the government collapses due to an economic depression, a border dispute with Chile, corruption, and national debt. He is overthrown in 1930 by Lt. Col. Sanchez Cerro.  Once the family made it to the US, they settled in the Bronx. Many later moved to California. None of the family spoke English. Hilda, the main subject of this project, remained in New York. When conducting research, we found out that on the initi...

We’ve always been comfortable. With the rising unrest it has not been easy. We’ve decided that it will be best if we leave. It won’t look great for our family to up and vacate our place in this society, but for our safety it makes sense. Nestor and Daniel say we should go to America and they are making the plans to sponsor us. Money isn’t an issue, which we are all very grateful for. We do love Peru, but with the state of the country under President Leguia, and the eyes on our family, it is time for us to go. - Hilda Fernandez-Cornel-Zegarra

The girls can’t be labeled as Luz’s daughters. It has looked bad enough for us in Peru, I can’t imagine how it will look in America. We will say that I’m their mother. It is the safest way to protect them and us. - Rosa Fernandez-Cornel-Zegarra, mother of Hilda and Elia

The adults are telling us to call grandma mom. We don’t understand. - Hilda and Elia Fernandez-Cornel-Zegarra

It has taken a lot of time to organize. We still have a lot of logistics to figure out, but we think we can get us all here. Rosa figured out the situation with the girls. We just hope everything goes well when they settle down. We've finally arrived and managed to get our affairs in order here. - Nestor & Daniel Fernandez-Cornel-Zegarra

We’ve all officially settled in New York. The family wants to know why we should not say that we are Peruvian. They don’t understand what it took to get us here. They don’t understand how Americans look at immigrants. We are only the Fernandez's now. We thought it best to drop the rest of our name, Fernandez-Cornel-Zegarra. We can fit in easier this way. - Rosa & Nestor & Daniel Fernandez

I’ve learned we weren’t the only family. The instability both economically and politically has taken its toll on all of Peru. Peruvians leaving Peru is now commonplace. - Hilda Fernandez

I’ve made it through high school. I hope the rest of my family has an easier time than I did. - Hilda Fernandez

I decided to make my own way. Hilda and Elia are older now. I’ve moved to Illinois to join the Missionary Association of Mary the Immaculate and focus on my faith. It makes me feel closer to home. - Luz Fernandez

I’m officially married. My family line will be the Hanley’s now. It will be much easier to keep our Peruvian background a secret. I will not teach my kids Spanish. It is for the best. We will live a good life in New York. I miss the rest of my family though. Many are in California now. - Hilda Hanley

It has been a long time, but my naturalization process has finally begun. I do not understand why it is so difficult in the country. - Hilda Hanley

It has taken 14 years, but I am finally a US citizen! I'm finally naturalized! - Hilda Hanley

I’ve told the kids to say they are Italian and Irish. It is better for them. I do not want them to face the same kind of discrimination we faced. I love my Charlie and Alice too much for that. - Hilda Hanley

How interesting it has been learning about our great grandmother, Hilda Hanley. We know little about our background. After Hilda’s passing we are still trying to put all of the pieces together. It’s surprising to find out our true Peruvian background. None of us knew just how high up in society this part of our family used to be. Losing that part of our culture due to Hilda’s choice to keep our background hidden must have been a tough decision, though we will never fully know why. We only wish we knew, along with her I’m sure, who her father really was. - The Fernandez Family