Tracing Croatian roots in Mexico: 800 identified but more to be found

Mexico

SAO PAULO, 26 March 2025 (Hina) – There are currently 800 Croatians and their descendants recorded in Mexico, but the final count will be known once the database is fully compiled, Croatian Honorary Consul in Mexico, Laura Martin del Campo Steta, told Hina.

“We are conducting a study with the support of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad to determine the number of Croatians and their descendants in Mexico,” said lawyer Steta, who is attending the 8th Meeting of the Croatian Diaspora of South America in São Paulo.

“The Office has helped us connect with many Croatians, bringing them together in a shared project to build a community, strengthen ties with other Croatian organisations, and even trace distant relatives living in other countries,” she added.

In Mexico, a country with a population of 127.5 million, the Croatian-Mexican Association has been established. It offers activities such as Croatian language and cooking classes.

Additionally, its website, asociacioncroatamexicana.org, features a Spanish-language form for Croatians and their descendants to fill out.

“So far, we have identified around 800 Croatians, but there are more out there. We are working to locate them and build a database to further integrate this community, where we not only live together but also promote and celebrate Croatian culture,” Steta said.

She explained that most Croatians in Mexico trace their roots to Dalmatia.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, many Dalmatians emigrated to North and South America due to economic and political reasons.

“Most of us are third-generation descendants or beyond, and we don’t speak much Croatian,” Steta noted. “But we share a strong desire to learn about Croatia, its customs, and its history. Almost all of us have family scattered across various parts of Croatia,” she added.

Croatians in Mexico are spread across different regions, including Baja California, Sonora, and cities like Monterrey and Guadalajara. Some reside in Cancún and Puebla, while many are based in Mexico City.

This year, the Croatian community will continue working on its database, collecting and publishing family histories.

“We are also strengthening our network with other Croatian diaspora organisations,” said Steta.

Last year, to mark the debut of the Croatian folklore ensemble Lado in Mexico, the community presented an exhibition showcasing the progress of their research.

The exhibit featured the history of Croatian migration to Mexico, illustrated with photographs and charts.

“It was a great success,” Steta emphasised.