Batista Mendoza children ca. 1904familia Batista Mendoza photo taken on steps of “B y 13” adult and adolescent children still living at home: Eugenio, Consuelo, Enriqueta, Victor, Melchor, Agustin, Jorge and mother, JuliaThis home was built for Agustin Batista and Maria Teresa Falla after their 1926 marriage. “B y 13” was the intersection harboring the homes of Lola Falla Bonet and her daughter Adelaida “Lala” Falla wife of Viriato Gutierrez and the Colegio La Salle de Vedado. It now houses the German embassy. photo-from-Cartas-de-Viaje-Agustin-Batistaulia and Melchor Batista ca. late 1920’s or early 1930’s. In the early 1930’s Batista family members seem in constant movement and mention of their travel to the United States and Europe begins to feature prominently in Julia’s journal. The travels reflect their ability to take part in such events as the Chicago World Fair and, in a seemingly minor way, escape the political upheaval at home.Melchor and Julia, snapshot taken by one of their children, ca. 1930Left to right: Ernesto Batista, Mary Heydrich Batista, boy likely Juan Gabriel Batista Heydrich, Jorge Batista, Jorge Batista, Maria Antonia Batista (seated) Guillermina Villareal (centre) Victor Batista, Julia (seated with daughter of Maria Antonia possibly Isabel) and Enriqueta Batista. ca. 1929Jorge and Teresita Batista in the apartment near B y 13 ca. 1932Julio, Jorge, Victor Batista, Guillermina Batista Villareal y Teresita ca. 1935Jorge Batista 1929. As a child he was operated in New York City for a middle ear infection. As a result of infection from the surgery he suffered from epileptic seizures throughout his life. Working as an engineer in the highly mechanized sugar mills he was at risk of accidents and at one point suffered severe burns. Jorge died of a cerebral hemorrhage at age 48.Los Batista, Playa Veneciana 1951. Standing: Isabel B., Roberto Fdz Morrell, Helena Hdz, Georgina Hdz, Jorge Hdz, Melchor Batista, Eugenio Batista, Silvia Hdz B., Bill Oberheiser, Ana Maria B. de O., Alberto de Cordova. Sitting: Esther del Pino de B., Marta Fdz Morrell y B., Maria Antonia Batista, Alina de Cordova y B. , Julio Batista, Enriqueta Batista, Guillermina Villarea de B. Clemencia Batista, Graciela Gaston de B. Gloria B . de de Cordova. Front: Julia Hernandez, Isabel Fdz Morrell, Beatriz de Cordova y Batista, Teresita Batista, Rosa Hdz. B. , Victor BatistaCollege of New Rochelle, June 4, 1950 (Teresita Batista 3rd from left) sponsored by her uncle Agustin Teresita attended a New York Liberal Arts Catholic college and returned to Havana, to her mother’s dismay, a devout and practicing member of the Church.Teresita Batista, Toledo 1955Fragment of letter sent from Europe by Teresita to her mother in 1955. Sponsored by her uncle, Agustin, she was accompanied by several female friends or relatives. She used a Michelin guide with personal notes given to her by Eddy Casas, a friend from the Accion Catolica Cine Club.newspaper clipping, Teresita Batista engagement partyTeresita Batista Villareal with her uncle Agustin BatistaEduardo (Eddy) Casas and Teresita Batista on their honeymoon in Mexico, 1956.Guillermina Villareal de Batista with grandson Eduardo Casas 1957Teresita Batista de Casas as teacher (right) with a student at Merici Academy, a Catholic private girl’s school. She was asked to resign in 1957 when it became obvious that she was pregnant. The Catholic administrators explained that, although married, she “presented a bad example to the students.” Teresita responded that this was an insult to her femininity.Pedro Erviti y Fernandez Morrell first birthday. Behind him Clemencia BatistaBatista Gaston familyBatista Gaston family 1960sMatilde Batista (right)Matilde BatistaRecuerdos, Matilde BatistaBatista’s circa 1968. Back notes below by Teresita BatistaNotes by Teresita Batista
