And Discussed Their Spanish And Judeo Christian Roots: July 15th 2012

SEWAREN – The Jimenez family members got together on July 15th 2012 at Sewaren Park NJ and celebrated with a picnic commemorating their arrival to Perth Amboy in the 1950’s. The events started with former council president Peter Jimenez and his cousin Jose “Jay” Jimenez welcoming everyone presenting and recognizing the over 300 present family members in attendance.

Peter Jimenez continued by reading the Jimenez registry of immigrants to the new world. An individual named Santiago Jimenez arrived in Puerto Rico in 1819 and Manuel Jimenez arrived in New York City in 1824, this according to New York passenger list manifest index.

The surname Jimenez appears to be patronymically in origin meaning descendant of the house, “family of Simon”. As told by Peter Jimenez former Council President, his father Silverio married a lady from the Perez clan and according to his grandfather on his mother’s side; they were descendants of a Jewish merchant that traveled from Palestine to Italy and onto Spain. At that time Spain was colonizing the new world and the Perez family obtained huge land grants to colonize in Puerto Rico.

After WWII and the Korean conflict 2 Jimenez brothers named Jose aka “Cheo” and Jose Antonio decided to come to Perth Amboy and had proudly and honorably served in the United States armed forces. The matriarch grandmother Juana Villanueva De Jimenez followed her 2 sons into Perth Amboy and as time went by the rest of the family followed in her footsteps. To date the family has worked very hard pursuing the American dream and many members of the Jimenez family have become professionals such as Lawyers, Judges, Doctors, Teachers, business owners and elected officials. Peter Jimenez stressed their families’ undying gratitude to the historic city of Perth Amboy being a town of immigrants that opened its doors to make the American dream a reality for his family.

Sincerely,

Peter Jimenez

Former Council President
City Of Perth Amboy