The City of Austin’s Oakwood Cemetery has announced a new virtual exhibition titled “Contribuir: The Ancestors of Danny Camacho.” This exhibition will be available online starting October 1, 2024. It will be accessible in both English and Spanish.
In addition to the virtual exhibition, free in-person events will be hosted by Save Austin’s Cemeteries. These events begin with the annual Murder, Mayhem, and Misadventure History Tour on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery, located at 1601 Navasota St.
A Día de Los Muertos Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, November 1, 2024. It will start at 5:30 p.m. at the Oakwood Chapel at 1601 Navasota St., and then move to the Oakwood Annex at 1600 Comal St., where family descendants will celebrate at 7:00 p.m.
The Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin conducted research on Danny Camacho’s ancestors and traced them back ten generations to the 1600s. This was possible because some Mexican Americans have unique access to their genealogy through records published online by the Mexican Catholic Church.
Danny Camacho grew up in East Austin's Holly Neighborhood on Canterbury Street. His family was active in community efforts such as advocating for the closure of the Holly Power Plant and providing a safe house for local youth. His home was filled with photographs of his ancestors. He volunteered extensively at the Austin History Center and played a significant role in researching Oakwood Cemetery's history when a high-rise hotel was proposed nearby. During his research, he discovered that six of his relatives were buried there. Danny Camacho also helped found Save Austin’s Cemeteries.