Isidoro Caldas Solá (new)

FamilySearch ID: L1WC-Z6X

This is the life story narrative for Isidoro Caldas Solá of Caguas, Puerto Rico, son of Juan Antonio Caldas Aponte and Ana Maria Solá Caballero, and husband of Angela Fillat Sandoval.

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Isidoro Caldas Solá was baptized at the age of 21 months on 10 February 1900 in the Catedral Dulce Nombre de Jesus, Caguas, Puerto Rico, according to the parish’s baptism records. In this record, his date of birth is listed as 25 May 1898, although numerous other sources indicate his date of birth as being another date in May 1898 (see chart above).

In his baptism record, his married parents are listed as Juan Caldas Aponte and Ana Solá Caballero. Paternal grandparents are Isidoro Caldas (Regalado) and Juana Aponte Delgado. Maternal grandparents are Pedro Z. Solá and Maria Apolonia Caballero. The baptism sponsors (godparents) are Ramón Aponte Delgado (his paternal great-uncle) and Natalia Solá Caballero (his maternal aunt). All named persons were residents of Caguas. The officiant was Father Pascual Pino.

There is no known explanation for the almost two-year delay in Isidoro’s baptism, since it was common at that time for baptisms to be conducted within 3 months of a baby’s birth. However, he was born in 1898, a year of substantial political transition in Puerto Rico, and shortly before a devastating hurricane, San Ciriaco, hit Puerto Rico on 9 August 1898. These could possibly be major contributing factors for the delay.

Early Life

This is a placeholder for events recorded from his childhood and early life in Caguas, including census records with his family, occurring prior to his marriage. This includes the 1910 US census, and his residences during childhood up through the WWI draft registration in 1917.

U.S. Census 1910 for Barrio Sur, Caguas, PR

The Caldas Aponte household was counted in the 1910 U.S. Census on 5 May 1910 as part of the Barrio Sur (South Neighborhood) of the city of Caguas, Puerto Rico. The family was living at Calle Vizcarrondo #37, in an area of land that was owned by the Solá family of Caguas. The household included the following members:

Name	Relationship	Sex & Race	Age	Marital Status	Occupation
Juan Caldas y Aponte	Jefe (Head)	Male/ White	40	Married 1	Municipal treasurer
Ana Maria Solá de Caldas	Wife	Female / White	40	Married 1	Homemaker
Maria Caldas Solá	Daughter	Female / White	15	Single	Public school student
Isidoro Caldas Solá	Son	Male / White	12	Single	Public school student
Juan Caldas Sola	Son	Male / White	8	Single	Public school student
Juana Torres	Servant	Female / Mulatto	18	Single	Private home servant

Other members of the Solá family occupied addresses in Calle Vizcarrondo, including Yldefonso Solá Caballero at #37 (same address as the Caldas/Solá family unit), and José C. Solá Caballero at #39. These families were led by Ana Maria Solá Caballero’s brothers. ^[13]

The home occupying this space as of 2016 is of more modern construction. This home is situated in an area once owned by the Solá family, who had large tracts of land in Caguas in the early 1800’s.

Marriage ^{[ 14 ]}

Groom’s Name:	Isidoro Caldas Solá (age 21 yr)
Bride’s Name:	Angela Fillat Sandoval (age 19 yr)
Date of Marriage:	1 September 1918
Place of Marriage:	Parroquia San Joaquín Adjuntas, Puerto Rico
Officiant:	Father Pedro Ochoa de Olano, Catholic Priest
Witnesses:	José Soto y Alvarez Antonio Nievez Juana A. Caldas
Date of Marriage Certificate or Registration:	3 September 1918
Place of Marriage Certificate or Registration:	Adjuntas, Puerto Rico
Registrar:	José Aparicio Rivera

Isidoro Caldas Solá and Angela Fillat Sandoval were married in a Catholic church ceremony ^[15] at Parroquia San Joaquín (Catholic parish) in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. Both the bride and groom were previously unmarried. The groom Isidoro was 21 years old and the bride Angela was 19 years old.

Isidoro’s occupation was indicated as industrialist (businessman). He was the legitimate son of Juan Caldas y Aponte, age 46 years in 1918, an accountant born in Caguas, and his wife Ana Solá Caballero, age 44 years in 1918, a housewife also born in Caguas. Both are listed as white and as current residents of Caguas at the time of the wedding.

Angela’s address at the time of the marriage was Barrio Saltillo, a rural area of Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, where her father operated a coffee farm. Her occupation was listed as “domestic,” meaning household work in her own home. She is the legitimate ^[16] daughter of Antonio Fillat, age 49 years, born in Barcelona, Spain, and his wife Manuela Sandoval, age 42 years, born in Ponce. They are listed as white, married, and property owners in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico.

The wedding was officiated by Father Pedro Ochoa y Olano, and the church witnesses were José Soto Álvarez and Antonio Nievez. The civil registration record was completed on 3 September 1918 by José Aparicio Rivera, secretary of the civil registration office in Adjuntas. Witnesses for the civil registration record were José Soto Alvarez and Juana A. Caldas (grandmother of the groom).

Military Registration in 1918

By the time of World War I in 1917, Puerto Rico’s citizens, formerly citizens of Spain under the previous Spanish provincial administration, became subject to the United States’ military draft. All eligible men over the age of 18 years were required to register for potential draft into U.S. military service. Isidoro Caldas Sola complied with this requirement at the local draft registration office in Caguas, Puerto Rico on 26 October 1918, about two months after his marriage to Angela Fillat Sandoval.

In this document #1310, he is listed as a U.S. citizen “by birth” living at Calle Baldorioty #23 in Caguas, which is just a short walk from his parents’ residence. His date of birth is indicated as 20 May 1898, which would make him 20 years old at the time of draft registration. He is employed at the Banco Territorial y Agrícola de Puerto Rico branch on Ruiz Belvis Street in Caguas. His physical appearance indicates he is white, tall, of medium build, with brown eyes and black hair. His family contact is his father, Juan Caldas, living at Calle Vizcarrondo #33 in Caguas.

Side note: Fans of conspiracy theories who can read Spanish will be interested in this online article regarding the origins of the Banco Territorial y Agrícola, especially as it relates to the origins of the Banco Popular of Puerto Rico.

Children

Once married, Isidoro and Angela established their residence in the city of Caguas, and shortly thereafter began to add to their family.

Isidoro and Angela had five children over the span of 7 years. Of these, three lived to adulthood, and two died in infancy.

Name	Sex	Date of Birth	Place of Birth
María de los Angeles (“Angela”) Caldas Fillat (LZ46-59N)	Female	27 June 1919	Caguas, PR
Isidoro José Caldas Fillat (L1WC-DX1)	Male	28 September 1920	Caguas, PR
Juan Antonio Caldas Fillat (G3S5-Y6V)	Male	27 December 1921	Caguas, PR
José Manuel Caldas Fillat (L1WC-XRH)	Male	2 August 1923	Ponce, PR
Carmen Ana Caldas Fillat (G3SR-49M)	Female	2 April 1925	Ponce, PR

María de los Angeles (“Angela”) Caldas Fillat (1919-2004)

Their first child, a daughter, was born at home in Caguas on 27 June 1919 at Calle Baldorioty #23. Her birth was registered in the civil registrar’s office on 21 July 1919 by Juan M. Solá, the official in charge of the Caguas civil registrar’s office. The child is described as a white female born legitimately to Angela Fillat, wife of Isidoro Caldas Solá.

The child’s paternal grandparents are listed as Juan Caldas Aponte and his wife Ana Solá Caballero, both of Caguas. Her maternal grandparents are listed as Antonio Fillat of Spain and his wife Manuela Sandoval of Ponce, both residing in Adjuntas. ^[17]

Link to María de los Angeles Caldas Fillat’s page to read about her life.

Isidoro José Caldas Fillat (1920-1968)

Their second child was a son born on 28 September 1920 in Caguas, Puerto Rico. His birth was registered with the civil registration office on 27 December 1920, leading the registrar to record the month of birth as November rather than September. His name was recorded using the old-fashioned spelling Ysidoro, which was the style at the time (subsequently, he used the spelling Isidoro throughout his life). The child’s birth took place at home at Paseo Gautier Benitez #8 in Caguas. He is described as white, and the legitimate son of Ysidoro Caldas Solá of Caguas and his wife Angela Fillat of Ponce.

The child’s paternal grandparents are listed as Juan Caldas Aponte and his wife Maria Solá Caballero, both of Caguas. His maternal grandparents are listed as Antonio Fillat and his wife Manuela Sandoval, of Ponce and residing in Adjuntas.

Witnesses for the document are Narciso Solá and Asisclo Jiménez of Caguas, The official in charge of the civil registration office was Dr. Víctor Coll.^[18]

Link to Isidoro Caldas Fillat’s page to read more about his life.

Juan Antonio Caldas Fillat (1921-1922)

This son was born on 27 December 1921 in Caguas, Puerto Rico. His birth was registered on 17 February 1922 by Dr. Felipe B. Cordero, civil registrar for the city of Caguas. Witnesses on the birth registration were Narciso Solá and Angel Nuñez Prieto.

His birth record states he is a white legitimate child whose parents are Isidoro Caldas and Angela Fillat of Caguas, and his paternal grandparents are Juan A. Caldas and Ana María Solá of Caguas, and his maternal grandparents are Antonio Fillat and Manuela Sandoval of Ponce. ^[19] .

Juan Antonio’s baptism took place at the Catedral Dulce Nombre de Jesús in Caguas, PR on 6 March 1922. His baptism record states he is the son of Isidoro Caldas Solá and Angela Fillat Sandoval, and that he was born on 27 November 1921; this date differs by one month from the birth date indicated on his birth certificate (see above). His paternal grandparents are listed as Juan Caldas and Ana Solá, and his maternal grandparents are listed as Antonio Fillat and Manuela Sandoval. The godparents were Juan Caldas (the infant’s paternal grandfather) and Mercedes Requero. The baptism officiant was Father Enrique J. Knecht. ^[20]

Juan Antonio died at the tender age of 7 months on 20 June 1922 of bronchitis, as certified by physician Dr. Luis Salazar. His death certificate indicates he was the legitimate child of Isidoro Caldas and Angela Fillat of Ponce. His paternal grandparents are listed as Juan Caldas and Ana Solá of Caguas, and his maternal grandparents are listed as Antonio Fillat of Spain and Manuela Sandoval of Juana Díaz, PR. The death certificate was signed by Dr. Oswaldo Goyco, the civil registrar for the city of Ponce. Witnesses to the document were Oscar Ferrer and Guillermo Gutiérrez (husband of Trinidad Ortíz Sandoval; brother-in-law of Angela Fillat Sandoval). The infant was buried in the Catholic cemetery in Canas in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico. ^[21]

José Manuel Caldas Fillat (1923-XXXX)

Isidoro and Angela’s fourth child, José Manuel, was born at home at Calle Vives #67, Barrio Segundo, Ponce, Puerto Rico on 2 August 1923. His birth was registered with the municipal civil registration office on 29 March 1924, by the registrar official Dr. Osvaldo Goyco. The child is described as the white legitimate son of Isidoro Caldas Solá, accountant from Caguas, and his wife Angela Fillat of Ponce. Witnesses on the document are Oscar Ferrer and Miguel Caguías.

The paternal grandparents are listed as Juan Caldas and his wife Ana Solá of Caguas. The maternal grandparents are listed as Antonio Fillat of Spain, agriculturist (farmer), and his wife Manuela Sandoval of Juana Díaz. ^[22]

Carmen Ana Caldas Fillat (1925-1926)

This daughter was born at home at Calle Molina #13, Barrio Segundo in Ponce, Puerto Rico on 2 April 1925. She was the last of the children of Isidoro Caldas Solá and Angela Fillat Sandoval. Her birth was registered by Dr. R. López Nusa, civil registrar for the city of Ponce. Her birth parents are listed as Isidoro Caldas and Angela Fillat, residents of Ponce. Her paternal grandparents are listed as Juan Caldas, employed, and Ana Sola of Caguas. Her maternal grandparents are listed as Antonio Fillat of Spain, farmer, and Manuela Sandoval of Juana Diaz. Of note is that Antonio Fillat’s and Manuela Sandoval’s residence at the time are indicated as Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) and Ponce. ^[23] It is believed that Antonio Fillat departed Puerto Rico for the Dominican Republic in 1926, leaving his wife Manuela Sandoval and several under-age children behind, and did not return to Puerto Rico during the remainder of his lifetime. ^[24]

Tragedy struck the Caldas-Fillat family unit once again, as the 14-month old infant Carmen Ana died of gastroenteritis on 16 June 1926 at her home on Calle Victoria #38 in Ponce, as certified by the physician. Her death certificate indicates she was the legitimate child of Isidoro Caldas and his wife Angela Fillat of Caguas and Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, respectively, and residing in Ponce. Her paternal grandparents are listed as Juan Caldas and Ana Fillat [sic; should be Solá] of Caguas. Her maternal grandparents are listed as Antonio Fillat of Spain and Manuela Sandoval of Juana Díaz, residing in Ponce. The death certificate was signed by A. Vélez Bajandas, the civil registrar for the city of Ponce. Witnesses to the document were Oscar Ferrer and Pedro Maldonado. The infant was buried in the Catholic cemetery in Canas in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico. ^[25]

Occupation and Residences in Puerto Rico

This is a placeholder section for Isidoro’s occupations and residences in Puerto Rico, prior to his emigration to New York. This includes known jobs and addresses of homes in Caguas, Ponce, and San Juan.

Include the US Census for 1920 in Caguas, home in Ponce at the time of their daughter’s death in 1926, and US Census for 1930 in Old San Juan, and return to Ponce in 1936 per PR Census.

Emigration to New York

This is a placeholder for the Caldas-Fillat family’s emigration from Puerto Rico to New York, including travel by ship and residences in New York City.

Occupations in New York

This is a placeholder for Isidoro’s occupations in New York City following his emigration from Puerto Rico. This includes his travels for business purposes, which can be traced through ship and airline passenger manifests, and his visa for a business trip to Brazil in 1947.

Residences in New York

This is a placeholder for the family’s residences in New York (Manhattan and Queens).

Residence in Cincinnati, Ohio

This is a placeholder for the family’s move and residence in Cincinnati, OH in the late 1940’s.

Residence in East Orange, New Jersey

This is a placeholder for the family’s move and residence in East Orange, NJ in the 1950’s.

Hospitalization at Graystone State Hospital

This is a placeholder for Isidoro’s hospitalization at the Graystone State Hospital in 1958. Reason for hospitalization is unknown, but he spent the last 3 years of his life in this institution.

Death and Burial

This is a placeholder for Isidoro’s death at Graystone State Hospital in 1961, and burial in Lodi, NJ.

1. Registros parroquiales, Catedral Dulce Nombre de Jesus, Caguas, PR; FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSV2-3912-6: accessed 1 October 2021); Baptism of Isidoro Caldas Solá, 10 Feb 1900.
2. “United States Census, 1910,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VWVP-SPD : accessed 1 October 2021), Ysidoro Caldas Y Sola in household of Juan Caldas Y Aponte, Caguas Sur, Caguas, Puerto Rico; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 921, sheet 35A, family 376, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1761; FHL microfilm 1,375,774.
3. Isidoro Caldas Sola, 1916 US Military Draft Registration Card (images), FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDG-Q8DD?from=lynx1UIV8&treeref=L1WC-Z6X: accessed 1 October 2021).
4. “United States Census, 1920”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X97X-DLY : accessed 4 February 2021), Isidoro Caldas Sola, 1920.
5. “United States Census, 1930,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V6Z2-6M8 : accessed 1 October 2021), Isidoro Cardas Y Solá [sic], San Juan, San Juan, Puerto Rico; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 2, sheet 18A, line 13, family 4, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2661; FHL microfilm 2,342,395.
6. “U.S., Departing Passenger and Crew Lists, 1914-1966,” database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/22180509/person/1197496596/facts: accessed 1 October 2021), Isidoro Caldas, 1939; citing Passenger Lists of Vessels Departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico; NAI Number: 3249873; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787-2004 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration)
7. “New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1957,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24LJ-3R9 : 10 April 2021), Isidoro Caldas, 1941; citing Immigration, New York, New York, United States, NARA microfilm publication T715 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
8. World War II Draft Registration Cards, database with images, Fold3, (https://www.fold3.com/image/696996058: accessed 1 October 2021); Isidoro Caldas, Sr. WWII Draft Registration Card, 15 Feb 1942.
9. “Brasil, Cartões de Imigração, 1900-1965,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:27F7-WFR : retrieved 4 March 2021), Isidoro Caldas, Immigration; citing 1947, Arquivo Nacional, Rio de Janeiro (National Archives, Rio de Janeiro).
10. “New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1957,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:245C-XVX : 2 March 2021), Isidore Caldas, 1947; citing Immigration, New York City, New York, United States, NARA microfilm publication T715 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
11. “New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1957,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVP8-3SRW : 2 March 2021), Isidoro Caldas, 1948; citing Immigration, New York, New York, United States, NARA microfilm publication T715 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
12. Registros parroquiales, Catedral Dulce Nombre de Jesus, Caguas, PR; FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSV2-3912-6); Baptism of Isidoro Caldas Solá, 10 Feb 1900.
13. “United States Census, 1910,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VWVP-SPD : accessed 17 October 2021), Ysidoro Caldas Y Sola in household of Juan Caldas Y Aponte, Caguas Sur, Caguas, Puerto Rico; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 921, sheet 35A, family 376, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1761; FHL microfilm 1,375,774.
14. “Puerto Rico, Registro Civil, 1805-2001,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVJV-QPXJ : 23 December 2020), Isidoro Caldás Solá and Angela Fillát y Sandobal, ; citing Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Departamento de Salud and Iglesia Catolica (Puerto Rico Department of Health and Catholic churches), Toa Alta.
15. Parroquia San Joaquín, Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, marriage records, FamilySearch (R; ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKM-D364-R?from=lynx1UIV8 (familysearch.org), Isidoro Caldas and Angela Fillat, 1 September 1918.
16. Baptism record for Angela (Fillat) Sandoval, dated 22 April 1900 and amended after her marriage on 1 September 1918 to reflect her parents’ names, her parents’ marriage on 26 July 1907, and her marriage to Isidoro Caldas Solá on 1 September 1918. Registros Parroquiales, Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, Ponce, Puerto Rico, FamilySearch ( https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK9-K6CM: accessed 2 October 2021)
17. “Puerto Rico, Registro Civil, 1805-2001,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:DFZM-6LN2 : 30 December 2020), Isidoro Caldas in entry for María de los Angeles Caldas Fillat, 27 Jun 1919; citing Caguas, Puerto Rico, Estados Unidos de América, Puerto Rico Departamento de Salud and Iglesia Católica (Puerto Rico Department of Health and Catholic churches), Toa Alta.
18. “Puerto Rico, Registro Civil, 1805-2001,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:DFCL-7XMM : 31 December 2020), Isidoro Caldas Solá in entry for Isidoro Caldas y Fillat, 28 Nov 1920; citing Caguas, Puerto Rico, Estados Unidos de América, Puerto Rico Departamento de Salud and Iglesia Católica (Puerto Rico Department of Health and Catholic churches), Toa Alta.
19. “Puerto Rico, Registro Civil, 1805-2001,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVJS-2WGS : accessed 31 December 2020), Juan Antonio Caldas y Fillat, 27 Dec 1921; citing Caguas, Puerto Rico, Estados Unidos de América, Puerto Rico Departamento de Salud and Iglesia Católica (Puerto Rico Department of Health and Catholic churches), Toa Alta.
20. “Registros Parroquiales, Catedral Dulce Nombre de Jesus, Caguas, PR” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK7-RS6V-X: accessed 31 December 2020), Baptism record for Juan Antonio Caldas y Fillat, 6 March 1921.
21. “Puerto Rico, Registro Civil, 1805-2001,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVJC-QNP5 : accessed 31 December 2020), Juan Antonio Caldas y Fillat, 20 Jun 1922; citing Ponce, Puerto Rico, Estados Unidos de América, Puerto Rico Departamento de Salud and Iglesia Católica (Puerto Rico Department of Health and Catholic churches), Toa Alta.
22. “Puerto Rico, Registro Civil, 1805-2001,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:DLWC-7MT2 : 31 December 2020), Isidoro Caldas in entry for José Manuel Caldas y Fillat, 2 Aug 1923; citing Ponce, Puerto Rico, Estados Unidos de América, Puerto Rico Departamento de Salud and Iglesia Católica (Puerto Rico Department of Health and Catholic churches), Toa Alta.
23. “Puerto Rico, Registro Civil, 1805-2001,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939Z-T7TL-P?cc=1682798&wc=9PYW-DP8%3A129440701%2C145611801 : accessed 14 October 2019), Ponce > Nacimientos 1924-1926, t. 102-108 > image 1050 of 2336; citing Puerto Rico Departamento de Salud and Iglesia Catolica (Puerto Rico Deparment of Health and Catholic churches), Toa Alta.
24. U.S. Passenger and Crew Lists 1914-1966, SS Cuban Guantanamo ship sailing from Ponce, Puerto Rico to San Pedro de Macoris, Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), 2 Aug 1924. Retrieved from Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/60882/images/42155_332427-00329; retrieved 16 October 2021)
25. “Puerto Rico, Registro Civil, 1805-2001,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939Z-RPNS-9?cc=1682798&wc=9PYM-FMS%3A129440701%2C132939201 : accessed 14 October 2019), Ponce > Defunciones 1925-1928, t. 116-122 > image 514 of 2328; citing Puerto Rico Departamento de Salud and Iglesia Católica (Puerto Rico Deparment of Health and Catholic churches), Toa Alta.