My ggggggg grandparents "Antonio Madera (1660 - 1709?) and Maria De La Candelaria" were at "Minillas of Mezquitic, Jalisco, Mexico" I know they had 2,000 hectares in 1698, until his great grandson (my gggg grandfather) Francisco Madera (1723 - 1790) showed up in "Rancho De Los Madera's of Huejuquilla.
I found this map of the area and it shows that Minillas is a mining area. I wonder if mining was done there back in the 1600's.
http://mapserver.sgm.gob.mx/cartas_impresas/productos/cartas/tematicas/…
Here is a picture where you can see, "Minillas" on the map. If you look to upper left corner. You will see "Bajio De Madera's. In town of Huejuquilla there are two Rancho Madera's. "Bajio De Madera's and San Jose De Madera's."
"Minillas (means Mining?)"
Translating from English to Spanish, mines is minas, small mines is minitas, and tiny mines is minillas, all regarding mining.
Regards,
Victoriano Navarro