Manuel Ygnacio Ferrer was a Californio musician, regarded during his lifetime as one of the United States' finest virtuoso guitarists.

As a young man he left his native town, travelling by stage coach to Santa Barbara, in Alta California.

His wife Jesusita de Vivar was also a musician, as were three of his ten children: Adele (guitar), Carmelita (mandolin), and Ricardo (violin).

Vahdah Olcott-Bickford (who was his student and lived with them during the last years of his life) confirmed that Jesusita Zuniga De Vivar, called Jessie, was his only wife.

Also, their daughter, Jovita Ferrer who married Chesley Knight Bonestell Sr., was a talented soprano who died early.