This story actually brought tears to my eyes. Like you, I am Portuguese- American (1/2 Portuguese in my case). My mother's parents and two of my uncles were born in the Azores, and most of the family settled in the New Bedford-Fall River area. I grew up in Mass, although we live far away now. Like you, I heard little Portuguese at home, but later took 2 years of classes in it (high school in my case). I have very fond memories of my grandparents, and somehow the thought of connecting brought those above-mentioned tears to my eyes.
We are about to embark on getting a D7 visa, and I intend to get citizenship by descent, which will then enable our daughter and grandkids to get citizenship. Yes, I'll have to pass the language test, which means studying, but I can pronounce it fairly well since I grew up hearing others speak it (I'm pretty good with languages anyway), and it was my American-born mother's first language. Great article! Thank You so much!
P.S. I urge you to find out more about the family. Portugal has kept good records. One of my cousins conducted quite a bit or genealogy research, and we've got my grandfather's lineage going back into the late 1600's/early 1700's in the Azores. We've got some pics from the early 20th and late 19th centuries, too. Got a decent amount of my grandmother as well.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I grew up in East Providence, RI and my paternal grandmother is buried in New Bedford along with her brother.
Finding family in the center of Portugal nesr Viseu was indeed a moving experience for me, especially since it was so unexpected. I had only wanted to visit the village my maternal grandmother was born in, and had no expectations of actually finding people I am related to!
In addition to that side of the family, I, too have Azorean roots on my father's side. In fact, in September, we traveled to Sao Miguel, Azores and found the streets that both my paternal grandfather and paternal grandmother were born on!
I hired a genealogist to help me find documentation on my Azorean roots, primarily because I thought that it would be the most direct way to obtain the information I will need to apply for Portuguese citizenship through ancestry. The language issue is the only thing holding me back - I have everything else. I understand Portuguese more than I speak, but am hoping to devote the time I need this year to become proficient enough to apply for citizenship. I, too took Portuguese not in high school but in college, but since I never had the opportunity to use it very much at home, I have lost most of what I learned.
Once I have a little more information on my Azorean heritage (I think there still may be family there), I will then ask my genealogist to start researching my maternal side. I think that side of my heritage will be a bit more complicated but it should be most interesting as there were some colorful relatives on that side!
I'm fortunate to have photos and other personal documents of my ancestors and every time a family member comes across something they send a copy to me. I hope to write more about my Portuguese ancestry in future articles this year.
Best of luck with your D7 applications! If I can provide any help (ancestry or otherwise), or point you in the direction of a reliable resource, feel free to reach out anytime! - CW
I love your story! I too, have my father's side in a little village near Guarda. My father and grandparents and paternal ancestors were from Quadrazais in the county of Sabugal. I visited the village for the very 1st time in July. The family left Portugal and went to France in 1950. My experience was similar to yours...very emotional, I was able to meet some distant cousins. I do have a little more info than you, but still doing research to obtain birthday certificates etc. I'm not sure if you've tried looking through the Tombo.pt, (national archive collection digitized parish records)? I've had great success using it. If you need help doing this, send me a message :) Good luck with your genealogy research!
Thanks for your comment. It was truly a memorable experience to find family and I’m sure it was the same for you!
I also have family roots in Sao Miguel, Azores. I hired a genealogist to research my Azorean roots primarily for the purpose of acquiring Portuguese citizenship through ancestry (paternal grandparents). The genealogist was able to find numerous birth, baptism, and marriage records for my ancestors as well as the parishes and streets that both my paternal grandfather and grandmother were born on. We traveled to those parishes and found both of the streets! The experience wasn’t quite as emotional as my experience with my maternal ancestry, but nevertheless, rewarding for me.
I am planning on having the genealogist research the maternal side of the family. Hopefully, that will provide me with a clearer picture of my mainland Portuguese ancestry including how my grandmother’s birthplace was acquired by the cafe owner in the village (maybe he’s also a relative). Eventually all of this will find its way into articles on my blog, so stay tuned! - CW
What a beautiful discovery, Carol. Looking at the picture of the two of you hugging, I can see your face in her face, and her face in yours! Looking forward to hearing more as you go on with your research!
Wow, tears are still running down my face because of this beautiful story. How wonderful! I am looking forward to hearing more of the story when you return.
OH MY GOD. What an incredible story, Carol! I had goosebumps reading this post - I could feel your rollercoaster of emotions!
I am so happy for you for receiving this gift of family! It's like living in a house all your life and discovering a hidden door that opens up to many, many welcoming rooms.
Please write again when you have uncovered other interesting gems. It's truly a blessing that you and Paul are in Portugal now - you have all the time in the world to find and get to know extended family. ☺️
How very cool. My maternal grandmother was Basque and her family emigrated from Spain to Arizona when she was about 10. I have always thought about trying to find relatives in the Spanish Basque country. Perhaps your story will motivate me.
Been meaning to write to you for ages. We are a British (with some Ameircan) couple living in the Alentejo (for the last 8 years), but speak fluent Portuguese because of 24 years in Brazil. Stayed in the hotel you recommended recently in Praça de Luís Camões, and loved it, thanks.
Anyway, wondered if you´d like to visit the Alentejo, or if you´d like to meet up... I´ve done a fair bit of translation in live situations... have you got someone who can go with you to Viseu next time?? Anyway, up to you.
This is really a touching article! Carol, you are in Portugal on an expedition, and this was one of the most eventful road trips in search of your ancestors. Great narrative!
This story actually brought tears to my eyes. Like you, I am Portuguese- American (1/2 Portuguese in my case). My mother's parents and two of my uncles were born in the Azores, and most of the family settled in the New Bedford-Fall River area. I grew up in Mass, although we live far away now. Like you, I heard little Portuguese at home, but later took 2 years of classes in it (high school in my case). I have very fond memories of my grandparents, and somehow the thought of connecting brought those above-mentioned tears to my eyes.
We are about to embark on getting a D7 visa, and I intend to get citizenship by descent, which will then enable our daughter and grandkids to get citizenship. Yes, I'll have to pass the language test, which means studying, but I can pronounce it fairly well since I grew up hearing others speak it (I'm pretty good with languages anyway), and it was my American-born mother's first language. Great article! Thank You so much!
P.S. I urge you to find out more about the family. Portugal has kept good records. One of my cousins conducted quite a bit or genealogy research, and we've got my grandfather's lineage going back into the late 1600's/early 1700's in the Azores. We've got some pics from the early 20th and late 19th centuries, too. Got a decent amount of my grandmother as well.
Hello Steven,
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I grew up in East Providence, RI and my paternal grandmother is buried in New Bedford along with her brother.
Finding family in the center of Portugal nesr Viseu was indeed a moving experience for me, especially since it was so unexpected. I had only wanted to visit the village my maternal grandmother was born in, and had no expectations of actually finding people I am related to!
In addition to that side of the family, I, too have Azorean roots on my father's side. In fact, in September, we traveled to Sao Miguel, Azores and found the streets that both my paternal grandfather and paternal grandmother were born on!
I hired a genealogist to help me find documentation on my Azorean roots, primarily because I thought that it would be the most direct way to obtain the information I will need to apply for Portuguese citizenship through ancestry. The language issue is the only thing holding me back - I have everything else. I understand Portuguese more than I speak, but am hoping to devote the time I need this year to become proficient enough to apply for citizenship. I, too took Portuguese not in high school but in college, but since I never had the opportunity to use it very much at home, I have lost most of what I learned.
Once I have a little more information on my Azorean heritage (I think there still may be family there), I will then ask my genealogist to start researching my maternal side. I think that side of my heritage will be a bit more complicated but it should be most interesting as there were some colorful relatives on that side!
I'm fortunate to have photos and other personal documents of my ancestors and every time a family member comes across something they send a copy to me. I hope to write more about my Portuguese ancestry in future articles this year.
Best of luck with your D7 applications! If I can provide any help (ancestry or otherwise), or point you in the direction of a reliable resource, feel free to reach out anytime! - CW
Hi Carol,
I love your story! I too, have my father's side in a little village near Guarda. My father and grandparents and paternal ancestors were from Quadrazais in the county of Sabugal. I visited the village for the very 1st time in July. The family left Portugal and went to France in 1950. My experience was similar to yours...very emotional, I was able to meet some distant cousins. I do have a little more info than you, but still doing research to obtain birthday certificates etc. I'm not sure if you've tried looking through the Tombo.pt, (national archive collection digitized parish records)? I've had great success using it. If you need help doing this, send me a message :) Good luck with your genealogy research!
Hello Julie,
Thanks for your comment. It was truly a memorable experience to find family and I’m sure it was the same for you!
I also have family roots in Sao Miguel, Azores. I hired a genealogist to research my Azorean roots primarily for the purpose of acquiring Portuguese citizenship through ancestry (paternal grandparents). The genealogist was able to find numerous birth, baptism, and marriage records for my ancestors as well as the parishes and streets that both my paternal grandfather and grandmother were born on. We traveled to those parishes and found both of the streets! The experience wasn’t quite as emotional as my experience with my maternal ancestry, but nevertheless, rewarding for me.
I am planning on having the genealogist research the maternal side of the family. Hopefully, that will provide me with a clearer picture of my mainland Portuguese ancestry including how my grandmother’s birthplace was acquired by the cafe owner in the village (maybe he’s also a relative). Eventually all of this will find its way into articles on my blog, so stay tuned! - CW
What a beautiful discovery, Carol. Looking at the picture of the two of you hugging, I can see your face in her face, and her face in yours! Looking forward to hearing more as you go on with your research!
Wow, tears are still running down my face because of this beautiful story. How wonderful! I am looking forward to hearing more of the story when you return.
Lovely story
Oh my goodness, what an amazing story. I am so happy you found your family. Thank you for sharing with us.
Great story ❣️ I’ll be heading to my grandfathers birthplace sooner than later after being inspired by your experience:)
I got chills reading this! What a wonderful story!
I loved reading your wonderful story and hope there will be more to this story.
What a lovely story ♥️
OH MY GOD. What an incredible story, Carol! I had goosebumps reading this post - I could feel your rollercoaster of emotions!
I am so happy for you for receiving this gift of family! It's like living in a house all your life and discovering a hidden door that opens up to many, many welcoming rooms.
Please write again when you have uncovered other interesting gems. It's truly a blessing that you and Paul are in Portugal now - you have all the time in the world to find and get to know extended family. ☺️
How very cool. My maternal grandmother was Basque and her family emigrated from Spain to Arizona when she was about 10. I have always thought about trying to find relatives in the Spanish Basque country. Perhaps your story will motivate me.
This is so exciting!
Great story! Thank you for sharing. You are on your own version of Finding Your Roots (PBS show)! What fun :-)
Hi Carol
Been meaning to write to you for ages. We are a British (with some Ameircan) couple living in the Alentejo (for the last 8 years), but speak fluent Portuguese because of 24 years in Brazil. Stayed in the hotel you recommended recently in Praça de Luís Camões, and loved it, thanks.
Anyway, wondered if you´d like to visit the Alentejo, or if you´d like to meet up... I´ve done a fair bit of translation in live situations... have you got someone who can go with you to Viseu next time?? Anyway, up to you.
If you want to know more about me, here is a link to my daily photo blog: https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/3191877444462184081
(Btw, imagine the discussion about you in the village will be because you probably have rights to that stone house.)
Thanks for your comments - much appreciated. I'll respond privately to you via my email. - CW
This is really a touching article! Carol, you are in Portugal on an expedition, and this was one of the most eventful road trips in search of your ancestors. Great narrative!