Sao Jorge Ancestry

240 views
Skip to first unread message

Stephanie Date

unread,
Jun 16, 2021, 6:30:42 PM6/16/21
to Azores Genealogy
Hello, 

I am new to the group and in the beginning stages of researching my family ancestry.  I am having issues finding information on my Great-great Grandfather from Sao Jorge and Great-great Grandmother. His name is Joseph B Enos, born 1874 (may 25th?) and died September 11, 1924. He immigrated to the United States in 1889 at the age of 15 or 16 years old. Joseph B Enos settled in California, United States. He was married to Rose G Brown who I believe may have also immigrated from the Azores, however I do not know when.

My DNA test has linked me to the island or Sao Jorge area, however, I have no more information. I am trying to find out more.

Thank you, 

Stephanie


Cheri Mello

unread,
Jun 16, 2021, 6:37:51 PM6/16/21
to Azores Genealogy
Hi Stephanie,

You did not say where you tested. If the suggestion from whatever DNA testing company is telling you Sao Jorge, then maybe it is. Maybe it is one of the other islands in the central island group. If you tested on Family Tree DNA (FTDNA), you need to join the Azores DNA project and I can tell you right away what your island is. If you tested with another company, you need to transfer to FTDNA and My Heritage as well. The transfer and matching is free. The tools are $19 USD and $29 USD respectively.

Joseph B. Enos is probably Jose B. Ignacio over there. His wife, Rose G. Brown may be Rosa G. Brum or Maria Rosa G. Brum. How do you know she's not Sao Jorge?

Sao Jorge island records are online here. You need to know the village (freguesia) that he was from to begin your search:

There's also some indices and finding aids on the Azores Genweb. Some may link you to a Sao Jorge researcher group. That can all be found from this link here:

Good luck,
Cheri Mello
Listowner, Azores-Gen
Researching: São Miguel island: Vila Franca, Ponta Garca, Ribeira Quente, Ribeira das Tainhas, Achada


--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Azores Genealogy" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to azores+un...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/azores/b0c5399b-e1bd-4a65-bfce-685e22f398d6n%40googlegroups.com.

Stephanie Date

unread,
Jun 16, 2021, 7:58:25 PM6/16/21
to azo...@googlegroups.com
Hi Cheri!

Thank you for your fast response! I tested with Ancestry.com and literally just sent another DNA test off through the company CRI.

I have figured that Joseph B. Enos was probably Jose B. Ignacio. However I have zero idea what his village (freguesia) is/was. As for Rose G. Brown, I am not sure if she was born in Portugal. On a few US census records, it was listed as California, and her parents were from Portugal. That is why I am not certain she was born in Portugal. Searching for a family would be much easier if the US census records included the parents' village and/or name. :-) It appears that there were many who immigrated with the name Manuel, Joseph, Jose, Maria, Rosa, etc. I did not know that it may be Rosa G. Brum or Maria Rosa G. Brum as possibilities. 

If I were to join the Azores DNA Project and transfer to FTDNA and My Heritage, you would collect DNA samples from Ancestry or CRI as well. Therefore, FTDNA will also have my DNA??

Thank you,
Stephanie




You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups "Azores Genealogy" group.
To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/azores/j_CYEKFJ8TQ/unsubscribe.
To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to azores+un...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/azores/CAKUUw_F7WTnmwjOTbUJq3bFSiVccLCTqEp1A8EPrS4z5n0cHAQ%40mail.gmail.com.

Cheri Mello

unread,
Jun 16, 2021, 8:27:25 PM6/16/21
to Azores Genealogy
Hi Stephanie,

CRI Genetics won't help with genealogy, there are no matches, and you can't download it or port it anywhere. I believe it's deep ancestry only. It won't help with your Azorean, that's for sure.

The purpose of the U.S. Census is to count people. As time when on, the government needed the stats on where people come from. Once in a blue moon, a census take *might* write the island, but that is the exception. The wording on the question is along the lines of "from which COUNTRY if of foreign birth." So if your Rose is California with Portuguese parents and you find her that way on all censuses, then she is not your immigrant. You need to trace her parents.

Your DNA sample is at Ancestry. They have physical custody of it. After it is processed, there's a raw data file, full of the DNA bases (A, G, C, and T). You can download your raw data file from Ancestry: https://support.ancestry.com/s/article/Downloading-AncestryDNA-Raw-Data

While you are waiting for the file to process and it to be send to you in an email, create accounts on both FTDNA and My Heritage:

Both FTDNA and My Heritage will have your RAW DATA only, not your physical DNA sample.

Then check your email for your Ancestry file. Download it. Then go back to FTDNA and upload it. Then the same for My Heritage.

Let me know when you have uploaded to FTDNA. I'll then give you the instructions on how to join the Azores DNA Project. From there, I can view your page, since I'm an admin at FTDNA.

Cheri Mello, Family Tree DNA Administrator (volunteer), Azores DNA Project


Stephanie Date

unread,
Jun 16, 2021, 9:16:08 PM6/16/21
to azo...@googlegroups.com
Cheri, 

Thanks again for the help. I think that I have uploaded it to MyHeritage and to FTDNA.

Looking forward to the results.

Stephanie


Cheri Mello

unread,
Jun 16, 2021, 9:17:57 PM6/16/21
to Azores Genealogy
Stephanie,

OK you now need to join the Azores DNA Project on FTDNA so I can view your page.

Log into the FTDNA page with the kit number and password.

Across the top is says: myFTDNA, DNA Tests, Projects....Point at Projects. When the drop down menu appears, click "Join a project."

If the Azores Islands appears on the top, click the link and scroll down to the JOIN button at the end.

If the Azores Islands is not suggested, scroll down to where it says "Search by Surname" and type: azores.

When Azores Islands appears, click the link and follow the directions.                        

Thanks, Cheri Mello, Family Tree DNA Admin (volunteer), Azores DNA Project

Cheri Mello
Listowner, Azores-Gen
Researching: São Miguel island: Vila Franca, Ponta Garca, Ribeira Quente, Ribeira das Tainhas, Achada

Stephanie Date

unread,
Jun 17, 2021, 11:49:35 AM6/17/21
to azo...@googlegroups.com
Cheri, 

I have joined the Azores Project.

Thank you, 

Stephanie

Cheri Mello

unread,
Jun 17, 2021, 12:06:03 PM6/17/21
to Azores Genealogy
Stephanie,

That's great and I see you, but you need to upload your raw data from Ancestry. You only made an FTDNA account. You're almost done though.

Download your raw data from Ancestry (in a previous reply). Wait for the email (can take 10 or 15 minutes).

Then follow these directions:

From a Personal Computer:

1) Make sure you are LOGGED OUT of your personal FTDNA account.

 

2) Go to https://www.familytreedna.com/autosomal-transfer

 

3) In the box on the right, look for “Already have a Family Tree DNA account?” and click it:

From a Personal Computer:

 

image.png


4) The next page will ask you to sign in.

 

5) Then it will ask you to upload your raw data file from your DNA testing company.

Stephanie Date

unread,
Jun 17, 2021, 8:40:59 PM6/17/21
to azo...@googlegroups.com
Cheri, 

I thought I had uploaded my raw DNA to both FTDNA and MyHeritage last night. I have tried to upload my raw dna to FTDNA 4-5 different times today and I keep receiving an error message or corrupted file. I have actually downloaded my DNA from Ancestry 4-5 times, and each time I receive an error message. I checked MyHeritage and it appears my raw DNA uploaded fine last night.

Not sure what else to do.

Stephanie

Cheri Mello

unread,
Jun 17, 2021, 8:43:34 PM6/17/21
to Azores Genealogy
OK, sometimes, things are quirky.

1) Email me the file directly at gfscherim at gmail.com
OR
2) Put the file in Dropbox (email me for that addy - it's private) OR put it in Google Drive and send gfscherim at gmail.com the link.

Thanks,
Cheri Mello, Family Tree DNA Administrator (volunteer), Azores DNA Project

Stephanie Date

unread,
Jun 17, 2021, 9:48:47 PM6/17/21
to azo...@googlegroups.com
Ok, I shared the file with you. Hopefully it worked. :-)

Stephanie

Cheri Mello

unread,
Jun 17, 2021, 9:53:15 PM6/17/21
to Azores Genealogy
Hi Stephanie,

FTDNA has limited hours on Friday, but I have sent it. I'm crossing my fingers they answer tomorrow (Friday). If not, then Monday.
Cheri Mello
Listowner, Azores-Gen
Researching: São Miguel island: Vila Franca, Ponta Garca, Ribeira Quente, Ribeira das Tainhas, Achada

Stephanie Date

unread,
Jun 18, 2021, 11:47:48 AM6/18/21
to azo...@googlegroups.com
Thank you Cheri for your assistance with this.

I have only been working on my ancestry in a more serious capacity for maybe a couple of months now. It is fascinating and I get lost for hours researching and looking for clues and information. It truly is fascinating. I have found more information in the last couple of months than any other family member. I am sure that technology is a huge part of that.  How and why did you become a genealogist?

Again, thank you for your help.

Stephanie

Cheri Mello

unread,
Jun 18, 2021, 12:40:11 PM6/18/21
to Azores Genealogy
Hi Stephanie,

I'll try for the Reader's Digest version.

I knew my immigrant ancestor (my great-grandmother). She died when I was 15. I was completely fascinated by her. I knew she didn't read or write, but every year I got a birthday card from her. I remember asking about that when I was an elementary kid and I was told that she went shopping with someone who read the cards to her and that is how she knew what they said. And she had them address it too, since she could write her name only. I was completely amazed how she went about her life with no formal education (from a kid point of view...As an adult, life experiences and stuff can teach you a lot too). So in 5th grade, I had to do a history project. My dad called up his mom and my grandma sent me stuff on her American family (including a covered wagon story among other things) and a copy of her mother-in-law's naturalization certificate, just like Bobbie posted the other day. The information was fascinating. My dad opened the encyclopedia and showed me where the Azores were in the North Atlantic Ocean and showed me where Sao Miguel island was. I looked at it and told myself that I would go there one day. I kept that folder of information and used it about 4 years later for a heritage Girl Scout badge.

Jump to 1992 and both my grandparents Mello died exactly 1 month apart. We had the first funeral. Then a month later when my grandmother died, people started asking questions. My dad said he didn't know, to ask me, as his mother had sent me a folder full of stuff many years prior. I didn't know the answers. So I went home and retrieved the folder and took a look at it again. It had so many clues and I knew I could learn more. So I went to the public library and checked out a bunch of books on genealogy and I signed up for a class at the local adult school. I decided to start on my dad's side of the family first, because very little research had been done. And I picked the immigrant (Mello) line. BIG MISTAKE. I didn't have enough experience at all to deal with an immigrant line, so I quickly shifted over to his American side and got experience that way. Then I probably did a little on my mother's side. By the mid-90s, personal computers were in homes. I had gone to a family association reunion (American side) and met a distant cousin who showed me his genealogy program (it was "The Master Genealogist" which is no longer published). I think I looked at a couple of others too, but I really wanted to be able to put the diacritics in (São Miguel island, for example- the "a" with the tilde is a diacritic). At that time, only one program could do it (The Master Genealogist), so that's the one I purchased. I later found out it was the only program that could take long place names, such as Ribeira das Taínhas. The other programs cut it off after so many letters. Computer no longer truncate things, so it's a non-issue today.

Then I found out about a couple of Portuguese genealogists who were lecturing on how to trace your Azorean ancestor. I got on an airplane flew up to hear one speaker. The other was by me, so I drove to hear her. Then I got to work on what they said. I joined America Online (AOL) and went to the Portuguese chat in the Genealogy Forum. (I eventually became the host of that hour for many years). Two men were in the room. One was Dave Furtado from Connecticut. He was the son of immigrants, so he knew his freguesia. He came to the chat hour every week. He mentioned he was going to Sao Miguel that summer and if I wanted to go along. I said yes, but he didn't think I was serious. Then I made a payment to his travel agent, so he knew I was serious! After hitting my immigrant lines hard for 9 months, I still had only Sao Miguel island, around the Vila Franca area. I had ordered 25 documents on them (nothing was online back in the 90s).  One of the last documents that I obtained was their marriage record from New Bedford. I called St. John the Baptist church one morning and lucked out. It was the right church and the marriage was there. I said I'd be there in a couple of weeks to pick up the certificate as I was flying out to the Azores. So when I got to the church, it was the standard little certificate that said bride married the groom, by the priest. I pressed the priest for more information and he pulled the book and in the marriage book it did state that both the bride and groom were from Ribeira das Tainhas (a freguesia within Vila Franca)! To date, that is the ONLY place that my immigrant ancestors stated their freguesia!

We flew to the Azores and went to the archive. I took what I learned from my class with Rosemarie and started to bumble my way through the records. I didn't "read" Portuguese. I found both of my ancestors' baptisms. I double checked with Dave. It was them!!! Then I went back another generation and double checked my work again with Dave. Finally, Dave says to me, "You're bugging me. Quit asking me on every single record." So I make stacks of 10 and asked him to double check 10 at a time. On day 2, Dave refused to help me. He said I did fine the day before. So I only asked when there was something hard to read.

Dave took a break from genealogy for a number of years. He got back into a couple of years ago and now he's going pretty far back in time. Now I'm the one who helps him with those really old, abbreviated records. About 3 months ago, Dave started sending me some really old records, asking for this word or that name. I helped him and then asked why that record, as they were my 8-greats (or whatever). Turns out they were his 9-greats (or whatever). So it turns out that the first person whom I ever met on AOL and then went to the Azores with on my first time is a distant cousin!
Cheri Mello
Listowner, Azores-Gen
Researching: São Miguel island: Vila Franca, Ponta Garca, Ribeira Quente, Ribeira das Tainhas, Achada

JesseAndDeborah Mendonca

unread,
Jun 18, 2021, 1:37:35 PM6/18/21
to azo...@googlegroups.com
Thank you for asking your great question, Stephanie!  Cheri, that is an amazing snapshot of your entry into genealogy.   And was that our Rosemarie?   Such an amazing story. 

Debbie



nancy jean baptiste

unread,
Jun 18, 2021, 3:29:51 PM6/18/21
to azo...@googlegroups.com
Cheri!!!!

I love your story!

I've learned so much from you and RoseMarie  through the years!!!!

🎼❤🎼,
Nancy Jean 

From: azo...@googlegroups.com <azo...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of JesseAndDeborah Mendonca <jessdeb...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, June 18, 2021 12:37 PM
To: azo...@googlegroups.com <azo...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [AZORES-Genealogy] Sao Jorge Ancestry
 
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages