Pico History and Portuguese Customs 1825

[Mickey Blue]

Hi All, can anyone direct me to book(s) or information, hopefully translated into English, which describe social customs and life in general on Pico in 1825/35 when my Great grandfather Manuel Jacinto was born and left Pico? Were children of that era literate? Was school available to all? What work was expected of children under 10 years of age? Why would a ten year old leave home? Are there shipping records to Trinidad or Madeira (he possibly went to Madeira first).

These are all things I would dearly like to know. I am hoping to write an historically accurate fiction based on what I know about this remarkable man. I know his parents lived and died on Pico. Though he was the oldest child he was charged with stealing a Frenchman's watch in Trinidad in December 1836, he had just turned 11. I am guessing he was there because slavery was abolished and in 1834 the plantation owners on Trinidad (probably mostly French) were looking for cheap labour to replace their slaves.  The British had taken possession of Trinidad by then and Manuel was tried and sentenced under British law. He spent the next two years on a prison Hulk on the Thames in London before being "Transported" to Van Diemen's Land, now Tasmania Australia, to finish his seven years sentence (sentences were generally, hanging, 7 years or life transportation at that time). 

If anyone has connections with Trinidad I would be interested if any court records from that era survived and how to access them (I have written to officials in Trinidad but have not received a reply).

I would be happy to have any information that would help me understand life at that time. Thank you in anticipation.

Mike Emmett 

[Cheri Mello]

Hi Mike,

Pico is not going to be different than any other of the Azores islands.

Illiteracy was high for both children and adults. I want to say this did not change until the 1900s. Children did tasks for their age and size. Some milked cows. Some pulled weeds. Others may have churned butter.

A child would be sent away most likely for a better opportunity or a better life.

Most of Pico would have emigrated from the port of Horta. Those records start in 1836: https://tombo.pt/en/d/acores

You might want to see if your local public library has a copy of "Atlantic Islanders of the Azores and Madeiras" by Francis M. Rogers. Part I is "The Lives of Azoreans and Madeirans" and Part II is "Their Values." It's written from a American perspective though. I read it 20 years ago so I can't tell you specifically what it was about. Maybe I should reread it.

Cheri

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

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[Mary Bordi]

Mike--

I would recommend a visit to the Azores if at all possible. There are some good museums and even modern day artisan workshops that are preserving handicrafts of long ago. Knowing some of the language might help. There are probably many studies written in Portuguese.

Have you looked around this website: http://www.culturacores.azores.gov.pt/default.aspx (Same site where online archives are located.)

They might have online info from the museums. I wanted to reply before I forgot so I didn't look for anything specific.

Mary

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[Anna]

I am interested in this, too. Would like to know more about life in the Azores around 1880, 1890.

My great-grandmother was from Flores but she was sent to another island for school, around 1890 (probably Faial). I don't think they had separate schools then, I think they would have gone to a convent for eduction. Would love to know more about this if anyone has more info/recommendations!

[Mickey Blue]

Cheri, thanks again for your help. You always seem to know the right answer or where to look. I have just discovered a couple of books I'm trying to get from Amazon on the subject too. As you have mentioned, it seems any big social changes happened after or around 1900. I think the world was possibly getting new social mores and of course, universal education was changing lives and opening new horizons for working people.

I would love to visit one day, but I think that may be a year or two off yet.

If anyone elso has more information I would appreciate all you might know or where to find out. Are there Universities which might specalise in studies of Azores, history and customs of the early 1800s, does anyone know?

Thank again.

Warm regards
Mike

[Cheri Mello]

Mike,

I don't know of any universities in America that specialize in certain time periods in certain countries. Universities are centers of education (at least in North America and Europe). They have different departments (humanities, social sciences, biological sciences, technology, etc). Each department has courses and universities can decide where to put history. Maybe some might put it under humanities and maybe others wouldn't. Then they would have courses offered. I don't know how you guys do it in Australia. Maybe you have universities that specialize in each subject.

In the United States, we have the 2nd Industrial Revolution or the Technological Revolution from about the 1870s through World War I. That, coupled with crop failures and other things in the Azores, contributed towards mass migration to America. I've read enough of the passaportes that say they are coming to America "to make a fortune" or "a better life." They are escaping poverty. I have no idea what was going on in Australia around the late 1800s through WWI that would attract immigrants there. Or if it was a period of mass migration to Australia. Maybe there's a university there in Australia that specializes in late 1800s through WWI history. Maybe knowing what was going on in Australia at the time might explain why people chose to go there.  Cheri

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

[Margaret Vicente]

Mike, 

Although this may not address your question, York University, and the University of Toronto have conducted a studies on the islands you may find some answers here, have a look. 

http://www.yorku.ca/ccars/files/history/AzoresNineislandsOneHistory.pdf

Here's a small portion about the island of Pico:

" The highest percentage ofJewish'lgenes is found in the Central group ofislands. The settlement of Pico may explain this, for the presence of Jews in the ilha montanha [mountain island] goes back to 1503.39 This presence reflects the fact that, in ~496, King Manuel I of Portugal expelled all Jewish families who had not conVerted to Catholicism. At this time, the Azores would have been an attractive de~tin1!tion for three reasons: the archipelago was distant from the mainland; royal authority was virtually nonexistent, which meant that Jewish exiles could'fuaintain their religion; and the islands offered the possibility of developing commercial, fmancial and industrial activities. Such activities did in fact happen, not so much on Pico, but on Sao Miguel and Terceira."

Best,

Margaret

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Margaret M Vicente

[Margaret Vicente]

Found another study that it also makes reference to the island of Pico.  

http://www.ub.edu/tig/GWBNet/MinhoPapers/Paulo%20Matos%20English.pdf

Margaret

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Margaret M Vicente

[Gordon soares]

Margaret 

Thanks so much for that reference from York University. Fascinating and quite interesting. 

Gordon Soares 

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[Michael Emmett]

Margaret, cannot thank you enough for your kind consideration in this matter. I am humbled by the generosity of the entire community. The wealth of knowledge and insight shared by contributors restores faith in humanity.

 When I asked about Universities possibly involved in studies of history of the Azores, I envisaged only those with Portuguese affiliations and connections. I have had the honour to visit York University, only for an hour, in 2012. 

 

Since my original request I have managed to get three reference books on the subject.

 

Warm regards and many thanks

Mike 

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[Margaret Vicente]

Michael and Gordon,

You are  both welcome!

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[Susan Murphy]

Hi Mike,

I’m late to this conversation…and don’t even know if your ancestors were in California….but even if they were not, you might like reading this information 

http://library.csustan.edu/sites/default/files/Bob_Santos-Azoreans_to_California.pdf

Susan Vargas Murphy

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[Roberto Machado Velho]

The link is not working. Could you post somewhere else?

Thanks,

Roberto Machado Velho.

[Cheri Mello]

I just clicked on it. It works. I'm on Windows 10 and Firefox is the browser. I also have Acrobat Reader DC (latest version).

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

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[Gordon soares]

Works for me on Apple IMac with Safari & Chrome

Gordon

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[Susan Murphy]

Yes that’s what works for me Gordon.

Susan (who posted it) 

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[Michael Emmett]

Thank you Susan, but like Roberto I cannot open the link. I live in Australia and if Roberto lives other than the USA, perhaps it is available only to residents of the United States. I have a friend in Japan who is often denied access to some Australia sites. 

You have all been so generous in this matter and I should explain why I am so interested. I am hoping to write an authentic, though partly fictionalised, account of my great great grandfather, Manuel Jacinto, born 1825 on Pico, Azores. That is why I want as much historical back ground of the era, along with social mores etc. as I can absorb. I was raised a Catholic, and think I understand how that impacts on a life, though my knowledge is more from my Irish ancestry than that of any Portuguese influence. Manuel had just turned eleven when he was charged in Trinidad and transported by the British to Tasmania Australia (he was held on a Thames Hulk for two years first). It was a brutal system designed to break the spirit and force compliance. 

Manuel virtually grew up in this system, but there is evidence, from his conduct sheet (still available in Australia's government archives) that he remained defiant. He eventually ( after fifteen years, two seven year stints and one additional year for absconding) gained his freedom by servitude, to become a valuable and courageous member of Australia's ship pilot service. He was involved in several daring ship rescues, in raging storms, which was part of the job.

Through necessity, much of his story will be from my imaginings, but I want it to have a very solid base. I cannot thank you all enough for your incredible generosity with your time and knowledge. 

Warm regards

Mike Emmett

P.S. Having never written anything other than a University essay or short story I fear it will be beyond my capacity anyway, but I feel his is a story which must be told.

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[Cheri Mello]

Try it with a Google Shortener: https://goo.gl/UgRbr2

Try it as a video excerpt: https://goo.gl/YDfDrv

Or clear your cache, try Firefox, Safari, Chrome. Or maybe a public library will allow you through. It's a book, so maybe you can get it on inter-library loan. Cheri

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

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[Susan Murphy]

Hi Michael,

It’s wonderful that you want to honor the strong spirit of your great great grandfather by writing his story! I’ve written little stories and one bigger one about my ancestors in the hope that they will not be forgotten and that further generations can come to know them through what I have written. 

I’m not sure if the link I shared would help you as I have not read it recently but thought I remembered that it talked about why so many of our people left the islands.

The link that Cheri shared is not the same one that I shared but is a good one! 

Maybe if you google Bob Santos and Azores you can find some of he wrote. Besides the link I shared he also compiled some family stories that he collected from writers.... some of my little stories are in that book.

I’m excited for your project! He sounds like he had an amazing life. I would say that resilience is a common characteristic of many of our ancestors!

Susan Vargas Murphy 

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[Gordon soares]

Susan

I have tried to read those stories that Santos wrote but can’t access them through his college. I have sent him an email asking for access or copy but haven’t heard from him

Gordon

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[Susan Murphy]

Hi Gordon,

Do these links work?

These are the submitted stories that he compiled

http://library.csustan.edu/sites/default/files/Bob_Santos-Stories_of_California_Azorean_Immigrants.pdf#page4

Here is his work on Azoreans to California

http://library.csustan.edu/sites/default/files/Bob_Santos-Azoreans_to_California.pdf

I just searched on my iPhone and was able to access them.... I wonder what is wrong.... as Cheri said maybe try different browsers?

Wish I knew more about these technicalities!!

Susan 

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[Margaret Vicente]

Hi Gordon,

First, thank you Susan for the link.

Gordon, the link is actually a .pdf file.  Downloadable.  It is attached, hopefully you will be able to open it.

Cheers,

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Margaret M Vicente

[Gordon soares]

Yep... the links work. Thanks Susan!!

Gordon

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[Susan Murphy]

Great!! 

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[Steve Peters]

On Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 10:07:32 AM UTC-7, Mickey Blue wrote:

Hi All, can anyone direct me to book(s) or information, hopefully translated into English, which describe social customs and life in general on Pico in 1825/35 when my Great grandfather Manuel Jacinto was born and left Pico? Were children of that era literate? Was school available to all? What work was expected of children under 10 years of age? Why would a ten year old leave home? Are there shipping records to Trinidad or Madeira (he possibly went to Madeira first).

Hi Mike,

Some books that might be helpful to you:

Stormy Isles (aka Mal Tempo no Canal) by Vitorino Nemésio - the classic Azorean epic novel set in 19th century Faial (just across the channel from Pico); I honestly found it a bit tedious, but there is a lot of detail about the culture of that era.

Dark Stones by Jose Dias de Melo - good short novel about growing up on Pico.

Home Is an Island by Alfred Lewis - novel about growing up on Flores in the early 20th century and emigrating to California.

Azoreans to California by Robert Santos is a good history of Azorean emigration, and has pertinent info about the conditions that caused people to leave in the 19th century.

A lot of 19th century Azoreans - not just children - were illiterate. People were very poor and education was a luxury, and this lasted well into the 20th century. (The fascist dictator Salazar actively encouraged the myth of the "happy, noble/ignorant peasants" who were too simple to ask annoying political questions; his regime ruled until 1974.) Children were often put to work at an early age, farming or as shepherds, and in the whale processing plants, and when they were old enough they also went out on the shore-whaling boats. Many people had large families and could not afford to feed their kids, and boys who were old enough were often sent off on foreign whaling ships by their parents, or they left on their own. This was often done secretly at night, because there were military patrols watching for draft-age stowaways leaving illegally; there was mandatory military service for boys 14 and older - another incentive for taking off on a whaler.

Hope there's something helpful in there for you.

Steve

[Ângela Loura]

This book is from 1834, but still usefull for what you are looking for, ebook available at Google Books:

A Description of the Azores, Or Western Islands, Edward Boid.

 https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=tygOAAAAQAAJ

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[Michael Emmett]

Thank you so much Angela. The people in this discussion group are amazing. Makes me very proud of my Portuguese ancestry. 

Kind regards

Michael

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[Michael Emmett]

A profound thank you to all in this group. The responses I am receiving are well beyond my expectations. Everybody has been so helpful, I will battle to absorb all the information, but I promise I will endeavour to read every word. 

Warm regards

Mike

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[Grace Falcone]

What was helpful for me was - 

Azores: Nine Islands, One History = Açores: Nove Ilhas, Uma Historia 1st Edition

https://www.amazon.com/Azores-Islands-History-Açores-Historia/dp/0981933602

''This work depicts the insular experience of the Azores since its settlement until the present day, attentively following a chronological line that begins in the XV century and ends in 2008. The settlement of the islands, their incipient political and administrative structures and main economic activities, the organisation of an insular society and the beliefs and religious sensibilities are some of the themes that are rigorously explored. Its principal purpose is to inform readers about the principal aspects of insular history. This is a concise history easily accessible to the public in general notwithstanding the author's assurance that it is a scientific work."

Best regards, grace

Searching family names on the island Sao Miguel, Acores-
Pacheco Sant'Anna, Pacheco-Moniz, Pacheco da Silva, Pereira, Figueira, da Costa Canario, Carvalho, de Medeiros, de Melo, Vieira, da Silva, de Viveiros, Tavares, Arruda, de Arruda, Futado Teixeira

Primary villages on the island of San Miguel, Azores-
Furnas, Maia, Lomba da Maia, Porto Formoso, and Nordeste