King Surname

[Robert Costa]

I've run into a wall while researching a branch of my family tree and hope that someone here can help me break through. The surname is King, which I originally believed was either an assumed family name or an anglicized version of something else. Manuel J King, born abt 1858, in the Azores (don't know which island), immigrated in 1880 per census reports.  He settled in Alameda County, CA. Later married Rosa L Ferrera (or Ferreira), born 24 Mar 1870, in the Azores (again, don't know which island). He died 25 Feb 1929 in Alameda County; she died 20 Apr 1947 in Placer County, CA. They had two sons, Manuel Andrew King and Alfred Stanley King, both born in Alameda County and later died in Placer County. 

I cannot find any ancestors for either Manuel J King or Rosa L Ferrera, and very little about them through U.S. records.  There are others King's in the Alameda County area, but I can't seem to connect them. I have found other known Azorean individuals with the surname of King; is this actually a Portuguese surname?  Can anybody help me identify potential island/parish origins, families, immigration, etc.? I have the ability to research the online Azorean records but I don't know where to start.  Thanks to everyone who can help!

[Ângela Loura]

In most cases, King was anglicized from CHAVES. There's a lot of Chaves from Santa Maria that became King in the US.

BR,

Ângela

Robert Costa <rco...@sbcglobal.net> escreveu (segunda, 21/09/2026 à(s) 16:10):

I've run into a wall while researching a branch of my family tree and hope that someone here can help me break through. The surname is King, which I originally believed was either an assumed family name or an anglicized version of something else. Manuel J King, born abt 1858, in the Azores (don't know which island), immigrated in 1880 per census reports.  He settled in Alameda County, CA. Later married Rosa L Ferrera (or Ferreira), born 24 Mar 1870, in the Azores (again, don't know which island). He died 25 Feb 1929 in Alameda County; she died 20 Apr 1947 in Placer County, CA. They had two sons, Manuel Andrew King and Alfred Stanley King, both born in Alameda County and later died in Placer County. 

I cannot find any ancestors for either Manuel J King or Rosa L Ferrera, and very little about them through U.S. records.  There are others King's in the Alameda County area, but I can't seem to connect them. I have found other known Azorean individuals with the surname of King; is this actually a Portuguese surname?  Can anybody help me identify potential island/parish origins, families, immigration, etc.? I have the ability to research the online Azorean records but I don't know where to start.  Thanks to everyone who can help!

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[Cheri Mello]

Robert C,

In my research, I've seen King anglicized from Rei/Reis. 

You will need to do more than U.S. Census research to figure out the island (the goal is finding the freguesia/village). Here's a how-to with other ideas besides the U. S. Census:

https://www.azoresgenweb.org/Research_Aids/finding_roots0.html

You'll need to research Rosa and all their kids too. The info you need could be on one of the kids' birth, marriage, or death info.

You could always turn to DNA to see if your matches are clustering on a particular island group. Sometimes you may find your matches clustering on an island.

Happy hunting,

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

On Mon, Sep 21, 2026 at 8:10 AM Robert Costa <rco...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

I've run into a wall while researching a branch of my family tree and hope that someone here can help me break through. The surname is King, which I originally believed was either an assumed family name or an anglicized version of something else. Manuel J King, born abt 1858, in the Azores (don't know which island), immigrated in 1880 per census reports.  He settled in Alameda County, CA. Later married Rosa L Ferrera (or Ferreira), born 24 Mar 1870, in the Azores (again, don't know which island). He died 25 Feb 1929 in Alameda County; she died 20 Apr 1947 in Placer County, CA. They had two sons, Manuel Andrew King and Alfred Stanley King, both born in Alameda County and later died in Placer County. 

I cannot find any ancestors for either Manuel J King or Rosa L Ferrera, and very little about them through U.S. records.  There are others King's in the Alameda County area, but I can't seem to connect them. I have found other known Azorean individuals with the surname of King; is this actually a Portuguese surname?  Can anybody help me identify potential island/parish origins, families, immigration, etc.? I have the ability to research the online Azorean records but I don't know where to start.  Thanks to everyone who can help!

--

[Diana Bawn]

Hi Robert, 

I’m assuming you’ve checked DNA matches across the US for possible candidates of surnames. This could be a long shot for you, but may be worth a try. Have you checked church records? I broke 2 brick walls and found where my great-grandparents were baptized in the Azores (church, parish, and island) from their son’s 1888 US catholic church baptism record. Since it was in Latin, it also gave closer spellings to their original Portuguese names. They had used anglicized names for civil records. Also, if the couple married at a catholic church in the US, you might also get their Portuguese names from the church marriage record, which is probably also in Latin. A super long shot might be to try searching in the Portuguese language newspapers published in the US, that occasionally give a hodgepodge of Portuguese and anglicized versions of names. (The genealogy center at UMASS Dartmouth has an online database for searching Portuguese language newspapers. I found obituaries for my great-grandparents in the US “Diario de Notícias” that listed where they were born.) Finally, keep in mind that sometimes the birth dates you have in the US can be off by a few years. 

Good luck with your search and happy hunting - there’s nothing like getting that connecting link back to the homeland in the Azores!  

- Diana

P.S.: I also have cousins from Pico and Faial who settled in Alameda and Placer counties. 

Diana Bawn, CPA, MBA

Diana M. Bawn Finance

dian...@gmail.com

Ph: 508-333-0647

On Sep 21, 2026, at 12:33 PM, Ângela Loura <angel...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Sandra Valine Dauer]

My third cousin Rosa P Serpa married Joseph Joaquin King, they lived in the Fort Jones, Scott Valley area in Siskiyou County, California.  Joseph used Joaquin or Joaquim on the WWI Registration Card. Unable to locate 1930 census record; however in the 1940 and 1950 census records the family used King as the surname.  Joaquin and Rosa gravestone notes from Pico, Azores.  Unable to locate Joseph birth record; he died 17 Jun 1952 in Yreka California.

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[John JMR]

I have a recollection that on this list there nwas someone who had his ancestors names corrupted from Joaquim to Joe King. Perhaps this could be what you are looking for.

JR

[SUSAN AND DAVID MURPHY]

Do you know what town he lived in …. Alameda County? 

My family settled there also and if you can figure out the town I would strongly suggest looking at the UPEC fraternal organization records.

 Very often the membership rolls will list the member with the island or even town of origin. It really is a very valuable resource . Another thing to think about is that often people came in clusters, one man or family following the other. Many in my family who married each other came from the same village in the Azores and settled in the same town in US (the word got around) . In my case it was Warm Springs and Mission San Jose. So just looking at the membership may give you a clue. 

Men joined these groups and there were life insurance policies involved…. So beneficiaries were named. 

If I hit a brick wall I would go through these towns one by one….. if you know the town … and are lucky …. Could be your breakthrough! 

Susan Vargas Murphy 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/azores/8db7d236-a437-4dd9-a812-91e35c824d43n%40googlegroups.com.

[Lucas Luis]

Hi Robert, I have a cousin,  from Massachusetts with the surname King, originally Miguel, however his father's middle name was Joaquim, it's possible that king in an Anglicised version of one of these names.   

[Bob King]

My source (Family Search) says that Jose Joaquin King was the child of Manuel Joaquim Soares and Rita da Conceicio De Brum, born 2 June 1873 in Lajes do Pico, Pico, Azores.  Hope this is your guy!

Bob

PS  My great-grandfather was Joaquim Pereira, who changed his name to Joseph King.  Similar!  The family joke is he was just JoeKing. 

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[Neil Teixeira]

Robert,

          I live in Alameda County too. The brick wall of (Island & Village) is very common hurdle.
My break thru came from finding my relatives marriage record at the Fives Wounds Catholic
Church......which is in San Jose, way far away from Oakland. Five Wounds was founded in 1914.
A lot of Portuguese would travel, to get married there.
I think your looking for a earlier Portuguese Catholic Church in and around Alameda County.
Manuel and Rosa first son birth date will give you a date range (9 months prior) of their marriage.
Catholic Priest is suppose to ask and verify, where the bride and Groom were born and
"BAPTISED" at, and make note of it in the marriage record ledger book.
Not all Priests did this. 
St. Joseph Portuguese Church was founded in 1892, in Oakland. Torn down in 1965 and its ledger
records are held at the Main Diocease Office on Oakland..
Neil T.

[Cheri Mello]

Now that someone said it, I think I've seen Joaquim become King.

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

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[Bob King]

I always thought that King was such a grand last name.  Royal!  I thought he just plucked it right out of the sky, not anything anglicized.  Who wouldn't want to be a King?

Bob

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[Veronica Perry]

My paternal great grandfather, Tomas Pereira Joaquim, who was born in Cedros, Faial had 3 sons who immigrated to California. My grandfather and one of his brothers used surname Pereira/Perry and the brother who lived in Gustine California used the surname King.

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[Sandra Valine Dauer]

Bob King thanks for the hint   Family Search had an obit for Manuel King 1860 1919 listing his three brothers Antone John and Joe as well as a sister Anna. The 1910 census they lived in Scott Valley - Fort Jones. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 21, 2026, at 8:17 PM, Bob King <vbob...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Robert Costa]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my request, I really appreciate the suggestions. I did stumble upon more information in a 1900 US Census that showed Manuel King's name as "Manuel J King Duarte".  From that I found a marriage record for he and Rosa Leonor (Ferrera), and an obit for her that indicated two surviving siblings, brother Manuel, and sister Mary Daviner. However, despite having this new information, I'm still unable to locate any of their earlier records or ancestors.  The DNA route is a great suggestion, but this tree branch is connected via marriage only. I don't give up easily, so I'll keep digging.  But, if anyone recognizes these names and locations, please let me know.  Thanks, again!

[SUSAN MURPHY]

Hi Robert, 

I could not resist looking at the U.P.E.C records as I didn’t think you checked them out. 

I looked at the 1900 Census record you mentioned and the names of other people living near him and some clues made me believe he was in the Decoto area. 

I actually looked at quite a few of the councils while I was watching TV tonight and think I found him in Alvarado. 

The thrilling part is that it gives his origin as Flamengos, Faial and his father’s name as he was not yet married. Antonio Joaquim Duarte. 

Susan Vargas Murphy 

On Sep 24, 2026, at 9:51 AM, Robert Costa <rco...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

Thanks to everyone who responded to my request, I really appreciate the suggestions. I did stumble upon more information in a 1900 US Census that showed Manuel King's name as "Manuel J King Duarte".  From that I found a marriage record for he and Rosa Leonor (Ferrera), and an obit for her that indicated two surviving siblings, brother Manuel, and sister Mary Daviner. However, despite having this new information, I'm still unable to locate any of their earlier records or ancestors.  The DNA route is a great suggestion, but this tree branch is connected via marriage only. I don't give up easily, so I'll keep digging.  But, if anyone recognizes these names and locations, please let me know.  Thanks, again!

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/azores/d4068440-7a10-4495-ac37-4c1f21db3c38n%40googlegroups.com.

[SUSAN MURPHY]

Here is the complete listing of that council Antonio de Fonte, No 16, Alvarado ( in Washington Township, Alameda County, California) 

I’m curious …. Wherd did you find that he was married? 

Susan 

On Sep 24, 2026, at 8:30 PM, SUSAN MURPHY <uberl...@aol.com> wrote:



Hi Robert, 

I could not resist looking at the U.P.E.C records as I didn’t think you checked them out. 

I looked at the 1900 Census record you mentioned and the names of other people living near him and some clues made me believe he was in the Decoto area. 

I actually looked at quite a few of the councils while I was watching TV tonight and think I found him in Alvarado. 

<IMG_5887.jpeg>

<IMG_5888.jpeg>

[SUSAN MURPHY]

Whoops! 

https://www.azoresgenweb.org/download/alvarado-16-fhl1577856_1.pdf

On Sep 24, 2026, at 8:48 PM, SUSAN MURPHY <uberl...@aol.com> wrote:



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[BOB COSTA]

THANK YOU, Susan, this is GREAT!  I actually did spend several hours looking through those records, but I guess my lack of understanding the geography of East Bay communities was a hinderance.  I was focusing on the larger metro areas like Oakland.

 The marriage was in Alameda County; I've attached a screenshot.

Having this new information is fantastic!  Now I should be able to track the family in the Azores. I still have work to do with Rosa Leonor Ferrera (Ferreira), his wife.

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[Liz Migliori]

Hi Susan

Can you tell me how to get the records from any UPEC?

Liz

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 24, 2026, at 11:50 PM, 'SUSAN MURPHY' via Azores Genealogy <azo...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



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[BOB COSTA]

Oops! I just noticed that the person listed is 24 years of age, which would be too young to be the person I'm seeking. My Manuel King Duarte was born around 1858 and, since this list shows a date of 1901, the age doesn't work.  He did have a son, Manuel Andrew King who was born in Mar 1889, but that doesn't work either.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/azores/1008966046.591103.1790343035881%40mail.yahoo.com.

[SUSAN MURPHY]

Hi Bob, 

Oh darn! I was so excited for you!! I looked through all the towns (I think) that were Washington Township ….. but there are more Alameda County towns  like Hayward, Livermore, Pleasanton and more. In trying to find the census record that you mentioned, I might have found this other person of the same name to start with?? 

 As you can see, it really is worth the hunt when it works! So many have the island and when the village is mentioned it means everything.  Maybe your guy is in another council that we haven’t checked. This man I found  and yours may be related which would still give you a place to start if you are going to stab in the dark. 

I’m on my phone and can’t see your screen shot (I’ll try later on my computer) but do you know the name of the church of the marriage? .. as that could lead you to the right town and council to check. Who were the witnesses? Often they could be siblings and would give you another name to look for in UPEC? 

That being said, my own great- grandparents lived in Alameda County (he Warm Springs and she Decoto)

And went to San Francisco to get married! Sounds crazy to me but there must have been some reason for that choice! 

The 1900 census that I checked just said “ Washington Township” with no specific town name :( 

Wish it could have been your man…. Chalk it up to “hints” I guess! 

Susan 

On Sep 25, 2026, at 8:47 AM, BOB COSTA <rco...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:



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[SUSAN MURPHY]

Hi Liz, 

I only know that when I first looked that many were at JA Freitas Library in Hayward and their holdings have since moved to Modesto.  I found this on Google : 

I’ve never been to either location. 

Susan 

On Sep 25, 2026, at 8:04 AM, Liz Migliori <lizm...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Susan

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[SUSAN MURPHY]

Hi Liz, 

I was referring to the actual books! As Cheri mentioned, Kathy Cardoza and I copied all the filmed records in Salt Lake City on multiple trips…. It was a labor of love :) 

Susan 

On Sep 25, 2026, at 11:35 AM, 'SUSAN MURPHY' via Azores Genealogy <azo...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



Hi Liz, 

I only know that when I first looked that many were at JA Freitas Library in Hayward and their holdings have since moved to Modesto.  I found this on Google : 

[BOB COSTA]

My translation/interpretation skills are pretty rudimentary, but I see these (attached) five baptism records together.  Can you tell me what this means?  The format of these records is different than most I've seen, thus making it more difficult to interpret.  Could be my family...

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[Richard Francis Pimentel]

I read that Joaquim Duarte and Lucia Marianna are declaring their children as their legitimate children. Perhaps they decide to get married after live all these years.

Rick

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[Bill Seidler]

This is different in that the book is for 1844 - 1860 but the record certify baptisms from long before that.  The note after the last 1860 baptism is explanatory (Transcribed and translated by Google Gemini):

Transcription (Portuguese)

"Em conformidade do Despacho do Ill.mo e Ex.mo Sr. D.r Ouvidor Eccl.co Ant.o da Serra Pinheiro, q.e me foi apresentado, vai ser rectificadas os assentos dos Baptismos de cinco filhos na_ turaes de Manoel Joaquim Duarte, e de sua m.er Luzia Marianna, legitimados pelo subsequente Matrimonio de seus Pais, cuja rectificação é do tenor seguinte: —"

English Translation

"In compliance with the Dispatch of the Most Illustrious and Excellent Gentleman Dr. Ecclesiastical Auditor António da Serra Pinheiro, which was presented to me, the baptismal records of five natural children of Manoel Joaquim Duarte and his wife Luzia Marianna, legitimized by the subsequent marriage of their parents, are to be rectified, the rectification of which is of the following tenor: —"

The parents on the baptisms are Manuel Joaquim Duarte, natural of this parish (Flamengos) and Luzia Mariana, natural of Santa Luzia, Island of Pico.  Paternal grandparents Joaquim José Duarte and Brigida Rosa.  Maternal grandparents Manuel da Rosa Serpa and Maria Silveira.

1) José born 20 Sep 1830 and baptized on 28 of the same month

2) Manuel born 17 April 1832 and baptized 2 May of the same year

3) Antonio born 25 Dec 1834 and baptized on 29 of the same month

4) Ana born 26 Jun 1837 and baptized on 4 July of the same year

5) Joaquim born 18 Apr 1842 and baptized on 30 of the same month

[Richard Francis Pimentel]

In the lower part of the first page in the section with quotation marks along both sides is reads Padre Antonio Tessa Piscloiso?   rectify the previous baptisms of the five natural children of Joaquim Duarte and Luzia Marianna as legitimate subsequent to the marriage of the couple.

Rick

On 9/25/2026 5:30 PM, BOB COSTA wrote:

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[ROBERT COSTA]

That is a great help to me, thanks! 

Sent from my iPhone

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[Robert W Spanks Jr]

Luis,

Thank you for the inquiry regarding the surname King.

The town I came from Gloucester, (Essex County), Massachusetts has a large Portuguese community. The name King was in Gloucester. 

I would check the Massachusetts archives as a starting point.

Other towns in Massachusetts that have large Portuguese populations are Newbedford, Peabody, Taunton.

If you check the city/town records that may help.

Hope this helps.

Bob

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[Paulo Dutra]

Some research has been done on Manuel J King. You can follow https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/details/L1K1-BY4

He seems to have a double last name King Duarte line.

[Paulo Dutra]

Actually, I think Manuel J King real name is "Manuel Joaquim Duarte". He some adopted Joaquim as his last name and simplified it to "King"

if you have an newspaper.com account, you can view an obituary clipping on  February 26, 1929. it's attached

[BOB COSTA]

Thank you Paulo.  I can't see the entire obit, and don't currently have a subscription to Newspapers.com. I've established that was his name, and the best information I have is that he was from Faial. I'm currently searching the Azorean parish records to see if I can put pieces together.   I really appreciate everyone's help with this!

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