Expostos left at the roda of the churches

[Cheri Mello]

Since the topic of the expostos (foundlings or abandoned babies) left at the roda (wheel) of the church does not belong on the thread about the poor, I'm posting it here.

George Medeiros, migueldeavery at gmail dot com said:

I was told that many of those infants died and there was a high mortality rate. Is that the case ? Does anyone in the group know ? George Medeiros 

[Cheri Mello]

To recap what was previously said, abandoned babies could be left at the roda (wheel) of the church. It's somewhat like a Lazy Susan. I took a picture of one in Angra, Terceira, last year when I was there. Others may have different pictures.

The abandoned babies (foundlings; expostos) were assigned to a wet nurse by the camara (town hall). John Raposo wrote an article on this very topic and it can be found in the archives. Many of these babies or children did not survive. The obligation of the family was to feed and take care of their own children first. If the exposto lived to the age of 7, he/she could chose to stay with that family or could chose to go his own way.

For those who think the roda scenario is kinda of strange: In my area of southern California (although I believe this is a statewide thing), an unwanted baby can be left at a fire station or at a hospital. The mother will not be charged with any crime if she leaves her baby at one of these places.

Cheri

[Cheri Mello]

P.S. I don't know why the pictures rotated. So turn your head, tablet, or computer screen 90 degrees to the left or counter clockwise.

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

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[Liz Migliori]

I have a few abandoned ancestors. So they are part of that mortality rate.  Almost at least one in each line at some point back. 

Sent from my iPhone

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<Roda1.jpg>

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[Gordon soares]

My parternal grandfather, Jesse (Jacentho) Ferreira was born Dec 7, 1878 and was placed on the wheel in Sao Miguel, Ponta Del Gado in the convent there. I have his baptism records but I have been unable to learn anything more about him. Can’t find his immigration to America in 1901 or1902, No passport information or anything else that will help me flesh out a simple profile. My maternal grandmother, Mary Conceicao Sousa Ferreira supposedly came to America a year or two after Jesse and she came with my Uncle Manuel who was born 12 Oct 1903. All I know is that Jesse worked on the Ferry Boats between Oakland and San Francisco for about 30 years.I know what I need to know about his California life but getting there is s mystery. Any help would be appreciated.

Gordon

[Rosemarie Capodicci]

Gordon,

Which passporte records did you search? Only Sao Miguel or both Angra & Horta? Who knows where he was when he decided to immigrate to America. Check them all out. 

Rosemarie

rca...@gmail.com

Researching Sao Jorge, Terceira, Graciosa, Faial and Pico, Azores,

Isola delle Femmine, Sant' Elia, Sicily