Tomás familia from Lajedo, Lajes das Flores, Azores

[Jordan Thomas]

Olá everyone, my name is Jordan Thomas & my late paternal grandmother’s great grandfather Antonio Joseph Thomas originally José António Tomás immigrated to Russell, Bay of Islands, New Zealand circa 1877 on board american whaling ship out of New Bedford that left port in 1875 for the Pacific. Later deserted his ship & made his way to Auckland City where he married a half English & half Irish woman on 19 Feb 1880 at St Paul’s Church. Her paternal grandfather Anthony Lawrence Thomas born in Freemans Bay 1886 worked as a butcher in Grey Lynn until moving away in 1913 to Whangarei, Northland, NZ. Antonio Joseph Thomas abandoned his wife & their 9 children in Grey Lynn 1899 before moving to Dargaville, Kaipara with his new mistress. Antonio Joseph Thomas in 1903 was summoned to court due to not paying maintenance for 6 children he was ordered to pay the fees or else serve 3 months in Gaol which he managed to pay off. 
He worked as a Painter for 50 years both in Auckland & Dargaville had 6 more children out of wedlock he passed away on 1 April 1938 aged 83. 

Nonetheless I am still very proud of my Azorean roots & carrying my ancestors surname Tomás even though it’s been anglicised to Thomas. Anthony Lawrence Thomas my great grandfather dad. I’m very lucky to have known my great grandfather Reginald Lawrence Thomas who I remember & looked up to. Loving family man loved his port wine, sardines, listening & dancing to old school portuguese songs. Saudade avó E bisavô Tomás.