Cunha's
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Michelle Cunha
Jun 12, 2007, 9:43:41 AM6/12/07
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I've been lurking on this list for the past couple weeks just getting to know you all.
I am just beginning to research my father's family, the Cunha's. I have hit a roadblock and need some ideas to overcome it.
My great-grandfather, Manual Cunha is where I'm stuck. My grandmother, his daughter in law, insists he was born on St. Micheal's in the Azores, however, paperwork I've seen says he was born in California and his marriage certificate says Colton, Calfornia.
His marriage certificate says this: Manul Anthony Cunha born Colton California. Father: Marion (spelling?) Cunha and Carolina Cunha (no maiden name given, unless her maiden name was Cunha) October 16, 1912, Lexington, Mass. His occupation is listed as conductor. He would've been born around 1875-1885 (I think 1882, but I'm not sure).
I have tried to contact Colton, California by phone and mail, but have never received a response. Is there a particular agency I should contact?
Also, is there a large Cunha population in that area?
Since I haven't been able to authenticate his birth, I've not been able to move backwards from him.
As for siblings, this is what I know: a sister Ruth and a sister Silvie. She died when she was about 105 in Quincy, Mass.
There is also discussion in my family that he came here when he was four years old with his mother. His father had already died. They went to live with an "Uncle Daniel" but no further information is known. I don't know how much of it is family folklore and how much is truth and I'd like to unravel the mystery to find where my kin orginated.
Thanks in advance,
Michelle Cunha
Hill, NH
I am just beginning to research my father's family, the Cunha's. I have hit a roadblock and need some ideas to overcome it.
My great-grandfather, Manual Cunha is where I'm stuck. My grandmother, his daughter in law, insists he was born on St. Micheal's in the Azores, however, paperwork I've seen says he was born in California and his marriage certificate says Colton, Calfornia.
His marriage certificate says this: Manul Anthony Cunha born Colton California. Father: Marion (spelling?) Cunha and Carolina Cunha (no maiden name given, unless her maiden name was Cunha) October 16, 1912, Lexington, Mass. His occupation is listed as conductor. He would've been born around 1875-1885 (I think 1882, but I'm not sure).
I have tried to contact Colton, California by phone and mail, but have never received a response. Is there a particular agency I should contact?
Also, is there a large Cunha population in that area?
Since I haven't been able to authenticate his birth, I've not been able to move backwards from him.
As for siblings, this is what I know: a sister Ruth and a sister Silvie. She died when she was about 105 in Quincy, Mass.
There is also discussion in my family that he came here when he was four years old with his mother. His father had already died. They went to live with an "Uncle Daniel" but no further information is known. I don't know how much of it is family folklore and how much is truth and I'd like to unravel the mystery to find where my kin orginated.
Thanks in advance,
Michelle Cunha
Hill, NH
Barb Marshall
Jun 12, 2007, 2:47:25 PM6/12/07
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Hi Michelle,
I lived for many years in Half Moon Bay, CA where there is still a Cunya General Store. I wonder if the owners are any relation to you and if they might be of some help? I moved to MT View, 1 1/2 years ago, but if I can be of some help, please let me know. Cunyas played a big role in the history of HMB and I recall seeing some of their graves in the Odd Fellows Cemetery there. Good luck!
Barb Marshall
I lived for many years in Half Moon Bay, CA where there is still a Cunya General Store. I wonder if the owners are any relation to you and if they might be of some help? I moved to MT View, 1 1/2 years ago, but if I can be of some help, please let me know. Cunyas played a big role in the history of HMB and I recall seeing some of their graves in the Odd Fellows Cemetery there. Good luck!
Barb Marshall
Cliff Nye
Jun 12, 2007, 4:08:10 PM6/12/07
to Azo...@googlegroups.com
Michele
Welcome to the list. I’ll try and give you some advise that you can use to get started, at least. First of all, the City of Colton is in San Bernardino County, Calif.. It is a small city on the next to the City of San Bernardino itself. The County Hall of Records would be your first stop in searching for birth records. The number for the San Bernardino County Recorders office is: 909-387-8306.
Now, I would strongly recommend you send for his Social Security Application. One of the important parts of the Application is the parents name, date of birth and “place of birth”. If he lived long enough, then there is a chance that he would have applied for a Social Security Application. If so, you can obtain a copy of that application. I attached a .pdf form in the attachments window for your use should you pursue this aspect.
Next, you will want to contact the Dept. of Homeland Security, the former INS(Immigration and Naturalization Service) to obtain any and all immigration records. This could be extremely important. Here is the link to get information from Homeland Security:
http://www.archives.gov/genealogy/.
Now, you can also use this list to post information, just as you have done already. There is another list you can do the same thing in . This is the URL : AZORES-L...@rootsweb.com
When you send this e-mail, you put the word subscribe in both the subject line and all by itself in the message body of the email. That’s all you do and you will be subsctibed to the list and start receiving messages by e-mail, just like this list. Post this same message in AZORES-L, since they are two different lists. To an extent, the membership is similar but not identical. If you Grandfather was from the continent, or Mainland Portugal vs. the Açores, then you can join a list to cover that also. It’s URL is:
AZORES-L...@rootsweb.com
To join this list, do the same thing as AZORES-L, that is type in the word: subscribe in both the subject line and the body of the message, and that’s all you do. You will then be a member of the list and start receiving their messages. Post your message in that list also.
Now, I think that this is enough to get you started. As things progress, then you will hopefully know where your Grandfather is from, that is, if he’s from the mainland, you can start searching there. If hes from the Azores(Açores), you can start checking the island out for records.
As things start happening, I’ll be around and so will your other friends, who you just don’t know yet, that are on this list. They are all willing to help each other, since that is the way things are done around here.
Good luck, good hunting and God Bless to you and yours
Cliff
--
Cliff Nye
Researching Flores: Canhoto, Jacintha, Simão, Pimentel, Avellar, Carvalho, Furtado, Nunes, Medeiros, and, on the continent, Rocha. Also, German & Belgium for: Nye, Neu and Pieters
Welcome to the list. I’ll try and give you some advise that you can use to get started, at least. First of all, the City of Colton is in San Bernardino County, Calif.. It is a small city on the next to the City of San Bernardino itself. The County Hall of Records would be your first stop in searching for birth records. The number for the San Bernardino County Recorders office is: 909-387-8306.
Now, I would strongly recommend you send for his Social Security Application. One of the important parts of the Application is the parents name, date of birth and “place of birth”. If he lived long enough, then there is a chance that he would have applied for a Social Security Application. If so, you can obtain a copy of that application. I attached a .pdf form in the attachments window for your use should you pursue this aspect.
Next, you will want to contact the Dept. of Homeland Security, the former INS(Immigration and Naturalization Service) to obtain any and all immigration records. This could be extremely important. Here is the link to get information from Homeland Security:
http://www.archives.gov/genealogy/.
Now, you can also use this list to post information, just as you have done already. There is another list you can do the same thing in . This is the URL : AZORES-L...@rootsweb.com
When you send this e-mail, you put the word subscribe in both the subject line and all by itself in the message body of the email. That’s all you do and you will be subsctibed to the list and start receiving messages by e-mail, just like this list. Post this same message in AZORES-L, since they are two different lists. To an extent, the membership is similar but not identical. If you Grandfather was from the continent, or Mainland Portugal vs. the Açores, then you can join a list to cover that also. It’s URL is:
AZORES-L...@rootsweb.com
To join this list, do the same thing as AZORES-L, that is type in the word: subscribe in both the subject line and the body of the message, and that’s all you do. You will then be a member of the list and start receiving their messages. Post your message in that list also.
Now, I think that this is enough to get you started. As things progress, then you will hopefully know where your Grandfather is from, that is, if he’s from the mainland, you can start searching there. If hes from the Azores(Açores), you can start checking the island out for records.
As things start happening, I’ll be around and so will your other friends, who you just don’t know yet, that are on this list. They are all willing to help each other, since that is the way things are done around here.
Good luck, good hunting and God Bless to you and yours
Cliff
--
Cliff Nye
Researching Flores: Canhoto, Jacintha, Simão, Pimentel, Avellar, Carvalho, Furtado, Nunes, Medeiros, and, on the continent, Rocha. Also, German & Belgium for: Nye, Neu and Pieters
sara...@aol.com
Jun 12, 2007, 5:06:30 PM6/12/07
to Azo...@googlegroups.com
Dear Michelle,
If you have your great grampa's marriage record, then you probably have the name and address of the church. Catholic churches require proof of baptism before they can be married. If you contact the church, ask for the application information and tell them you need to know where your great grandparents were baptized. Unless the records were destroyed in a fire or somehow, the church has that info.
My father was married in 1920 the the church of his marriage had the baptism information.
I knew where my grandparents were born but in looking at their marriege application (1896) I learned the names of unknown fathers! So, I know baptism info is kept.
Best wishes,
Arline Silveira in Grover Beach, CA
My great-grandfather, Manual Cunha is where I'm stuck. My grandmother, his daughter in law, insists he was born on St. Micheal's in the Azores, however, paperwork I've seen says he was born in California and his marriage certificate says Colton, Calfornia.
His marriage certificate says this: Manul Anthony Cunha born Colton California. Father: Marion (spelling?) Cunha and Carolina Cunha (no maiden name given, unless her maiden name was Cunha) October 16, 1912, Lexington, Mass. His occupation is listed as conductor. He would've been born around 1875-1885 (I think 1882, but I'm not sure).
ea...@comcast.net
Jun 12, 2007, 5:39:25 PM6/12/07
to Azo...@googlegroups.com
Michelle,
Attached is his draft card from WW1 . He claims to be Natural born.
Also attached is the city directory from 1918 for Lexington Mass. There is only one other Cunha.
If you know Sylvie died in Quincy and was a 105, knowing the year she died would give us a birth year.
I have noticed a large group of Cunhas in San Mateo County, California. There is a large store in Half Moon Bay called Cunha's that has been around a hundred years.
Eric Edgar
-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Michelle Cunha" <cunha.m...@gmail.com>
I've been lurking on this list for the past couple weeks just getting to know you all.
I am just beginning to research my father's family, the Cunha's. I have hit a roadblock and need some ideas to overcome it.
My great-grandfather, Manual Cunha is where I'm stuck. My grandmother, his daughter in law, insists he was born on St. Micheal's in the Azores, however, paperwork I've seen says he was born in California and his marriage certificate says Colton, Calfornia.
His marriage certificate says this: Manul Anthony Cunha born Colton California. Father: Marion (spelling?) Cunha and Carolina Cunha (no maiden name given, unless her maiden name was Cunha) October 16, 1912, Lexington, Mass. His occupation is listed as conductor. He would've been born around 1875-18 85 (I think 1882, but I'm not sure).
Richard Francis Pimentel
Jun 12, 2007, 6:24:45 PM6/12/07
to Azo...@googlegroups.com
It could be his fathers name is Marianno Cunha
Rick
Richard Francis Pimentel
Epping, New Hampshire
Researching: Pimentel, Carvalho, Teixeira, Rocha
from Sao Miguel, Acores
Cheri Mello
Jun 13, 2007, 4:46:33 PM6/13/07
to Azo...@googlegroups.com
Michelle,
I'm trying to put this in timeline form, but not sure if I've pieced it together correctly.
Manuel Anthony Cunha, born c 1875-1885 (maybe 1882) in Colton, San Bernardino Co, CA. He was the son of "Marion" (Rick suggested Marianno) Cunha and Caroline Cunha.
Manuel married to __________________ on 16 Oct 1912, in Lexington, MA. She was the daughter of _________________ and _____________________.
Manuel died ___________________ (date and place).
I wrote up 30 some pages of how to do your family tree. You can find it here: http://homepage.mac.com/kmacardoza/Genealogy/HowTo.html
Cheri Mello
Listowner, Azores-Gen
Researching: Vila Franca, Ponta Garca, Ribeira Quente, R. das Tainhas, Achada
I'm trying to put this in timeline form, but not sure if I've pieced it together correctly.
Manuel Anthony Cunha, born c 1875-1885 (maybe 1882) in Colton, San Bernardino Co, CA. He was the son of "Marion" (Rick suggested Marianno) Cunha and Caroline Cunha.
Manuel married to __________________ on 16 Oct 1912, in Lexington, MA. She was the daughter of _________________ and _____________________.
Manuel died ___________________ (date and place).
I wrote up 30 some pages of how to do your family tree. You can find it here: http://homepage.mac.com/kmacardoza/Genealogy/HowTo.html
Cheri Mello
Listowner, Azores-Gen
Researching: Vila Franca, Ponta Garca, Ribeira Quente, R. das Tainhas, Achada
ea...@comcast.net
Jun 13, 2007, 4:50:04 PM6/13/07
to Azo...@googlegroups.com
Michelle,
On the shiplist I sent earlier for the Kennard , Faial to Boston , landing 5 April 1890 , notice farther down the page there is a Carolina Adelaide 16yrs. On the second page, I found a Carolina Maria 19 yrs.
Notice that Marianno is returning to the US.
Eric
-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Michelle Cunha" <cunha.m...@gmail.com>
I've been lurking on this list for the past couple weeks just getting to know you all.
I am just beginning to research my father's family, the Cunha's. I have hit a roadblock and need some ideas to overcome it.
My great-grandfather, Manual Cunha is where I'm stuck. My grandmother, his daughter in law, insists he was born on St. Micheal's in the Azores, however, paperwork I've seen says he was born in California and his marriage certificate says Colton, Calfornia.
His marriage certificate says this: Manul Anthony Cunha born Colton California. Father: Marion (spelling?) Cunha and Carolina Cunha (no maiden name given, unless her maiden name was Cunha) October 16, 1912, Lexington, Mass. His occupation is listed as conductor. He would've been born around 1875-18 85 (I think 1882, but I'm not sure).
robin meigs
Jun 13, 2007, 6:07:05 PM6/13/07
to Azo...@googlegroups.com
Hi , I know alot of Cunha's families are in Half Moon Bay, California which is San Mateo county .maybe you can get a link or clue from there . they have a store named Cunha's which you could call and see ? They have written alot of books and history on there branches of the Cunha family .
good luck !!
good luck !!
Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join Yahoo!'s user panel and lay it on us.
Mary Bordi
Jun 14, 2007, 1:40:57 AM6/14/07
to Azo...@googlegroups.com
On Jun 12, 2007, at 11:47 AM, Barb Marshall wrote:
> I lived for many years in Half Moon Bay, CA where there is still a
> Cunya General Store. I wonder if the owners are any relation to you
> and if they might be of some help? I moved to MT View, 1 1/2 years
> ago, but if I can be of some help, please let me know. Cunyas played a
> big role in the history of HMB and I recall seeing some of their
> graves in the Odd Fellows Cemetery there. Good luck!
The family has just recently sold the store.
http://hmbreview.com/articles/2007/06/08/news/local_news/story04.txt
Mary Bordi
Cheri Mello
Jun 15, 2007, 2:05:34 AM6/15/07
to Azo...@googlegroups.com
Hi Michelle,
I'm using Ancestry right now to find this stuff. In addition to what Arline said about getting the marriage record (not just the certificate), you also need to get Manuel's death certificate to verify his birth. The stuff I'm finding matches what Eric found on the World War I draft (Manuel b. 7 Mar 1875). Get Manuel's obituaries too.
1930 Wellesley, Norfork Co, MA
Manuel Cunha (and wife Lavina). He was b. c. 1876 in CA
1920 Lexington, Middlesex Co, MA
Manuel Cunha (and wife). He was b. c 1876 in CA.
Can't find him in 1910 or 1900.
1880 Eden, Alameda Co, CA
Manuel "Canya" (indexed by the fantastic folks in Bangladesh), b. c. 1876, nephew of Manuel Frank, age 50, born Azores and his wife, Maria, age 36, also born in the Azores. Do you have any info on a Manuel Frank or Manuel Francisco?
IF that 1880 guy is your Manuel and his sister Silvina was born in 1878 in the Azores, then this means that Marianno & Carolina Cunha went back (at least once). Silvina states she immigrated 1889 or 1888 (depending on the census I read). I would think that she came back with her parents, but she could have been sent to America in care of someone else.
I'd say that your Manuel was born in CA. I do question it being in Colton, though. Maybe it was in northern CA and the town was misunderstood. But who knows, maybe they moved around a lot. To the east of Colton is Redlands, Crafton, and Mentone. They were Portuguese areas in San Bernardino Co.
I'd also chase Silvana Glynn too. She seems to have a good paper trail.
Cheri
Denise Enright
Jun 15, 2007, 10:41:15 PM6/15/07
to Azo...@googlegroups.com
Manuel Cunha settled on the California coast probably from Half Moon Bay, or Pescasero. My kids went to Manuel F Cunha Middle School. There are several Cunha's in that town and all related- they are from the Azores, various islands.(mainly Pico)
I'm not a Cunha- I am a Nascimento, my great grandparents were on the S.S. Hankow from Madeira to Hawaii Came to mainland from Hawaii and we were Portuguese Pioneers of the San Joaquin Valley.
Denise
I'm not a Cunha- I am a Nascimento, my great grandparents were on the S.S. Hankow from Madeira to Hawaii Came to mainland from Hawaii and we were Portuguese Pioneers of the San Joaquin Valley.
Denise
silv...@charter.net
Jun 15, 2007, 11:00:43 PM6/15/07
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This Manuel Cunha is related to my husband. He is the half brother of his grgrandmother. Manuel's parents were John Cunha and Maria Vincentia Bettencourt, both I believe from Sao Jorge. Manuel and Maria Frank are Maria Vincentia's sister and brother-in-law. I don't think this is the Manuel Cunha that you are looking for...
Fawn Silva
St. Louis, MO
Denise Enright
Jun 16, 2007, 12:40:21 AM6/16/07
to Azo...@googlegroups.com
Hi Cheri,
Thank you for your reply.
Well, there are a lot of Bettencourt's in Half Moon Bay and Pescadero as well as Cunha's from Sao Jorge, and the other islands . There are Avila's, Oliveira's Pacheco's, Mello's and Silva's, just to name a few. We're all just cousins in this great big world anyway. Good Luck in your search. Are you a member of Lusaweb? You can find a lot of information there regarding Portuguese ancestry.
http://www.lusaweb.com
Denise
Thank you for your reply.
Well, there are a lot of Bettencourt's in Half Moon Bay and Pescadero as well as Cunha's from Sao Jorge, and the other islands . There are Avila's, Oliveira's Pacheco's, Mello's and Silva's, just to name a few. We're all just cousins in this great big world anyway. Good Luck in your search. Are you a member of Lusaweb? You can find a lot of information there regarding Portuguese ancestry.
http://www.lusaweb.com
Denise
San Francisco( Half Moon Bay), CA
Cheri Mello
Jun 16, 2007, 2:59:10 AM6/16/07
to Azo...@googlegroups.com
Sorry, I was addressing that to Michelle, who is looking for her Cunha's from S.Miguel.
At one time, I submitted all my stuff to Lusaweb. He revamped the site and it seems like most of the genealogy is gone. So I send it to the Azores Genweb now.
Cheri
Cliff Nye
Jun 16, 2007, 12:06:43 PM6/16/07
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Cheri
What is it that you’re looking for. I have some of the items copied for future use since I knew it was only a matter of time.
Let me know and if it’s something that I have, I’ll send it to you.
What is it that you’re looking for. I have some of the items copied for future use since I knew it was only a matter of time.
Let me know and if it’s something that I have, I’ll send it to you.
Cliff Nye
Researching Flores: Canhoto, Jacintha, Simão, Pimentel, Avellar, Carvalho, Furtado, Nunes, Medeiros, and, on the continent, Rocha. Also, German & Belgium for: Nye, Neu and Pieters
Cheri Mello
Jun 16, 2007, 2:34:01 PM6/16/07
to Azo...@googlegroups.com
Hi Cliff,
This thread was started by Michelle...all responses on this thread (titled "Cunha") should be for her original query. She started it by stating that it was her first post. I don't think I have any Cunha's.
Depending on the ISP, it's hard to tell what's what. I had a harder time when I was on AOL. With Gmail, they are all grouped together (I see what looks like a stack of index cards) so I can tell what the original post was and what I'm responding to. Pretty neat! And Gmail is free (really neat!)
Cheri--
This thread was started by Michelle...all responses on this thread (titled "Cunha") should be for her original query. She started it by stating that it was her first post. I don't think I have any Cunha's.
Depending on the ISP, it's hard to tell what's what. I had a harder time when I was on AOL. With Gmail, they are all grouped together (I see what looks like a stack of index cards) so I can tell what the original post was and what I'm responding to. Pretty neat! And Gmail is free (really neat!)
Cheri
Decosta Thomas R GS-13
Jun 18, 2007, 10:35:42 AM6/18/07
to Azo...@googlegroups.com
Michele -
Grew up and still live in the Colton, Redlands, Chino area.
Colton is a major railroad classification yard for the BN Santa Fe which
would also support his being listed a conductor I believe. Not only were
there major portuguese areas 30 minutes east of Colton in Mentone but also
30 minutes west of Colton in Chino large dairy farms which are fast becoming
subdivisions.
If there is anything I can do from here, let me know.
Tom
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robin meigs
Jun 18, 2007, 6:43:27 PM6/18/07
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Dear Barb, I see you have lived in Half Moon Bay for years I was wondering if you could tell me anything on my family the Marsh's they have been there over 100's of year my grandfather Henry Marsh (hank or pecky as some called him passed away last January . but his sister Lou Martin and Bud Machado are still there with tons of my cousins. There parents would be George Marsh and Mary Pimintel , I know some info. my great grandpa george passed away in the 1960's I have pictures of the 2 of us , and my great grandma passed in the late 1920's , but i was looking for any stories you may or may not have ?
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