Joao Maria Bettencourt (circa 1885) - Assistance Request - Thanks!

[MCB]

Hello Everyone (I apologize if this copied over terribly from MS Word)

My name is Mike Bettencourt and I’m respectfully requesting assistance from anyone willing to help.  Cheri Mello (thanks again Cheri!!) helped in getting me started in 2018/2019, but due to work and life taking priority, I was never able to get past a certain roadblock, which is my great grandfather, John Bettencourt (Joao Maria Bettencourt).  I’m new here so I apologize if I don’t provide everything you may need or want. Just let me know and I’ll see if I can track things down for you.

The long story short is that I’m unable to discern the lineage past my great grandfather (Joao Maria Bettencourt) and/or his brother (Jose Maria Bettencourt). If anyone has any existing data, is able to review what I have, and/or offer assistance or resources, it would be greatly appreciated!

Known Information: In order to not make this email extremely lengthy I’ll provide what I’ve been able to confirm or believe to be accurate. I can provide addition data/details as needed/wanted.  There are a number of links to the Portuguese records (birth certificates and marriage information) below.

·      My great grandfather, Joao (John) Maria Bettencourt stated in his naturalization petition & declaration paperwork, etc. that he was born on the island of Faial (Horta) on June 24, 1885. Other documents annotate his DOB as June 24, 1886 and even July 24, 1884. He listed his name in his official naturalization documents as Joao Maria Bettencourt, but mostly went by John M. Bettencourt.

·      Joao/John stated that he was last in, or departed, from Brava, Cape Verde Islands prior to arrival in the U.S. on or about May 19, 1902 on a Coast Guard Vessel. He noted he arrived in New Bedford, MA. FYI, one of the witnesses on his naturalization petition was Manuel Leal, his wife Carolina Leal’s brother. I assume he was fishing/working in CVI and jumped on a ship with other CVI folks headed to the U.S. I’ve never been able to identify the vessel, especially when he claimed it was a Coast Guard vessel, and not a normal passenger one.

·      Joao/John married Carolina Leal on or about November 28, 1907 at St Anthony’s, a Portuguese parish in Cambridge, MA. I also was able to acquire the civil record (which had John’s last name incorrectly entered (John Carmo). The parish’s church record indicated both John and Carolina were from Faial. Only John’s mother is listed (Maria do Carmo). Carolina’s parents were listed as Joseph Leal and Helena Ignacia/Ignatia. The two (2) witnesses were listed as Joseph (Jose) Maria Bettencourt and Maria Joseph (Jose) Bettencourt.  The civil record stated that John’s mother was unknown and his mother was listed as Maria/Marie Carmo. Carolina’s parents were listed as Joseph Leal and Ellen Ignacia.

·      A Helena/Eleanna/Eleanor (believed to be Carrie’s mother) was listed in various census and town directories at both the houses of John/Carrie and Joseph/Maria throughout the early 1900’s.

·      Carolina (Carrie) Leal stated in her naturalization petition that she was born on the island of Faial on April 16, 1887. She said left from St. Michael and arrived in Boston, MA on the Romanic on September 11, 1904. She was with a “Jose Leal” who was 36 years of age on this trip, which would not be a match to her father’s age (according to ancestry information provided in the below links), so I don’t know who he is. He could possibly be a cousin, etc. I did not go off on a tangent trying to identify him, however.

·      Manuel Leal (Carrie’s brother) stated in his naturalization petition that he was born on the island of Faial on February 19, 1889. He noted that he traveled on the “Peninsular” ship, arriving in New Bedford, MA on June 11, 1904. He lived in the Revere (Beachmont), MA area for a good portion of his life.

·      Jose (Joseph) Maria Bettencourt is believed to be Joao (John) Bettencourt’s older brother. Maria Jose Bettencourt is believed to be Carrie’s older sister. Cheri Mello first noticed/hypothesized this when she was reviewing the Parish records for me. Yes, this founds very strange and interesting. A Bettencourt(who may also be a Leal?) marrying a Bettencourt? It’s strange at least for me based on my limited knowledge of the historical naming conventions on the Azores Islands.

o   My family has stated that they believe recalling John as having a brother named Joseph.

o   Joseph’s marriage information to Maria Jose Bettencourt, gleaned from the Azores parish, denotes that Joseph’s (Jose’s) mother was a Maria Do Carmo and doesn’t list the father. This mother/no father information matches the parental information listed for John in his marriage to Carrie.

o   Jose (Joseph) Maria Bettencourt and Maria Jose Bettencourt were the two witnesses at John and Carrie’s wedding, although Maria Jose is believed to be Carrie’s older sister, so that also would be the reason why the two of them were there.

o   In 1955, when John died, the obituary stated that he had a brother “Joseph.” Joseph died 1968 in the Tampa, FL area.

o   Both John and Joseph lived on the same street in Somerville, MA (Sterling Street) for a significant period of time. #38 and #53 Sterling Street, respectively. 

·      Jose (Joseph) Maria Bettencourt stated on his naturalization paperwork (declaration of intention/petition) that he was born on the island of Faial on September 21, 1877 (declaration of intention), later corrected to September 21, 1879 (petition). Joseph noted that he arrived in New Bedford, MA on the Peninsular on June 5, 1903. Joseph also listed 3 children on his paperwork. Two children (Albertina & Jose) were claimed to have been born in Faial. This matches the Jose Maria de Bettencourt information listed below in the provided links.

Amazingly, Cheri was able to find a number of the Parish records. I found one (1) on my own (possibly Jose Maria Bettencourt’s baptismal record). But, I have no idea if I read that one correctly though!!! – Could be a totally different person!! ;) Some of the birth dates are very close, exact, or have the right month/day, but are incorrect on the year. I’m guessing that’s very normal due to a lot of factors.  

LEAL SIBLINGS BELOW

Carolina Leal entry on the Matriz Angustias website here: Carolina Leal Entry

Carolina Leal baptismal record (pages 95-96 - #16) here: Carolina Leal Baptismal Record

Maria Jose Bettencourt: entry on the Matriz Angustias website here: Maria Jose Bettencourt (Leal?) Entry

Maria Jose Bettencourt: baptismal record (pages 270-271 #43) here:  Maria Jose Bettencourt Baptismal Record

Manuel Leal entry on the Matriz Angustias website here: Manuel Leal Entry

Manuel Leal baptismal record (pages 155-156 - #12) here: Manuel Leal Baptismal Record

Maria Jose Bettencourt (Leal?) & Jose Maria de Bettencourt marriage entry on the Matriz Angustias website here: Marriage Entry

Maria Jose Bettencourt (Leal?) & Jose Maria de Bettencourt marriage record (pages 44-45 - #8) here: Marriage Record

Jose Maria Bettencourt entry on the Matriz Angustias website here: Jose Maria de Bettencourt Entry

Possible Jose Maria de Bettencourt baptismal record #1 (page 60 - #26) here: Possible Jose Maria de Bettencourt Baptismal Record

There is no reference to a Joao Maria Bettencourt on the Matriz Angustias website that I am able to locate. Furthermore, I can also not find a baptismal record for him. Was he who he said he was or is there something else I’m missing?

Thanks again to all in advance! It’s truly appreciated!

Mike B.

[eres...@gmail.com]

I found this baptism for a Joaquim son of Maria do Carmo.  Not sure if this is a brother or possibly your Joao.  You might want to check the other churches in Horta to see if he was baptized there.

http://culturacores.azores.gov.pt/biblioteca_digital/FAL-HT-PRAIADOALMOXARIFE-B-1873-1893/FAL-HT-PRAIADOALMOXARIFE-B-1873-1893_item1/index.html?page=186

[MCB]

Wow! Thank you very much for looking! I really appreciate it. I have a few follow-up questions if you don't mind ;) 

1) Would it be common at that time for someone being born "Joaquim" to subsequently refer to himself as Joao/John?

2) Excluding the Joaquim record for now, did you by chance review both the baptismal record and the marriage record for Jose Maria Bettencourt that I linked? If Joao/John (my John) and Jose/Joseph are in fact possible brothers, I'm curious if there are similarities or other information that would indicate that likelihood. To be honest, I have absolutely no idea if the record I linked for Jose's baptismal record is the correct one.  I don't even know if I got the year right. Cheri Mello found all the other records (including Jose Maria's marriage record to Maria Jose) except for Jose Maria's baptismal record and translated those for me. I searched myself for the Jose Maria Bettencourt baptismal record but I'm unable to read/decipher the records very well at all so can't confirm if I found the right one. I figured if the baptismal record and marriage record say the same, or similar, things, and the data (DOB, etc.)  generally matches, then I likely found the right one. I can spot names (somewhat) but my abilities are severely limited. Ha. 

3) Would anyone be willing and kind enough to translate the Jose Maria Bettencourt baptismal record I found? I want to see if the information generally matches the information found in the marriage record between Jose Maria and Maria Jose that Cheri found (both linked on my original post). Would anyone also be willing to translate the potential Joaquim baptismal record?  That way, I can compare the information from Jose's baptism, Jose's marriage, and Joaquim's baptism, hoping to determine similarities? 

3) I noticed there is a separate addendum to the side of the Joaquim record. Is that of any importance? Again, since I can't read Portuguese, it's hard for me to discern. 

4) I wish I was able to effectively search for similar or other records but my lack of experience and ability to read Portuguese, other than picking out possible name matches is limiting.  Thus my request original request for assistance. I know it may be a lot and I'm amenable to professional assistance, if those on this list indicate that might be necessary. 

Thanks again!

[Cheri Mello]

Mike B,

I have not found Joaquims going by Joao. They are 2 different names.

Which baptismal? This one? #26?

http://culturacores.azores.gov.pt/biblioteca_digital/FAL-HT-PRAIADOALMOXARIFE-B-1873-1893/FAL-HT-PRAIADOALMOXARIFE-B-1873-1893_item1/index.html?page=60

That Jose is born 20 Sept 1877. Much different than your previous dates. He is a natural son (mom having the baby without a husband) of Maria do Carmo, single, and she was from the Santa Barbara church in Riberinhas on Pico. The father is unknown. Maria do Carmo's parents are Joao Silveira de B_____ and Maria Helena.

I've got to get going to work, so someone else can get the missing word.

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

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[Cheri Mello]

And what does your DNA say?

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

[MCB]

Good morning, Cheri. Thanks! Per your question, yes, that is the same one, #26, that I had linked below. However, it does match (I would say-generally) to what I provided in my original post. Not sure what you meant about it being much different from my previous dates. Please let me know so I can clarify if needed. In my research, Jose Maria Bettencourt denoted his date of birth as being September 21, (not 20), 1877 on his declaration of intention to naturalize, so that's almost an exact match, being off by just a single day.  Jose later "corrected" it to September 21, 1879 (on the petition) but maybe the former is actually correct, based on the baptismal record and marriage record found. Various census records (1910, 1920, 1930) have his DOB varying based on age listed: 1878, 1880, 1881, etc. He does stick with 1879 on a number of other documents, but I’m guessing he may have just been trying to be consistent? Would he have decided to intentionally make himself younger by using 1879 vs. 1877 most of the time? I don’t know. Maybe he just didn’t really know his actual DOB?

What would be the chances of another Jose Maria Bettencourt born on September 20/21 in another year (1879 or whatever) that ALSO has no father listed (on a marriage and wedding record) and a mother named Maria do Carmo?  I say this because you had noted years ago in an email the following was gleaned from the marriage document of Jose Maria Bettencourt and Maria Jose Bettencourt:  

 "The marriage says (this follows - you can use the template for 3rd period marriages on the Azores GenWeb)...On 1 Dec 1900 in Angustias, Jose Maria  Bettencourt, single, of 23 years of age (b. c. 1877), native of the freguesia of Praia do Almoxarife of this island...page 2....of Faial, parishioner and living in the Matriz of this island (he's living in Horta and going to church at Sao Salvador or the Matriz for that council of Horta - Matriz is the Mother Church for that area), carpenter, son natural of Maria do Carmo, single, native of Ribeiras on Pico (Note: son/daughter legitimate means born in wedlock. They don't say son/dau. illegitimate, they call it natural)' and Maria Jose Bettencourt, single, of 18 years of age (yep, that works with the baptism above), governs domestic (housewife), natural of this freguesia, daughter legitimate of Jose Leal, native of Calheta de Nesquim of the island of Pico, worker, and of Helena de Brito, housewife, native/natural of Candelaria of Pico. It's mostly church stuff after that. The bride's father gave verbal consent since she was only 18. The other names are witnesses. Both the bride and groom sign at the bottom."

So, would it make sense to claim we found the correct baptismal record for Jose Maria Bettencourt? Do people agree? All the information seems to link correctly to his history and relationship with Maria Jose Bettencourt and Carolina Leal,  if we assume he was correct when he initially claimed September 21, 1877 as his year of birth (and not 1879). Although, off by a single day.

Regarding your question on DNA, you reviewed my DNA data and told me the following in March 2018 (5 almost 6 years ago): 

"You are matching people on the central island group (Faial, Pico, etc), but nothing strong. I don't have good representation from Faial yet."

[Guilherme da Rocha Koehler]

Hello,

Taking information from his ancestor's brother, José, and their mother, Maria do Carmo, on the island of Faial, we obtain two candidates:

http://www.ghp.ics.uminho.pt/geneweb/gwd.exe?b=MatrizAngustias;lang=pt;p=jose+maria+de;n=bettencourt

This one (who you had already located), is the son of an unknown father, and his mother was from Pico Island:

http://culturacores.azores.gov.pt/biblioteca_digital/FAL-HT-PRAIADOALMOXARIFE-B-1873-1893/FAL-HT-PRAIADOALMOXARIFE-B-1873-1893_item1/index.html?page=60

Which doesn't make much sense, since his ancestor's brother received the paternal surname "Bettencourt".

Another option found:

http://www.ghp.ics.uminho.pt/geneweb/gwd.exe?b=Almoxarife;lang=pt;i=6122;oc=425

This would be the baptism record of your ancestor's brother:

http://culturacores.azores.gov.pt/biblioteca_digital/FAL-HT-PRAIADOALMOXARIFE-B-1854-1873/FAL-HT-PRAIADOALMOXARIFE-B-1854-1873_item1/index.html?page=272

In the link above, no children named "John" are listed. All of the couple's other children were registered in the village "Praia do Almoxarife". I quickly and superficially searched the records between 1873 and 1893 and did not find a João who was the son of a Bettencourt. I have two hypotheses:

a) Unlike the other brothers, João was baptized in another village. You will have to do a manual search in the other villages on the island of Faial:

  http://www.culturacores.azores.gov.pt/ig/registos/

b) For some reason John was not baptized, or the date is incorrect. You can follow your ancestry through your brother's documentation, until you locate his baptismal record.

TRANSLATION OF THE BAPTISM OF JOSEPH:

On the twenty-fourth day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in this parish church of Nossa Senhora da Graça, in the place of Praia do Almoxarife, on this island of Faial, municipality of Horta, diocese of Angra, the Reverend curate of this parish João de Gouveia Valladares solemnly baptized Joze, who was born in this parish at eleven o'clock on the twenty-first of the current month and year, legitimate son of Joze da Silveira Bettencourt Junior, farmer, born in the parish of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda, place of Pedro Miguel, of this municipality and diocese, and of Maria do Carmo, who is employed in the domestic government, a native of this parish, where they were received and of which they are parishioners and residents of the same church; paternal grandson of Jozé Silveira bettencourt and Maria Magdalena, and maternal grandson of Antonio Estácio da Costa and Rita Feliciana da Silveira. The godfather was the paternal grandfather Jozé Silveira Bettencourt, widower, owner, and godmother Nossa Senhora da Graça, whose invocation was resorted to, touching her crown, Jacintho Pereira da Roza, married, protector [of this] institution [?], the which all [?]own. And for the record, I drew up this duplication on this certificate, which after being read and checked in front of the godparents, they signed with me. Era et supra.

José Silveira Bittencourt
Jacintho Pereira da Rosa
Vicar Feliciano Antônio da Silva Reis

MARGIN NOTE:

Jozé, legitimate son of José Silveira Bettencourt [?] Maria do Carmo.
He committed suicide by strangulation at 10 am on October 1, 1894 [the first case in this parish]

This last information is relevant to determine if this is the José you are looking for.

If you need a translation of another document, please post the direct link. Good luck in your search.

[Guilherme da Rocha Koehler]

http://culturacores.azores.gov.pt/biblioteca_digital/FAL-HT-PRAIADOALMOXARIFE-B-1873-1893/FAL-HT-PRAIADOALMOXARIFE-B-1873-1893_item1/index.html?page=60

On the twenty-ninth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven, in this parish church of Nossa Senhora da Graça da Praia do Alxarife on the island of Faial, municipality of Horta, diocese of Angra, I solemnly baptized an individual of the same sex male to whom I gave the name Joze, and who was born in this parish at four o'clock in the afternoon of the 20th of the current month and year, natural son of Maria do Carmo, a single woman who works in the domestic government, born in the parish of Santa Bárbara, Lugas das Ribeiras on the island of Pico, municipality of Lajes in this diocese, currently living in this parish in [?] da Areia and in the same parish. Na and from an unknown father. Maternal grandson of João Silveira de [Brum] and Maria Helena. Godfather was Cipriano Jozé da Silva, [single], sailor, godmother Marianna Delfina, single, who works in the domestic government, whom I know to be the same. And for the record, I drew up this statement in duplicate, which after being read and checked in front of the godparents with me, [the godmother did not sign] because she did not know how to write. Era et supra.
Cipriano Joze da Silva
Vicar Feliciano Antonio da Silva Reis.

Em quarta-feira, 20 de dezembro de 2023 às 14:44:09 UTC-3, Cheri Mello escreveu:

[MCB]

Hello Guilhermo 

Thank you very much for taking the time looking at things. It's very much appreciated! Obrigado! I must admit however, that I was having trouble following some of the flow of information and associating your links with the appropriate translations. Also, there were a few other things and how they were phrased that were confusing me. My apologies! I'm not used to discussing a topic such as this. Do you mind if we do this in smaller parts, so that I can can eliminate or confirm items one by one? Otherwise, with too many items, it may get overwhelming. Thanks for understanding! 

I'd like to ignore Joao/John for now, and simply work on confirming the baptismal record for Jose Maria Bettencourt for the moment. 

I may be mistaken, but the way I read your emails (which I likely did incorrectly), it sounds like you felt the record for Jose Maria Bettencourt that I discussed in my original email would be for a Jose Maria Bettencourt that committed suicide in 1894. I must have read your email(s) incorrectly as clearly that cannot be correct, as Jose Maria Bettencourt, spouse of Maria Jose Bettencourt, lived until 1968. 

I feel the likely correct baptismal record of Jose Maria Bettencourt (for now) is below, based on your translation. This makes sense to me based on date of birth (September 20, 1877) and single mother (Maria do Carmen). The Jose Maria Bettencourt with which I'm familiar stated in an immigration document that he was born on September 21, 1877 (one day different). Do you agree that this record is the Jose Maria Bettencourt I am attempting to confirm? 

Furthermore, I would argue this is supported by him being 23 years of age (1877) at the date of marriage to Maria Jose Bettencourt (December 1900) and name of the mother (Maria do Carmen) happens to match the marriage record here:  Jose & Maria Marriage.  The baptismal record for Maria Jose (listed on my original email) shows her born in 1882. Her being married in 1900 matches her age of 18 listed on the marriage document. This all links to Maria's sister, Carolina as well, and Carolina's connection/marriage to Joao. 

On 1 Dec 1900 in Angustias, Jose Maria  Bettencourt, single, of 23 years of age (b. c. 1877), native of the freguesia of Praia do Almoxarife of this island of Faial, parishioner and living in the Matriz of this island, carpenter, son natural of Maria do Carmo, single, native of Ribeiras on Pico and Maria Jose Bettencourt, single, of 18 years of age, governs domestic (housewife), natural of this freguesia, daughter legitimate of Jose Leal, native of Calheta de Nesquim of the island of Pico, worker, and of Helena de Brito, housewife, native/natural of Candelaria of Pico. 

Likely baptismal record of Jose Maria Bettencourt linked below:

http://culturacores.azores.gov.pt/biblioteca_digital/FAL-HT-PRAIADOALMOXARIFE-B-1873-1893/FAL-HT-PRAIADOALMOXARIFE-B-1873-1893_item1/index.html?page=60

On the twenty-ninth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven, in this parish church of Nossa Senhora da Graça da Praia do Alxarife on the island of Faial, municipality of Horta, diocese of Angra, I solemnly baptized an individual of the same sex male to whom I gave the name Joze, and who was born in this parish at four o'clock in the afternoon of the 20th of the current month and year, natural son of Maria do Carmo, a single woman who works in the domestic government, born in the parish of Santa Bárbara, Lugas das Ribeiras on the island of Pico, municipality of Lajes in this diocese, currently living in this parish in [?] da Areia and in the same parish. Na and from an unknown father. Maternal grandson of João Silveira de [Brum] and Maria Helena. Godfather was Cipriano Jozé da Silva, [single], sailor, godmother Marianna Delfina, single, who works in the domestic government, whom I know to be the same. And for the record, I drew up this statement in duplicate, which after being read and checked in front of the godparents with me, [the godmother did not sign] because she did not know how to write. Era et supra.
Cipriano Joze da Silva
Vicar Feliciano Antonio da Silva Reis.

So, do you believe the above is the correct Jose Maria Bettencourt? Thanks again!

[Guilherme da Rocha Koehler]

Hello,

My answer was really confusing. The idea was to provide some notes so that you can decide whether they make sense to you, since you are familiar with the research. Let's go:

We are discussing the existence of two people called José, son of Maria do Carmo, on the island of Faial. We will discard José who committed suicide, for the reasons you have already listed. We have this one left:

http://culturacores.azores.gov.pt/biblioteca_digital/FAL-HT-PRAIADOALMOXARIFE-B-1873-1893/FAL-HT-PRAIADOALMOXARIFE-B-1873-1893_item1/index.html?page=60

As stated in the document, his mother was from the island of Pico (and single), and his father was unknown. Therefore, if this is really the José you are looking for, your search may have to extend to other islands.

I ask if this is really the José you are looking for as there were other "Maria do Carmo" on the island of Faial (Carmo is a devotional surname, meaning "garden of God"). You can get clues from other Maria do Carmo on this website: http://www.ghp.ics.uminho.pt/genealogias.html

Remember that there are many name coincidences in this research period.

Another point to pay attention to is where he inherited the surname Bettencourt. He would have to look for records of his mother on Pico Island to find out if this is his surname. Something that intrigues me is that you mention that in the record of his supporting brother, João, his father's name is not mentioned, but Bettencourt is repeated.

As a suggestion, I can recommend this work: https://www.wook.pt/livro/genealogias-das-quatro-ilhas-antonio-ornelas-mendes/2108361

I don't have it, but the surname Bettencourt is mentioned and the author is more than renowned. Good luck with your search, if there is anything else that can help, let me know.

[Steve Stevens]

Not sure if this is relevent, but contains names mentioned. It is from Sao Miguel marriage listings:

August 17, 1864 JOSE DE MEDEIROS BETTENCOURT REGO DONA ISABEL AUGUSTA DA SILVIERA ESTRELLA

Regards,

Steve Stevens

------ Original Message ------

From "Guilherme da Rocha Koehler" <guilherm...@gmail.com>

To "Azores Genealogy" <azo...@googlegroups.com>

Date 12/20/2023 1:30:16 PM

Subject Re: [AZORES-Genealogy] Re: Joao Maria Bettencourt (circa 1885) - Assistance Request - Thanks!

Wow! Thank you very much for looking! I really appreciate it. I have a few follow-up questions if you don't mind 😉 

Amazingly, Cheri was able to find a number of the Parish records. I found one (1) on my own (possibly Jose Maria Bettencourt’s baptismal record). But, I have no idea if I read that one correctly though!!! – Could be a totally different person!! 😉 Some of the birth dates are very close, exact, or have the right month/day, but are incorrect on the year. I’m guessing that’s very normal due to a lot of factors.  

LEAL SIBLINGS BELOW

Carolina Leal entry on the Matriz Angustias website here: Carolina Leal Entry

Carolina Leal baptismal record (pages 95-96 - #16) here: Carolina Leal Baptismal Record

Maria Jose Bettencourt: entry on the Matriz Angustias website here: Maria Jose Bettencourt (Leal?) Entry

Maria Jose Bettencourt: baptismal record (pages 270-271 #43) here:  Maria Jose Bettencourt Baptismal Record

Manuel Leal entry on the Matriz Angustias website here: Manuel Leal Entry

Manuel Leal baptismal record (pages 155-156 - #12) here: Manuel Leal Baptismal Record

Maria Jose Bettencourt (Leal?) & Jose Maria de Bettencourt marriage entry on the Matriz Angustias website here: Marriage Entry

Maria Jose Bettencourt (Leal?) & Jose Maria de Bettencourt marriage record (pages 44-45 - #8) here: Marriage Record

Jose Maria Bettencourt entry on the Matriz Angustias website here: Jose Maria de Bettencourt Entry

Possible Jose Maria de Bettencourt baptismal record #1 (page 60 - #26) here: Possible Jose Maria de Bettencourt Baptismal Record

There is no reference to a Joao Maria Bettencourt on the Matriz Angustias website that I am able to locate. Furthermore, I can also not find a baptismal record for him. Was he who he said he was or is there something else I’m missing?

Thanks again to all in advance! It’s truly appreciated!

Mike B.

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[MCB]

Hi Guilherme 

Thanks for the update! Not a problem at all as you are assisting me! 

I definitely understand the "coincidence" issue. Haha. However, what Cheri found years ago, in addition to my research into the other factors (dates, relationships, etc.) that I laid out in my original post, it only makes sense that this is "likely" the Jose for whom I am looking:  http://culturacores.azores.gov.pt/biblioteca_digital/FAL-HT-PRAIADOALMOXARIFE-B-1873-1893/FAL-HT-PRAIADOALMOXARIFE-B-1873-1893_item1/index.html?page=60.  However, I willing and open to a coincidence scenario. The last name Bettencourt is very confusing (more on that later). The reason I believe it could/likely be the correct one (ignoring the Bettencourt surname) is as follows:

1) The above Jose Maria Bettencourt's date of birth is September 20, 1877. The mother, Maria do Carmo, is listed as being from Ribeiras, Pico. No father is listed. The Jose (Joseph) Maria Bettencourt from Somerville, MA advised in a document that he was from Horta, Faial and that his birthday was September 21, 1877.  That is only 1 day off (September 21).

2) There was a marriage between Jose Maria Bettencourt and Maria Jose Bettencourt in 1900. The marriage record notes Jose was 23 and Maria was 18. Additionally, Jose Maria's mother is listed as Maria Do Carmo with no father noted. Maria Do Carmo is listed as being from Ribeiras, Pico, like the Jose Maria Bettencourt baptismal record listed above. The years of birth for both Jose Maria and Maria Jose match each of their respective baptism records (linked previously). The Jose Maria Bettencourt in Somerville, MA was married to a Maria Jose Bettencourt.

3) The listed parental information on the baptismal record for Maria Jose Bettencourt (previously linked) matches the parental information for Carolina Leal (linked previously). They are assumed to be sisters then, or likely We also know that Maria Jose and Carolina had a brother Manuel Leal.  The parents of all three match.  Manuel Leal was the witness on Joao Bettencourt's naturalization petition. http://www.ghp.ics.uminho.pt/geneweb/gwd.exe?b=MatrizAngustias;lang=en;p=jose+leal;n=alemao

4) Carolina Leal Married Joao Maria Bettencourt in Boston Massachusetts. The two witnesses at the wedding were Jose Maria Bettencourt and Maria Jose Bettencourt. The mother listed for Joao was Maria do Carmo and no father was listed. 

I know it's entirely feasible that there could be a mistake/coincidence somewhere here, but it looks promising ;) 

The ONE big thing I don't understand is the Bettencourt surname and the methodology used with surnames when the child is listed as "natural" and no father is listed. Is the surname supposed to match one of the grandparents, or are there various other scenarios?  Even the surname for Maria Jose Bettencourt doesn't make sense. If she's the child of Jose Leal Alemao and Helen ignacia/inacia de Lemos de Brito, where did she also derive the surname Bettencourt?

I will keep looking. One thing I can do is look at all the parishes on both Pico and Faial and mark down all Jose's and Joao's in a certain birth date range. Unfortunately, I won't be able to read the vast majority of the records. 

Thanks again everyone!

[Cheri Mello]

Mike said:

The ONE big thing I don't understand is the Bettencourt surname and the methodology used with surnames when the child is listed as "natural" and no father is listed. Is the surname supposed to match one of the grandparents, or are there various other scenarios?  

Answer: There are various scenarios. The vast majority of the time, the surname is from a parent or grandparents. I can be from the godparent too. It could be from the rich guy in the village - with the hope that if anything were to happen, the rich guy would take in the child.

Mike:

Even the surname for Maria Jose Bettencourt doesn't make sense. If she's the child of Jose Leal Alemao and Helen ignacia/inacia de Lemos de Brito, where did she also derive the surname Bettencourt?

Answer: More research will tell. Go back a few more generations to see if you can find the surname.

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

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/azores/f7884f10-86a0-4939-a92a-b17b74ac9275n%40googlegroups.com.

[Boyd McKee Kitchen]

I think Jose's paternal grandfather is listed as Joao Silveira Brum. I found a baptismal record for Maria, daughter of Joao Silveira Brum and Maria Helana in Ribeiras, Lajes do Pico on Pico. It says she was born 28 June 1847. Could this be Maria do Carmo's parents?

http://culturacores.azores.gov.pt/biblioteca_digital/PIC-LJ-RIBEIRAS-B-1841-1856/PIC-LJ-RIBEIRAS-B-1841-1856_item1/index.html?page=92

Boyd

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[MCB]

Interesting find Boyd! Thanks!

Here’s a link:  I went back through the various links for both Joao Silveira and Maria Helena looking for a Bettencourt in the line. I didn’t see anything right away. Then again, it’s a spiderweb.  But, from what I understand, the lack of a Bettencourt in the line doesn’t necessarily mean anything definitive, regardless. Ha. 

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[Guilherme da Rocha Koehler]

My guess: the fact that both brothers have a surname known on the island, and which is not mentioned in their ancestors, may indicate that they were adopted by a Bettencourt family. It wouldn't be strange if both, having no known father, were adopted by the same family. Keep in mind that considering the time and place, it was almost impossible for a single mother to raise a child. Still two more.

José's baptism record suggests that his mother, Maria do Carmo, was not present (the priest says he only read the term in the presence of his godparents). This is not a certainty, just a hypothesis. Here I'm just trying to think with the mentality of the time: it would have been hard enough for her to register a child with an unknown father, perhaps she chose not to baptize the second. Or perhaps John's baptism exists on another date or place than what he stated.

Here is the baptism of Maria do Carmo, in the parish of Ribeiras, municipality of Lajes do Pico, island of Pico as stated in the baptism of her son José:

http://culturacores.azores.gov.pt/biblioteca_digital/PIC-LJ-RIBEIRAS-B-1841-1856/PIC-LJ-RIBEIRAS-B-1841-1856_item1/index.html?page=92

Maria, daughter of João Silveira de Brum, and his wife Maria Helena, residents of [Ferreiro] in this parish of Santa [Igreja] das Ribeiras do Pico, where they are residents and parishioners, was born on the twenty-eighth day of the month of June 1847 and the undersigned vicar was baptized by me on the eighth day of July of the same year. João and Silvia, children of Manoel Joze d'Avila, resident of the said place, were godparents. And for the record I made this term ano et supra.

Vicar Antônio José da Silva

As I said before, perhaps you will find what you are looking for in the "Genealogia das Quatro Ilhas". Good luck.

[MCB]

Thanks Guilherme!

At some point after the holidays, I'll spend my time going through all the parish books from both Faial and Pico looking for a Joao born between 1882 and 1887 (a few extra years on each end to be safe). I'll log them down on a spreadsheet with any other words I'm able to decipher from the text. We'll see what I get! ;) I'm hoping DNA results will eventually be helpful. Only time will tell with that effort. 

Happy holidays to all and thanks for all the assistance with the research! - Mike

[Cheri Mello]

I don't remember the dates between the baptism and birth. It was not uncommon at all for the mother to be at home. She would under bed rest after having the baby. The father and godparent(s) would take the baby in to be baptized. In this case, it was just the godparents.

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

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/azores/2a0d6871-120a-4a8e-9621-65bd5f019c5bn%40googlegroups.com.

[Guilherme da Rocha Koehler]

True, the possibility of the mother not being present is just a hypothesis. The Azorean custom here in Brazil is for the child to be baptized weeks, sometimes months after birth. Baptism immediately after birth only under risk of imminent death. According to local tradition, after giving birth, the woman should stay indoors for 40 days, without taking in the wind or sun. This period was called "resguardo". But this may have been just a local custom.