New to group and researching my Grandmother

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Robert W Spanks Jr

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May 7, 2026, 12:45:20 PM (5 days ago) May 7
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Good evening everyone. I am new to this group thank you for allowing me to join.

I am researching my Grandmother "Barros" family.
This is what information I know so far.

Name: Angelina A P Barros
Born: 21 Apr 1898
Place: Madalena do Mar, Madeira, Portugal
Mother: Quiteria Joaquina
Father: Manuel Nunes Pereira Barros
Siblings: Anna Barros and Francisco
Baptisied: 21 Apr 1898
Place: Madalena do Mar, Madeira, Portugal

I was told that Angelina, Anna and Francisco were placed in an orphange in Ponta Delgada Island of Sao Miguel. I also know that they came to America in 1917 aboard the passanger ship SS Cretic. I have information records from that and I know where she resided in the USA. 

I am trying to track down any information as to what orphange she was in and any records I might be able to obtain. Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanking you in advance
Bob Spanks, Jr. 

Cheri Mello

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May 7, 2026, 12:58:35 PM (5 days ago) May 7
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Hi Bob S,

I haven't heard of orphanage records being available in the Azores. If anyone has, they will chime in.

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


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Bill Seidler

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May 7, 2026, 9:43:05 PM (4 days ago) May 7
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Hello Bob,

It appears to me that your grandmother immigrated from Madeira (where she was born).  The Cretic's last port before arriving in Boston on 28 Mar 1917 was Ponta Delgada but it appears it picked up people in Madeira, Gibralter, Naples, and Genoa (where it originated on 4 Mar 1917) prior to that.  The manifest available on Ancestry.com shows she last lived on Madeira with her father Manuel NP Barros in Madelena do Mar and that she is going to stay with her brother Francisco P. Barros at 21 Mansfield Ave, Norton, MA.  The Anna Barros she is traveling with is going to her husband who is the same Francisco in Norton, MA.  The Francisco traveling with them is Francisco and Anna's son.

If these are the Angelina, Anna, and Francisco Barros on the SS Cretic to which you referred, then they are your grandmother with her sister-in-law and nephew.  They were all on their way to your grandmother's brother in Norton, MA.

I hope this helps...if you believe this doesn't match what you know to be true then just disregard.

Bill Seidler

Robert W Spanks Jr

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May 7, 2026, 10:11:17 PM (4 days ago) May 7
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Thank you all for your responses. Bill all that information is very helpful it is my grandmother.

Have a wonderful day and thank you all for your help.

Bob

Robert "Bob" Spanks, Jr., REALTOR  
Broker Associates Realty
17860 SE 109th Avenue Suite #604
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Karen Ramos

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May 8, 2026, 8:23:16 PM (3 days ago) May 8
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It sounds like Bill had the best answer to your question, but for anyone who is interested, here is some information on the orphanage on São Miguel from this list and from a Google search.

Sao Miguel Orphanage - Asilo de Infancia Desvalida aka La Mãe de Deus
189 views. 1-6-2008
Elaine Sharp
Go to:

Partial Results for Search Terms in Google:
19th century orphanage on sao miguel island azores +4             

The primary 19th-century orphanage on São Miguel Island, Azores, was the Asilo de Infância Desvalida in Ponta Delgada, often linked with the Madre de Deus (Mother of God) area. 

It was established to care for abandoned, orphaned, or unprotected children, often referred to as "expostos" (foundlings) during that era.

Key details regarding 19th-century orphanages on São Miguel:  

Asilo de Infância Desvalida (Ponta Delgada):
This was the main orphanage often cited in genealogical records for children in the late 1800s.

"Roda" System: Abandoned babies were commonly left at the roda (a revolving wheel) of churches or convents to be picked up by caretakers.Cultural Context: Due to extreme poverty and high mortality rates in the 19th century, many children were placed in these institutions, and many orphans or foundlings from that period were sometimes adopted or raised by local families.

Other Institutions: While the Asilo was the primary institution, other religious orders (convents/retreats) likely provided, care for destitute children before formal orphanage systems were fully established.

For research, records from the Asilo de Infância Desvalida in Ponta Delgada are crucial, as noted by researchers trying to find ancestors adopted or raised in institutions during the 1890s.


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