Toni,
I've looked at Ancestry.com and seen your tree and others for Serafino. Everybody has the same info on him.
Here's some new stuff.
Marriage record from VItalsearch, Santa Barbara county records:
Serafino Jose Mendonza and Josephine Emma Damos married at Santa Maria
on 29 Oct 1906 by Rev Matias Lernes. Book H page 392 .
On the certificate page, Marriage filed 3 Nov 1906, Marriage date 28 Oct 1906 it shows they both live in Santa Maria.
He is listed as Serafino Mendoza 40 yrs. b. Portugal
She is listed as Joaquina Em. Damaso 26 yrs b. Portugal
On the 1900 census for Twnship 7 Santa Barbara county, Serafino is in the house hold of his brother-in-law Manuel Rodriguez. That makes wife, Mary b. Jan 1868 Massachucetts, his sister.
Naturalization
Name Nativity Date of Admission Court
Mendonza, Serefino J. Portugal 7/21/1902 Superior
Now you know where to look for his original naturalization papers , Santa Barbara County Superior Court. Most likely in the Hall of Records at the county courthouse in Santa Barbara
His wife's death information:
Surname: MENDONZA
Given Name: JOAQUINA
Middle Name: J.
Age: 39y 9m 5d
Cemetery: Santa Maria District Cemetery
Year / Mo. / Day: 1929 November 30
Plot: Section: 1ST Plot: 337 Lot: 9
I've seen the 1940 census, and it clearly says birthplace Canary Islands. On the 1930 it says Azores with both parents born Azores. On the 1920 it says Portugal . 1910 it clearly says Azores, Portugal
I think you can discount the Canary Island statement as a misunderstanding. The Canaries have always been Spanish anyway.
Eric Edgar