Commonality of Names

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mm...@bellsouth.net

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Jan 11, 2014, 2:03:59 PM1/11/14
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I have a question, and hope no one laughs.  I have searched and searched, read and read more about the surnames of the Portuguese (Madeira island ancestors). I will preface this by adding I found a website for surname(s) and it will bring up the history of the name. Very interesting on the history/genesis of names and a names' connection to history etc.

So, the surname I searched is Jardim, Jardine, de Sousa.  Specifically, Manual de Sousa Jardim.  Now, I have all the information of my greatgrandfather and his family immigrating to the Hawaiian Islands in 1884, passport records, ship records, residency in Hawaii, census, where they worked, lived, etc., to all my present day (2014) relatives.  My goal in research is to go back to Madeira and find the ancestors there which brings me to this current dilemma.

My question, in reading, is that Manual de Sousa Jardim, as well as other names is 'a common name' ... well if it is such a common name, why can I NOT find other relatives in Madeira.  Why were some names so common.  I've read about taking mother's names, father's names etc., but for the life of me I cannot find out why ??!! some names were more common than others.  Can you explain this to me? I'm sure but I think, that perhaps the Jardim(s) came from another region, concelho, (and I'm not sure that I even have this correct).  I know that Arco de Calheta is what is on the immigration records for him and his family when the passport from Madeira to Hawaiian Islands were obtained. I think I have to go to another region to find the rest of the family but I'm not sure.  What I do know is that if someone can tell me WHY a name such as Manual Jardim is (and to quote) 'a common name'  I would in all likehood look in other regions.

Actually, I'm thinking that soon a trip to Madeira would be in order.

thank you, hope this did not confuse anyone and you'll get me an answer so I am 'less confused....


luiznoia .

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Jan 11, 2014, 4:14:31 PM1/11/14
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Jardim, meaning ( garden) may be an alcunha ( nickname) that was attached differentiate the Sousa families in the area. There may not be any relatives left in Madeira if your Manuel was the only male child of Manuel de Sousa Jardim and Emilia de Jesus. Once they died perhaps the surname did too. Or they may be in neighboring concelhos. Or they may have emmigrated to  other parts of the world

Eric Edgar



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mm...@bellsouth.net

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Jan 11, 2014, 10:48:19 PM1/11/14
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Okay, this makes sense, and your explanation helps me tremendously. I know there was a brother, but I don't know if he had any children. Or maybe, perhaps the parents had more children.  Should I be looking into the rest of the family?

Santa Barbara Mendonca's

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Jan 13, 2014, 12:34:42 PM1/13/14
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Would you mind sharing the link for the site where you found surnames info. I have been stuck on my great grandfather, Serafino Mendonca, differing spellings on census, who immigrated to Santa Barbara, Ca. In the US. His wife was Dalmaso. Any direction would help.

luiznoia .

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Jan 13, 2014, 1:48:34 PM1/13/14
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It's not from a website, but 20 years of doing Portuguese research. If you post as much information as you have on the ggrandfather, perhaps the group can help you with it. 

Eric Edgar


On Mon, Jan 13, 2014 at 9:34 AM, Santa Barbara Mendonca's <gwendo...@gmail.com> wrote:
Would you mind sharing the link for the site where you found surnames info. I have been stuck on my great grandfather, Serafino Mendonca, differing spellings on census, who immigrated to Santa Barbara, Ca. In the US. His wife was Dalmaso. Any direction would help.

Santa Barbara Mendonca's

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Jan 14, 2014, 11:02:51 AM1/14/14
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Thank You Eric.... Here is what I have...
Serafino Jose Mendonza / Mendonca
My ggrandfather
Death 26 Apr 1944 in Santa Barbara Co., CA.Birth 25 Jun 1859 in Azores - Conory Islands or Terceira island, Portugal
Josephine Dalmaso
My ggrandmother 
Death ABT 1920Birth abt 1885 in Azores, Portugal

Mary Mendoza
My aunt
Birth abt 1908 in California
Death

Rose Wortley-Mendoza
My Grandmother
Death JUL 1966 in Hollywood, Los Angeles Co., CA.Birth abt 1909 in California
Married Wortley
Married Williams?

Dorothy Mendouza
My Aunt
Death LivingBirth 5 Jun 1919 in Santa Barbara, California

Any help would be sooooo appreciated

Toni






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luiznoia .

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Jan 14, 2014, 1:15:08 PM1/14/14
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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


luiznoia .

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Jan 14, 2014, 5:28:10 PM1/14/14
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Toni, 

 I beleive that this person on the marrige record is a brother or cousin of Joaquina Emma Damaso

Name: Manuel Rodrigues Damaso
Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 29 Jul 1911
Event Place: Santa Barbara, California, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 36
Birth Year (Estimated): 1875
Father's Name:
Mother's Name:
Spouse's Name: Maria Thomaz Silva
Spouse's Age: 25
Spouse's Gender: Female
Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated): 1886
Spouse's Father's Name:
Spouse's Mother's Name:
Page: 537
GS Film number: 1289285
Digital Folder Number: 004640184
Image Number: 00076

He is shown with a Jose Damaso on the 1910 census for Santa Maria. There are WW 1 draft cards for Manuel Rodrigues Damas, Morris Rodrigues Damas identifyng as brothers for Santa Maria from 1917. There is a large family group of Rodrigues Damaso in San Luis Obispo. There are some more in Merced County. 


Eric Edgar

Santa Barbara Mendonca's

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Mar 9, 2014, 11:29:25 AM3/9/14
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Thank you Eric. I am so sorry I missed your response back to me. That was more information than I had ever gotten. Do you happen to know the name of Serefino Mendonza's parents? And which Island they were from. We are planning a trip to Azores and I want to go to correct island. Again, thank you for your help.

Santa Barbara Mendonca's

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Sep 15, 2014, 10:50:35 PM9/15/14
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I have recently been advised that Jauquina Emma Damaso was of Mexican Indian descent. Previous records show her from Portugal. Can you help me sort this out?

luiznoia .

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Sep 16, 2014, 12:39:08 AM9/16/14
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What is the origin of  the Mexican descent? 

All census records point to Portugal. 

According to the 1920 census she was naturalized in 1908 separately from her husband. Serafino shows 1894 as his naturalization

We should search Santa barbara county for her paperwork.

Eric 

On Mon, Sep 15, 2014 at 7:50 PM, Santa Barbara Mendonca's <gwendo...@gmail.com> wrote:
I have recently been advised that Jauquina Emma Damaso was of Mexican Indian descent. Previous records show her from Portugal. Can you help me sort this out?
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luiznoia .

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Sep 16, 2014, 2:12:02 AM9/16/14
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Toni, 

I 've seen the Damaso name on many records in Flores island, Azores. I played a hunch and turned up this baptism record . The married record from 1906 says she is 26 years old and from Portugal

This from Lajes, Flores  , 3 February 1880. 

Joaquina  born on 28 January 1880, daughter of  Antonio Rodrigues Damaso and Joaquina Roza natives of this parish

paternal grandparents are Francisco Rodrigues Damaso and Rosa Joaquina

maternal grandparents are Jose Francisco Goncalves and Anna Ursula

Here is the parents marriage record

António Rodrigues Dâmaso [f.º de Francisco Rodrigues Dâmaso e de
Rosa Joaquina]
 c. 1858.11.17 
. Joaquina Rosa do Coração de Jesus [f.ª de José Francisco Gonçalves e de Ana Úrsula].


Eric Edgar
bap Joaquina Damaso Lajes Flores 1880.jpg

Santa Barbara Mendonca's

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Sep 17, 2014, 10:22:32 AM9/17/14
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Oh my Eric. That is amazing. I am overwhelmed by your kindness. What would you suggest as my next best step to get further information on the family there?

Santa Barbara Mendonca's

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Sep 17, 2014, 10:22:34 AM9/17/14
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luiznoia .

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Sep 18, 2014, 12:31:51 PM9/18/14
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The 1900 census shows Serafino in the household of his brother in law Manuel Rodrigues in Santa Barbara's seventh township. That means his sister is Mary , born 1868 in Massachucetts. 

The 1910 shows Manuel Rodrigues is now divorced.in the same place. Maybe if we find the sister it will give a clue as to Serafinos origin 

Eric 

On Wed, Sep 17, 2014 at 7:22 AM, Santa Barbara Mendonca's <gwendo...@gmail.com> wrote:
Oh my Eric. That is amazing. I am overwhelmed by your kindness. What would you suggest as my next best step to get further information on the family there?

luiznoia .

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Feb 18, 2015, 5:41:02 PM2/18/15
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Toni, 

Here's some of last years posts on this 


Eric 

On Wed, Sep 17, 2014 at 7:22 AM, Santa Barbara Mendonca's <gwendo...@gmail.com> wrote:
Oh my Eric. That is amazing. I am overwhelmed by your kindness. What would you suggest as my next best step to get further information on the family there?

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