In browsing the old Hawaiian newspapers, I came across some interesting statistics. The Inspector General of Immigration, C.N. Spencer, visited various sugar plantations quarterly and reported on how many immigrants were on each plantation, and which nationality the plantation owner preferred. I assume that as bringing laborers to Hawaii was costly, the plantation owners were…
Category: Portuguese Hawaiian Roots
Portuguese Genealogical & Historical Society of Hawaii has a Website!
I don’t know how this got passed me. I was web surfing the other day and found that the Portuguese Genealogical & Historical Society of Hawaii now has a website. You can visit them at: PGHSH. The website includes information about their current location, hours, and contact information. If visiting the society in person, be…
Caucasian But Not White: Race and the Portuguese in Hawaii
How would you define your Portuguese ancestors who went to Hawaii? You might start by calling them Azorean, Madeiran, and Portuguese. You would call them Caucasian, wouldn’t you? But, would you call them White? Those who controlled Hawaii’s business and political interests in the 1870s did not. The Portuguese who went to Hawaii were officially…
Why Portuguese Surname Research Doesn’t Always Work
The desire to link people of the same surname from the same region is strong. After all, how many families with the same surname in a small Portuguese village? The problem is that Portuguese surnames are fluid, they evolve, they come out of thin air (or so it seems). Five children might use five different…
10 Reasons Why You Can’t Find Your Portuguese Ancestors
Genealogy is challenging. Portuguese genealogy has challenges all it’s own. Have you fallen into these pitfalls and misconceptions along your research trail? If so, you’re not alone. I bet we’ve all made similar mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them, then learn how to get around them. Let’s see this list of 10…