The Research Journal
The Mystery is put to Rest
Research Journal #1, Entry 3
The only records that would tell Seraphin's tale would be the Portuguese records. I had no experience with obtaining these records, so I was in uncharted territory! I was nervous about requesting them as I did not know the Portuguese language. Also, what I knew about Seraphin was slim. I had his name, estimated birth date and place, and possible names of parents. Would this be enough?
With information from AOL's Portuguese Genealogy Chat, I was ready to request his baptismal certificate. I wrote a letter to the archives in Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, Azores. I mailed it. The information I supplied was:
Name: Seraphin de Braga
Born: January 1879, Maia, Ribeira Grande, Sao Miguel Island
Parents: Jozimas de Braga and Maria da Conceicao de Mello
What seemed like decades passed by. Okay, it was only weeks, but it seemed like forever. And, I'm as impatient as any genealogist waiting for the mail. Finally, I received a response from the archives. I used some translation guides to work out all the words. All my hard work paid off. Even though I supplied the wrong birthdate, they found him! His name was Seraphim, and, he really was the son of Jozimas and Maria!
I had my proof. I could add Seraphim to my database without any doubts. Yet, I knew so little about him. What was his story? What happened to him between his birth and 1900? If he didn't go to Hawaii with his parents, how did he get there? As one mystery is resolved, more take it's place. I wasn't done with Seraphim yet!
-----
Translated copy of Seraphim's Baptismal Record:
No. 47, Seraphim
On the 16th day of the month of June in the year 1878, in this Parish church of Divino Esperito Santo, place of Maia, council of Ribeira Grande, and diocese of Angra, I solemnly baptized one individual of the masculine sex to whom I gave the name of Seraphim, and who was born in this parish at 1:00 in the morning of the 7th day in the month of June, is assumed legitimate son of Jozimas de Braga, fieldworker, and Maria, in domestic service, native and residents of this town, and parishioners who lived on ______ Motta Street.
Paternal grandson of Jacintho de Braga and Rosa Barquiera and maternal of Felicianno de Mello and Rosa Jacintha. The Godparents, Jose Raposa, fieldworker, bachelor, and Jacintha Pacheco, in domestic service, widow, both of whom I know.
And, to be recorded and drawn up and then being read and confirmed by the Godparents who signed it with me because they did not know how to write.
It is as above.
Jacintho Ignacio de Medeiros
The only records that would tell Seraphin's tale would be the Portuguese records. I had no experience with obtaining these records, so I was in uncharted territory! I was nervous about requesting them as I did not know the Portuguese language. Also, what I knew about Seraphin was slim. I had his name, estimated birth date and place, and possible names of parents. Would this be enough?
With information from AOL's Portuguese Genealogy Chat, I was ready to request his baptismal certificate. I wrote a letter to the archives in Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, Azores. I mailed it. The information I supplied was:
Name: Seraphin de Braga
Born: January 1879, Maia, Ribeira Grande, Sao Miguel Island
Parents: Jozimas de Braga and Maria da Conceicao de Mello
What seemed like decades passed by. Okay, it was only weeks, but it seemed like forever. And, I'm as impatient as any genealogist waiting for the mail. Finally, I received a response from the archives. I used some translation guides to work out all the words. All my hard work paid off. Even though I supplied the wrong birthdate, they found him! His name was Seraphim, and, he really was the son of Jozimas and Maria!
I had my proof. I could add Seraphim to my database without any doubts. Yet, I knew so little about him. What was his story? What happened to him between his birth and 1900? If he didn't go to Hawaii with his parents, how did he get there? As one mystery is resolved, more take it's place. I wasn't done with Seraphim yet!
-----
Translated copy of Seraphim's Baptismal Record:
No. 47, Seraphim
On the 16th day of the month of June in the year 1878, in this Parish church of Divino Esperito Santo, place of Maia, council of Ribeira Grande, and diocese of Angra, I solemnly baptized one individual of the masculine sex to whom I gave the name of Seraphim, and who was born in this parish at 1:00 in the morning of the 7th day in the month of June, is assumed legitimate son of Jozimas de Braga, fieldworker, and Maria, in domestic service, native and residents of this town, and parishioners who lived on ______ Motta Street.
Paternal grandson of Jacintho de Braga and Rosa Barquiera and maternal of Felicianno de Mello and Rosa Jacintha. The Godparents, Jose Raposa, fieldworker, bachelor, and Jacintha Pacheco, in domestic service, widow, both of whom I know.
And, to be recorded and drawn up and then being read and confirmed by the Godparents who signed it with me because they did not know how to write.
It is as above.
Jacintho Ignacio de Medeiros
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