Is there an automatic translation option since I don't speak nor write Portuguese, only English?
I am frustrated in not being able to find my Portuguese family links. My grandparents left SERPA, BEJA, in 1913 for Hawaii, and I don't have anything but a couple of names of those left behind, plus I also have a grandaunt who went to Brazil but I don't have her name, only my grandfather's name (her brother). I am so confused by all of the mix of last names I don't even know where to begin. Is there anyone who could help me untangle this mess? I was told many years ago by a letter from a priest in Serpa, that all of the records were burned. There must be something somewhere... Please give me some hope.
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Hi Deborah
The records from 1911 are in the civil registers and can be ordered online, it has a cost of 10€ but you need to have a name, birthday and if possible more informations.
The site does not have the option to change the language. But you can write an email to the main civil registration by the link below.
- civilonline@irn.mj.pt
For more help please use this chat to ask the questions. We wish that you can find your ancestors and have a good discover experience.
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@Deborah Ames I have a couple of suggestions
1) Have you tried searching for their names in the district archive in Beja? Here's the link: Arquivo Distrital de Beja - DigitArq (arquivos.pt)
2) You say they left in 1913. Have a look in the Beja archive for passport applications and registrations. Contact the archive if there's no index yet.
3) Do you have an approximate year of birth? Parents names?
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Thank you Aninhas and Adila for taking the time to write and for your suggestions. I have what we have always believed was their birthdates, but that they were illiterate farm workers so who knows if they are accurate? I have recently discovered my grandfather's mother's name, Anna Louiza, but there is no last name. I was told that was common in that time and in small communities and that those names are probably the only names she used. I do not have his father's name as it appears he must have been deceased at the time my Grandparent's left Portugal in 1913 since only my grandfather's mother name appears in the record as the last contact before immigration. I have no idea where to being regarding his sister who was not allowed off the ship in Hawaii and had to sail back to Brazil before she could disembark and that is frustrating. Without any name it seems impossible. I also have the name of my grandmother's father who immigrated with them, his brother (as last contact in Portugal), and her younger sister who immigrated as well. Her name, Maria de Prezares do Reis Venancia (from the ship's arrival records) gives me hope that the "de Prezares" or "do Reis" links to her mother's line some how. But that is the extent of information. I have much work to do I understand. I just wish Family Search had an automatic translation option...and WOW I just noticed the ability to change at least this site to English! I never noticed that before. Sorry. That makes me feel better! Thank you again. Obrigada!
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