Some of us descend from Rui Pires de Canha (or Ocanha, or d'Ocanha - I prefer this last one ). He was one of the first settlers in Madeira. He was given a "sesmaria" (large area for cultivation, where there is now the area known as " Os Canhas". He is regarded traditionally as the son of João de Canha, escudeiro of the Duqe of Viseu, who together with his son was one of the first settlers in Madeira. After a marriage with Beatriz Gonçalves, daughter of the first Zarco, this rather seminal man married Leonor Rodrigues, and they had 15 children! Anyway, now I am not concerned with his descendants, some are known via HHN, Felisberto BM and others. And here is my point. Up to now there has been a big debate among genealogists about the origin of the name. It was considered a toponym . Very good. Most probably. But from where? Some said from Algarve, some said from the North. They were looking, of course, for a village called Canhas, or something in the line. And they found one or two. Meanwhile, thanks to a journalist friend of mine I have a new hypothesis, This friend recently was in a place called Ucanha (with "U" not "O") . It's is near Moimenta da Beira and Tarouca. It means up on the North, in an area called "Região do Douro" (which is mankind patrimony, btw). It is a very old, medieval village, recently restored, with stone and wood houses, outside stairs in wood, for instance. It has a quite imposing and beautiful medieval Tower-Fortress. So here we have another quite probable hypothesis, not considered up to now by what I've read about Canhas: Canhas or D'Ocanhas, they may have come originally from Ucanha. And to reinforce this possibility I've seen their name written D'Ucanha. So I'm just stirring the kettle, keeping this controversy on the go, throwing one more hypothesis; -)

Miguel, this is one we share. How did his descendants (his son Francisco?) end up in Caniço/Camacha? Did the name in some parts of Madeira become Cunha/ I think your hypothesis is very good. Another place I have got to visit. Have you taken over the fort for the family? Cheers, José ________________________________ From: Miguel de Castro Henriques <migueldecastrohenriques@gmail.com> To: prt-madeira@rootsweb.com Sent: Wed, March 9, 2011 1:20:30 PM Subject: [PT-MADEIRA] The Canhas Some of us descend from Rui Pires de Canha (or  Ocanha, or d'Ocanha - I prefer this last one ). He was one of the first settlers in Madeira. He was given a "sesmaria" (large area for cultivation, where there is now the area known as " Os Canhas". He is regarded traditionally as the son of João de Canha, escudeiro of the Duqe of Viseu, who together with his son was one of the first settlers in Madeira. After a marriage with Beatriz Gonçalves, daughter of the first Zarco, this rather seminal man married Leonor Rodrigues, and they had 15  children! Anyway,  now I am not concerned with his descendants, some are known via HHN, Felisberto BM and others. And here is my point. Up to now there has been a big debate among genealogists about the origin of the name. It was considered a toponym . Very good. Most probably. But from where? Some said from Algarve, some said from the North. They were looking, of course, for a village called Canhas, or something in the line. And they found one or two. Meanwhile, thanks to a journalist friend of mine I have a new hypothesis, This friend recently was in a place called Ucanha (with "U" not "O") . It's is near Moimenta da Beira and Tarouca. It means up on the North, in an area called "Região do Douro" (which is mankind patrimony, btw). It is a very old, medieval village, recently restored, with stone and wood houses, outside stairs in wood, for instance. It has a quite imposing and beautiful medieval Tower-Fortress. So here we have another quite probable hypothesis, not considered up to now by what I've read about Canhas: Canhas or D'Ocanhas, they may have come originally from Ucanha. And to reinforce this possibility I've seen their name written D'Ucanha. So I'm just stirring the kettle, keeping this controversy on the go, throwing one more hypothesis; -) ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to PRT-MADEIRA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message