I don't know, Pat. It seems that there were MANY different reasons for so many portuguese emigrants (since the 19th century) refuse to talk about their past, their origins and even hide that they were Portuguese. Poverty, ignorance, fear, shame, rage, ... the wish to forget everything they left behind? The strange thing is that most of them wouldn't mind being considered Spanish or Italian immigrants! Remember the *De Zocieur* family who was led to think they were from French origin. I had no doubts their ancestors were from "Dos Açores" (it sounds exactly like the french way of saying "de zocieur", which means nothing in french, of course!), and I was right. I don't think that most of the Portuguese that remained in Portugal are more interested in knowing their genealogy. Most people simply assume that their ancestors had the same boring life they are having now, never left the country, never fought a battle, never went to the Indies (and came back), etc. So, why bother? Most portuguese people isn't aware (or doesn't believe) that they have a large probability of descending from our first kings! Luis K W Lisboa-Portugal ---------- > From: Patricia Corbera > Patricia Corbera <papagaia2@sbcglobal.net> wrote: > > So Dear Luis K W, what do you think the reason/s may have been? > Possibly the desire to assimilate into "a moda Americana,?" > Are you saying that our Portuguese cousins, that remained in Portugal are more involved/interested in learning about their ancestors? > Pat Corbera