Hi Pat, Not sure if I'm listing this correctly but here goes: My grandparents were: Grandmother: Maria Angelica de Gois Mendonca born -23/04/1908 Sao Pedro, Funchal Died 12/07/1974) – Johannesburg, South Africa Her parents were: António de Góis de Mendonça and Georgina Paula de Góis - I've found the marriage listing on ARM and am ordering the film from FHC which will hopefully provide me with birthdates and gg-parents names. They were married in Santa Maria Maior 1898. Grandfather: Joao Carlos Goes de Mendonca Born – 31/03/1906 - Porto Santo Died-11/03/1981 - Johannesburg He was 'Natural de Piedade –Porto Santo' according to an entry on my dad's birth certificate. His parents were: Joao Gois Mendonca and Maria Jardim de Goes. I haven't been able to find anything for this couple on ARM. Too many same surnames...very confusing! I have ordered my grandparents birth certificates from the arquivo, hopefully I'll be able to get more information. My grandparents only immigrated to South Africa in the late 50s. I believe my grandmother had a couple of sisters who immigrated to the US but they lost contact. I'm trying to contact other relatives for more information but that's a slow process as I'm only just getting acquainted with this side of the family, so understandably, there is some reluctance to answer 'probing' questions. One of my grandfather's brothers immigrated to Brazil. Is there anyway to search how many children a couple had? That's about all I have for now. Any pointers will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all your postings. They're very interesting, motivating and helpful. Janette -----Original Message----- From: Patricia Corbera [mailto:papagaia2@sbcglobal.net] Sent: March 14, 2005 2:25 PM To: PRT-MADEIRA-L@rootsweb.com Subject: RE: [PRT-MADEIRA] Need help reading a marriage record Janette, What are some of the Mendonca names that you do have, and what area of Madeira ? Or is it only Porto Santo? Pat janettechun <janettechun@shaw.ca> wrote: Thanks Pat. Much appreciated. I believe the Mendoncas I'm looking for are from Madeira-Porto Santo. Janette -----Original Message----- From: Patricia Corbera [mailto:papagaia2@sbcglobal.net] Sent: March 14, 2005 1:56 PM To: PRT-MADEIRA-L@rootsweb.com Subject: RE: [PRT-MADEIRA] Need help reading a marriage record Janette, many surnames are featured, I didn't see one for Mendonca... but the Mendonca (with variations in the spelling of) can be found in the Teixeira and Perestrelo titulos. Here's the website address where these titulos are located: http://planeta.terra.com.br/lazer/familiapaiva/NobiliariodaIlhadaMadeira /indice_dos_tomos.htm. My maternal aunt, now deceased, was married to a Mendonca, I believe Sao. Roque, Madeira. Yes, the surname does back to the very early days, as you will see when viewing the Perestrello titulo. Happy Hunting, Pat janettechun wrote: Pat, Would you know if something similar exists for the Mendonca (Mendoca) family? I've heard that this family name goes back to the very early days of the island's colonization but I haven't been very successful in finding much information on the family in terms of the island. Lots of very interesting historic material on family name on sapo.pt. Janette -----Original Message----- From: Patricia Corbera [mailto:papagaia2@sbcglobal.net] Sent: March 12, 2005 10:04 PM To: PRT-MADEIRA-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [PRT-MADEIRA] Need help reading a marriage record Information on this family can be found in " Nobiliario da Ilha da Madeira." Under the "titulo" Coutos Cardosos. http://planeta.terra.com.br/lazer/familiapaiva/NobiliariodaIlhadaMadeira /coutos_cardosos.htm As well as the "titulo," for the Cabraes. http://planeta.terra.com.br/lazer/familiapaiva/NobiliariodaIlhadaMadeira /cabraes.htm Pat Luis Beal wrote: This is how I read the document: D. Joana de Couto Cardoso, N. (for Nascida, born) 1598, B. (for batizada, baptized) in Calheta, L. 4 (livro 4, 4th book) on Sep 11th 1599, c.c. married to Manuel Cabral de Aguiar, in title of Cortes. Then if you go to page 294v, #4 it says Manuel married Joana on July 2nd 1622 in Calheta. It actually begins by saying that after he became a widow he became a priest (clerigo). On a side note says: I think he married D. Joanna d'Andrade, daughter of Joao de Franca e Castro, in title of Francas e Castro, N3, 1,pg 295v. He has the very same marriage date for this latter Joana as for the first one which means you need to get some microfilms and figure out which one he really married. Abbreviations: N-nascido/a - born; B- batisada/o - baptism; CC- casou com - married; M- morreu - died; tt- titulo- title;; f- folha - page; 294 - page 294; 294v - back of page 294. Hope that helps. Luis Beal M B wrote: This is the best I could transcribe an online record. Can anyone tell me what the year 1598 may be a reference to? 1599? The letter looks like a capital "N," but it can't be a birth date since she got married in 1599--or not? What does the "B" mean? D. Joanna de Couto Cardoso, N. 1598, B. na Calheta, L. 4., en 11 de Sept de 1599, c.c. Manuel Cabral d'Aguiar, en tto de Cortes..... (Miranda's Apontamentos para a Genealogia de Diversas Familias da Madeira, p. 308) According to Noronho's "Nobiliario," Joana was born 1590, and no marriage date was given. Maybe I am misunderstanding or misreading Miranda's handwritten notes. Any theories would be much appreciated! Michelle __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ============================== New! Family Tree Maker 2005. Build your tree and search for your ancestors at the same time. Share your tree with family and friends. 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