Many thanks Cheri for your quick reply. I actually have quite a lot of
information on the descendants of Augustine (Agostinho) Silveira and have a
photo of his grave after visiting Samoa in July this year but the big problem
is getting information prior to his arrival in Samoa.
My great great grandfather was Augustine (Agostinho) SILVEIRA. I guess he was
born around 1880s or 1890s. He was a Catholic Priest on Faial, Azores (and
possibly Flores as well) but left the priesthood and took a job on a whaling
ship for possibly 7 yrs then in 1840s jumped ship at Lotofaga, Upolu, Samoa.
He married in March 1852 the paramount chief"s (Matafa Iosefa) niece, Maria
Malaisala. Her father was High Chief Tusani Malaisala.
Augustine and Maria (or Mary) Silveira had 6 children all born in Samoa. The
names were as follows:
1. Manuel Silveira born Mar 18 1848 married Caroline Scanlon (descendants
moved to NZ and USA)
2. Catherine "Anna" Silveira born June 25 1853, married Capt Montgomery Betham
(descendants moved to NZ, Australia, Germany,
& USA)
3. Joseph Silveira born 1885 died 1856
4. Joseph Silveira born 1857
5. Mary Silveira born 1862 married ? Kopsch & lived in Leipzig Germany
6. Luisa Silveira born 1865 married Samuel Kronfeld and lived in NZ
(descendants moved mostly to NZ)
Sometime after living in Samoa the family changed their surname to de Silva as
Agostinho nominated my great grandfather, Capt Montgomery Betham (husband of
Catherine "Anna" Silveira) as executor of his will and Agostinho signed his
name "de Silva" at this time.
While the following isn't proved, it seems Augustine (Agostinho) had an
illigitimate child and this daughter probably was Dona Carlota Joaquina De
Alcantara who was born 15.6.1818 in Horta, Faial and orphaned by her mother and
Spanish Priest father. She was given to be raised by parishioners Francisco
Joaquina and his wife Rosa Joaquina. They appeared to be her uncle and aunt.
She signed her name Carlota Joaquina de Alcantara e Silveira when married to
Jose Henriques da Silveira born 18.6.1821.
The headstone of her grave in the new cemetery, Carmo, Horta, Faial, Azores
(Grave V-100) reads, "D Carlotta Joaquim Gutieirez Silveira born June 15 1848,
died 8 April 1882. She and her husband had no children.
My questions are:
1. Does anyone see any connection to the names Agostinho Silveira, Dona
Carlota Joaquina De Alcantara, Francisco Joaquina,
Rosa Joaquina. or Jose Henriques da Silveira?
2. At what age did Azorean men generally join the Catholic priesthood? If
Agostinho was born in Faial, Azores, would he be called a
Spanish Priest?
3. I would dearly love to find out Augustine's (Agostinho) birthdate, parents
& siblings. I just do not know where to turn next in my search. Can anyone
suggest where I could go next? I really can't get details from his death in
Samoa.
Regards,
Joy Hughes
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