I was going through the Fiche de Immigration for Maia, Ribeira Grande (thanks to the member who posted the link! It's so helpful!) I came across this entry for Manuel Melo Castanho, who was the son of Francisco Melo Castanho and Rosa Monte Bastos. I don't have Francisco and Rosa in my database, but I am sure Francisco is related. Mello Castanho is a made up surname in Maia that is only seen with my Mello's after about 1820. They added the Castanho for some reason and stuck with it.
I have another reason for believing that this family is related. They were going to 129 Columbia Street, Fall River. This address was held by my Mello Castanho cousins (with the Moniz Thomas surname) for several years. This is the record: http://mea.cm-ribeiragrande.pt/fotos/fichas/1962/85.jpg My cousin and I think that Manuel on the immigration record may be their ancestor's nephew. Engracia (Mello Castanho) Moniz Thomas lived at 129 Columbia up until her death in 1947. She had a brother Francisco who we have yet to find a marriage for. I will go back to the records for Maia at the turn of the century to see if I can locate a marriage or baptismal. But, if anyone is related to Monte Bastos of Maia, I'd like to hear from you. It may turn out we are related through this marriage. Thanks! Mel -- For options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Azores Genealogy" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/azores.
