All posts in Portuguese Emigration

The story of the Portuguese diaspora: the millions who left for Brazil, the Americas, France and beyond, why they went, the vital role of the Azores and Madeira, and how to trace them.

Why millions of Portuguese emigrated: poverty and scarce land, the pull of Brazil, escaping military conscription and the colonial wars, economic opportunity, and the dream of return.

The story of Portuguese emigration to Brazil: the colonial foundations, the great 19th and 20th century waves, where emigrants settled, and how to trace a Portuguese-Brazilian family.

The story of Azorean and Madeiran emigration: why the islands sent so many abroad, to New England, California, Hawaii, Canada and beyond, and how to trace an island emigrant family.

A step-by-step method for finding your Portuguese emigrant ancestor and the parish they came from: passport registers, records abroad naming naturalidade, passenger lists and naming clues.

Where Portuguese immigrants settled in America: the Azorean whaling and mill communities of New England, the dairy farms of California, and the sugar plantations of Hawaii.

The story of Portuguese emigration to Canada: the great post-war migration, the Azorean character of the community, Toronto and beyond, and how to trace a Portuguese-Canadian family.