Our Azorean family on Terceira Island

My maternal grandparents were both born and raised on the island of Terceira and my paternal grandparents were from the same group of Islands but from Pico and Saõ Jorge so my linage is definitly Azorean.

On our first visit to the islands, it was a great pleasure for me and Sepp to discover such a large and loving family ranging from the very young to the young at heart! They all showed an hospitality that is very rare in this day and age. Apart from taking us in and delighting us with the best of the Azorean cuisine, they have patiently passed on their knowledge of the history and culture of the Islands.

A wedding photo of my grandmother and grandfather taken in New York NY.

Click here for a larger view
My Grandfather was born in Altares, on the island of Terceira in the Azores. He emigrated to the United States in 1917 and soon after requested that his future wife join him. He married my grandmother, Maria Barcelos, when she arrived in the USA and then they traveled west to the ranch in Nevada that grandpa had alreay aquired. They then settled down and raised a family.
Jose' was born around the 1890 and died in 1940.
Maria was born November 30, 1896, and died March 1987 in Nevada.

Five generations.
From the right, my grandmother Maria Barcelos, my mother, Rose Barcelos Carlos, me, my oldest daughter, Toni and her son, Joe.

Here I am on the left with my cousin Maria Irasema, my mother Rose, cousin Joacquino, Tia Maria Ribeira, Tio Joacquino and Tia Joacquina.(1987)
Our first visit in 1987 allowed us the pleasure of meeting my Great Aunt and Uncle who were the sister and brother of my maternal grandmother, Maria.

My mother Rose Barcelos Carlos visiting the island towards the end of the '80s. That is her first cousin Joaquino.

Mom enjoyiing her ritual morning coffee with her cousin Maria Irasema, the late Tia Maria Ribeira and "Tia" Ludvina who was a dear friend of the family.

My Great Uncle Tio Joacquino.

My Great Aunt Tia Joacquina.

Mom giving a squeeze to her little cousin Victor.

On the right is Victor riding on a donkey with his father Joao.

Already taking up the hoe.

Here he is on our next visit. Quickly growiing up!

And now Victor is a young man!
He will be supervising the reconstruction of the "Tio Ernesto" houses for us.

On the left is Victor's older brother, Joao Carlos, better known as Xoxo (?)

Irasema is Victor's older sister and now has the four children on the left and below.

Ana Maria, Tiago, Tania and Jose'.

Here is Tiago the eldest of Irasema's four children. Tiago is an acomplished horseman and we will soon have some photos of his horse with rider.

Tania "Unplugged".

Ze' after a nice meal.

And now the baby, Ana Maria, sitting with her grandfather Joao Toste!

A wonderful family.

And now to my grandfather's side of the family who live in the same small village of Altares.

The street where one of my cousins live bears the name of our great grandfather Jose' Romeiro.

Jose' Romeiro, which really means Jose' the one who went to Rome or Jose' the pilgrim.

My mother Rose with her first cousin Isaura.

Here we are on our first visit with my cousin Maria Madalena, her mother Esaura and father, Jose' Homem and her first two children Eduardo and Salome.

Here is Eduardo growing up to become a rock star!

And Salome' who is few years younger than her brother is now in the University in Lisbon.
This is the first time the third generation cousins were together. Two of my granddaughters, Nadia and Amanda who live in Rome with Salome' and Eduardo.

Maria Madalena, mom and Eduardo after dinner in the Tia Filipa house.

The third child of Maria Madalena is Carolina who has grown up in front of our very eyes. She is now a young lady but still a child in the photo above.

Cousin, Maria Madalena with her husband, Alcino Meneses.

Their three children, Eduardo, Salome' and Carolina, all grown up.