By Julien Durup a student of history with the collaboration of Christine Pejakovic
This is a draft list (compiled in June 2000) of persons of Portuguese decent or coming from countries under the control of Portugal who married, stayed, died or had links to Seychelles in the early years. These persons came from mainly four places, and these were Cape Verde, Azores, Portugal, and Goa. You may find your ancestors here!
How did The Portuguese get to Seychelles?
The archipelago of the Seychelles is said to have appeared on the Portuguese charts as early as 1505 and was named the ‘Setes Irmas’ – the Seven Sisters. And although it was Vasco da Gama who first made a definite identification of Seychelles in 1502, the Portuguese had no intention of settling in or aquirying the islands. The aim of Portugal in the Indian Ocean was to ensure the monopoly of the spice trade and Seychelles had no spices then.
The first Europeans to discover the Seychelles were the 4th Portuguese India Armada, led by Vasco da Gama.
Most of the Portuguese who came to Seychelles from Cape Verde, the Republic of Cabo Verde, or the Azores (the Autonomous Region of the Azores), arrived between late 1840s to 1890s. They were all associated with the American whaling industry in one form or another.
They joined the whaling ships
During the first half of the nineteenth century, the whaling industry was focused on the Atlantic grounds and, to a lesser extent, the Indian Ocean. These Portuguese islands, namely Cape Verde and the Azores, because of their geographical locations, became regular, if not compulsory, stations for most vessels sailing out of New England, especially those in search of the valuable sperm whales found close to the equator.
Map of New England
As captains replenished their ships’ ropes, tools, and provisions, they also added crewmen to their vessels. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of locals signed up. Given the poverty of the islands, many were desperate to go, at any cost. The island men left their arid homeland; a homeland often plagued by disease and active volcanoes as well as a just horror of enforced military service, and “throwing themselves on the wings of fortune”, on board the convenient vehicle of the passing whalers for a better life.
American Whalers in the Azores
American whalers from New Bedford visited the islands beginning as early as the 1790s and began more regular trade in the early 19th century, mostly for fruit (principally oranges, bananas, coconuts, and watermelons) as well as hogs, chickens, and goats. Free Cape Verdean and Azorean men sometimes joined the vessels as crew, often sought deliberately by whaling shipmasters eager to fill berths on their ships.
Whalers in the Indian Ocean
Whaling literally took these men around the world, across all oceans, even to the polar extremes of the globe as well as into the Indian Ocean.
Whalers at Work
As seen in the screen shot below, there were quite a few American Whalers that operated in the Indian Ocean from about 1835 and most of them originated from New Bedford where there was also a high population of Cape Verdean and Azorean. New Bedford was, at that time, the centre of the Whaling Industry. By 1890 there was almost no whaling done in Seychelles by American vessels.
List of American Whalers from New Bedford in The Indian Ocean
Why did the Portuguese stay Seychelles?
It is not known why many of the Portuguese sailors stayed in Seychelles. We can only assume that they found partners on the islands and decided to get married and stayed. It could also be that some just fell in love with the greenery and climate; found it too hard to sail back or some may have been sick and could not return to whaling.
Cape Verde
The islands off the west coast of Africa that constitute Cabo Verde were uninhabited until they were colonized by Portugal in the mid-15th century. After centuries under Portuguese rule, Cabo Verde won its independence in 1975, and Praia, on the island of Santiago, became the country’s capital.
Cape Verde Islands
List of Portuguese from Cape Verde who stayed in Seychelles
ALBERT, Christian, son of Mussarino? Albert and Guilenna Dubar of Cape Verde Islands. He was married at Mahé on 19 November 1868 at the age of 27 years of age to Marie Gabrielle Misson Turpin of 17 years old. The daughter Adolphe Turpin and Marie Amélia Edmond of Mahé
ANDRADE DE, José was born in Cape Verde, the son of Manuel de Andrade and Thérèse. He was married at Mahé on 11 April 1885 age the age of 27 years old to Cyrillie Veronie Laporte of 22 years, daughter of Cyril Laporte and Nancy Sylvain.
CAVERA, Francis the son of Laurent Cavera and Valentine Davara of Cape Verde Islands. He was married at the age of 29 years old on 17 July 1873 at Mahé to Caroline Asba of 33 years old, daughter of Aurélie Asba.
DECHENNE, Joseph Pedro was born on Bravo Island (Cape Verde), the son of Francis Duchenne and Anne D’ENBRA. He was married at the age of 21½ years old at Mahé to Marie Cécile René of the same age. Daughter of Eulalie René
DOMINGO, Antonio was born in Cape Verde the son of Ann Domingo, he died at Mahé on 24 June 1858 at the age of 59 years old as a retired sergeant of Police.
DUARTE, Marcelin was born on Brava Island (Cape Verde), he died at Mahé on 10 August 1827 while working on board the Sarah an American or British whaler under Captain Hill.
EMMANUEL, Anneset was born in Cape Verde, he was married to Honorine Polvin at Mahé and died at Saint Louis on 2 July 1887 at the age of 50 years old.
ESTRAVAN, Theof Manuel was born in Cape Verde, the son of Manual Nicolas Estravan and Maria Dozer. He was married on 5 February 1852 at Mahé to Zelia Lubin of 15 years old. Daughter of Lubin and Melise. He died on 27 March 1890 at Anse Boileau, Mahé at the age of 64 years old. (Estravan is sometimes spelt Estrabea and Estravens, in old Civil Status documents in the Seychelles, it was later finally adopted as Stravens..)
FERRE, Frank was born on Brava Island (Cape Verde), the son Joseph Ferre and Marie Prere. He was married at the age of 34 years old at Mahé on 1 August 1885 to Marie Magdeleine Euphrosine Houareau, of 34½ years old, daughter of Henry Gilles Houareau and Aimée Houareau.
FORTES, Nicolas was born in Portugal and died at Mahé on 3 March 1841 as police officer.
FORTY?, Manuel Antonio was born on Brava Island (Cape Verde), the son of Antonio Forty and Mary Ferrier. He was married at the age of 24 years old at Mahé on 19 February 1876 to Julieda Jeanne of 21 years daughter of Estelle Jeanne of Mahé.
FREET, Joseph was born in Cape Verde, the son of Jean Freet and Zabelle Marie Manuel. He was married on 15 October 1846 at Mahé, at the age of 22 years old to Anais Hortense Belisaire of 21 years, daughter of Jacques Belisaire and Austrasie. (Freet, is sometimes spelt Friede; Friet, Fritz and Freed in old Civil Status documents in the Seychelles, it was finally adopted as Fred.)
GOME Aniline was born on Fogo Island (Cape Verde), the son of Manuel Gome and Isabelle Darole. He was married at Mahé on 19 April 1879 at the age of 25 years to Joséphine Mussard of 17 years. The daughter of William Mussard and Thérèse Aimée Lebon.
GONSAL, John Manuel was born on Brava Island (Cape Verde). The son of Manuel Gonsal and Domingar Graousal. He was married on 05 July 1873 at Mahé at the age of 21½ years to Téoline Estrevon of 18½ years, the daughter of Théoffe Manuel Estravon of Cape Verde and Ziélia Lubin of Mahé. John Manuel Gonsal remarried again on 23 September 1875 at Mahé to Anne Freed age 27 years and 7 months of Praslin. Daughter of Joseph Freed of Cape Verde and Anais Hortense Belisaire.
JOSE, Manuel was born on Santo Antäo (Saint Antoine) Island, Cape Verde, the son Manuel Jose and Marie Concession. He was married on 29 December 1885 at the age of 24 years old to Anais Freed of 26 years and 9 months. Daughter of Joseph Freed and Anais Hortense Belisaire of Praslin.
JOSEPH, Antonio was born in Cape Verde Islands, the son of Joseph and Zebeth. He was married at the age of 75 years old to Zélia Perrine of 66 years daughter of Dorine of Mahé. He died at Intendance, Mahé on 21 September 1897 at the age 85.
JOSEPH, Manuel Antoine was born on the island of Fogo (Cape Verde), the son of Antoine Joseph and Marie Francis. He was married at the age of 26 years old at Mahé on 29 June 1878 to Marie Clarisse Sinon of 17 years 2 months, daughter of Alfred Sinon and Joinette Scapin.
KADARE, John was born of on Fogo Island (Cape Verde), the son of Mary Kadare. He was married at the age of 25 years and 2 months at Mahé on 25 October 1879 to Elisabeth L’Espoir of 17 years 5 months. Daughter of Rosier L’Espoir and Olivette Hypolite.
LECENCE, Manuel was born on Cape Verde Island and died at Mahé on 26 November 1896 at the of 55 years and 1 month. He was married to Thercile Novice of Anse Aux Pins, Mahé.
MADERE, Antonio Sylvain (Later he took the surname of De SYLVA). He was born in 1817 in the Cape Verde Island, the son of Antony Silva and Rose Mariano, and died at Mahé on 31 March 1857. He was married at Mahé on 18 July 1840 to the young Emilie Lagrenande of 15 years old, the daughter of Jean Francois Lagrenande and Caroline Margueton. All their children were registered as Silva or De Silva. However, some of their grandchildren were registered as Madere. They had the following children Caroline Marianne De Silva born on 16 September 1841; Germain De Silva born 22 April 1843 and Marie Philoé born 19 September 1851.
MANDAT, Migual Antonio was born on the island of Säo Nicolau (Saint Nicolas) Island, Cape Verde. The son of Joseph Mandat and Peadade de Silva. He was married at Mahé at the age of 50 years on 10 April 1847 to Clarisse Lubin of 19 years old, the daughter of Lubin and Melise Victime of Silhouette Island.
MENDI, Romano Joseph was born in Cape Verde, son of Louis Mendi and Marie Pina. He married on 10 September 1863 at the age of 23 years old at Mahé, to Cécilia Zaire Lebon of 22 years, daughter of Remy Lebon and Adèle Barbé.
PERRIL, Joseph was born on Brava Island Cape Verde, the son of Marie Perril. He was married at the age of 45 years old at Mahé on 26 February 1881 to Marie Aurore Dumont of 15 years 1 month, daughter Honoré Dumont and Marie Laure Vel
PIERRI, Manuel was born in Cape Verde, the son of Miguel Pierri and Francisque De Sanctus. He was married at Mahé at the age of 23 years old on 10 December 1863 to Marie Rosine Alfrédine Adella Lebon of 15 years old. The daughter of Remy Lebon and Adele Barbé.
PRARIA, Manuel was born in Cape Verde, the son of George Joquin and Marie Anna Tetonia. He was married at Mahé on 18 February 1871 at the age of 31 years old to Mélanie Antoinette Turpin of 23 years old, daughter of Adolphe Turpin and Amélia Edmond. He was a very good fisherman and died at the age of 57 years old at his domicile at English River.
ROCHA DA, José Pedro was born on the Island of Brava Cape Verde. The son of Peter Da Rocha and Zineteba? Di Santa. He was married on 20 October 1883 at Mahé at the age of 18 years and 4 months to Marie Louise René, of 23 years 4 months daughter of Francourt René and Marie Thélésie Clotilde.
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AZORES
The Azores are an archipelago of nine volcanic islands located in the Atlantic Ocean about about 1400 kilometers off the west coast of Portugal. The islands are an autonomous region of Portugal. The nine large islands are, from west to east, Flores, Corvo, Faial, Pico, Sao Jorge, Graciosa, Terceira, Sao Miguel, and Santa Maria. Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores.
Map of the Azores
List of Portuguese who stayed in Seychelles from the Azores
ANTONE, John was born on the island of Säo Miguel (Saint Michel), in the Azores. The son of Joseph Antone and Francisque Brassel. He was married at Mahé at the age of 26 years old, on 17 June 1852 to Louise Mérancienne Mancienne of 16 years old. The daughter of Jean Furcy Mancienne and Aglae Arsanne. He was a seaman and died at Mahé on 16 July 1858 at the age of 30 years.
BRUM, Manuel was born on the island of Pico in the Azores. Son of Manuel Brum and Isabelle Brum of the same place. He was married at the age of 34 years on 6 November 1903 at Mahé to Rosalie Zandvole of 39½ years old of La Digue. The daughter of Thom Zandvole and Clarisse Sinon. They had the following two children prior their marriage: Georgina and Joseph Emmanuel
MORGAN, Francis (de Moutoyos), the son of Emmanuel Garcia Morgan (de Moutoyos) and Louise Joakim. He was the grandfather of Mr France Albert René) was born on the island of Flores in the Azores, in 1835. For some he was born in Faial Island also in the Azores. He left there in early 1856 and arrived at Mahé in March 1856, on board an American Whaler.He was married at Mahé on 9 January 1860 at the age of 22 years to Emilie Marthe de Silva, of 15 years old, daughter of Antonio Sylvain de Silva (formerly Madere), of Cape Verde and Emilie Lagrenade. His previous surname was “de Moutoyos” he apparently took the surname Morgan when he arrived in the Seychelles.
PREA, Manuel was born on the island of Säo Miguel (Saint Michel) Islands in the Azores. The son of Manuel Préa and Emilia Laconcechut. He was married at Mahé on 1 June 1878 at the age of 22 years old to Marie Rose Marthe Henri-Quatre of 26 years and 9 months. Daughter of Laurent Henri-Quatre and Laure Commeton.
PORTUGAL
List of Portuguese who stayed in Seychelles from Portugal
ANDRE, Jean was born in Lisbon Portugal, the son of Jean André and Anna Romain. He was married on 6 October 1884 at Mahé at the age of 26 years old to Marie Reine Fanchon of 17 years 7 months. Daughter of Biscornu Fanchon and Marie Clarice.
ANTONIO, Migual was born in Portugal, he became a police constable at Mahé where he died on 18 June 1854 at the age of 60 years.
ANTONIO, Pitre was born in Portugal, he became a police constable at Mahé and he died in service at the age of 28 years old.
AUSTRASIE, was born in Portugal and married to Bélize Jacques, he died at Praslin at the age of 110 years old on 7 June 1892.
DUNCAN, Antonio was born in Portugal and died at Mahé on 13 April 1842 at the age of 38 years old.
GONZALVE, Frank Joseph was born in Portugal the son of Joseph Gonzalve and Rose Caroline. He was married at Mahé on 8 November 1890 at the age of 24 years old to Marie Cécile Fred of 17 years old, the daughter of Adolphe Fred and Estelle Eugenie.
MASCARENHAS DE, Arthuro Jaon, was born in Porto (Oporto) Portugal. He was married at Mahé at the age of 25 years 2 months on 7 November 1901 to Elise Zatte of 21 years 8 months of Bel Air, Mahé.
SOARES, Nicolas, was born at Cabo de Säo Vicente (Cape Saint Vincent) Portugal. The son of John Antony Soares and Marie Jesus. He was married at Mahé on 31 January 1891 at the age of 25½ years old to Elmina Zelmire Palma alias Talma of 29½ years old. The daughter of Charles Palma alias Talma and Marianne Zelmire.
Goa
Goa, located on the west coast of India, was the first territorial possession of the Portuguese in Asia and became the capital of the entire Portuguese Empire in Asia, east of the Cape of Good Hope for 450 years. It became an important trade hub for the Eastern spice trade. It was granted the same civic privileges as Lisbon, reaching the climax of its prosperity between 1575 and 1600. After many conflicts with India, Goa became an Indian state in 1987. Could it be as a result of these confluicts that some Portuguese from Goa decided to make Seychelles their home?
Map of Goa
List of Portuguese who stayed in Seychelles from Goa
ANTONY, John was born in Goa, the son of Antony and Ann Maria. He was married at Mahé on 19 August 1858 at the age of 36 years old to Zélime Cherie of 27 years old. He remarried again on 9 October 1875 to Caroline, a liberated African of 26 years old. He died on 22 February 1990 at the age of 90 on his resident at Praslin.
COELHO, was born in Goa…..
NORVIGN? Francis Kistod was born in Goa and was married at Mahé at the age of 28 years old to Emilie Cicobo of 22 years old.
Sources:
Durup Julien, Short Historical Links Between Portugal and
Seychelles, 21 November 1995 ; et Notes on La Digue “L’Echo des Iles” April 1991 National Archives Seychelles (NAS).
Filliot J M, Histoire des Seychelles 1982 NAS.
Guerrad P J Sept Annés aux Seychelles 1991 NAS.
Indexes of Marriages, 1794-1872 NAS.
McAteer, Rivals In Eden, 1991 et Hard Times In Paradise : 2000. NAS.
McEwen A C Fragments of Early Seychelles History 1971, NAS.
Mondon M Historical Links between Portugal and Seychelles 1991, NAS.
Pool Heulwen H et Johnstone Daniella : Birth, Marriages, Death records Seychelles 1794-1905, NAS.
Pool Heulwen, Esquisses Généalogiques des Familles Seychelloises. NAS
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