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| Joao Pedro Moniz Ten hours of the day 01/31/1919 was born on Rua Dr. Vieira 290, in the parish of St. Peter, an individual male who was named Joao Pedro Moniz, legitimate son of Rufino Moniz, civic guard, 44-year-old native of Santa Cruz, and his wife Maria Natalia Moniz, domestic, 29 years old, born in Sao Pedro, Funchal. He was the paternal grandson of Rufino Moniz and Maria de Freitas and maternal grandson of Manuel Rodrigues Neto and Maria de Jesus. There were witnesses in this registry, Luis Sequeira Dias, married, civic police and Abel Ascension de Vasconcelos, married, civic guard, residents Rua do Comercio. John would make the journey to America at the age of one year on the Black Arrow. He was grandfather's eighth child, first born with my grandmother, Maria Natalia.  I remember Uncle John fondly! He was a robust man with a hearty laugh and always a kind smile! He lived on the second floor above Angelo's Market, right next door to his parents. He and his family would later move to a single family home in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. His wife Cecilia, lives there until this day. I also remember that he was an avid coin collector. His oldest son David, who is a year younger than I and cousin Carole, also a year younger, would play for many hours as young children. Mischief would always ensue and giggles abundant. I remember a time when we hung grandmother's underwear on a bare light bulb hanging from the ceiling and were saluting them while laying on her huge feather bed. The heat burnt a hole in the huge pink nylon elasticized, bloomers and sent them flying clear across the room. The lightbulb exploded. We were scared and of course in huge trouble. As I remember Uncle John, was the only adult who found this event funny and it was! It still makes me chuckle. His youngest child and only daughter Jo-Ann writes: "I've got plenty of stories but they might not be printable. However, I can tell you that my father was a very generous man. I can still hear him say, "sweetheart get what you want." I would ask him if I could have a banana split when he took us to Frates Bottle in the north end of New Bedford. He sometimes would say, " you like that, get that" especially when choosing my Schwinn bicycle. Even until this day when I'm trying to choose something I hear in my head "sweetheart, get what you like!" He always made me special food treats like a fruit cup with sherbert that he made with the utmost care. He was a perfectionist and he would tell me loudly with the most urgent concern, "NEVER put tomatoes in kale soup!" He had very strong opinions about food. He would take us on long Sunday drives. We would stop at roadside fruit/vegetable stands and I would ask him if we could get strawberries and he would buy a whole case or flat of strawberries and if I wanted to eat the whole thing I could. He loved it when I ate a lot of food and my cousins can attest to my appetite. Just ask Aunt Gloria how many hamburgers I ate. (In my opinion she is the best cook on the planet). He had a strong love for all of his sisters. He was extremely proud of being a Madeira descendant and would speak of it like it was the finest land in all the world, even though he never returned. He repeatedly would tell me stories of its beauty and I must say, after visiting Madeira myself, he was absolutely right. I made the grievous error one day and asked him if Madeira was part of the Azores, bad question???? After asking me what was the matter with me, I got a very long explanation of the geographical location of Madeira. I don't think he spoke to me for a week after that. My mother's family was from Azores. My father would insist that we, his children, were Madeiran because he, our father, was Madeiran. I guess the mother didn't count. It was who your father was that determined your nationality. He didn't have many nice things to say about St. Michael, when it came to food. He was very supportive of my mom's sewing skills and bought her, her first power sewing machine. He would take her to fabric stores far away and wait patiently while she shopped. He was very proud of her and would boast about her abilities. When I learned how to play guitar he would listen to me sing to him and would think I was the greatest, which was pretty amazing to me because I would sing to him songs about Jesus and that could be a touchy subject. He didn't want to talk about it. But I could sing about it and he thought I was great! I really miss my father and I wish I could have lunch with him. I had a rocky relationship with him due to his frequent drinking but through my becoming a born again Christian, God helped me to forgive him and we had a great relationship in the latter part of his life. I really love him, and when I think of him, it brings a smile to my face. As all of you are aware of, I am a lot like him. I know he loved me and his entire family and the country he was born in and the country he fought for. He was loyal and he did know right from wrong and often spoke up about it, not necessarily in the most tactful way. My father worked at Kay Windsor as a shipper for more than 20 years. He was born in Funchal, 1/31/1919 and died at 82yrs old, Monday February 5, 2001. He married my mother, June 5, 1948. He was in the Army in Battery A, 276th Coast Artillery Battalion. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon and Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon. Certificate of Nationalization, age 23 on the 30th December 1942 in the State of Texas, county of Galveston when he was at Camp Hulen, Texas, (sounds like this happened when he enlisted in the Army becsuse he completed his service in 1946. My mother's maiden name was Cecilia Rodericks. It was probably spelled Roderiques, but they maybe changed it in America, just a guess. 1st born, David John Moniz, 4/4/1949 wife, Shirley Moser divorced one natural daughter Marsha Moniz, who is now married but she is not in contact with our family. 2nd born, Ralph Anthony Moniz, 9/2/1953, no children, estranged wife Olivia. 3rd born, Jo-Ann Moniz (myself), 9/17/57, married to Charles J Carey 5/1/1980. I have three children, Cecelia M. Carey, 9/28/81 single. Monica F. Carey, 9/28/84 married with two sons, Isaac C. Barros and Elloit Nathanael Barros, born Christmas Day, 2012. Nathanael R. Carey, 11/4/87, single, military served in Afghanistan and is now training for Special Forces selection in September." Thank you cousin Jo-Ann for this wonderful and very honest account of your dad. His memory shall live on forever. Jo-Ann has visited Madeira twice now and absolutely loves it there. She has taken many beautiful pictures, which I will share in a later chapter. She has a very dry sense of humor and always makes me laugh! Cousin Hank writes of Uncle John: "I have a nice picture of my mom and dad, Uncle Ralph, Uncle Jordan and Uncle John sitting around a table in a night club in San Francisco on one of Uncle John’s visits to California. It was during the War because Uncle John was in uniform. He told us a lot of war stories and we just loved them - - especially the one about killing a shark with his .45 pistol. I remember him and his talent for barbecuing meat. He took control of all situations and when he and my Uncle Ralph would get together the beers would fly. He looked up to my Uncle Ralph. They had a lot in common. He probably named his son Ralph after him. I also remember him as a very generous man that when he spoke, we all listened. What is unusual is that my dad, Uncle Jordan, Uncle Ralph, Grandfather Moniz and Uncle John all passed away at the age of 82. For those of us going around once in this world, we better have a good time while we’re here, because when we’re dead, it’s for a long time."  John Moniz in uniform.  |
Friday, July 27, 2012
John Peter Moniz
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Maria Natalia Moniz
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| Maria Natalia Rodrigues Neto Moniz
This document says that the book of registration of births in the year 1889 on the sheet 8, nr. 3, 0 shown following: In the church of San Pedro, Funchal, was named Mary, who was born in that village the day 12:15, 24/12/1888, legitimate daughter of Manuel Rodrigues Neto, laborer, and Mary Elizabeth, domestic, both natural of the parish and county of San Vicente, but were residents at the site of Ribeira de Sao Joao (Funchal) and parishioners of the church of St. Peter. Father was the grandson of Jose Rodrigues Neto and Maximiana of Jesus. Mother was the granddaughter of Manuel Ferreira and Maria de Jesus. The groomsmen were Manuel Fernandes Camacho, dealer, married, and his wife, Helen Camacho, residents of St. John Street.
Maria Natalia Rodrigues Neto, would become grandfather's second wife in 1918, seven years after the death of his first wife, Maria do Rosario. She bore him seven children as well. She was listed as a domestic on the birth records relating to her children. John, Joseph, Joseph, Maria Gloria, Maria Alice, Maria Judith and Elvira. This was her second marriage. She lost her first husband and three children to the dreaded influenza that swept across Europe.
Maria Natalia would make the journey to America in 1920 along with grandfather and their one year old son, John and four of grandfather's children with Maria do Rosario.
Maria Natalia was my maternal grandmother. I remember her fondly and mostly that she spent her life in the kitchen, caring for her grandchildren, while their parents worked and sitting on her front porch in the very little leisure time that she had. In her later years her eyesight would fail and she would sit in a chair, quite close, hunched over to enjoy TV. Quite a novelty at that time.
Grandmother wore gold wire rim glasses, always in a dress, with nylons rolled around her knees. Her shoes were black leather with a slight heel and laced up the front, usually untied. Her ultimate accessory, a full apron, that slipped over her head and tied in the the back around her waist, with long tails, usually a child tugging at them.
Her front parlor would open at Christmas and housed old fashioned, large horse haired overstuffed, sofa and chairs. They were navy blue and maroon as I can remember. The fabric was an indestructible mohair, kind of like a coarse velvet, carved wooden panels and legs as a decorative touch in a mahogany tone. A room off limits any other time, closed off by two large mahogany french doors, unless one was going to the front porch for a while. Their home was a three decker. Grandparents lived on the first floor directly across from the Immaculate Conception Church.
Grandmother would become a citizen of the United States, on June 25th 1942. She was fifty three years old. My mother says that she studied for the test for many hours and received a perfect score.
It is said that she could read tea leaves and was very intuitive. My mom says she made a table lift in Madeira. Not sure how true this information is, but it was not the kind of thing that anyone discussed in the old days. One might be labeled a witch and she definitely was not. She once asked me for a glass of water and some eggs. She broke the eggs and when they rose to the top it would determine how many children I would have. She told me two, a boy and a girl. She was correct. If I could only have those moments back. As a young teen I did not give her prediction much credence and had no idea of her abilities.
The arrogance of youth!
Grandmother would pass in 1965 at the age of 76. A life filled with hardship and sorrow, she would lose two more of her children born here in America before the age of eighteen. Yet, a fruitful life which gave birth to an incredible work ethic instilled in all of her children.
Cousin Hank writes: I met your grandmother and my grandfather in 1953 when my family, including Uncle Ralph, took the California Zephyr from Oakland, CA to Chicago, then another train from Chicago to Boston, and another one car train from Boston to New Bedford. That was the first and last time that I saw our grandparents. I remember a glorious time meeting the “back east” family for the first time, and all we did on that trip. My cousins were all about 5-6 years old at the time. I was 14. My mother’s brother, Joe Pallotta (Uncle Peep as we called him) wired my dad some money to buy a car for him. We bought a new 1953 Plymouth station wagon and drove it home to California. I got to drive many miles across the desert of Utah and Nevada with no license, etc. A trip I will never forget. Hank
Many more stories can be written here and they are all welcomed. If any of my older cousins would like to share a few please let me know!
 From left to right: Cousins, Susan, Myself, Carole, David and Barbara, Grandmother looking proudly over. This photo was taken probably at Christmas in 1949. Hey, no apron and her nylons do not seem to be rolled down. It had to be a holiday!!!!!! |
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Johdao Moniz
Jordan....1935
Jordan Moniz, was born on September 23, 1911. He was the legitimate son of Rufino Moniz, civil guard and Maria do Rosairo, domestic. He was the paternal grandson of Rufino Moniz and Maria DeFreitas and the maternal grandson of Jose Joaquin Monteiro and Augusta of the Rosary. He was born in Madeira, Portugal.
As his older brother Henrique writes in an eight page letter to his family:
"My youngest brother Jordan was born on September 23, 1911. Our mother would die less than a month later. She passed on October 11, 1911. My father would remarry seven years later in 1918. Together they would have seven more children, four girls and three boys, the opposite from our family of three girls and four boys."
Can you only imagine the pain and sorrow that would befall the family? Grandfather would be left with seven children under the age of eleven years old. One of which was a newborn. How on earth did he endure? It is said that Maria do Rosairo would die due to the complications of childbirth. It is also said that Jordan was cared for by a family friend who was a wet nurse. He was left behind for unknown reasons when the family migrated to America. He would have been around nine years old at that time, happy with his adopted family perhaps or maybe for financial reasons.
Jordan finally made the voyage to America in 1941. His port of departure was Lisbon, Portugal. He arrived in New York, New York on the ship Siboney, March 27, 1941. He would then move on to California to meet with his siblings. His brother Henrique would sponsor him to the United States. Jordan became a citizen in August of 1948 at the age of thirty six.
It is said that he came to this country a very bitter man due to the fact that he was left behind in Madeira.
Cousin Hank writes: "Uncle Jordan worked for General Electric's Transformer Division in Oakland for a number of years making crates for the huge transformers to be shipped in. I can't remember Aunt Helen's maiden name, but I went to her father's and mother's house on many occasions. She worked at a plant that made antifreeze. She died of liver cancer shortly after Aunty Mary Macedo passed. The last time I saw her she was in bed, but showed me the dress that she wanted to be buried in. Very sad! She was a kind and gentle soul!" Hank also writes: "He was so generous to my family. He would give me, my brother and sister $20 each every time we went for a visit. He raised rabbits and would kill 2 or 3, then barbecue them for a real feast. We loved to visit him and Aunty Helen and would always go away with our stomachs stretched to the max. I actually haven't had rabbit since he died. I learned to drive a stick shift on his 1941 Buick, which he kept in great shape. Every time he would come to Tormey for a visit he would let me drive it around town. As an adult he was difficult to get along with, the only one he really liked was my dad and the back east family. He didn't like Aunty Mary Macedo and Uncle Ralph, even though they treated him very well. He was so bitter about being left behind that I think it warped his personality. My mom was also very nice to him and he loved her spaghetti."
He was married to his wife Helen and together they had a baby girl who would pass at birth. They resided at 4117 Allendale Avenue, Oakland, California. I am still searching records to determine exact dates of these events without much luck!
Jordan would pass at the age of 82 on May 14, 1993.
I met Uncle Jordan and his wife Helen at the age of eleven. My memories are vague! I do remember that he was very soft spoken, tall and very handsome! Aunt Helen very quiet reserved and very sweet!
Jordan Moniz
Helen, Jordan's wife...1956
Jordan's wedding to wife Helen...
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Mario Moniz
Mario Moniz
In the parish of St. Peter in the year of 02/02/1910 was baptized Mario, who was born on St. Peter's Day, November 11, 1909, legitimate son of Rufino Moniz, civil guard and Maria do Rosairo, a domestic, natural
of the parish of Santa Cruz, parishioners of St. Peter and street residents in the Ribeira de Sao Joao. He was the grandson of paternal Rufino Moniz and Maria de Freitas and maternal grandson of Jose Joaquin Monteiro and Augusta of the Rosary. Isidore was godfather John Figueira de Araujo, married, owner, resident in Calyada Pico, Henrietta Maria and godmother, single, resident of the Pico Frias.
Mario arrived in America in April of 1920 at the age of 10 years, via The Black Arrow. He was the third son of Rufino and Maria del Rosairo.
Not much is known about this young man other than he moved to California in 1930 along with his brother Henrique. He worked on his sister Mary Vera's, dairy farm. He did have a girlfriend who was the sister of Henrique's wife Frances. Her name was Mary. Mario would pass in 1930 of possibly lockjaw (tetanus).
His nephew Henry writes: "My Aunty Mary from Crockett would tell me all about life at the dairy and how Aunty Mary from Oakland would protect her from all of the rowdy ranch hands. She also told me that she had a huge crush on Uncle Mario, who was working at the dairy for a while. She was devastated when he died at the young age of 21, in 1930. He is buried with my Uncle Ralph and Uncle Jordan’s first born daughter in the same grave. He died allegedly of lockjaw. Grandfather attended his funeral and my Aunty Mary from Crockett said grandfather asked the funeral director to open the casket at the grave site one more time so he could see his son for the last time. Very tragic for the whole family. I visit their grave site often, as well as all of my other relatives that are buried there. Hope this adds a little bit to the chapter of our heritage."
How very sad and tragic indeed! More pain and sorrow for grandfather. He had now lost a son and a daughter, Maria Gloria. Mario looks like he was quite the character. look at him on the following page, far right. So sad for the entire family, I wish I could have gotten to know him. I have searched death records on ancestory.com for an exact date but with no luck. He is listed on several ship's manifests, however. I also believe he was in transition to California, as he is not listed in the 1930 census in New Bedford or California. It is fair to say that he died within months after his arrival to California, but not sure.
New information: I recently contacted the Alameda County Recorder's office, for a fee they would search all death records of cities and towns in Alameda County. Today I received information in the mail, Mario's official death record.
It states that Mario passed on August 22, 1930, of Edema Glottis, (an edema caused by fluid accumulation in the soft tissues of the larynx. The condition, usually inflammatory, may result from an infection, injury, allergy, or inhalation of toxic substances.)
The record further states that he passed at 12:20PM. There had been an operation and also an autopsy performed. There was no test that confirmed the diagnosis. The certificate was signed by his brother-in-law, Joe Jardine of Rodeo, CA and Dr. John G. Sa....not legible. Providence Hospital in Oakland, CA was the place of his death, he was buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery on August 25, 1930 by Curry Funeral Parlor in Richmond, CA. He had lived in CA for three years prior to his death. He was 20 years, 9 months and 12 days old.
I am choked up writing about this as tomorrow, August 22, 2012, will be the 82nd anniversary of his death! Further more there goes that 82 number again! Several uncles and grandfather passed at the age of 82. I will say a special prayer for you Uncle Mario, I so regret that I never got to know you! May you rest in peace!
Cousin Hank writes: "It was interesting to see what he died from. My dad said he stepped on a rusty nail and it got infected. He is buried in the old part of the cemetery among many graves with people who passed in their 30’s and 40’. I’m sure Uncle Mario could have been easily saved with the antibiotics that we have today. Very sad.
"I was always told he died of Lock Jaw, but his death left many unanswered questions. My mother always thought that it was an accidental overdose of anesthesia from his doctor when he was on the operating table....."
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Henrique Anselmo Moniz!
Young Griffo
In this document, and noted that the registration book of the parish church of St. Peter, in Funchal, relative to births in 1907, is in the register 147, the sheet 75, 0: a 05/26/1907, was baptized in that church sayings, Henry, who was born in the parish of St. Peter's Day 05:00 4/21/1907, legitimate son of Rufino Moniz, civil guard, born in Santa Cruz, and Maria do Rosario Moniz, domestic, born in the same parish of Santa Cruz, parishioners and residents of San Pedro Street daRibeira de Sao Joao. Father was the grandson of Rufino Moniz and Maria de Freitas and mother of Jose Joaquin Monteiro and Augusta of the Rosary. Godfather was Henry Bettencourt Tristan da Camara, single, employed by trade, who lives in Santa Luzia, and godmother Mary Belle de Noronha and Agrela, who lives in Sao Paulo, married.
There seems to be some controversy as to when Henrique actually arrived in America. Although he is listed on the original ship's manifest in April of 1920, age 12. On The Black Arrow, he is also listed on the manifest in October of that same year, on the ship Roma, age 13. In his eight page letter to his family he clearly states that he arrived on the Roma, an Italian ship. I have a theory that Rufino (Uncle Ralph) whose records concerning his arrival to America, are no where to be found, was somehow substituted for Henrique in April of 1920 and Henrique came later. Not sure about this but it lends to the mystery. (This mystery has been solved. You can read the solution under Rufino Nicolau's bio.
His son Henry writes; "I believe my father came over by himself, or with his sister that was buried at sea. He came over on the Roma, an Italian based ship,(photo below). I went to Ellis Island and looked him up on the computer. He told me that he had $20 for his journey to America. When he arrived at Ellis Island he spent the night there and just before bedtime placed the $20 under his pillow for safe keeping. When he awoke the next morning it was gone. He also told me that during the voyage he tried to befriend an Italian boy about his age and the boy scratched his face. So my dad kicked him in the you know whats. He then ran back to the Portuguese group followed by several Italian women that wanted revenge. This caused a near riot on the boat and when he finally landed he had a great distain for Italians. Obviously those feelings went away later and it is interesting that he should marry one and embrace the Italian culture. Since he was surrounded, he probably didn’t have much choice.
My dad, Uncle Ralph and Aunt Mary sponsored Uncle Jordan so he could come to America. He came here a very bitter man - - angry that he was left in Madeira for so long before coming to America.
He was very close to my dad, but not that close to my Aunt Mary. Due to a minor incident with my Uncle Ralph, they didn't speak to each other for over 20 years. Finally, mainly thru efforts of my dad, they started communicating again. Uncle Jordan was at my Uncle Ralphs sick bed and was with him until the end."
Henrique was a prize fighter in his early years and fought under the name of Young Griffo. His professional start was 1927, his last pro fight was November 1929, in Greenwich, Connecticut. Total of 20 Professional Bouts: 6-New Bedford, MA 2-Fall River, Ma 1-Boston, Ma 3-Stamford, CT 1-Greenwich, CT 1-Mitchell Field, Hempstead, NY 1-Yonkers, NY 5-White Plains, NY Fighting Weight: 143-144 Trim Fought under the name "Young Griffo" He would move to California, from New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1930 permanently to work on his sister Mary Vera's, dairy farm. He would later work in the sugar cane industry. He married Frances V Palotta and together they had three children. My memories of him are vague, except to say that he loved his family and seemed a very kind and gentle soul! Henrique would pass on August 3, 1989 at the age of 82. Below is an article written in a local newspaper in 1977, not sure of the exact date. A brief description of Henry's colorful life. 
By Geraldine Fregoso
"Why should I be so certain that a swing compass needle will lead me to land and safety?"
Why have I dared stake my life on the belief that by drawing a line on paper and measuring its azimuth and length, I can find my way through shifting air to Europe?"
"Why have I been so sure that I can hold the nose of the Spirit of St. Louis on an unmarked point on that uniform horizon...?
These words were written by Charles Lindbergh of his historic, thrilling airplane flight 50 years ago.
For a man in Crockett, though, the celebration of Lindbergh's nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean which began on May 21, 1927 evoked special memories.
"I'll bet I'm the only person around who can say they were at Roosevelt Field, New York, the night before he took off and who talked to him," said Henry Moniz of Pomona Avenue. A former professional prizefighter at one time in his life. Moniz said he and two friends graphically nicknamed "Wild River and "Guts,"had been to nearby Curtisville Field where they had enjoyed a 15 minute plane ride for five dollars.
"Coming home past Roosevelt, we saw Lindy standing there talking to another man. One of my friends asked him "when are you going to take off, Lucky Lindy?"
"He just shrugged his shoulders and smiled at us and said he wasn't sure. You know I don't think there were more than ten people around that whole place. But over at the other field there were great crowds with some other fliers who were planning to take off on a flight across the Atlantic the same day.
"People thought he had a good plane, but nobody was very sure he would make it, that's why they called him "Lucky Lindy"because of that earlier trip from San Diego to Curtis Field."
Moniz digressed in his recollection to talk about some oh his adventures when he was younger. He said that at one point during prohibition he and a friend were bootleggers who made regular deliveries to speakeasies to earn good money. That activity ceased suddenly, though, "when a good friend of mine was found wrapped in a burlap sack floating on the Hudson River."
Moniz said there was speculation whether Lucky Luciano was responsible for the deed, "or some of those other guys."
He ended up coming to Rodeo and joining his sister in business at Jardin's Dairy. "I learned how to milk cows and become a cowboy and a milkman all at the same time."
Moniz later went to work at the plant in Selby and performed a variety of jobs there until he retired. He keeps busy these days working occasionally as a lineman for a maritime company in Crockett.
He and his wife have raised two sons and a daughter. "I have lots of wonderful memories" the 70 year old Moniz said.
"It seems like it was just yesterday that I saw Lucky Lindy getting ready for his take off and then later when they gave that big parade for him. It was sure a big thing then. It's still a big thing to remember, and I'll still bet that I'm the only one around here who was there 50 years ago."
Henrique... clowning around...March 20, 1937
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| Henrique Marries, Frances V Palotta Frances Palotta Moniz, his wife, 7/07/1916 - 12/23/2002 Uncle Henry and Aunt Frances have three children. Henry Anselmo Moniz, 5/04/1939. He is married and lives in California with his wife, Henry has four children and grandchildren. Monte Leroy Moniz, 1941 Brenda Susan Moniz, 1949  
Ship, Henrique arrived on in October of 1920...
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Saturday, May 26, 2012
Rufino Nicolau Moniz
Rufino Nicolau Moniz... about 16 years of age...
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| Rufino Nicolau |
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| Rufino Nicalou with a lady friend... Just look at this guy!!! Hollywood eat your heart out! Handsome, debonair, ladies man, dashing, just a few words to describe this colorful soul. Rufino also had a pet monkey named Patsy, so one could add eccentric to the list of descriptive words that define him. He was always referred to as, Uncle Ralph. I met him several times. However I was very young, so my memories are vague. He lived three thousand miles away! Those that knew him well say that he had a heart of gold to a fault and was always kind to his nieces and nephews. He was a rabble-rouser and stood up for what he believed in. According to cousin Anibal, Uncle Ralph's nickname was "Cop Souza" in the New Bedford, MA area. Some of his antics were not always carried out in a positive way and he would occasionally partake in some liquid cheer! His nephew Hank writes; "Never having children of his own, he became like a second father to us. He was generous to a fault. I could take his car anytime I wanted it. I started driving at the age of 13 and took his car for a spin on many occasions. We all drove at a very early age because we lived in the small village of Tormey - - private property belonging to the American Smelting and Refining Company - - hence no license required. We all miss him very much." Hank also writes: "My brother Monte picked up many of Uncle Ralph's traits, much to my father’s dismay. Monte and Uncle Ralph made the rounds to many of the local pubs and always had a rip roaring time. Uncle Ralph was like a little bandy rooster, always ready to punch someone if they looked cross eyed at him. Monte also picked up Uncle Ralph’s generosity when it came to his family, especially his nephews and nieces. Monte treated my children exactly like Uncle Ralph treated us. We spent more time with him than any of my other Uncles because my mother would fix his dinner every night and we would all eat together. He liked the ladies and had several girlfriends. I remember on one occasion ( I was 4 or 5) we went for a ride and he stopped the car to talk with a lady. He was so engrossed in conversation that he did not notice that I had pushed his cigarette lighter in and held it in. The smoke that soon started coming from under the dash brought an abrupt end to his flirting. It was a great loss to our family when he passed. He was like a second father to me, and I still miss him a lot." My mom says that he was very handsome and had a different lady for every night of the week. Uncle Ralph never married and has no known children. Rufino Nicolau was the fourth child and first son of Rufino Moniz Junior and Maria do Rosairo. In some European families the birth of a first son is equated to the second coming of you know WHO! After three daughters I am sure this was the case! I have searched many databases on the web and cannot find any records to support a date in which he arrived in America. He was not on the ship's manifest in 1920 or any other manifest that I could find. No where is he mentioned in the documents of immigration that grandfather had petitioned. He was definitely here in the 1920's as he went to California with his brother's and sister sometime later in that decade. I do have a theory that will be discussed at a later time. Records that I do have state that he was born on December 6,1905 and would pass at the age of 82 in July of 1987. He became a US Citizen at the age of 47, September 21,1953. His residence at the time of his death was; 94525 Crockett, Contra Costa, California. Uncle Ralph worked on his sister Mary Vera's dairy farm and later in the sugar cane industry for most of his adult life. New information: I visited Ellis Island, New York very recently in July. I met with a historian named Barry Moreno, upstairs in the third floor library. I asked him how to go about finding out how Rufino came to this country. I explained my theory that he was probably substituted for Henrique on the initial 1920 journey with grandfather. "Records were not kept like they are today," he said. The United States did not require passports like they do today. The government of Portugal required anyone leaving Portugal to have a passport as there was a mass migration out of that country at that time. He asked if Rufino had become a citizen of the United States. "He was," I said. "Then he would have had to file for Naturalization Papers and file a petition," he said. This document would require information on initial entry into this country. I already had his citizenship document number found on ancestry.com. I was to contact nara.gov with this info and ask for the petition documents. I found the appropriate contact and for a fee they would send me the information. My excitement heightened when I learned that my theory was correct. Ralph was indeed substituted for Henrique who came here in October of 1920. Why this exchange happened we will probably never know. But it explains why Henrique was listed twice, once in April on the Black Arrow and then in October on the Roma. Ralph's entry was nowhere to be found. The Naturalization Petition Document reads: filed in the district court of the United States at San Francisco. He came to this country, April 2 1920 on the SS Black Arrow and that he had lived in California since 1932. He was 47 at the time of petition. The petition was witnessed by Frances Moniz and Joe Pallotta Jr., his sister-in-law (Henrique's wife) and her brother. It was signed by T. L. Baldwin, Deputy Clerk. A bit of the mystery solved and goodness what a journey. Thanks to Barry Moreno at the Ellis Island Foundation for the time he spent with me. He is a man of great knowledge who truly enjoys his job. Our meeting lasted for about twenty five minutes while grandpa and my grand-daughters waited patiently. Comment by Cousin Hank: "I thought my dad came over with one of his sisters. I know he did not come over with Uncle Ralph as you have discovered.
I’m not even sure what year my father left New Bedford to come to California, at my Aunt Mary’s request. I know he was a ranch hand and milk truck delivery guy shortly after arriving here. I don’t think my Uncle Ralph came with him, but came a little later. I can’t imagine my Uncle Ralph as a ranch hand, a truck driver yes, but ranch hand no.
At time of his naturalization, both he and my dad worked at the American Smelting and Refinery Co. where my dad worked as a fork lift driver and my uncle as a truck driver. The company made bullets during the war and also refined other precious metals such as gold and silver. One of my dad’s friends was involved in a gold robbery at the company and got caught."
He was a colorful thread that added interesting texture to the tapestry of our family's history! |
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Rufino Nicolau center, along with two friends  Once again if anyone has a memory to add please let me know! |
Friday, May 25, 2012
Caroline Moniz
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| Caroline Moniz Caroline was the third child and third daughter of Rufino Moniz Junior (grandfather) and Maria do Rosairo. Caroline's maternal grandparents were, Jose Monteiro Joaquim and Augusta of the Rosary. Her paternal granparents were Rufino Moniz Senior and Maria de Freitas. She was born in the parish of Santa Luzia, on July 13, 1903, and baptized on 8/23/1903. Caroline would migrate to America many years later in 1962. She was left in the care of her doting godmother Maria, who was grandfather's sister. Maria never had any children of her own and simply could not let Caroline go to America in 1920 with the rest of her family. Caroline would spend her early years in Santa Cruz, Madeira while pursuing her education. She became a teacher. She was awarded the Medal of Public Education by the Portuguese Government on June 10, 1981. Caroline has one son, Anibal Tristao Moniz, born on June 16, 1945. His twin sister would pass at birth. Anibal would follow his mother to America in April of 1963. Both lived with my parents until proper housing was found for them. A bit crowed, however, interesting! There were 10 of us in a three bedroom two bath house! I remember that Aunt Caroline loved embroidery. She would sit for many hours enjoying her craft. She was a robust woman. Her light brown hair was always neatly fashioned into a bun. She had the whitest and most beautiful skin, accompanied by the rosiest cheeks that I ever saw. Anibal, her son, married Gabriella. They have one son, John Moniz. John recently married Erin Bancroft Gordon. Together they have Caroline's great-grandaughter, Sophia Caroline, just a few months old. Caroline would pass on July 18, 1988, at the age of 85. Her son, Anibal and his family reside in New Bedford, Massachusetts. More information on Caroline coming soon. If anyone has a story or interesting facts to share please let me know! |
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