Donna Alves-Calhoun - Portuguese Community of San Diego

EXPLORER JOO RODRIGUES CABRILHO. Commemorated for his exploration and discovery of California, in 1993 the U.S. Postal Service honored Cabrilho with a 29 stamp. One of his many landings included Ballast Point in 1542, claiming new territories for Spain. He unknowingly started the arrival of Portuguese immigrants with the hopes of a new life in a land of great opportunity decades later.

EARLY IN THE 20TH CENTURY. A great blend of Portuguese immigrants emigrated from the mainland of Portugal, as well as the Azorean and Madeira Islands, and started a move toward the United States. Arriving in several areas of the East Coast, they produced a new and diverse mix of traditions, folklore, and faith. Entering through Bar Harbor and Ellis Island, many remained on the East Coast until they had the means to venture west. Shortly thereafter, a new wave of movement began toward an area in California known as San Diego, and the foundation of the Portuguese community there was quickly set in motion.

LAGES WHALING STATION. The Portuguese tradition of fishing began with whalers that hunted the large mammal for oil for many generations. It is a custom that followed the Portuguese to the East and West Coasts of America. Two men are stopping to take a photograph with a whale, or balea , that was caught off the local waters of Pico, Azores, in the town of Lages. Whaling was an essential way of life, but it also a dangerous occupation, and many were injured during the hunts. (Courtesy Joe De Melo.)

THE FRANK-MACHADO MARRIAGE, 1920S. Emigrating from the island of Madeira, Portugal, this couple eventually settled in San Diegos Portuguese community to join the tuna industry. (Courtesy of Gayle Frank.)

NATURALIZATION. The naturalization process was tedious and long. Sometimes it could take up to 10 years to receive citizenship, and documentation was very important to acquire jobs and status as an American. Shown here are the naturalization papers of Anna Fernandes Francisco. (Courtesy of Delores Luz.)

THE DA SILVA FAMILY. Originating in Pico, Azores, the Da Silva family had four daughters that all immigrated to the United States and established their lives in San Diego. Often siblings were left behind with the parents until one could send for them at a later date. All four Da Silva sisters are pictured at left when they reunited in Pico, Azores, to visit with their parents for the summer festas . From left to right are (first row) Joo Da Silva and Isabel Da Silva; (second row) Isabel Bettencourt, Maria Emilia Brown, Inez Rosa, and Isauda Da Silva. (Courtesy of Maria Melo.)

MARIA EMILIA DA SILVA. Immigrating to the United States in 1920 at the age of 17, Maria Emilia sailed on the SS Roma from Pico Island in the Azores. These were her immigration papers at the point of entry through Ellis Island. Her parents arranged for a Portuguese family with a boardinghouse in Gloucester, Massachusetts, to become her sponsors, while she took employment in the Universal Coat Factory and later worked at the Gortons Fisheries. (Authors collection.)

THE SS ROMA . This steamship was built for the Fabre Line in 1902 and ran a MediterraneanNew York service. Weighing 5,291 gross tons with a steam triple expansion engine, twin screws, and a double mast and funnels, she proudly housed 54 first-class and 1,400 third-class passengers. Many Portuguese immigrants embarked on this vessel in route to America. (Authors collection.)