The Emigration of Água de Pena and its Anthroponymy in the Passport Books of the Civil Government of Funchal from 1955 to 1970

Abstract

From 1955 to 1970, the years 1957, 1964, 1969 and 1970 were the ones that registered the highest number of passports granted to residents of the parish of Água de Pena, mainly from the municipality of Machico. In 1957, the most sought after emigration destination is Brazil, followed by Venezuela. In 1964, the great demand is the departure to Venezuela, which remains in 1969, although with decrease, whereas in 1970 the most sought after destination is England, followed by Venezuela, with a great reduction. Thus, in the period studied, 243 passports were granted to Venezuela, 125 to Brazil and, from 1970 onwards, England emerges as a new emigration destination, with 77 passports. The passport records of the Civil Government of Funchal allow us to know the emigrants’ first names and family names, observing the frequency of first names such as Beatriz, João, José, Maria and Manuel. We witness a diversification of first names over time, along with the trend towards the formation of first names composed of two names, such as João Manuel and Maria José. As for family names, the Freitas, Nunes, Pereira and Vieira predominate, as well as the compositions Freitas Branco and Fernandes Belo, among others. We found some nicknames that are already family names, like Bisca, and even a profession name, Carregador (Porter).

Keywords

Emigration; Água de Pena; Madeira Island; Passport Books; Civil Government of Funchal, 1955-1970; Anthroponymia.