Seraphim's Descendants...Where Are You?

Research Journal #1, Entry #4

As proof of Seraphim de Braga's existence unfolded, there was still so much I didn't know about him. And, it really bugged me! The only way to find out more would be to track down his descendants. I had already collected some information from the census. But, what I had only came forward another generation. There was a huge gap from 1920 to the present.

The first step was to find obituaries for Seraphim and his wife, Olympia. This provided me with a little more information about his children and who they married. I then searched for obituaries, death certificates, and cemetery records for the descendants. Once I had these records, I was able to bring the line forward a couple of generations. Although all of Seraphim's children were deceased, he still had living grandchildren.

I sent off a couple of letters to people who might be related to Seraphim. In a few weeks, I received a letter from an individual who was Seraphim's grandson. He didn't know alot about the family, but forwarded my letter to his cousin. I waited a few more weeks before a letter arrived from the cousin. This cousin had moved to Monterey County circa 1930 and was aware of the other de Braga's and Bonita's. This letter confirmed Seraphim's relationship to the de Braga's and also provided more details of his life. By finding the descendants, I was able to learn about Seraphim and also about Jozimas and Maria. The research trail had come full circle.

Seraphim de Braga's Obituary
(Source: Honolulu Star Bulletin, 25 Nov 1955, page 6)

Serafim Braga
A Requiem High Mass will be held at 9am Monday at Our Lady of Peace Cathedral for Serafim Braga, 76, who died Tuesday at his home.

Friends may call at Ordenstein's Mortuary Sunday from 6 to 9pm and after 7am Monday; Rosary, 7:30pm Sunday, burial, Diamond Head Cemetery.

Born in San Michael [sic], Portugal. Mr. Braga was a member of the Living Rosary, Punchbowl Holy Ghost Society and San Antonio Society.

He is survived by his wife, Olympia: two sons, Joseph and William, both of California; three sisters [sic], Mrs. Gloria B. Thom, Mrs. Margaret Paul, and Mrs. Olympia Mendes; sister Mrs. Grace Bonita; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

[Note: The three "sisters" are really Seraphim's daughters Gloria, Margaret, and Olympia]

The Mystery is put to Rest

Research Journal #1, Entry 3


The only records that would tell Seraphin's tale would be the Portuguese records. I had no experience with obtaining these records, so I was in uncharted territory! I was nervous about requesting them as I did not know the Portuguese language. Also, what I knew about Seraphin was slim. I had his name, estimated birth date and place, and possible names of parents. Would this be enough?

With information from AOL's Portuguese Genealogy Chat, I was ready to request his baptismal certificate. I wrote a letter to the archives in Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, Azores. I mailed it. The information I supplied was:

Name: Seraphin de Braga
Born: January 1879, Maia, Ribeira Grande, Sao Miguel Island
Parents: Jozimas de Braga and Maria da Conceicao de Mello

What seemed like decades passed by. Okay, it was only weeks, but it seemed like forever. And, I'm as impatient as any genealogist waiting for the mail. Finally, I received a response from the archives. I used some translation guides to work out all the words. All my hard work paid off. Even though I supplied the wrong birthdate, they found him! His name was Seraphim, and, he really was the son of Jozimas and Maria!

I had my proof. I could add Seraphim to my database without any doubts. Yet, I knew so little about him. What was his story? What happened to him between his birth and 1900? If he didn't go to Hawaii with his parents, how did he get there? As one mystery is resolved, more take it's place. I wasn't done with Seraphim yet!

-----

Translated copy of Seraphim's Baptismal Record:
No. 47, Seraphim

On the 16th day of the month of June in the year 1878, in this Parish church of Divino Esperito Santo, place of Maia, council of Ribeira Grande, and diocese of Angra, I solemnly baptized one individual of the masculine sex to whom I gave the name of Seraphim, and who was born in this parish at 1:00 in the morning of the 7th day in the month of June, is assumed legitimate son of Jozimas de Braga, fieldworker, and Maria, in domestic service, native and residents of this town, and parishioners who lived on ______ Motta Street.

Paternal grandson of Jacintho de Braga and Rosa Barquiera and maternal of Felicianno de Mello and Rosa Jacintha. The Godparents, Jose Raposa, fieldworker, bachelor, and Jacintha Pacheco, in domestic service, widow, both of whom I know.

And, to be recorded and drawn up and then being read and confirmed by the Godparents who signed it with me because they did not know how to write.

It is as above.
Jacintho Ignacio de Medeiros

Picking up the Trail

Research Journal #1, Entry #2

A few months later, I decided to take up the Saffarin cause once again. I came to the conclusion that his name was probably Seraphine (or some variant of that name). I would go back to the films. If he was there, I was going to find him.

I had no information on Seraphine other than his name and who is parents might be. He must not have come to California with the others or someone would have remembered him. My only hope was that he made it to Hawaii and left records behind. But where did he live in Hawaii? I had no clue.

Since Maria died in 1938, the 1920 census seemed like a good place to start. I knew there weren't that many de Braga's in Hawaii. It shouldn't be difficult to find him through the soundex index. It was lucky day! There was a Serafin Braga living in Honolulu in 1920. I skipped to the 1900 census as their was no index at the Family History Center for 1910. Once again, only one name was close, Sarphine Brago. Was this the guy I was looking for?

Finding proof for people you know fit in your family tree can be difficult. Finding proof that someone connects to your tree is ten times as hard. Immigration searches came up empty. He wasn't listed with his parents and he wasn't listed alone. Seraphine was not listed in any records connected to his family except Maria's mortuary record. I was beginning to think ol' Seraphine was a private joke left behind by my relatives. I had reached an impasse and wasn't sure how to get through it. A little intuition goes a long way in genealogy but you need still need concrete proof before you can be sure of a connection. I needed that proof to really prove this Seraphine was my Seraphine.

Proof Found in the Census:

1900 U.S. Census
Brago, Sarphine
Born Jan 1879, age 21, Portugal
Residence: Honolulu, Oahu
Living Alone

1920 U.S. Census
Braga, Serafin
Age 40, Portugal
Immigrated 1894; Naturalized 1904
Residence: Honolulu, Oahu
Living with:
Olympia, wife
Glory, daughter
Joseph, son
William, son
Maggie, daughter
Olympia, daughter

Surprise Found in Maria's Mortuary Record

Research Journal #1, Entry #1

My great grandmother was Maria (de Braga) Pacheco--later changed to Smith. Countless interviews and letters reported the same facts. 1. Maria was from Sao Miguel Island, Azores. 2) She came to Hawaii with her parents. 3) Her siblings were: Jose and Marie Grace.

Along the research trail, I wrote a letter for Maria's mortuary records. I was so excited when I received their response in my mailbox (You know the feeling!) Most of the information confirmed what I already knew. I was sure in for a shock when I read the names of Maria's surviving siblings. They were: Mary Grace Bonito and Saffarin De Braga. Mary Grace Bonito was Marie Grace Bonita. But, who the heck was Saffarin De Braga? The letter had a few errors, so was Saffarin the figment of someone's imagination?

I poured over five years worth of research material to see what clues I might find. Binders and charts were spread out everywhere. Nowhere in the stack of cemetery, obituary, marriage, and other records was the name Saffarin De Braga. Even the most obvious variant, Seraphin, turned up nothing. The only clue I had to an existence of another line was the mention of a Joe & Bella Braga in my Mom's baby book. Since Jose de Braga had no children, Joe couldn't be long to him. I was long way from proving connections!

Soon I was on the phone with everyone who remembered the de Braga's. I wrote letters as well. No one had ever heard of him. The closest I got was the mention of a "Seraphina". Seraphina turned out to be Maria (de Braga) Pacheco's baby who died minutes after birth. After chasing myself around in research circles, I had to admit that Saffarin was a mystery that might remain unsolved.

-----

Information from Mortuary:
Mary P. Smith
D of D 2-25-38
D of B 6-2-1877 San Miguel, Port.
Father: James De Braga
Mother: Mary ?
Mother of Joseph, Theodore, John Smith & Mrs. Mary A. Souza
Sister of Mary Grace Bonito & Saffarin De Braga

Unknown de Braga

This is Research Journal #1 "The Unknown de Braga". This journal starts with an unknown relative listed on a mortuary record. The trail goes from the mortuary record to how I learned the true identity of this person.