Unfortunately, this search is going to be more difficult than you realize--the first clue to this difficulty is that you're starting off with information that just doesn't add up.
The first 2 ships to arrive in Canada did so in 1953, so Connie is either remembering the wrong date, or he wasn't part of the original 2 voyages. First, you need to verify the travel date. The lists of passengers for those voyages are available and with some research, can be found. Secondly, all of the individuals traveling in those first 2-3 years, did so under work contracts, again where they obtained work can be sought out. Yes, you can look in the local Montreal newspapers for a hit and run, but the likelihood of it being listed is quite small: you don't know if he was actually working in Montreal or in a rural farm *near* Montreal. In addition, it is well known that a number of individuals deserted from their work contracts and settled outside of the intended areas. You need to confirm the date he arrived, and where he worked before you can go any further. Sonia Sónia Pacheco Librarian Archivist Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese American Archives Claire T. Carney Library University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 285 Old Westport Road N. Dartmouth, MA 02747 Tel. 508-999-8695 Fax 508-999-8424 Email spach...@umassd.edu Web site: http://library.umassd.edu/paa ----- Original Message ----- From: "'Kelley O'Rourke' via Azores Genealogy" <azores@googlegroups.com> To: "Azores Genealogy" <azores@googlegroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, September 9, 2015 10:47:18 PM Subject: [AZORES-Genealogy] Jose Ferreira De Couto (born abt. 1920 in Acores/Azores, Portugal and died accidently either in 1956 or 57 in Montreal, Canada) I am helping Connie Couto search for her father, Jose Ferreira De Couto, who came to Montreal, Canada in March 1954 from Acores/Azores by ship (Sao Miguel) to work on a farm. According to Connie, he came with a friend (she cannot remember his friend’s name) and was on the first of two ships that came to Canada. He was one of the first of a group of Portuguese immigrants to leave Acores/Azores. The plan was, that he was to come to Montreal, Canada, work on a farm, set up a home and then send for his wife, Erania Mediros De Couto who would follow with their two daughters. Sadly, he was killed in a hit and run accident either in August of 1956 or 1957. Subsequently his wife never made the trip either (she died in a car accident in Acores/Azores and is buried there) but his two daughters, Esrisanto and Connie emigrated in 1965 with their aunt. They never found out where he was buried or what really happened to him. They know it was in Montreal but do not know where. Connie (she is now 62) is the only remaining living family member and would love to know what really happened to her father, Jose and where he is buried in Montreal so she may visit his grave. She would like to know as much about his (short-lived) life here in Canada. She now resides in Toronto with her family. Any pictures or information you could provide would be most welcome. Sincerely, Kelley O’Rourke, -- For options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores . Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Azores Genealogy" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com . Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/azores . -- For options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Azores Genealogy" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to azores+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/azores.
