Madeira family seeking to reconnect

Dear Editor,

I am currently in Madeira, Portugal, participating in a conference on Portuguese migrant labour and speaking on relations between Portuguese and other ethnic groups in Guyana. Madeira, an island, is where most Portuguese were recruited to provide indentured labour in Guyana. After my presentation, a Madeira gentleman, Eduardo da Goes, approached me for assistance to find long lost ancestral relatives.

Eduardo’s great grandfather (Manuel daGoes) and the latter’s brother Joao went together to then British Guiana (date unknown but prior to 1872). It is not known if they were indentured labourers or came to Guiana as traders. They were in constant touch with relatives in Madeira and engaged in business; they imported goods from Madeira and had a shop on Water Street as well as several properties that they rented to other Portuguese. Joao was into playing guitar. I saw records of trade between the family in Madeira and the daGoes business in Water Street, Georgetown during the late 1880s. Manuel returned to Madeira where he died. Joao stayed behind and ran the business. Joao had two daughters. Communication between Joao daGoes and family members in Madeira suddenly discontinued.

Eduardo daGoes will like to make connections with the daGoes clan whether in Guyana or elsewhere. If anyone is familiar with the family or if there are family members themselves, please contact Eduardo at Eduardo.g.f@netmadeira.com. A photo of family members is attached.

Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram