1954, THE MICAELENSE YEAR
Homeland, Jacinto Medeiros, pioneer of Santa Barbara, Ribeira Grande, São Miguel,1954.
José-Louis Jacome, August 17, 2020
Homeland's First Trip Diary - Part 1
On April 4 and 6, 1954, the daily Correio dos Açores published the diary of the first Homeland trip. The article was written by its correspondent João de Oliveira. The latter has accompanied the large contingent of 330 Azoreans who left São Miguel on March 22. Oliveira’s notes have been greatly appreciated by thousands of families and friends torn apart by the recent departure of loved ones. Carried by their great determination and a lot of courage, they left with their eyes closed their tiny islands lost in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Very few of them had seen a single image of Canada before they left. Apart from the rather limited instructions communicated to them on board the ship during the daily presentations made by the delegated inspector of Portuguese Emigration or Junta da Emigração, they knew almost nothing about the country where they were going to build a better future for themselves and their families.
In addition to the daily presentations made by the Portuguese inspector, the Azoreans and all passengers were able to attend a religious service every morning. They could also attend concerts presented by the Homeland Orchestra and film screenings. They were also offered several activities including the formation of groups of singers. This is the first part of the article published on April 4 in the Correio dos Açores, that, I hope, my Portuguese compatriots will be pleased to read, especially those who have ancestors that were part of this historic trip.
Shuttle transporting emigrants to the Homeland ship anchored far away from the Salazar pier, 1954. Museu da Emigração Açoriana
About the author
Born in São Miguel and living in Montreal since 1958, I published a book in 2018 about Azorean immigration to Canada in the 1950s. “De uma ilha para outra” was published in Portuguese and French. The book and an exhibition that accompanies it were presented in Montreal, São Miguel, Toronto and Boston. The book is sold in Montreal, Toronto and São Miguel, and through my Website. I continue to publish information and stories relating to the first big wave of Azorean and Portuguese immigration to Canada in the 1950s through my Website jljacome.com and my Facebook page D’une île à l’autre.
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