GEN-HISPANIC-L Archives

From: Jeff McDaris <>
Subject: requesting help
Date: Tue, 17 Dec 1996 22:24:46 +0000

Anyone in this group:
I am wondering if anyone could give me some help concerning a
name and
place. I and others have been working on our family history and it
seems that we have traced "ourselves" back to a man named "Domingo
Maderas", who lived in and owned a good sized section of land in the
early Virginia colonies (early 1600's).
The problem is that many experts I haved talked to and books I have read
suggest some very strong evidence against anyone of other than English,
Scottish, Irish, Dutch, or German descent being in such a position as a
landowner, citizen, etc., particularly if of Spanish or Portugese
descent. The name suggests Portugese from perhaps Madeira, and I know
that was a trading destination, but the fact that the early Virginia
colonies did not accept Catholics well seems to cause this theory some
problems. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, were there other
nationalities present on the islands of Madeira? Would they have,
perhaps, adopted first names common to the area? Maybe "Domingo" bonded
himself in order to secure a trip to America...did people in Madeira do
this? The way early colonists had their names changed due to phonetic
misinterpretations could be an answer, but one of Domingo's sons was
named Carlos, who then cahnged it to the more english sounding Charles.
Carlos suggests Iberian as well.
Any help, suggestions, or comments are appreciated. Thank you.
Jeff McDaris


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This thread:

• requesting help by Jeff McDaris <>