The land of six peoples - PORTUGUESE
Guyanese of Portuguese origin form a separate ethnic group from other Guyanese of European origin.
Although refered to as being Portuguese their ancestors did not come from mainland Portugal but mainly came from the
island of Madeira and in smaller numbers from the Cape Verde and Azore Islands.
They have always been regarded as being a separate group from other Europeans because of racial and religious differences,
namely being southern European and Roman Catholic.
The first Portuguese arrived in Guyana on the 3rd of May 1835 on the ship "Louisa Baillie" and were taken to plantations in Demerara.
They remained a close knit community mostly inter-marrying among themselves and one who strongly retained their Roman Catholic
faith.
Portuguese Indenture initially lasted for just one year in 1835 and was then discontinued as they did not fair well in the harsh conditions.
Immigration re-started in 1840 and steadily increased each year and even more so in 1846 due to a famine in Madeira, Immigration would then last until 1882.
During this period just over 30,000 Portuguese had came to the colony.
After the end of their Indenture most of the Portuguese left for the towns and cities where they established small businesses.
Today, most Portuguese still live in Georgetown, New Amsterdam and other main towns where they run a number of successful businesses.
Written by Jonathan Budhram
To learn more about your Portugese Heritage/History and to start your research, try the following links:
Portuguese emigration
Portuguese Indentureship
The arrival of the Portuguese
Madeiran Genealogy
Also see the Sources page for links related to the Genealogical research of the Portuguese.
