Alvarina Braga Family Collection [1906-1997]
Dublin Core
Title
Alvarina Braga Family Collection [1906-1997]
Date
1906-1997
Description
This collection centers on the life of the Braga family, an Azorean American couple who raised their children in Lowell, MA.
Biographical Note:
Alvarina (Bettencourt) Braga was born on the island of Graciosa in the Azores and immigrated to Lowell in 1956. She married Daniel Braga in 1958 and they had three children together. They were both very involved with the Portuguese American community in Lowell, including memberships in the Holy Ghost Society and Portuguese American Center.
Daniel Braga, Alvarina's husband, was born May 31, 1932. Daniel moved to the U.S. in 1950. He originally settled in Lawrence, then moved to San Diego, before finally arriving in Lowell. His parents were Francisco Braga and Herminia Santos Braga. Daniel served as the President of the Holy Ghost Society and was a lifetime member of the Blues Club (Portuguese American Center).
Alvarina's mother, Carlota (Charlotte) Espinola Bettencourt, was born in Lowell in 1906. Carlota's father, Manuel Jose Espinola, was born in Graciosa, but his family immigrated to Lowell in 1885. Manuel worked as a loomfixer (or, as Alvarina described it, the "master of the looms"), while Carlota went to the Lincoln School. In 1921, Carlota's parents moved her back to Graciosa with them. While in Graciosa, she met Jose S. Bettencourt. The two moved back to the United States with their children (including Alvarina) in 1956.
Biographical Note:
Alvarina (Bettencourt) Braga was born on the island of Graciosa in the Azores and immigrated to Lowell in 1956. She married Daniel Braga in 1958 and they had three children together. They were both very involved with the Portuguese American community in Lowell, including memberships in the Holy Ghost Society and Portuguese American Center.
Daniel Braga, Alvarina's husband, was born May 31, 1932. Daniel moved to the U.S. in 1950. He originally settled in Lawrence, then moved to San Diego, before finally arriving in Lowell. His parents were Francisco Braga and Herminia Santos Braga. Daniel served as the President of the Holy Ghost Society and was a lifetime member of the Blues Club (Portuguese American Center).
Alvarina's mother, Carlota (Charlotte) Espinola Bettencourt, was born in Lowell in 1906. Carlota's father, Manuel Jose Espinola, was born in Graciosa, but his family immigrated to Lowell in 1885. Manuel worked as a loomfixer (or, as Alvarina described it, the "master of the looms"), while Carlota went to the Lincoln School. In 1921, Carlota's parents moved her back to Graciosa with them. While in Graciosa, she met Jose S. Bettencourt. The two moved back to the United States with their children (including Alvarina) in 1956.
Subject
Antique and classic cars
Azorean Americans
Beaches
Birthday parties
Catholic Church--Dioceses
Children of immigrants
Christmas
Fathers and sons
Fisheries
Fishing
Graduation (school)
Halloween
Immigrant families
Portuguese American women
Processions, Religious--Catholic Church
Snow
Wedding photography
Coverage
Lowell (Mass.)
Source
Digital scans from the personal collection of Alvarina Braga.
Publisher
UMass Lowell, Center for Lowell History
Rights
In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted: This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for educational uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Format
JPEG
Language
English
Type
Image
Text
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