The rich and lesser-known history of Bermuda’s Portuguese community has been brought to life in a new book by Azorean historian Eduardo Medeiros.
Titled “175 Years of Portuguese in Bermuda”, the nearly 700-page publication, released last week, is described by the author as “pure history.”
This is the third book Mr. Medeiros has written for the Association of Azorean Emigrants, and it explores the stories of Portuguese immigrants, their contributions to Bermuda, and the discrimination they faced over the decades.
“They were the only immigrants that could not have their families here for a long period of time, especially between the late 30s until the late 60s – that’s when it was the hardest period,” Mr. Medeiros explained. “I considered that matter but also talk about the discrimination against them as an ethnic group. So, the discrimination they faced from the white community and the Black Bermudian community, too, especially from the white. So, yes, I think it will be a good book for people to learn more about themselves, who they are, and the Portuguese community.”
The book also delves into personal stories that impacted the evolution of Bermuda’s overall society.
“So, of course, community leaders: Luis Bernardo, Joseph Perry, and many other names that the reader will get to know formed and helped to shape the Azorean community in Bermuda,” Mr. Medeiros shared. “And many other stories of random people that were not in politics. They were not rich, but they show this general history because, in my opinion, sometimes history, especially in the past, just usually used to show the big names. But history is not made of just those people. It’s made of common people, and I do believe that.”
The book commemorates the 175th anniversary of the Golden Rule’s arrival in Bermuda, the brigantine that transported 58 emigrants from Madeira and marked the beginning of a significant Portuguese presence on the island.
Mr. Medeiros spent two years meticulously compiling research from sources in the Azores, Madeira, mainland Portugal, and Bermuda. So far, his work has been well received by readers.
“I have been having very positive feedback from the people that read, and they were very happy, very excited about this book,” Mr. Medeiros said. “If you consider the last book that came out about this subject was in the 90s, and Milton Raposo did a documentary some years ago for the 170th anniversary. So, I think people are very happy for what was done here by me and how many things people only heard stories through their parents or their grandparents. And now it’s written, has the sources, and it’s history written.
“So that’s why I think it’s going to have a big impact on the people, and that’s why I have already given it to the library so anyone can read it. For people that are not even Portuguese, to know this history, to learn more about this community that’s part of the puzzle that Bermuda is.”
The book, available in both Portuguese and English, can be purchased at the Music Box on Reid Street or the Bermuda Bookstore.
