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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Alvaro Borges Da Silva Madeira ~ My Maternal Great-Grandfather

Alvaro Borges Da Silva Madeira


 Today I'd like to introduce you to my great-grandfather, Alvaro Borges Da Silva Madeira. He was born on October 5, 1859 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Joaquim Borges Da Silva and Maximiana De Sa Gomes Madeira. Joaquim was born in Madeira, Portugal and Maximiana was born in Sao Pedro, Rio Grande, Rio Grande du Sul, Brazil.

 Alvaro married Rosalia Rodrigues Vasques on January 27, 1890 in Rio Grande, Rio Grande du Sul, Brazil. They were the parents of five children:
  1. Maria Isabel Vasques Madeira (1890-?)
  2. Agrippina Vasques Madeira (1894-?)
  3. Alvaro Borges Madeira (1895-1960)
  4. Lucia Vasques Madeira (1896-?)
  5. Sarah Vasques Madeira (1900-1942) [My Grandmother]

 According to some writing next to Alvaro's photo, Alvaro was a Naval Engineer. I'm not really sure what a Naval Engineer is or what a Naval Engineer did in Brazil during the late 1800s. I found the following definition for a Naval Engineer online.

TheFreeDictionary.com defines a Naval Engineer as
"a naval officer responsible for the operation and maintenance of the ship's engines"
So, does this mean Alvaro was in the Brazilian Navy at some point in his life? I do have another photo of Alvaro wearing what looks like a military uniform. Here it is -
Alvaro Borges Da Silva Madeira


What do you think? Does it look like Alvaro was wearing a military uniform in this photo?

 Alvaro passed away on January 9, 1911 at 51 years of age in Rio Grande, Rio Grand du Sul, Brazil.

 Thanks for reading!

 Jana

 © 2013 Copyright by Jana Last
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6 comments:

  1. WendyOctober 30, 2013 at 11:42 AM

    What a handsome man! The first picture must have been taken not long before he died at only 51. I agree that he seems to be in uniform in that second photo. Humdinger of a moustache!

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    1. Jana Iverson LastNovember 4, 2013 at 10:40 PM

      Hi Wendy,

      Yes, Alvaro does look older in that first picture than in the second picture. And yes! That is one amazing mustache! Thanks for stopping by! =)

      Delete
  2. Debi AustenOctober 30, 2013 at 3:50 PM

    Hmmm, could be a military uniform. But I wonder if it could have been a police or fire uniform?

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    1. Jana Iverson LastNovember 4, 2013 at 10:36 PM

      Hi Debi,

      I wish I knew for sure, but I'm leaning toward his uniform being a military one, especially since he was a naval engineer. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting! =)

      Delete
  3. Brent I.October 31, 2013 at 11:19 AM

    Yes, I think he's pictured in a military uniform, unless somehow epaulets were popular back then, like in the 1970's...yuck! But he does sport a great mustache two ways! Great information, and I see the family resemblance in mom... do you?

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    1. Jana Iverson LastNovember 4, 2013 at 10:45 PM

      Hi Brent,

      Oh no! No 1970's fashions again please. One decade was definitely enough. ;)

      As far as a family resemblance to mom, I'm not really sure. It's kind of hard to say.

      His mustache was really something though, wasn't it?

      Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!

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