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Portuguese Letter-writing Guide (view source)
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This guide is especially useful because letters written in Portuguese have a greater chance of receiving a reply than those written in English. Portugal, Brazil, and other Portuguese-speaking countries (such as Angola, Mozambique, and Macau) typically respond to requests, but the number of those who actually receive the answers can be low because of problems with the mail systems. | This guide is especially useful because letters written in Portuguese have a greater chance of receiving a reply than those written in English. Portugal, Brazil, and other Portuguese-speaking countries (such as Angola, Mozambique, and Macau) typically respond to requests, but the number of those who actually receive the answers can be low because of problems with the mail systems. | ||
==Before you write== | |||
Before you write a letter to obtain family history information, you should do two things: | Before you write a letter to obtain family history information, you should do two things: | ||
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Determine where records from your ancestor’s home parish are stored today. When you have a locality, use a gazetteer to determine whether the name is a village, parish, city, district, county, or province and to determine which parish serves your ancestor’s locality. In Portugal, parish record books whose last date is older than 90 years are generally sent to district archives. In Brazil, parish records will be found in the parish or diocesan archive. | Determine where records from your ancestor’s home parish are stored today. When you have a locality, use a gazetteer to determine whether the name is a village, parish, city, district, county, or province and to determine which parish serves your ancestor’s locality. In Portugal, parish record books whose last date is older than 90 years are generally sent to district archives. In Brazil, parish records will be found in the parish or diocesan archive. | ||
==Research by mail== | |||
Letters requesting genealogical information from Portuguese countries should generally be written to a local Catholic parish, diocese, or archdiocese or to local or central government archives. Civil registration for non-Catholics in Portugal began in 1832 and became mandatory throughout the country in 1911. Civil registration in Brazil started in 1870. For information before these time periods you will need to write for church records. | Letters requesting genealogical information from Portuguese countries should generally be written to a local Catholic parish, diocese, or archdiocese or to local or central government archives. Civil registration for non-Catholics in Portugal began in 1832 and became mandatory throughout the country in 1911. Civil registration in Brazil started in 1870. For information before these time periods you will need to write for church records. | ||
==Addressing Your Letter== | |||
Use the following format to address your letter: | Use the following format to address your letter: | ||
Civil Registration Office | ===Civil Registration Office=== | ||
==== Portugal ==== | ==== Portugal ==== | ||
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BRASIL | BRASIL | ||
=== Catholic Priest: === | |||
Reverendo Pároco | Reverendo Pároco | ||
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(COUNTRY) | (COUNTRY) | ||
=== Bishop: === | |||
Exmo. Sr. Bispo da | Exmo. Sr. Bispo da | ||
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(COUNTRY) | (COUNTRY) | ||
=== Archdiocese: === | |||
Exmo. e Revmo. Sr. Arcebispo | Exmo. e Revmo. Sr. Arcebispo | ||
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(COUNTRY) | (COUNTRY) | ||
=== National, State, or University Archives: === | |||
(name of archives) | (name of archives) | ||
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Put the postal code, which is similar to a United States zip code, before the city. Postal codes for Portugal and Brazil can be found on the Internet at the following addresses: | Put the postal code, which is similar to a United States zip code, before the city. Postal codes for Portugal and Brazil can be found on the Internet at the following addresses: | ||
Brazil: | ====Brazil:==== | ||
English text: http://cdcep.sunrise.com.br/cd-cep/cd-cep-e.htm | English text: http://cdcep.sunrise.com.br/cd-cep/cd-cep-e.htm | ||
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Portuguese text: http://cdcep.sunrise.com.br/ | Portuguese text: http://cdcep.sunrise.com.br/ | ||
Portugal: | ====Portugal:==== | ||
Portuguese text: http://www.ctt.pt/correios/cpostais/dir_cpostais.stm | Portuguese text: http://www.ctt.pt/correios/cpostais/dir_cpostais.stm | ||
Sending Return Postage and Money | ==Sending Return Postage and Money== | ||
In your letter indicate that you will pay for research time, copies, and services. To pay for the return postage, include at least two international reply coupons, which are vouchers for stamps. You may purchase them from any United States post office. | In your letter indicate that you will pay for research time, copies, and services. To pay for the return postage, include at least two international reply coupons, which are vouchers for stamps. You may purchase them from any United States post office. | ||
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When writing to the local parish send a donation of $5.00 to $10.00, and express a desire to make further donations as the parish’s services are needed. United States currency is most convenient for the recipient, or you can send a cashier’s check from your local bank made payable to: Parroquia de (locality). Attach your check to the inside of the letter. | When writing to the local parish send a donation of $5.00 to $10.00, and express a desire to make further donations as the parish’s services are needed. United States currency is most convenient for the recipient, or you can send a cashier’s check from your local bank made payable to: Parroquia de (locality). Attach your check to the inside of the letter. | ||
==Howe to Write a Letter in Portuguese== | |||
Your letter should include: | ===Your letter should include:=== | ||
* the date (at the top). | * the date (at the top). | ||
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This guide is meant to help you create a letter that is specific to your needs. Do not use this letter-writing guide as the letter itself. | This guide is meant to help you create a letter that is specific to your needs. Do not use this letter-writing guide as the letter itself. | ||
Writing Dates | ===Writing Dates=== | ||
Write dates carefully. To write dates in Portuguese: | Write dates carefully. To write dates in Portuguese: | ||
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* The preposition ‘de’ (of) is used in writing dates in Portuguese. For example, April 7, 1890 should be written 7 de abril de 1890. | * The preposition ‘de’ (of) is used in writing dates in Portuguese. For example, April 7, 1890 should be written 7 de abril de 1890. | ||
Names of the Months | ===Names of the Months=== | ||
{| | {| | ||
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|} | |} | ||
==Follow-up== | |||
When you receive a reply, send a note of thanks or acknowledgment. You may wish to do this in a follow-up letter requesting further information. In subsequent letters refer by date to your earlier letters and to the letters from those who respond. If you received a reference number, include that number as well. | When you receive a reply, send a note of thanks or acknowledgment. You may wish to do this in a follow-up letter requesting further information. In subsequent letters refer by date to your earlier letters and to the letters from those who respond. If you received a reference number, include that number as well. | ||
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|} | |} | ||
==Example Letter== | |||
Date 20 de julho de 1993 | Date 20 de julho de 1993 | ||
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USA | USA | ||
==Comment and Suggestions== | |||
The Family History Library welcomes additions and corrections that will improve future editions of this guide. Please send your suggestions to: | The Family History Library welcomes additions and corrections that will improve future editions of this guide. Please send your suggestions to: | ||