12/02/2018
Many of our Portuguese ancestors who came to Hawai'i were married or had their children baptized at "The Church on Fort Street" in Honolulu upon arrival. The children who were born at sea weren't named until they were baptized so on the Master's Passenger List they were simply referred to as "infant," "child" or "born on board." Here are a few excerpts from the newspapers printed during that time.
The Cathedral Basilica was built during Hawaiʻi’s missionary era and served as the mother church of the Vicariate Apostolic of the Hawaiian Islands. It was dedicated by Louis Desire Maigret on August 15, 1843 under the title of "Our Lady of Peace" or "Malia O Ka Malu."
Pacific Commercial Advertiser, Honolulu, Saturday, September 16, 1882, Page 5
There were eleven marriages of immigrants per Hansa yesterday afternoon. They were celebrated at the Roman Catholic church by Rev. Father Clement. When the eleven couples arrived back at the Immigration Barracks they were received with three cheers each, the Secretary of the Immigration Board being the fugleman, and all their shipmates cheering the newly married with hearty good will.
Saturday Press, Honolulu, Saturday, July 14, 1883
A pretty good week this for the Portuguese locals. The latest of importance happened last Thursday. Five girls were married, and ten babies were christened at the Roman Catholic Cathedral on Fort street, all of them from the immigration station. Love matches made on the …sea, and love pledges born in a wave rock of cradle,” philosophized the poet of the cloistered groves. Then he leaned forward in his pew and sweetly said, “Bless you, my children, bless you."
The Hawaiian Star, Honolulu, Saturday, April 6, 1895
On Saturday, April 6, 1895, Father Valentin went to the Immigration grounds and baptized several children born during the voyage. Yesterday, Sunday, in the Catholic Church, the Bishop married 12 couples from the S.S. Braunfels. They were taken to church and back in a large bus. The Portuguese Band played in the grounds during the Sunday afternoon for the married couples and visitors, and there was a large number of visitors at the station from the town, Honolulu.
Hawaiian Star, Honolulu, Thursday, December 6, 1906, Page 6
SARGENTS NAMESAKE
A child was born in the yard of the immigration station Saturday night to a woman of the Suveric’s immigrants. He was christened Frank P. Sargent Costa and when the Immigration Commissioner learned that the child has been named for him he deposited a sum of money in a local savings bank to the credit of the child.
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