About Doris
This page serves as a tribute to Doris Mae “Dee” Mello (1940-2024). Doris was a meticulous and highly capable genealogist whose passion for uncovering the past helped illuminate the histories of countless families. A pioneering force in Azorean genealogy, Doris spent decades tracing her lineage on the islands of Pico, Faial, and São Jorge. She was a patient teacher, and was always happy to share her research with others. It was through her unwavering mentorship that I was first drawn to explore my Portuguese roots at the age of 14—a gift I will always be grateful for. Her legacy endures not only in the records she so carefully preserved but in the countless lives she touched along the way.
About these Genealogies
Unfortunately, much of the research Doris compiled was not preserved, and not all of the charts that were saved are her most updated versions. The genealogies below include her own tree, as well as research she did for friends and extended family members. It is concentrated in California, Pico, Faial, and S. Jorge. I am working to digitize all of the paper files I inherited or received from her over the years, and additional files will be uploaded as time permits. Following are over 20,000 scans (and counting) made from her many binders.
– J. Berry-Cahn, SJGS President (2025)
| Genealogy | Summary |
|---|---|
| descendants of: Antonio Dutra Martins (1864-1949) | Antonio Dutra Martins was the son of Joao Dutra Martins and Francisca Thomazia Caetano of Criação Velha, Pico. He married Maria Josefina Nunes and emigrated to Monterey, California. |
| descendants of: Antonio Garcia da Rosa (1884-1928) | Antonio Garcia da Rosa married Maria Julia Sousa in San Luis Obispo, California. They had 11 children. |
| descendents of: Antonio Joao Arruda (1862-1944) | Antonio Joao Arruda was born in Brazil and moved to San Luis Obispo, California where he married Georgia May Callaway. Their children took the surname Ruda. |
| descendants of: Francisco Pereira Jorge (1802-1871) | Francisco Pereira Jorge was the son of Joao Pereira Jorge and Anna Inacia of Cedros, Faial. He married Delfina Candida of Ribeirinha, Faial. For descendants of his daughter Maria, see: “descendants of Jose Francisco Silveira (1822-1871)”. |
| descendants of: Frank William Gouveia (1915-2006) | family of Doris’ friend Warren Gouveia who was born and raised on Maui, Hawaii |
| descendants of: Gaudencio Garcia Terra (1838-1916) | Gaudencio Garcia da Terra was born on Pico and emigrated to San Luis Obispo, California with his brother Augusto Garcia Terra and sister Maria Emilia (Terra) Reis. Their parents are not known. |
| descendants of: Joaquim Lopes Thomas (1847-1940) | Joaquim Thomas was born on Faial and emigrated to San Luis Obispo, California. He married Luiza Carolina Machado of Pico. For his descendants of his daughter Maria, see: “descendants of Jose Sebastiao Mello (1874-1963)”. |
| descendants of: Jose Francisco Silveira (1822-1871) | Jose Francisco da Silveira was the son of Thomas Francisco da Silveira and Maria Rita Vitorina of Cedros, Faial. He married Maria Delfina Jorge. For his descendants of his son Luiz, see: “descendants of Luiz Francisco Silveira (1871-1944)”. |
| descendants of: Jose Machado (1818-1863) | Jose Machado was the son of Francisco Machado and Maria Rita da Rosa of Lajes do Pico, Pico. He married Maria Rita Goulart. For descendants of his daughter Luzia, see: “descendants of Joaquim Thomas (1847-1940)”. |
| descendants of: Jose Sebastiao Mello (1795-1869) | Jose Sebastiao Mello was the son of Sebastiao Silveira Goulart and Anna do Nascimento of Terra do Pão, Pico. He married Rita Thomazia. For descendants of his son Jose, see: “descendants of Jose Sebastiao Mello (1823-1905)”. |
| descendants of: Jose Sebastiao Mello (1823-1905) | Jose Sebastiao Mello was the son of Jose Sebastiao Mello and Rita Thomazia of Terra do Pão, Pico. He married Rosa da Conceicao Nunes. For descendants of his son Jose, see: “descendants of Jose Sebastiao Mello (1874-1963)”. |
| descendants of: Jose Sebastiao Mello (1874-1963) | Jose Sebastiao Mello was the son of Jose Sebastiao Mello and Rosa da Conceicao Nunes of Terra do Pão, Pico. He emigrated to San Luis Obispo, California and married Maria Thomas. |
| descendants of: Luiz Francisco Silveira (1871-1944) | Luiz Francisco Silveira was the son of Jose Francisco da Silveira and Maria Delfina Jorge of Cedros, Faial. He emigrated to San Luis Obispo, California and married Maria Machado Reis. For his descendants of his siblings, see: “descendants of Jose Francisco Silveira (1822-1871)”. |
| descendants of: Manuel Francisco Nunes (1800-1868) | Manuel Francisco Nunes was the son of Francisco Nunes and Rosa Francisca Pereira of Terra do Pão, Pico. He married Emmeranciana Rosa. For descendants of his daughter Rosa, see: “descendants of Jose Sebastiao Mello (1823-1905)”. |
| descendants of: Manuel Machado Reis (1868-1952) | Manuel Machado Reis was the illegitimate son of Jose Machado Reis and Maria Silveira of Calheta, São Jorge. He emigrated to Marin, California, eventually settling in Gustine. He and his wife Mary Domingos Azevedo had 14 children, 13 of whom lived to adulthood. |
| descendants of: Manuel Machado Simas (1853-1920) | Manuel Machado Simas was the son of Antonio Silveira Simas and Maria Rita do Espirito Santo of Lajes do Pico, Pico. He married Anna da Conceicao and emigrated to Santa Maria, California. |
| descendants of: Thomas Francisco Silveira (1782-1858) | Thomas Francisco da Silveira was the son of Francisco da Rosa da Silveira and Ana Clara of Cedros, Faial. He married Maria Rita de Escobar. For descendants of his son Jose, see: “descendants of Jose Francisco Silveira (1822-1871)”. |
| descendants of: Thomas Lucas (1861-____) | Thomas Lucas was the son of Manuel Lucas and Maria dos Anjos of Biscoitos, Terceira. He married Angela Gomes. |
| Overview of Doris Mello’s Tree: 5-Generation Pedrigree Chart (2023) | |
| (draft) of Doris Mello’s Pedigree (2016) | |
| notes on: Lucas and Rico families of Biscoitos, Terceira | |
| notes on: Sousa Luis families of Calheta, São Jorge | |
| notes on: Manuel Jose Brebes ancestry (1878-1953) | |
| some descendants of: Antonio Souza Luis (1769-1819) | |
| miscellaneous family photos | photos of the Mello, Silveira, Reis, Thomas, Cardoza, and DeRosa families collected or owned by Doris Mello |