(Click to listen to "Portuguese Midi")
The J. I. Silva General Store in Kalihiwai, on the Island of Kauai, is where Grandpa Augusto Sousa worked. (see pictures below) The young Sousa family is sitting on the steps (right side) of the store (their home is upstairs) in the above picture. The two children on the steps were Uncle John and Auntie Angeline. The picture below shows Grandpa Sousa working at his job.
After placing our picture of the J. I. Silva General Store on our website, a dear lady by the name of Maxine Chism from Oahu contacted me regarding a similar picture she had been given by her grandfather. We noticed the name had been changed after Grandpa Sousa had left, but it was the same store. Maxine's grandfather had also worked at this store, but a few years later. Looking at this picture you can imagine a ship being anchored in the cove with supplies the store may have ordered. This photo and information are credited to Maxine Chism.
(1) Augusto, John Vincent (baby), Manuel de Sousa, & Antonia - 1904.(2) John Sousa, Antonia, Angeline (baby) and August - 1906
In the year 1907 the family made a decision to move to Tacoma, Washington. My grandfather continued working in the grocery business. With time the family had increased to seven children. Now there was John, Angeline, Helen, Sylvester, Julia, Esther, and my mother Dorothy. Grandpa Sousa died in 1962 and Grandma in 1964. We were fortunate to have Grandma Sousa attend our wedding in 1963.
We were given an opportunity to move to Kauai in 1989 where we spent ten wonderful years. During our last years spent on Kauai, we decided to search for information about my ancestors. We did not find any lost cousins, but we still may hear from someone with the help of the internet. The information we did find we have placed on our website to share with each of you. Living here on Kauai was a blessing since it brought us closer to our "Portuguese Heritage." We have met many wonderful friendly persons over the internet also searching for their Portuguese roots.
