The Legacy of Madeira's English Families: Insights from Historical Church Records
If you are a family historian searching for information about an ancestor who may have lived in Madeira during the 19th century, the historical records of the Holy Trinity Church could provide valuable insights into your family history. The church's records of marriage, baptism, and death provide a wealth of information about individuals and families who lived on the island.
In order to facilitate access to the historical records of the Holy Trinity Church in Madeira archives, you can find below the links to the books of marriage, baptism, and death records. This table was organized by myself, to make sure this information is available for researchers and historians to use in their studies of Madeira's family history and genealogy.
During the 19th century, many English families settled in Madeira, particularly in the capital city of Funchal. They were attracted to the island's mild climate, beautiful scenery, and opportunities for trade and commerce. These English families were mostly merchants, traders, and bankers who established businesses and made significant contributions to the economic and social development of Madeira.
Some of the most prominent English families in Madeira during the 19th century included the Blandy, Phelps, and Reid families. These families played a key role in the island's history, helping to shape its culture, economy, and identity.
The historical archive of the Holy Trinity Church, is part of the holdings of Madeira Archives and consist of records dating from 1802 to 2018, totaling 377 installation units (books, folders, and individual documents). These documents show that in 1837, the chapel had 368 seats distributed among 36 box pews and 7 gallery pews, with 12 temporary pews. Families paid an annual fee to reserve each box pew. The salary of the first chaplain amounted to the ambitious amount of 400 pounds per year, which would lead to later attempts to reduce this amount.
If you need any help researching Madeira archives, contact me, I will be glad to help.
