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Photo: Patricia Rodrigues
My mother was born in the United States, but one of her voyages to the Cape Verde Islands by boat was so difficult that she did not return to the United States for over fifty years.

Let Rosa tell you more about her family's voyage....

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Photo: Arlindo Rodrigues
I travelled across the Atlantic from the Cape Verde Islands to the United States on an Italian steamship called the Patria. I was only fifteen years old, and it was in 1929 during the Great Depression. I left my family, home, and childhood behind in the Cape Verde Islands.

Learn more about Joe's voyage.......

 
Photo: Arlindo Rodrigues
Virginia is 105 years old. She was born on the island of Brava in Cape Verde. She was one of seven children. Her mother was born in Madeira, and relocated to the Cape Verde Islands.Her father was from Brava. She immigrated to the United States in the early 1970's.

Virginia has many fond memories of Brava during the Cape Verdean maritime era.......


* Note: Many maritime voyages and packet trades left from the island of Brava. That is why much of the information here is given from people of this island. However, maritime voyages were being made from all islands throughout Cape Verde. These stories are only a portion of the diverse history of the Cape Verde Islands. In fact, this is a common history shared by Cape Verdeans from every island. They are about the immigration, struggle, and nostalgia experienced by the Cape Verdean people.

Developed by: Patricia J. Rodrigues..author's note

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