The interest in knowing family traditions is usually a desire that comes to us at a later stage of our lives. In youth we are looking for the future. At the dawn of our lives, we direct all of our efforts to build a career, a family and a heritage. In fact, a legacy. But as the years went on, we eventually began to look back and try to understand the past to be able to answer a very simple question: How did we get here? And when we think in terms of legacy, we certainly try to fit it into a bigger picture. It's like a relay race, in which we'll try to pass a stick. It would not be for another reason that usually comes from our grandparents the initiative to transmit to the grandchildren the stories and "tales" of our ancestors.
Rescuing the family tradition is not a complex task when carried out at the right time, while the memory is still alive. Trying to do the same without a thread of the skein, this is an impossible task. Gathering the available data and finding the beginning of the “trail of the past”, sweat and a good project are able to do the rest. These days, we have powerful allies in technology and internet.
We hope that everyone appreciates the result of this project, produced under a collective effort that motivated us a lot. May he achieve his main goals: to honor the memory of our ancestors, to bring his legacy to the knowledge of new generations and to strengthen family ties.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Forewords
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1 Remote origins of the branch “Hardy”
- 1.2 Remote origins of the branch “Silvino”
- 1.3 Remote origins of the branch “Freitas Coutinho”
- 2. Timeline (1798-1980)
- 2.1 Family Tree
- 2.2 The History of a Family in Motion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The main objective of this work is to honor the memory of the authors' ancestors, sharing their legacy with new generations and strengthening family ties. The narrative aims to be engaging, combining ancestral events with broader historical context. This English volume focuses on the Hardy branch, consolidating information from previous Portuguese volumes for relatives in Belgium.
- Tracing the family history across generations and geographical locations.
- Exploring the impact of historical events (e.g., World Wars, Brazilian immigration) on the family.
- Examining the professional lives and artistic talents within the Hardy family.
- Highlighting the importance of preserving family traditions and memories.
- Reconstructing the life story of Raphaël Hardy, the central figure.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Forewords: This section introduces the project's motivations, highlighting the challenges and rewards of researching family history across generations. It emphasizes the importance of preserving family traditions while acknowledging the blurring of fact and fiction over time. The authors explain their decision to undertake this project during the COVID-19 pandemic and their goal of creating an engaging narrative that honors their ancestors and strengthens family ties.
1. Introduction: This chapter details the methodology of the genealogical research, emphasizing the use of online resources and the invaluable assistance received from individuals in Belgium and Brazil. It acknowledges the limitations of relying on family memory and open sources, indicating a focus on creating a plausible narrative rather than strict historical rigor. The chapter also expresses gratitude to various individuals and institutions that aided the research process.
1.1 Remote origins of the branch “Hardy”: This section explores the etymology of the surname "Hardy," tracing its origins to the archaic French word "Hardi," meaning "brave" or "bold." It discusses the geographical distribution of Hardy families in Belgium and their subsequent migration to other countries, including the British Isles, the United States, and Brazil.
1.2 Remote origins of the branch “Silvino”: This section examines the origins of the surname "Silvino," connecting it to the Latin word "Silva," meaning "forest" or "jungle." It traces the Silvino branch's roots to the "Zona da Mata" region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, highlighting the region's history, its indigenous population (the Puris), and the challenges of European colonization. The narrative describes the historical context of this region's settlement and the eventual expansion of agriculture in the area.
1.3 Remote origins of the branch “Freitas Coutinho”: This section traces the origins of the "Freitas Coutinho" branch back to the nickname "Coutinho," linked to the reconquest of Portuguese territory from Moorish invaders. It details the historical background of the village of Leomil, Portugal, and the privileges associated with the "Couto" system. It then follows the Coutinho family's history, noting their presence in the Coimbra region by the 1700s.
2. Timeline (1798-1980): This chapter sets the stage for the main narrative, explaining the scope of the timeline and the methodology of merging events from different family branches within a broader historical framework. It emphasizes the central role of Raphaël Hardy and the significance of marriages as junctures of family branches. The authors mention the family's history of spatial mobility and the contextualization of family events within the wider historical context of Belgium and Brazil.
2.1 Family Tree: This section presents a brief overview of the family tree, illustrating the connections between the Hardy and Silvino branches and the expansion into other branches with each generation. It connects the branching structure to the mathematical concept of the Fibonacci sequence.
2.2 The history of a family in motion: This section begins the detailed chronological account of the family's history, starting in 1789, the year of the birth of Hendrik Leonard Hardy, the great-great-grandfather of the Hardy branch. It meticulously narrates the lives of various family members, intertwining their personal stories with the major historical events of the time in both Belgium and Brazil, focusing on the life of Raphaël Hardy and his migration to Brazil.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Genealogy, family history, Hardy family, Silvino family, Freitas Coutinho family, Belgium, Brazil, World War I, World War II, immigration, migration, family traditions, music, architecture, design, Belgian Congo, Brazilian Expeditionary Force (FEB), Minas Gerais.
Frequently Asked Questions about "A Family History: The Hardy, Silvino, and Freitas Coutinho Branches"
What is this book about?
This book is a comprehensive family history tracing the origins and development of three intertwined family branches: Hardy, Silvino, and Freitas Coutinho. It combines genealogical research with historical context, providing a detailed narrative of the families' journeys across generations and geographical locations, primarily Belgium and Brazil.
What are the main objectives of this work?
The primary objective is to honor the memory of the authors' ancestors, share their legacy with future generations, and strengthen family ties. The book aims to create an engaging and informative narrative that connects personal family stories with broader historical events.
Which family branches are covered?
The book focuses on three main branches: Hardy (with origins in Belgium), Silvino (with origins in Minas Gerais, Brazil), and Freitas Coutinho (with origins in Portugal). The narrative particularly centers on the Hardy branch, consolidating information from previous Portuguese-language volumes.
What is the time period covered in this book?
The book's timeline spans from 1798 to 1980, encompassing several generations and significant historical events like World War I and World War II.
What is the methodology used in the research?
The research methodology combines online resources, assistance from family members in Belgium and Brazil, and the authors' own family memories. The authors acknowledge the limitations of relying solely on family memories and strive to create a plausible narrative rather than a strictly historically rigorous account.
What are the key themes explored in the book?
Key themes include tracing family history across generations and geographical locations, the impact of historical events on the family, the professional lives and artistic talents within the family, the importance of preserving family traditions, and the reconstruction of the life story of Raphaël Hardy, a central figure in the narrative.
What kind of information is included in the book?
The book includes a table of contents, forewords, an introduction detailing the research methodology, chapter summaries, a family tree, a detailed chronological account of the families’ history, and a list of keywords.
What is the significance of Raphaël Hardy?
Raphaël Hardy is a central figure in the narrative, and the book dedicates significant attention to reconstructing his life story and his migration to Brazil.
What is the significance of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the context of this book?
The authors explain that they undertook this project during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the pandemic as a catalyst for undertaking the time-intensive research project.
Where can I find more information about the Hardy, Silvino, and Freitas Coutinho families?
This book serves as a primary source of information for the families mentioned. Further research could be conducted using the provided keywords and exploring the referenced online resources and individuals.
- Citation du texte
- Marco Coutinho (Auteur), 2020, Memories. Facts and Tales of Our Lives, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1467187
